Israel-Lebanon live: UN says Israeli tank wounded peacekeepers and decries ‘extermination’ of Gaza hospitals

The UN says two of its peacekeepers have been injured after an Israeli tank shot at a watchtower in southern Lebanon.

UNIFL, the UN’s peacekeeping force in Lebanon, says Israel also “deliberately” fired at other UN peacekeeper positions, adding that “any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law”.

Israeli troops fired at the watchtower in UNIFL’s main base in Naqoura. The organisation said the injuries are “fortunately” not serious

An inquiry by the UN has also found that Israel’s destruction of the health system in Gaza amounts to the crime against humanity of extermination.

A statement released before the full report accuses Israel of "relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities", adding that children have “borne the brunt” of this crisis.

The inquiry also accuses Israeli forces of deliberately killing and torturing medical personnel, targeting medical vehicles and restricting permits for patients to leave the Gaza strip.

Earlier today, an Israeli airstrike killed 28 people and wounded 54 more in a Gaza school which was used as a shelter for displaced people, medics said.

Key Points

• Israel’s destruction of Gaza health system is crime against humanity, UN inquiry finds

• UNIFL says Israeli soldiers ‘deliberately’ fired at UN positions

• 28 killed and 54 injured in Israeli strike on Gaza school, Palestinian Red Crescent says

• Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire have intensified, Lebanese PM says

• Israel says it killed two more Hezbollah commanders

More than 42,000 Palestinians killed since October 7, Gaza health ministry says

16:02 , Alex Croft

More than 42,065 Palestinians have been killed and 97,886 injured in Israel’s bombardment and invasion of Gaza since October 7, when Hamas carried out attacks in souther Israel, Gaza’s health ministry said on Thursday.

On Thursday, 28 people were killed and 54 injured in a major airstrike on a school in Gaza, which Israel says was targeting Hamas militants.

More than 1,000 Americans flee Lebanon

15:40 , Alex Croft

More than 1,000 Americans and their dependents have fled war-torn Lebanon on US-chartered flights in the last week, a top US diplomat said on Thursday.

As Israel ramps up its attacks on Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the capital of Beirut, many citizens from around the world have been forced to flee via commercial and charter flights.

“It’s the fastest, safest way to get Americans out of harm’s way,” Consul General Julie Eadeh said in an interview in Istanbul, according to Reuters.

“The security situation is dynamic, so we have been planning for months for all contingencies. Given the airport in Beirut remains operational and open, our focus is on facilitating departures by air.”

Italian defence minister condemns attacks on UN positions

15:22 , Alex Croft

Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday that firing on UN bases is “totally unacceptable”.

He added in a statement that Israel’s actions clearly flout international law, Reuters reported.

Two UN peacekeepers were injured after Israeli forces fired at a UN watchtower.

UNIFL accuses Israel of “deliberately” firing at other UN peacekeeper positions. They said that “any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law”.

Pictured: Aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs

15:16 , Alex Croft

More on UN inquiry: “Relentless and deliberate” attacks on medics by Israel

14:49 , Alex Croft

A UN inquiry said on Thursday that Israel has carried out a concerted policy of destroying Gaza’s healthcare system, amounting to the crime against humanity of extermination.

The inquiry also found that the actions amounted to war crimes.

A statement from ex-U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, released ahead of a full report, accused Israel of "relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities".

"Children in particular have borne the brunt of these attacks, suffering both directly and indirectly from the collapse of the health system," Pillay said.

The inquiry also accuses Israeli forces of deliberately killing and torturing medical personnel, restricting permits for patients to leave the Gaza strip and targeting medical vehicles.

Israel accuses Hamas militants of using hospitals and medical facilities as cover.

Nearly 1,000 medics have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The World Health Organisation says this is an “irreplaceable loss and a massive blow to the health system”.

Breaking: Israel’s destruction of Gaza health system is crime against humanity, UN inquiry finds

14:33 , Alex Croft

A UN inquiry has found that Israel’s destruction of the health system in Gaza amounts to the crime against humanity of “extermination”.

