Israel Gaza latest: Humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza after Netanyahu meets with Biden

Israel will allow aid to enter Gaza from Egypt, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has said following demands by US president Joe Biden.

In a major breakthrough on Wednesday afternoon, Israel said while it will not allow humanitarian supplies into the besieged enclave viafrom the Israeli side of the border, it will not block aid coming from Egypt.

"In light of President (Joseph) Biden's demand, Israel will not thwart humanitarian supplies from Egypt as long as it is only food, water and medicine for the civilian population in the souther Gaza Strip," Mr Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

"Israel will not allow any humanitarian aid from its territory to the Gaza Strip as long as our hostages are not returned," it added.

It was not clear when the aid will start flowing. Egypt's Rafah crossing has only a limited capacity, and Egypt says it has been damaged by Israeli airstrikes.

It came after Mr Biden met with Mr Netanyahu in Tel Aviv earlier on Wednesday, when the US president said he asked tough questions, and discussed humanitarian needs.

The Gaza healthy ministry said on Wednesday 471 Palestinians were killed and more than 314 wounded in what it described as an "Israeli massacre" at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday.

US President Joe Biden claimed the blast was "done by the other team" during a press conference in Tel Aviv.

Israel said the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group, which denied blame.

Rishi Sunak has called for a "calm and cool” response to the incident, and said British intelligence services are examining evidence and "talking to allies to establish what’s happened".

Key developments so far

• Joe Biden arrives in Israel as summit with Arab leaders cancelled

• Israel claims proof hospital blast caused by Palestinian rocket

• Tensions rise in Middle East as protests sparked over hospital blast

Foreign Secretary vows to find cause of Gaza hospital blast

06:55 , Matt Watts

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK will work with allies to find out the cause of an explosion at a hospital in Gaza which has killed hundreds of people.

Hamas blamed an Israeli air strike for the blast at Al Ahli Hospital, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants, with at least 500 people thought to have died.

In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Cleverly said the UK had been “clear” that civilians must be protected in Gaza.

He said: “The destruction of Al Ahli hospital is a devastating loss of human life.“The UK has been clear. The protection of civilian life must come first.

“The UK will work with our allies to find out what has happened and protect innocent civilians in Gaza.”

'Aid to be available in south Gaza' - IDF

07:09 , Josh Salisbury

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that humanitarian aid would be made available to Palestinians who flee Gaza City to the south.

Israel has been calling on civilians to move south for their own protection as it focuses strikes on the northern and central Gaza Strip.

In a new evacuation advisory posted online, the Israeli military urged Gaza City residents to leave, saying there was a "humanitarian zone" with aid available in Al-Mawasi, 17 miles down the coast.

However, it did not provide details of whether aid was being allowed in to Gaza, or where and when this might happen.

07:12 , Josh Salisbury

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he is "horrified" by hundreds of people killed in a blast at a Gaza hospital, strongly condemning the action.

Palestinian officials said an Israeli air strike hit the hospital, with the Palestinian Authority's health minister accusing Israel of causing a "massacre".

But Israel blamed the blast at Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital on a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.

Mr Guterres, speaking in Beijing, said he condemned the Hamas attacks against civilians in Israel on October 7

"But those attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of Palestinian people," Mr Guterres said.

Israel-Gaza war 'could increase terrorism in UK', says MI5 head

07:28 , Josh Salisbury

The conflict in Gaza could inspire terrorist acts in the UK, the head of MI5 has said.

MI5 director-general Ken McCallum joined his counterparts from the Five Eyes intelligence services - the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - at an event hosted by the FBI on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Mr McCallum said: "There clearly is the possibility that profound events in the Middle East will either generate more volume of UK threat and/or changes in shape in terms of what is being targeted, in terms of how people are taking inspiration.

"Terrorists can draw inspiration not just from things they see happening inside the UK but things they see happening in the Middle East or on the continent or elsewhere.

"So we would be silly not to be paying very close attention, and we are."

