GAZA: Gaza ceasefire talks hung in the balance as Hamas and Israel on Saturday (Jul 12) accused the other of blocking attempts to strike a deal, nearly a week into an attempt to halt 21 months of bitter fighting in the Palestinian territory.

Israeli strikes on Gaza left at least 16 dead and several wounded on Saturday (July 12), medical sources said. The attack came as talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza are stalling over the extent of Israeli forces' withdrawal from the Palestinian enclave,

Iran's resurgence, Israel's military posture, and U.S. backing create a high-stakes triangle driving the region toward renewed conflict.

Critics feared it would plunge the Middle East into a wider war. That doomsday scenario has not come to pass, at least for now: Iran made only symbolic retaliation against America; soon after, a ceasefire ended the fighting between Iran and Israel.