The news emerged in a statement released ahead of the full report, according to Reuters.

We’ll bring you the latest on the inquiry.

Foreign secretary David Lammy shares update from Bahrain

14:09 , Alex Croft

UNIFL says Israeli soldiers ‘deliberately’ fired at UN position

13:52 , Alex Croft

UNIFL have issued a statement after two UN peacekeepers were injured by an Israeli strike.

Israeli troops fired at the watchtower in UNIFL’s main base in Naqoura, adding that the injuries are “fortunately” not serious.

UNIFL says Israel also “deliberately” fired at other UN peacekeeper positions, adding that “any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law”.

Here is the statement in full:

“Recent escalation along the Blue Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in south Lebanon, while rockets continue to be launched towards Israel, including civilian areas.

In the past days we have seen incursions from Israel into Lebanon in Naqoura and other areas. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers have clashed with Hezbollah elements on the ground in Lebanon. Unifil’s Naqoura headquarters and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit.

This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at Unifil’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital.

IDF soldiers also fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system. An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance.

Yesterday, IDF soldiers deliberately fired at and disabled the position’s perimeter-monitoring cameras. They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, where regular Tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting and a relay station.

We remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under security council mandate.

Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701. We are following up with the IDF on these matters.”

Pictured: Huge Israeli strike hits Gaza school, killing 28 and injuring 54, medics say

13:48 , Alex Croft

Israel needs to address ‘catastrophic conditions’ in Gaza, US says

13:31 , Alex Croft

The US has called on Israel to urgently address the “catastrophic conditions” in Gaza and stop “intensifying suffering” by limiting the delivery of aid.

Speaking to the UN security council, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: “These catastrophic conditions were predicted months ago, and yet, have still not been addressed. That must change, and now.”

Ms Thomas-Greenfield added that there must be “no demographic or territorial change” in the Gaza strip, The Guardian reported.

Israeli tanks attacked northern Gaza with force this week, stating they were preventing Hamas from regrouping.

Biden and Netanyahu in first call for weeks – with focus on Israeli plans for retaliation against Iran

13:12 , Rachel Hagan

President Joe Biden and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu have held their first call in weeks, a conversation that comes as Israel expands its ground invasion into south Lebanon and considers how to respond to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack.

Mr Netanyahu’s office also confirmed that the prime minister had recently spoken with former president Donald Trump, who is running again for the White House.

Rachel Hagan reports:

Biden and Netanyahu in first call for weeks

ICYMI: US and France leading ceasefire charge, Mikati says

12:52 , Alex Croft

Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati says the United States and France are trying to revive a ceasefire deal for the Middle East.

“There are contacts taking place between the United States and France with the aim of reviving a ceasefire declaration for a specific period in order to resume the search for political solutions,” he is quoted as saying, according to Reuters.

Lebanese milotant group Hezbollah yesterday supported calls for a ceasefire, and dropped a Gaza truce from their ceasefire conditions.

“We support the political efforts led by (Parliament Speaker Nabih) Berri under the banner of achieving a ceasefire. Once the ceasefire is firmly established and diplomacy can reach it, all other details will be discussed and decisions will be made collaboratively,” Deputy Secretery General Naim Qassem said.

But Israel’s invasion of Lebanon continues, and Netanyahu told the people of Hezbollah to throw out Hezbollah if they want to avoid the “destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza”.

Two UN peacekeepers injured after Israeli tank shoots at watchtower

12:32 , Alex Croft

Two UN peacekeepers have sustained minor injuries after an Israeli tank opened fire on a UN watchtower on Wednesday.

The watchtower was in the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon’s (UNIFL) main base in Naqoura.

We reported earlier that Israeli fired at three different UN peacekeeper positions in southern Lebanon over a 24-hour period.

Israel has not yet commented.

Pictured: Scenes of devastation following Israeli strike on Gaza clinic

12:09 , Alex Croft

Israeli troops open fire on UN peacekeeper positions

11:59 , Alex Croft

The Israeli military opened fire at three positions held by UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on Thursday, according to a UN source.