'We don't know who was behind hospital blast' - minister

07:41 , Josh Salisbury

British Treasury minister Andrew Griffith said it remains unclear who was behind the "devastating" blast at a hospital in Gaza City.

The economic secretary to the Treasury told Times Radio: "I'm not going to speculate or try and attribute. I don't think any of us know at this particular point in time.

"We'll work with allies to try and work out what happened.

"It's important that we remember that the military in Israel is under civilian democratic control, it's a uninformed military service."

Palestinian officials have accused Israel of hitting the hospital with an airstrike. Israeli officials claim the explosion was the result of a militant's misfired rocket.

Gaza's largest hospital 'will soon run out of fuel'

07:46 , Josh Salisbury

Gaza's Shifa Hospital, where hundreds of victims of the al-Ahli Hospital blast were taken, will run out of fuel on Wednesday unless more supplies enter the Gaza Strip, the hospital's general director has said.

The hospital, Gaza's largest, is stretched far beyond its capacity following the al-Ahli explosion, Mohammed Abu Selmia said Wednesday, adding that health workers were still treating severely wounded patients.

"They are all in a terrible situation," he told The Associated Press. "A young woman whose limbs were amputated, a child whose intestines came out, many others have had limb amputations, bleeding in the brain, bleeding in the liver and spleen."

If the hospital runs out of fuel, it could be forced into a total shutdown of services, he said, but added that doctors would "remain with the sick and wounded."

Israel says claims it struck hospital 'false and baseless'

08:02 , Josh Salisbury

Israel has accused Hamas of inflating the casualty figures from the al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital blast in Gaza.

The Israeli Defence Force has repeated its denial that an Israeli airstrike caused the blast in an ongoing briefing, saying there is no crater present around the hospital, or structural damage to buildings nearby.

It claims that about 450 Palestinian rockets have fallen short of their targets since Hamas launched its attack, and that the hospital blast was caused by a misfired rocket.

It also claims to have evidence that the rocket was fired by Palestinian militants from behind the hospital, citing a call it says it has intercepted of Palestinians discussing the rocket failure.

Israel criticises media reporting of hospital blast

08:11 , Josh Salisbury

In an ongoing briefing, an Israeli military spokesperson has criticised media reporting of the hospital blast, saying they have inflamed tensions in the region.

Protests have erupted across the Middle East after the explosion at the al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital, which Hamas claims was caused by an Israeli airstrike.

Israel says it was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari told reporters: "I understand the desire to break news, but I hope you will all agree that accuracy and credible information comes first.

"The IDF acts in accordance with international law. In conclusion, this incident shows how allegations in this case false and baseless allegations made by terrorists against Israel can spread and flame tension in the region."

'We are fighting for our country', says IDF on Gaza airstrikes

08:26 , Josh Salisbury

Responding to questions at the press conference, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari has insisted military action in Gaza is necessary, despite the mounting death toll, because of Hamas's actions.

He said: "It’s a democratic liberal country fighting a Hamas/Isis-controlled area with innocent civilians, Palestinians, that is using them as a human shield. We have to fight.

"We cannot live with next to our borders a Hamas/Isis government that will threaten our civilians. And do massacres. Where they rape women. Beheaded the bodies. Kidnap babies."

He adds: "We are fighting for our country."

Israel releases call of 'Hamas discussing hospital blast'

08:57 , Josh Salisbury

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has released footage of what it claims are Hamas operatives discussing the blast at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital.

It says it is evidence that the blast was caused by misfire of a rocket launched by Islamic Jihad, another militant group.

In the call, an alleged Hamas operative can be heard to say, "I'm telling you, this is the first time we see a missile like this failing," while another adds: "So that's why we're saying it belongs to Palestinian Islamic Jihad".

Joe Biden arrives in Tel Aviv

09:01 , Josh Salisbury

US President Joe Biden has arrived in Tel Aviv, beginning a visit to consult on the spiralling Gaza war.

He was greeted at the airport by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli head of state, Isaac Herzog.

