Israeli army orders evacuation over Gaza as Doha truce talks continue

Delegations from Egypt, the United States, Qatar, and Israel met on Wednesday in Qatar's capital Doha to resume Gaza truce talks. 

CIA director William Burns was also expected in the Qatari capital after holding talks in Cairo on Tuesday. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met U.S. President Joe Biden's special envoy for the Middle East Brett McGurk. Netanyahu "emphasized his commitment" to a proposed truce plan," as long as Israel's red lines are preserved," his office said.

Hamas, however, still wants international mediators to guarantee that truce talks conclude with a permanent ceasefire. But Netanyahu has insisted "he will not agree to any deal forcing Israel to stop its campaign in Gaza without eliminating Hamas."

Meanwhile, across war-torn Gaza City, Israel's army dropped thousands of leaflets on Wednesday urging all residents to flee a heavy offensive through the main city of the besieged Palestinian territory.

The leaflets, addressed to "everyone in Gaza City," set out designated escape routes and warned that the urban area – where UN humanitarian agency OCHA said up to 350,000 people were staying – would "remain a dangerous combat zone." The warning came as Israeli troops, backed by tanks and aircraft, have fought Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in the heaviest combat the city has seen in months amid the war raging since October 7.

Deadly strikes have hit four schools used as shelters in four days across Gaza, killing at least 49 people according to medics and officials in the Hamas-run territory, and sparking rebukes from France and Germany. 

Israel said the strikes had targeted militants hiding in schools. The Israeli military concluded its operation in Gaza City's eastern district of Shujaiya, where major battles had raged since an Israeli evacuation order on June 27. A spokesman for Gaza's civil defense agency said there was widespread "destruction." Shujaiya has become a "ghost city," said Mahmud Bassal.

Palestine calling for unified government after ceasefire

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Wednesday called for a unified Palestine under a single authority and government once a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.

During a meeting with UN officials, consuls, and ambassadors in Ramallah, Mustafa emphasized the need for unity and cooperation.

"The day after the war ends, Palestine must be unified under one authority and one government, working with partners as one team with one plan. There can be no undefined transitional period that would create more complexity and chaos," Mustafa said, according to a statement from his office sent to Xinhua.

Mustafa urged international partners, donors, and UN institutions to closely coordinate with the Palestinian government to ensure swift recovery and address urgent humanitarian needs resulting from the conflict in Gaza and its repercussions in the West Bank.

Hezbollah to cease fire if peace reached in Gaza

Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah confirmed on Wednesday that his group will stop attacking Israel if an agreement is reached on a ceasefire in Gaza.

Nasrallah made the remarks in a televised speech commemorating Mohammad Ni'mah Nasser, a party leader killed by Israel in southern Lebanon last week.

The Hezbollah leader also made a response to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's earlier comments about the potential continuation of conflict in Lebanon even if Gaza's war ends, asserting the importance of defending Lebanon's south and its people.

"Is the enemy who is unable to end operations in Rafah and achieve any gains capable of invading south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon?" he asked.

Moreover, Nasrallah reiterated Hezbollah will support whatever decision is made by Hamas in its negotiations with Israel.

"The brothers in Hamas know best," he stated, emphasizing that Hamas negotiates on behalf of all resistance factions and that Hezbollah will back all its decisions.

Nasrallah's words came while delegations from Egypt, the United States, Qatar, and Israel met on Wednesday in Qatar's capital Doha to resume the Gaza truce talks.

(With input from agencies)