Speaking to Reuters, the source did not immediately specify the type of fire.

One of the locations under fire was the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon’s (UNIFL) main base in Naqoura.

UNIFL is a peacekeeping mission established in 1978, with 10,000 members from 46 nations tasked with helping the Lebanese Army keep the south protected from armed groups such as Hezbollah.

Palestinian Red Crescent shares video of aftermath of huge Israeli strike

11:44 , Alex Croft

The Palestinian Red Crescent has shared a video on X showing the aftermath of a huge Israeli strike on a school in Gaza, which was serving as a shelter for displaced people.

The organisation reported 28 deaths and 54 injures. The death toll was later updated from that shown in the tweet.

Israel confirms strike on Gaza school

11:39 , Alex Croft

The Israeli military has confirmed it carried out a strike on a school which was sheltering displaced people on Thursday, saying they were targeting militants.

It said in a statement: “Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence.”

In pictures: Turkish citizens flee Lebanon by ship

11:05 , Alex Croft

Update: Gaza school strike killed 28 and injured 54, medics say

10:52 , Alex Croft

The death toll for the strike on a school in Gaza is now 28, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

54 people were also injured in the strike, the organisation reported.

The Palestinian Red Crescent is a humanitarian organisation which serves as Palestine’s branch of the International Red Cross.

Breaking: At least 16 killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza school, medics say

10:15 , Alex Croft

An Israeli strike has killed at least 16 people in a Gaza school which being used to shelter displaced people on the Gaza strip, medics say.

Dozens were also injured in the strike on Rufaida School in western Deir Al-Balah, according to Reuters.

US and France leading ceasefire charge, Mikati says

09:54 , Alex Croft

Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati says the United States and France are trying to revive a ceasefire deal for the Middle East.

“There are contacts taking place between the United States and France with the aim of reviving a ceasefire declaration for a specific period in order to resume the search for political solutions,” he is quoted as saying, according to Reuters.

Lebanese milotant group Hezbollah yesterday supported calls for a ceasefire, and dropped a Gaza truce from their ceasefire conditions.

“We support the political efforts led by (Parliament Speaker Nabih) Berri under the banner of achieving a ceasefire. Once the ceasefire is firmly established and diplomacy can reach it, all other details will be discussed and decisions will be made collaboratively,” Deputy Secretery General Naim Qassem said.

But Israel’s invasion of Lebanon continues, and Netanyahu told the people of Hezbollah to throw out Hezbollah if they want to avoid the "destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza".

Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire have intensified, Lebanese PM says

09:32 , Alex Croft

Lebanon’s prime minister, Najib Mikati, says diplomatic communications towards a ceasefire have intensified ahead of the UN Security Council meeting, Reuters reported.

We’ll bring you the latest on Mikati’s claims as it comes.

Pictured: Site of Israeli strike which killed five health workers

09:14 , Alex Croft

As we reported earlier, five health workers were killed by Israeli strikes on the southern Lebanese town of Derdghaiya, according to Lebanese authorities.

Here are some pictures of the scene at the Civil Defence emergency centre.

Israel needs to address ‘catastrophic conditions’ in Gaza, US says

08:57 , Alex Croft

The US has called on Israel to urgently address the “catastrophic conditions” in Gaza and stop “intensifying suffering” by limiting the delivery of aid.

Speaking to the UN security council, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: “These catastrophic conditions were predicted months ago, and yet, have still not been addressed. That must change, and now.”

Ms Thomas-Greenfield added that there must be “no demographic or territorial change” in the Gaza strip, The Guardian reported.

Israeli tanks attacked northern Gaza with force this week, stating they were preventing Hamas from regrouping.

Five Lebanese health workers killed by Israeli strike, authorities say

08:33 , Alex Croft

Israeli strikes on the southern Lebanese town of Derdghaiya have killed five health workers, according to authorities.

The total number of health workers is now 115 since Israel began its bombardment and subsequent invasion last month, the BBC reports.