Mr Biden had also been due to visit Jordan, but a planned summit involving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was cancelled after the blast at the al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital.

Pope Francis urges peace in Israel-Gaza war

09:24 , Josh Salisbury

Pope Francis has deplored the "desperate" situation in Gaza, urging the faithful to take the side "of peace."

Speaking during his weekly audience in St Peter's Square, Francis did not mention the deadly Gaza hospital strike, for which Israelis and Palestinians are blaming each other.

"War does not solve any problem, it only sows death and destruction, increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future," he said.

"I urge believers to take only one side in this conflict, that of peace, but not with words but with prayer and total dedication," he added.

Hospital blast was 'Hamas war crime', says Israeli ambassador

09:33 , Josh Salisbury

Ireland's Israeli ambassador has said the blast at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital in Gaza is a "war crime" by Hamas.

Dana Ehrlich claimed that the strike was a result of a failed rocket launch by Hamas militants, it was a "a war crime".

She told RTE's Morning Ireland: "Every strike that we plan, we make sure that there is minimum civilian casualties."

Asked about allowing humanitarian aid to Gaza, Ms Ehrlich said Hamas was to blame for the conditions in Gaza and said Israel was working with international partners to bring in aid.

Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu holding joint press conference

09:48 , Josh Salisbury

Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu are holding a joint press conference, where Mr Netanyahu has called October 7 "another day of infamy".

He said: "On October 7, Hamas murdered 1,400 Israelis, maybe more. This is in a country of fewer then ten millions. This would be the equivalent of 50,000 Americans murdered in a single day - that's 20 9/11s.

"That is why October 7 is another day that will live in infamy."

The phrase recalls that used by US President Roosevelt after the WW2 attack on Pearl Harbour.

Biden: The US grieves with Israel

09:51 , Josh Salisbury

Speaking at the joint press conference, US President Joe Biden says he wanted to come personally to Israel to show his support after the Hamas terror attack on October 7.

"They committed evil acts, and atrocities, that have made ISIS look somewhat more rational," Mr Biden says. "Americans are grieving with you, they really are. And Americans are worried."

He adds: "We have to also bare in mind that Hamas does not represent all the Palestinian people."

Biden: Hospital attack 'appears to have been committed by other team'

09:55 , Josh Salisbury

Mr Biden says he is "deeply saddened and outraged" by the blast at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital on Tuesday.

"I'm deeply saddened and outraged at the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday," he says. "And based on what I've seen it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you."

He urges help for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, saying: "The world is looking ... they're looking to see what we're going to do."

He adds: "To the people of Israel, their courage, their commitment, their bravery, is stunning, it's really stunning. I'm proud to be here."

The short press conference ends without questions from the media.

Egyptian president rejects displacement of Palestinians into Egyptian territory

10:21 , Josh Salisbury

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said Egyptians would reject the forced displacement of millions of Palestinians into Sinai.

The border between Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip is the site of the only land crossing from the Palestinian territory that is not controlled by Israel.

Palestinians could instead be moved to Israel's Negev desert "till the militants are dealt with", Mr Sisi told a joint news conference in Cairo with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Israel's siege of Gaza has raised fears that its 2.3 million residents could be forced southwards into Sinai.

"What is happening now in Gaza is an attempt to force civilian residents to take refugee and migrate to Egypt, which should not be accepted," said Mr Sisi.

More than 3,300 Palestinians killed, say officials

10:29 , Josh Salisbury

More than 3,300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza after Hamas's attack on October 7, Palestinian health officials have said.

At least 3,300 Palestinians have been killed and more than 13,000 wounded, said Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila.

10:45 , Josh Salisbury

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has accused many of jumping to conclusions around the blast at a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday.

"Last night, too many jumped to conclusions around the tragic loss of life at Al Ahli hospital," Mr Cleverly wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"Getting this wrong would put even more lives at risk. Wait for the facts, report them clearly and accurately. Cool heads must prevail."

It comes after US President Joe Biden suggested Palestinian militants were responsible, although he conceded "there’s a lot of people out there not sure."

