By Desmond Nleya, Daily Times Reporter
The fragile ceasefire in the Middle East came under increasing pressure on Thursday as fresh violence involving the United States, Iran, Israel, and regional actors raised fears of a wider conflict.
At least nine Palestinians, including four children, were killed overnight in Israeli air strikes targeting residential apartments in Gaza City, according to local reports. The latest attacks add to mounting civilian casualties in the besieged territory despite international calls for restraint.
Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and Tehran remained high following recent military exchanges. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no significant progress had been achieved in negotiations with the United States, although diplomatic communication channels remain open.
Araghchi defended Iran’s missile and drone attacks against US allies in the Gulf as acts of self-defence, insisting that additional military action would not achieve what years of sanctions and conflict had failed to accomplish.
His remarks came after Kuwait confirmed that Iranian missile and drone strikes on Wednesday killed one person, injured more than 60 others, and caused damage to Kuwait International Airport.
Despite the growing hostilities, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations with Iran, saying talks were progressing well and suggesting that an agreement to end the conflict could be reached as early as this weekend.
However, uncertainty remains over the prospects for peace. Trump tempered expectations by acknowledging that the outcome of negotiations remains unclear.
Al Jazeera correspondent Osama Bin Javaid noted that the limits of the current ceasefire are being tested on multiple fronts following recent US strikes on Iranian targets and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks against US-linked interests in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The regional situation was further complicated by renewed violence in Lebanon. Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon and areas near Beirut reportedly killed at least nine people on Wednesday. Local authorities said at least 10 vehicles were targeted, including an ambulance, resulting in the deaths of two Lebanese paramedics.
The latest developments underscore the volatility of the region, with diplomatic efforts struggling to contain escalating military confrontations that threaten to draw more countries into the conflict.