A makeshift emergency response centre in a church hall was hit by an Israeli strike, killing at least five, with more possible under the rubble.

The Lebanese government says such attacks violate the laws of war.

One Israeli soldier killed in southern Lebanon, says military

08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Israeli military said one of their reserve soldiers was killed during fighting with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Sgt Maj Ronny Ganizate of the Alon Brigade’s 5030th Battalion is the 12th Israeli soldier killed in the ground invasion in Lebanon.

Another reserve soldier from the same battalion was critically wounded in the fighting and rushed to a hospital, the Israel Defense Forces said.

One Palestinian journalist killed as Israel ‘directs gunfire’ at reporters in Gaza

07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least one journalist was killed in northern Gaza as the Israeli army was accused of attacking a group of reporters in Jabalia refugee camp.

Al-Aqsa TV photojournalist Mohammad Al-Tanani was killed and reporter Tamer Lubbad was injured in the Abu Sharakh roundabout area of Jabalia, the network said yesterday.

Qatar-based Al Jazeera said its photojournalist Fadi Al-Wahidi was also injured by Israeli army gunfire while reporting on the latest ground invasion.

The “gunfire was directed at the Al Jazeera team, injuring its photojournalist Fadi Al-Wahidi with a bullet to the neck during coverage,” said Anas Al-Sharif, an Al Jazeera correspondent.

Israel says it killed two more Hezbollah commanders

07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Israeli military said it has killed two Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon and its fighter jets attacked ammunition depots in the Beirut area and ammunition depots and other military infrastructures in southern Lebanon

.Ground clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, which is also backed by Iran, spread along southern Lebanon’s mountainous frontier yesterday as the Middle East was on high alert awaiting Israel’s response to an Iranian missile strike last week.

Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon has killed more than 2,100 people, most of them in the last few weeks, and forced 1.2 million from their homes, according to the Lebanese government.

Naim Kassem: The former teacher now leading Hezbollah

07:00 , Alexander Butler

Naim Kassem: The former teacher now leading Hezbollah

Hezbollah drops Gaza truce as condition for Lebanon ceasefire

06:43 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Hezbollah has dropped the demand for a truce in Gaza as a condition for reaching a ceasefire in Lebanon, rowing back from an often-repeated promise to keep fighting until Israel halts its offensive against Hamas.

Ever since Hezbollah began launching missiles across Lebanon’s border, Hezbollah officials have consistently said they would not stop until Israel ended the war in Gaza.

Naim Qassem, the deputy leader of Hezbollah, broke that link in a televised speech, even as he promised to continue to stand with Hamas and Palestinians in their battle with Israel.

“We support the political activity being led by [Nabih] Berri under the title of a ceasefire,” Qassem said. “If the enemy (Israel) continues its war, then the battlefield will decide.”

400,000 trapped in hell of northern Gaza, says UN

06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least 400,000 people remain trapped in northern Gaza, the UN has said, as Israeli forces press on with a raid on the Jabalia refugee camp.

The commissioner general of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, has warned that tens of thousands of people have nowhere to go despite evacuation orders from the Israeli army.

The Israeli military says the raid, now in its fifth day, is intended to stop Hamas fighters staging further attacks from Jabalia and to prevent them regrouping.

Rachel Hagan reports.

400,000 trapped in hell of northern Gaza, UN says, as death toll passes 42,000

Lebanon arrests Syrians for allegedly spying for Israel

06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Lebanon yesterday said it arrested two Syrians on suspicion of being spies for Israel as Benjamin Netanyahu’s troops continue to pound southern Beirut.

The Lebanese army intelligence arrested two Syrians “for photographing different places... and documenting the results of enemy air strikes”, the military said on X.

The Lebanese army said the arrests were “a result of surveillance and follow-up of Israeli spy networks and enemy agents”.

The duo had documented “search and rescue operations and the recovery of bodies” at Israeli strike sites and were “recruited through social media”, it added.