11:02 , Josh Salisbury

Pictures of Israeli children held hostage by Hamas after they were kidnapped during the terror attacks have been projected onto some of London’s famous buildings from Wembley to Tate Modern.

The images were produced by the #BringThemBack campaign which has raised awareness of their plight with similar displays in cities including New York, Los Angeles and Miami.

Among the children pictured was nine-month-old Kfir Bibas who was taken with his mother and his four-year-old brother.

A spokesperson from the campaign said: “Our hearts and those of all good people around the globe bleed at the thought of what those beautiful children and the nearly 200 kidnapped innocents are going through.

Read more here.

Jewish lawyers warn Israel to follow international law

11:43 , Josh Salisbury

A group of leading Jewish lawyers has urged Israel to follow international law as it responds to Hamas’s attack in an open letter.

The group, which includes former Supreme Court president Lord Neuberger, said Hamas’s atrocities were crimes against humanity, but that Israel must abide by international law in its response.

In an open letter published in the Financial Times, they said: “There are some aspects of Israel’s response that already cause significant concern.

“International law forbids sieges of civilian populations … collective punishment is prohibited by the laws of war. Equally, international law requires combatants to ensure minimum destruction to civilian life and infrastructure.”

Israel has said it does abide by international humanitarian law.

Visas could be revoked for those committing anti-Semitic hate crimes in UK

12:06 , Josh Salisbury

Rishi Sunak has backed revoking the visas of those who commit anti-Semitic incidents in response to the rise in anti-Jewish hate crimes.

Mr Sunak was asked during PMQs if he backed "immediate and specific policy" of revoking the visas of foreign nationals committing hate crimes during PMQs.

He responded: "We will not tolerate this hatred, not in our country and not in this country."

'Don't rush to judgement' over cause of hospital blast - Sunak

12:11 , Josh Salisbury

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said "we should not rush to judgement" over who is responsible for the blast at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital.

Mr Sunak told the Commons during PMQs that British intelligence agencies were working to understand the cause of the deadly blast.

Israel has said the blast was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket, while Palestinian officials have blamed an Israeli airstrike.

"Our intelligence agencies have been rapidly analysing the evidence to establish the facts, [but] we're not in a position to at this point to say more than that," said Mr Sunak.

Israel has suffered 'shocking terror attack' - Sunak

12:14 , Josh Salisbury

Responding to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's call for Hamas to release Israeli hostages immediately, Rishi Sunak said: "Israel has suffered a shockingly brutal terrorist attack and it is Hamas and Hamas alone that is responsible for this conflict.

"Our thoughts are rightly with those who have been taken hostage and their families - the distress they are feeling is unimaginable".

Mr Sunak said the UK was "working around the clock" to secure the release of British-Israeli nationals.

Sunak: 'Humanitarian crisis' unfolding in Gaza

12:18 , Josh Salisbury

Quizzing Mr Sunak on humanitarian aid for Gaza at PMQs, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "International humanitarian law must always be followed. Hamas are not the Palestinian people, and the Palestinian people are not Hamas."

Asked if he agreed that urgent aid was needed in Gaza, Mr Sunak responded: "An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding, to which we must respond. It is right that we support the Palestinian people, because they are victims of Hamas."

Mr Sunak said the UK was working on getting aid to Egypt so it can get into Gaza "as quickly as possible".

Keir Starmer condemns 'disgusting' rise in anti-Jewish hate crimes

12:22 , Josh Salisbury

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the "disgusting" rise in anti-Semitism since the conflict began.

He added there has also been an "appalling" surge in Islamophobia.

He asks whether Rishi Sunak agrees everyone has a duty to say "no to this hate".

Mr Sunak responds: "All of us in this House can do our part in stamping out those who seek cause division and hate in our society."

The Community Security Trust, a Jewish charity, has reported a sharp surge in anti-Jewish hate crimes, which have included Jewish schools in Stamford Hill being vandalised in red paint.

