Sources in Washington told CNN they expect Israel’s response to Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Sunday to be limited in scope, as US officials seek to minimize the threat of a wider regional war.
In Gaza, Israeli attacks have killed at least 46 Palestinians over the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health there reported on Tuesday, raising the total death toll to 33,843 people.
Here are the latest developments:
- US officials warn against increased tensions: The Israeli military has not given the US an official warning about when or how it will respond to Iran’s barrage of missiles, a senior administration official said, adding that “any additional move now opens up a series of other possibilities, some of which are quite frightening.” A second source told CNN that US intelligence suggests Israel is considering a narrow and limited strike inside Iranian territory.
- Leaders urge calm: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is traveling to Israel Tuesday in an attempt to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Iran. At the same time, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told CNN he discussed with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts upholding “tranquility and peace” in the region.
- Gaza death toll: The health ministry in Gaza reported that as of April 13, 14,560 Palestinian children have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7. Another 9,582 women and 485 medical staff have been killed, the ministry said. Of those killed, at least 72% were women and children.
- Children orphaned by war: As Israel’s offensive in Gaza surpassed six months, the UN reported that at least 19,000 Palestinian children have been orphaned. One child is wounded or dies every 10 minutes, the UN said, adding that more than 1 million women and girls in the enclave are facing “catastrophic hunger.”
- Israeli artist calls for ceasefire: Artist Ruth Patir, Israel’s representative at the Venice Biennale in Italy, has said she won’t open her exhibit until a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza has been reached. A petition signed by more than 23,000 people had recently called for Israel to be excluded from the international cultural exhibition, as calls for a truce and an independent Palestinian state have grown.
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