Turkey begins evacuation of its citizens from Beirut

05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Over 2,000 Turkish citizens and some foreign nationals started boarding a Turkish military ship that brought in aid last night and will take them out of Lebanon.

Zehra Cibbin, an ethnic Arab from the southeastern Turkish city of Mardin who lives in Beirut with her Lebanese husband, got off a bus packed with the other evacuees, her two children in tow and luggage in hand.

“It’s indescribable. They bombed the street below our house. From that moment on, it was over for me, I said I didn’t want to stay in Beirut anymore,” Ms Cibbin, 46, told the Associated Press.

Apart from the Turkish citizens, people from Bulgaria, Romania and Kazakhstan were among those who applied to evacuate on the ships.

Officials did not provide numbers.“Israel’s aggression has severely impacted Lebanon and our brothers here,” said Ali Baris Ulusoy, the Turkish ambassador to Lebanon.

UK facing heightened threat of ‘plot after plot’ from Iran, warns MI5 chief

05:00 , Alexander Butler

MI5: UK facing threat of ‘plot after plot’ from Iran, Russia and Isis

Dozens killed as Israeli troops pound central and northern Gaza

04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Israeli airstrikes have killed about 40 people in Jabaliya and another 14 from farther north between Sunday and Tuesday, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry said yesterday.

The toll is likely higher as there are bodies buried under the rubble and in areas that can’t be accessed, it said.

Israel’s military spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said that Israeli troops were operating in Jabaliya to prevent Hamas from regrouping and had killed about 100 militants, without providing evidence.

Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, the health ministry said.

Israeli soldier urges UK to be Churchill not Chamberlain against Iran

04:19 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A wounded Israeli soldier urged the UK not to forget the mistake of Neville Chamberlain by being more like Churchill and standing up against “the evil of Iran”.

Barak Deri, an Israeli Defence Force reservist, has been hailed as a hero in his country and is visiting London this week as part of a mission to win support for Israel’s struggle in the ongoing war on multiple fronts in the Middle East.

The 32-year-old, who was wounded and is likely to be disabled for the rest of his life, arrived in the UK with a simple warning that “Israel’s war is the West’s war” and the demand: “We cannot be quiet, we must send a clear message that another Holocaust is not an option.”

David Maddox reports.

Israeli soldier urges UK to be Churchill not Chamberlain in standing against Iran

Hamas, Fatah leaders to hold Palestinian unity talks in Cairo

04:00 , Alexander Butler

Leaders from the Islamist group Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement will hold further unity talks in Cairo on Wednesday, a Hamas official said.

The media adviser of the Hamas political chief, the Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Tuesday, according to reports.

It was led by Khalil Al-Hayya, the group’s chief negotiator and Hamas’ second-in-command, currently based in Qatar.

“The meeting will discuss the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and the challenges facing the Palestinian cause,” Hamas officials said.

Two people killed in northern Israel by Hezbollah rocket fire, medics say

03:00 , Alexander Butler

Two people were killed in a town in northern Israel that was hit by rocket fire from Hezbollah in Lebanon on Wednesday, Israeli authorities said.

Israel’s ambulance service said that a man and a woman had been killed in the town of Kirya Shmona. The military said about 20 projectiles had been launched from Lebanon in the barrage.

Underground weapons store destroyed in southern Lebanon, Israeli military says

02:00 , Alexander Butler

The Israeli military said it had destroyed an underground weapons store found seven metres below a residential building in southern Lebanon.

“The soldiers located hundreds of weapons, including an underground weapons storage facility approximately seven metres under a home within the village where the troops are operating,” it said.

“Within the weapons storage facility, the troops discovered sniper rifles and numerous weapons.”

Pictured: Damage in Beirut following Israeli airstrikes

01:00 , Alexander Butler

Biden and Netanyahu discuss Israel's response to Iran missile strike

Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:25 , Athena Stavrou

Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday about a potential Israeli response to Iran’s missile strike last week.

Biden and Netanyahu talked about Israel’s plans in a call that lasted 30 minutes, the White House said.