UK to support Britons in 'moment of need'

12:52 , Miriam Burrell

The Foreign Secretary has pledged the Government's support to British nationals in Israel and Gaza "in their moment of need".

James Cleverly told the House of Commons the Government will "push humanitarian support" and is working to prevent "tensions spilling over into the wider region or playing out on the streets of this country".

Mr Cleverly said he will be visiting the Middle East region again today, adding: "None of us know how it will develop."

Almost 3,500 Palestinians killed in Gaza

12:56 , Miriam Burrell

A total of 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israeli air strikes began, following the Hamas attack on October 7, the health ministry has said.

The ministry said 471 Palestinians were killed during the deadly hospital strike in Gaza.

7 Britons killed, 9 missing in Israel

13:14 , Miriam Burrell

At least seven British nationals have been killed and nine are missing since Hamas launched its attack on Israel, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister has said.

"I can sadly confirm that at least seven British nationals have been tragically killed," the spokesperson told reporters. "A further nine British nationals are missing, some of whom are feared to be among the dead."

US sanctions 9 people linked to Hamas

13:20 , Miriam Burrell

The United States has issued terrorism-related sanctions, targeting nine people and one entity linked to Hamas, according to a notice posted on the Department of Treasury's website.

Doctor describes horror of hospital blast

14:10 , Josh Salisbury

Doctors working at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital have described the horror scenes after a large blasted killed many.

Head of orthopaedic surgery at the hospital in Gaza, Fadel Naim, said he heard a huge explosion and his department filled with people screaming for help.

"People came running into the surgery department screaming help us, help us, there are people killed and wounded inside the hospital," he told the Reuters news agency.

"The hospital was full of dead and wounded, dismembered bodies," he said.

"We tried to save whoever could be saved but the number was too great for the hospital team."

Tuesday's explosion killed hundreds of Palestinians. Israel has blamed a misfired Palestinian rocket, but Palestinian officials have accused an Israeli air strike of being responsible.

Foreign Secretary: 'Baffling BBC does not call Hamas terrorists'

14:20 , Josh Salisbury

The Foreign Secretary has said he is "baffled" the BBC does not call Hamas militants terrorists.

Asked by Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson whether he shared any "bafflement" over the BBC's avoidance of the term, Mr Cleverly replied: "I am baffled, genuinely baffled.

"You know when the BBC say to do so would take sides... I fundamentally disagree with that. They have used the word terrorist in a number of occasions, both domestically and internationally.

"I just cannot understand why they cannot bring themselves to describe Hamas as terrorists because that is what they are."

The BBC says it does not use the term due to its commitment to impartiality.

Misattributing blame for hospital blast 'may make things worse'

14:38 , Josh Salisbury

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has stressed that misattributing responsibility for the Gaza hospital blast could "make things worse".

Questioned over the difference in position between the UK and US President Joe Biden during a visit to Washington DC, Mr Shapps said: "We don't yet know that. We're gathering all of the facts."

Mr Biden earlier today pointed the finger of blame at Palestinian militants over the deadly blast - but British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged MPs and the public to not rush to judgement.

"Our intelligence agencies are working on this proactively at the moment and I think it's really important that we give them the opportunity to gather those facts so we don't jump to conclusions," said Mr Shapps.

Biden: US intelligence suggests rocket blast caused by Palestinian militants

14:57 , Josh Salisbury

US President Joe Biden has said he based his assessment that the hospital blast was caused by the "other team" - Palestinian militants - on data shown to him by the US Defence Department.

His earlier comments appeared to point the finger of blame at a misfired Palestinian rocket as causing the blast, a claim denied by Palestinian officials who blame an Israeli airstrike.

Mr Biden said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "I asked tough questions as a friend of Israel. We will continue to deter any actor wanting to widen this conflict."

We are expecting a statement from Mr Biden this afternoon, although the timing of the remarks remain unclear.

