# **LIVE: Israel and Iran Exchange Missile Attacks; 144 Killed in Gaza in Last 24 Hours**
**14 hours ago ● Al Jazeera**
The Middle East remains on high alert as **Israel and Iran continue to exchange missile strikes**, escalating tensions in an already volatile region. Meanwhile, Gaza faces another devastating toll, with **at least 144 Palestinians killed in the last 24 hours** amid relentless Israeli bombardment.
This **live report** covers the latest developments, including:
– **Direct missile exchanges between Israel and Iran**
– **Rising death toll in Gaza**
– **International reactions & calls for de-escalation**
– **Humanitarian crisis worsening in Rafah**
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## **1. Israel-Iran Conflict: Latest Missile Strikes**
### **Iran’s Retaliatory Attack**
– Late last night, **Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles** toward Israel in retaliation for the **April 1 strike on its consulate in Damascus**, which killed several Iranian commanders.
– **Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted most projectiles**, but a few caused minor damage in southern Israel.
### **Israel’s Counterstrike**
– Early this morning, **Israel struck back**, hitting military targets inside Iran.
– **Explosions reported near Isfahan**, a key Iranian nuclear and military site.
– **Iranian state media downplays damage**, but satellite imagery suggests significant strikes.
### **Risk of Full-Scale War?**
– **Both sides claim they do not seek war**, but the cycle of retaliation continues.
– **US & EU urge restraint**, fearing a wider Middle East conflict.
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## **2. Gaza: 144 Killed in 24 Hours as Bombardment Intensifies**
### **Deadliest Strikes in Rafah & Khan Younis**
– **Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling** have killed **144 Palestinians** in the past day, including **42 children**.
– **Rafah**, where over **1.4 million displaced Gazans** are sheltering, faced heavy bombardment despite warnings of a **pending ground invasion**.
– **Hospitals overwhelmed** as casualties flood in; **Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital** reports critical shortages.
### **Starvation & Disease Spreading**
– **UN warns of famine** in northern Gaza, with **90% of children facing acute malnutrition**.
– **Cholera outbreaks** feared due to contaminated water and destroyed sanitation systems.
### **Ceasefire Talks Stalled**
– **Hamas demands full Israeli withdrawal**; Israel refuses, insisting on **hostage release first**.
– **Qatar & Egypt mediating**, but no breakthrough yet.
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## **3. International Reactions**
### **US & Western Allies**
– **Biden administration urges de-escalation** but reaffirms support for Israel.
– **UK & Germany condemn Iran’s attack**, call for diplomatic solutions.
### **Arab & Muslim Nations**
– **Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan** express concern, call for **UN intervention**.
– **Turkey & Qatar** demand **immediate ceasefire in Gaza**.
### **UN Emergency Meeting**
– **Security Council convenes** but fails to pass a resolution due to **US veto threat**.
– **UN chief António Guterres** warns: **”The Middle East is on the brink.”**
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## **4. Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza**
### **Aid Blockades Continue**
– **Only 150 trucks allowed in yesterday** (vs. 500+ needed daily).
– **Israel denies claims of blocking aid**, blames Hamas for diversion.
### **Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Report**
– **”Medical system has collapsed”** – amputations done without anesthesia.
– **Over 34,000 killed in Gaza since October 7** (70% women & children).
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## **5. What’s Next?**
### **Possible Scenarios:**
1. **Further Israeli strikes on Iran** if attacks continue.
2. **Hezbollah joins conflict**, opening a **Lebanon front**.
3. **Gaza ground invasion in Rafah**, risking **catastrophic casualties**.
### **Global Call for Ceasefire**
– **Protests erupt worldwide** (London, New York, Istanbul).
– **ICC under pressure** to issue arrest warrants for **Israeli leaders**.
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## **Final Update (Live Feed)**
🔄 **15:00 GMT:** Explosions heard in **Baghdad, Iraq** – unclear if linked.
🔄 **15:30 GMT:** **Netanyahu vows “strong response”** if Iran attacks again.
🔄 **16:00 GMT:** **US moves additional warships** to Eastern Mediterranean.
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## **Conclusion: A Region on the Edge**
The **Israel-Iran conflict** risks spiraling into a **regional war**, while Gaza’s humanitarian disaster worsens by the hour. With **diplomacy failing** and **violence escalating**, the world watches anxiously for the next move.
**Stay tuned for live updates.**
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