The discussion was “direct and very productive,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, while acknowledging the two leaders have disagreements and are open about them.

Relations between Biden and Netanyahu have been tense over the Israeli leader’s handling of Gaza and Lebanon. The US has tried to prevent hostilities from escalating and has unsuccessfully sought to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel has promised that arch-foe Iran will pay for its missile attack, which caused little damage, while Tehran has said any retaliation would be met with vast destruction, raising fears of a wider war in the oil-producing region that could draw in the United States.

Biden last week made comments discouraging Israel from striking Iranian oil fields and said he would not support Israel striking Iranian nuclear sites.

Some analysts say Israel is most likely to respond to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack by targeting Iranian military installations, especially those that produce ballistic missiles like those used in the attack. It could also seek to destroy Iranian air defence systems and missile-launching facilities.

Pictured: Hezbollah rockets over northern Israel

Wednesday 9 October 2024 23:00 , Alexander Butler

Israeli soldiers demand hostage deal

Wednesday 9 October 2024 22:00 , Alexander Butler

Over 100 Israeli soldiers have threatened to stop fighting if Netanyahu’s government does not secure a hostage release deal.

In a letter addressed to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister Yoav Gallant, 130 soldiers said: “If the government does not change course immediately and work towards securing a deal to bring the hostages home, we will not be able to continue serving.

“For some of us, the red line has already been crossed, and for others, it is rapidly approaching: the day when, with broken hearts, we will stop reporting for service.”

The group includes both reserve and regular soldiers, some of whom have served in Gaza and on Israel’s northern border since last year’s 7 October Hamas attacks.

185 Hezbollah targets hit in 24 hours, Israel claims

Wednesday 9 October 2024 21:00 , Alexander Butler

The Israeli military says it has hit around 185 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in the past day. Soldiers had “dismantled” launch pads that “posed a threat” to northern Israel and located weapons, it added.

Hezbollah militants had also been killed in “close quarter encounters” and aerial strikes. In Gaza, the military said its operation against Hamas was still taking place, with “dozens” of fighters killed in the past 24 hours.

Weapons, including grenades and AK-47 rifles, had been destroyed, along with “infrastructure sites” and rocket launchers, it added.

Israel carries out new strikes in Gaza

Wednesday 9 October 2024 20:00 , Alexander Butler

At least 18 people were killed in overnight military strikes on Gaza as Israeli forces pressed on with a raid on the Jabalia refugee camp in the enclave’s north.

The Israeli military says the raid, now in its fifth day, is intended to stop Hamas fighters staging further attacks from Jabalia and to prevent them regrouping.

It has repeatedly issued evacuation orders to residents of Jabalia and nearby areas, but Palestinian and UN officials say there are no safe places to flee to in the Gaza Strip.

“At least 400,000 people are trapped in the area,” Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Palestinian refugee Agency (UNRWA), posted on X on Wednesday.

“Recent evacuation orders from the Israeli Authorities are forcing people to flee again & again, especially from Jabalia Camp. Many are refusing because they know too well that no place anywhere in Gaza is safe.”

Hezbollah claims to push back advancing Israeli troops in border clashes

Wednesday 9 October 2024 19:22 , Andy Gregory

Hezbollah claims its fighters have managed to push Israeli troops back near the border village of Labbouneh, having fired several rocket salvoes.

Further east, the Lebanese militant group said it had attacked Israeli soldiers in the village of Maroun el-Ras and unleashed missile barrages at Israeli forces advancing towards the twin border villages of Mays al-Jabal and Mouhaybib.

Video footage posted on social media and geolocated by Reuters had shown three Israeli soldiers raising their country’s flag in Maroun el-Ras, marking the first time for decades they are known to have done so on Lebanese territory Israel occupied from 1982-2000.

US says it made clear Israel’ is ‘fully expected’ to abide by humanitarian law in Gaza

Wednesday 9 October 2024 19:19 , Andy Gregory

The United States is incredibly concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the State Department has said.