Biden conference starts: 'Israel is not alone'

15:11 , Josh Salisbury

Joe Biden has begun giving a statement in Tel Aviv. He begins his remarks by telling Israelis: "You are not alone".

He says Hamas's attacks unleashed "pure, unadulterated evil on the world," the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Mr Biden says: "For those who are living in limbo, waiting desperately to learn the fate of a loved one, especially families of those held hostage: You are not alone."

He adds there is no higher priority for his administration than the release of Israeli-American hostages.

Terror will never break Israel's will

15:15 , Josh Salisbury

Mr Biden says terrorism will never break the will or resolve of the Israeli people as he draws upon his own experience of grief.

"When terrorists believe they could bring you down, bend your will, break your resolve - but they never did, and never will," he says. "Instead we saw incredible stories of heroism, courage from Israelis taking care of one another.

"Neighbours forming watch groups to protect their kibbutz, opening their homes to shelter survivors, retired soldiers running into danger once again, civilian medics flying rescue missions."

Biden pledges 'unprecedented' defence package for Israel

15:19 , Josh Salisbury

Continuing his message to the Israeli people, Mr Biden says America was the first country to formally recognise Israel and he will continue that commitment to Israel now.

He says: "We are going to make sure you have what you need to protect your people to defend your nation ... Later this week I'm going to ask the US Congress for an unprecedented support package for Israel's defence."

He adds that he has warned Iran not to get involved, amid fears of a wider conflict.

Biden pledges $100m humanitarian support for civilians

15:26 , Josh Salisbury

Mr Biden has pledged $100m in humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, as he says Israel has agreed to move humanitarian supplies from Egypt to Gaza.

Speaking in Israel, the US President says: "You are a Jewish state, but you are also a democracy. And like the United States, you don't live by the rule of terrorists, you live by the rule of law.

"And when conflict starts, you live by the rules of war. It sets us apart from the terrorists, we believe in the fundamental dignity of every human life. Israeli, Palestinian, Arab, Jew, Muslim, Christian, everyone.

"You can't give up what makes you who you are. If you give that up, then the terrorists win."

Biden: Israel must continue seeking two-state solution

15:31 , Josh Salisbury

Biden has urged Israel to continue seeking peace as he reaffirms his administration's commitment to the two-state solution.

"As hard as it is, you must keep pursuing peace, must keep pursuing a path where Israel and the Palestinian people can both live safely in security, dignity and in peace," he says.

"For me, that means a two-state solution. We must keep working towards Israel's integration with its neighbours, these attacks only strengthen my will and determination to get that done.

"I'm here to tell you the terrorists will not win. Freedom will win ... Israel you're not alone. The United States stands with you."

Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza

16:00 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

In a major breakthrough, Israel has said it will allow aid to enter Gaza from Egypt.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the development following demands by US president Joe Biden.

It said while Israel will not allow humanitarian supplies into the besieged enclave viafrom the Israeli side of the border, it will not block aid coming from Egypt.

"In light of President (Joseph) Biden's demand, Israel will not thwart humanitarian supplies from Egypt as long as it is only food, water and medicine for the civilian population in the souther Gaza Strip," Mr Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

Sunak refuses to comment on reported plans to visit Israel

16:12 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Rishi Sunak would not be drawn on a potential visit to Israel when asked by journalists this afternoon.

Reports have suggested he could be set to visit Israel in coming days, but he told broadcasters: “Obviously I wouldn’t comment on any future travel plans on my part."

The Prime Minister said the UK was “already playing a leading role in helping to co-ordinate the response to this crisis”, highlighting a series of calls he has had with key players.

Foreign Secretary raises doubts over viability of ceasefire

16:16 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

The Foreign Secretary has raised doubts about the feasibility of a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

James Cleverly highlighted the importance of both parties respecting a ceasefire and raised serious doubts about Hamas's willingness to do so.

"I have seen absolutely nothing in the behaviour of Hamas during the terrorist attack and since the terrorist attack that gives me any confidence at all that they would respect a ceasefire," he told the Commons.

