The Israeli military has launched strikes on Hamas and Hezbollah strongholds – despite a crucial peace talk scheduled to take place tomorrow.
On Saturday an attack on a suspected rocket base in the Gazan town of Zawayda killed 17 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The strike came just hours after 10 people died and a further five were injured in a raid on a suspected Hezbollah arms depot in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon.
Lebanese state media said that the people who died in the incident were all Syrian nationals.
The news comes as talks aimed at brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas were set to reconvene in the Qatari capital, Doha.
Smoke rises above Deir al-Balah following Israeli bombardment on August 17
A man reaches out his arms after 10 people died and a further five were injured in a raid on a suspected Hezbollah arms depot in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon
The talks are being mediated by the host nation, Egypt, and the United States.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Britain would ‘use every diplomatic lever’ to help bring about a ceasefire.
He said: ‘We are at a crucial moment for global stability.
‘The coming hours and days could define the future of the Middle East.
‘It is in the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians for a deal to be agreed, urgently.’
In a joint statement with his French, German, and Italian counterparts, Mr Lammy added: ‘We underline the importance of avoiding any escalatory action in the region which would undermine the prospect for peace.
‘There is too much at stake.’
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden confirmed he would be sending US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to Israel to show America’s ‘iron-clad’ support for the country’s security.
He added: ‘With the comprehensive ceasefire and hostage release deal now in sight, no one in the region should take actions to undermine this process.’
Syrian women cling to each other outside a hospital in Wadi al-Kfour, Lebanon after their loved ones were killed by an Israeli airstrike
A red shoe and a teddy bear can be seen in the rubble after what Lebanon state media has described as an Israeli strike in Nabatieh
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne (left), Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa (centre) and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy (right) meet in Ramallah, West Bank on August 16
US President Joe Biden (left) confirmed he would be sending US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (right) to Israel to show America’s ‘iron-clad’ support for the country’s security
The outgoing president also said he felt that ‘we are closer than we have ever been’ to an end to the hostilities, which started when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7 last year, killing 1,200 people – mostly civilians – and taking more than 200 hostages.
However, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said reports of an agreement being close were ‘deceptive’.
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