“It has been the subject of some very urgent discussions between our two governments,” spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

“We have been making clear to the government of Israel that they have an obligation under international humanitarian law to allow food and water and other needed humanitarian assistance to make it into all parts of Gaza, and we fully expect them to comply with those obligations.”

Israeli strike on Iran ‘would be lethal, precise and surprising’, says Gallant

Wednesday 9 October 2024 19:18 , Andy Gregory

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant has warned that a strike on Iran in response to its recent missile attack would be “lethal” and “surprising”.

His office said in a statement: “Our strike will be lethal, precise and above all, surprising. They won’t understand what happened and how. They will see the results.”

“Whoever strikes us will be harmed and pay a price,” he added.

Pictured: Displaced Lebanese spend another night on the streets

Wednesday 9 October 2024 19:00 , Alexander Butler

Israel expands ground invasion of southern Lebanon and says assassinated Hezbollah leader’s successor killed

Wednesday 9 October 2024 18:00 , Alexander Butler

Israel expands ground invasion of southern Lebanon

Taliban profit as flights diverted around Middle East crisis fill up Afghan airspace

Wednesday 9 October 2024 17:45 , Alexander Butler

How Taliban is profiting off the Middle East crisis

Israeli troops move away from Irish forces in Lebanon

Wednesday 9 October 2024 17:30 , Alexander Butler

Israel’s armed forces have moved away from their positions near Irish troops in Lebanon, the Irish Defence Forces have confirmed.

It comes after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern about the Israeli Defence Forces’ (IDF) proximity to an outpost where a number of Irish peacekeepers are stationed.

Irish officials said there are now no Israeli military personnel or vehicles nearby, “having moved north of the post” on Tuesday evening.

Keeping a watchful eye on the enemies of our state

Wednesday 9 October 2024 17:15 , Alexander Butler

Keeping a watchful eye on the enemies of our state

On the ground: Gaza hostage families blast air raid siren outside Netanyahu’s home as wake up call to agree release deal

Wednesday 9 October 2024 17:00 , Alexander Butler

Hostage families blast air raid siren outside Netanyahu’s home as wake up call

Harris to join Biden call with Israel's Netanyahu, source says

Wednesday 9 October 2024 16:45 , Alexander Butler

US Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to join President Joe Biden for his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters.

The talks are expected to include discussion of Israeli plans for a retaliatory strike on Iran.

The Middle East has been on edge awaiting Israel’s response to a missile attack from Iran last week that Tehran carried out in retaliation for Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon.

The Iranian attack ultimately killed no one in Israel and Washington called it ineffective.

400,000 trapped in hell of northern Gaza, UN says, as death toll passes 42,000

Wednesday 9 October 2024 16:30 , Alexander Butler

400,000 trapped in hell of northern Gaza, UN says, as death toll passes 42,000

Netanyahu speaking with Biden over the phone

Wednesday 9 October 2024 16:09 , Alexander Butler

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking to US president Joe Biden over the phone, according his office.

Biden is said to want to “shape the limitations” of Israel’s retaliation to ensure targets hit across Iran are “significant” without being disproportionate, White House officials said.

Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to respond to Iran’s attack last Tuesday, which saw almost 200 ballistic missiles fired at Israel.

On the ground: NHS medics volunteering in Gaza warn of catastrophic collapse of healthcare system

Wednesday 9 October 2024 16:00 , Alexander Butler

NHS medics volunteering in Gaza warn of catastrophic collapse of healthcare system

Hezbollah has fired 12,000 weapons at Israel in past year, Israeli military says

Wednesday 9 October 2024 15:11 , Alexander Butler

Hezbollah has fired more than 12,000 rockets, missiles and drones at Israel in the past year, the Israeli military said.

At least 60,000 Israelis have been forced to evacuate their homes and hundreds of thousands to take cover in bomb shelters on a daily basis, spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.

“Hezbollah is storing their weapons under the cover of Lebanese civilians,” he added.

“The IDF is operating against Hezbollah with the clear goal to remove the threat to Israeli civilians and enable all residents to return to their home in Israel in safety and security.”