His comments came as several MPs urged the Government to back the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres's call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Biden leaves Israel - reports

16:27 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

US president Joe Biden's plane has reportedly taken off from Israel.

His departure comes after a meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which led Israel to agree to allowing badly needed humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Rishi Sunak: 'Calm and cool' approach needed to Gaza hospital blast

16:46 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Rishi Sunak has said a “calm and cool” approach is needed in response to yesterday's blast at the al Ahli hospital in Gaza City.

He told broadcasters: “It is important in this instance not to jump to conclusions. We have to establish the facts and premature speculation, I think, would be wrong. That’s not the right thing.

“This is a very heightened, sensitive situation so we just need calm heads.

"It’s right that we let our intelligence services work through the evidence. We are also talking to allies to establish what’s happened.

“This is obviously a complicated situation on the ground but it is right that we approach it with a calm and cool manner, don’t rush to premature judgments, take the time to understands what’s happened. That’s what we’re doing. “

Israeli forces shoot dead two teens in West Bank protests, say Palestinian officials

17:12 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Israeli forces shot dead two Palestinian teenagers near Ramallah in the West Bank today, during widespread protests against Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials said.

The deaths brought the toll of Palestinians killed in the latest flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence to at least 64 in the West Bank, a sharp uptick in fatal clashes with the army and settlers.

Archbishop of Canterbury in 'profound mourning' over hospital blast

17:33 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said he is in “profound mourning” after the “atrocious” strike on the al Ahli hospital in Gaza.

Justin Welby said the strike on the Anglican-run hospital, which he has visited, violated the “sanctity and dignity of human life”.

He added that it was “essential” to “exercise restraint in apportioning responsibility” before all the facts are clear.

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the archbishop said: “Today I join my Anglican brothers and sisters in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank in their profound mourning after the atrocious attack on al Ahli hospital yesterday, which follows so closely on from an attack on the same hospital on Friday evening."

Several officers injured in clashes near Israeli embassy in Jordan, say police

17:47 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Jordanian police say several anti-riot officers have been injured during clashes that broke out with rioting protesters near the Israeli embassy, who were torching property.

The authorities had earlier deployed riot police to disperse thousands of demonstrators planning to march on the heavily fortified Israeli embassy to protest against Israel's military assault against Gaza.

Several hundred pro-Palestinian protesters have also gathered outside The Hague headquarters of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In Lebanon, security forces used teargas and water cannon to repel scores of protesters demonstrating near the US embassy in Beirut.

Lack of clean water putting Gazans' health at serious risk, warns charity

18:26 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Lack of access to water is one of the biggest challenges in the emergency situation in Gaza right now, with children most at risk from the health consequences of this, charity Action Against Hunger has warned.

Staff at the humanitarian agency warn that overcrowded displacement shelters are close to breaking point, with the sheer number of people accessing these also facing inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure whilst there.

One such shelter is currently supporting more than 24,000 people – with 60 per cent of children there affected by diarrhoea.

"People are also resorting to open defecation," a charity spokesperson said. "This is a health crisis on the brink of explosion."

Chiara Saccardi, Officer for the Middle East at Action Against Hunger said: “Faced with this impossible situation, many Gazan families are resorting to non-drinking water sources, such as agricultural wells. This puts them at imminent risk of dehydration and even an outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera. Such an epidemic, if it happens, would make this serious crisis an even bigger problem.”

Netanyahu: The world knows the truth

19:41 , Tom Davidson

In a televised address shortly after Joe Biden left Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu says he provided Biden with "conclusive evidence" that Israel did not cause the Gaza hospital blast and that Palestinian Islamic Jihad was behind the attack.

Mr Netanyahu said he instructed the national information system and the Israeli military to "spread these proofs".

"The world today knows the truth."

British-Israeli family's 'nightmare' as elderly relatives still missing

20:02 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

A British-Israeli man and his family are caught in a “long nightmare” as their elderly relatives are still missing more than 10 days after Hamas militants invaded their community.

Gad Haggai, 73, and his wife, