Devastation in Gaza as Israel wages war on Hamas

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it killed three sons of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an airstrike in Gaza on Wednesday. The IDF said it confirmed that the three operatives are the sons of the Hamas political leader, who is the chairman of the political bureau. CNN is not able to independently confirm these IDF claims.

The IDF also continues to operate in Gaza and has launched “dozens” of air airstrikes in the past day, killing a number of people it called “terrorists.” It has not provided further details on reports that an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip killed at least 14 people on Tuesday evening.

Hamas indicates it doesn’t have 40 hostages: Hamas has indicated it is currently unable to identify and track down 40 Israeli hostages needed for the first phase of a ceasefire deal, according to an Israeli official and a source familiar with the discussions, raising fears that more hostages may be dead than are publicly known. CNN’s record of the conditions of the hostages also suggests there are fewer than 40 living hostages who meet the proposed criteria.

Eid celebrations ruined: Before the war, Salwa Tibi used to prepare breakfast for the young children in her family, visit relatives and decorate her house in Gaza City, in northern Gaza, with balloons and lights to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. But this year, Israel’s military campaign has crushed hopes of marking the festival. Instead, the Palestinian aid worker, in her 50s, told CNN she will struggle to find enough food, clothes and shoes for her younger relatives.

Fears of Iranian attack: The Israeli army has in recent days disrupted GPS signals over a number of cities, including the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and Jerusalem, with the aim of thwarting missile or drone attacks potentially fired by Iran or Iran-backed groups in the region. The jamming caused major disruptions to daily life, sparking frustration across Israel. President Joe Biden said Wednesday the US remains stalwart in its commitment to protect Israel in the face of Iranian threats against the country. CNN previously reported that senior US officials believe an attack by Iran is “inevitable” – a view shared by their Israeli counterparts. The US has been on high alert and actively preparing for a significant attack by Iran targeting Israeli or American assets in the region following the blasts in Syria.