Spanish PM calls Israeli strikes in Lebanon an ‘invasion’

Wednesday 9 October 2024 14:42 , Alexander Butler

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described Israel’s military offensives in Lebanon as an “invasion” on Wednesday.

“It is clear that there has been an invasion by a third country of a sovereign state such as Lebanon, and therefore the international community cannot remain indifferent,” the Socialist premier told parliament.

“We denounced (this situation) in Ukraine, we also denounce it in Gaza and now we are also denouncing the invasion of Lebanon,” he added.

NHS medics volunteering in Gaza warn of catastrophic collapse of healthcare system

Wednesday 9 October 2024 14:00 , Alexander Butler

NHS medics volunteering in Gaza warn of catastrophic collapse of healthcare system

Keir Starmer takes aim at ‘malign’ Iran and vows never to ban all arms sales to Israel

Wednesday 9 October 2024 13:45 , Alexander Butler

Starmer takes aim at ‘malign’ Iran and vows never to ban all arms sales to Israel

Comment: It’s time to get tough on Iran – and help the people overthrow their despotic leaders

Wednesday 9 October 2024 13:30 , Alexander Butler

It’s time to get tough on Iran – and help the people overthrow their despotic leaders

Two people killed in northern Israel by Hezbollah rocket fire, medics say

Wednesday 9 October 2024 13:15 , Alexander Butler

Two people were killed in a town in northern Israel that was hit by rocket fire from Hezbollah in Lebanon on Wednesday, Israeli authorities said.

Israel’s ambulance service said that a man and a woman had been killed in the town of Kirya Shmona. The military said about 20 projectiles had been launched from Lebanon in the barrage.

Underground weapons store destroyed in southern Lebanon, Israeli military says

Wednesday 9 October 2024 13:00 , Alexander Butler

The Israeli military said it had destroyed an underground weapons store found seven metres below a residential building in southern Lebanon.

“The soldiers located hundreds of weapons, including an underground weapons storage facility approximately seven metres under a home within the village where the troops are operating,” it said.

“Within the weapons storage facility, the troops discovered sniper rifles and numerous weapons.”

What are Israel and Iran’s attack and defence capabilities?

Wednesday 9 October 2024 12:37 , Alexander Butler

What are Israel and Iran’s attack and defence capabilities?

Pictured: Displaced Lebanese spend another night on the streets

Wednesday 9 October 2024 12:01 , Alexander Butler

Six wounded in stabbing attack in Israel, police say

Wednesday 9 October 2024 11:40 , Alexander Butler

At least six people were wounded, two of them seriously, in a stabbing attack in the Israeli city of Hadera on Wednesday, Israeli authorities said.

“The terrorist has been neutralized,” police said in a statement. “Four separate locations have been identified, resulting in six victims with stab wounds.”

The police did not immediately provide other details, but issued a brief video of the suspected attacker being apprehended.

Of the six people rushed to the hospital, at least two were in serious condition, according to medical officials.

Pictured: Hezbollah rockets over northern Israel

Wednesday 9 October 2024 11:30 , Alexander Butler

Pictured: Smoke rises above Lebanese town

Wednesday 9 October 2024 11:22 , Alexander Butler

Hamas, Fatah leaders to hold Palestinian unity talks in Cairo

Wednesday 9 October 2024 11:10 , Alexander Butler

Leaders from the Islamist group Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement will hold further unity talks in Cairo on Wednesday, a Hamas official said.

The media adviser of the Hamas political chief, the Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Tuesday, according to reports.

It was led by Khalil Al-Hayya, the group’s chief negotiator and Hamas’ second-in-command, currently based in Qatar.

“The meeting will discuss the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and the challenges facing the Palestinian cause,” Hamas officials said.

Over 42,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, health ministry says

Wednesday 9 October 2024 10:44 , Alexander Butler

More than 42,010 Palestinians have been killed and 97,720 injured in Israel’s military offensive on Gaza since 7 October 2023, Gaza’s health ministry said.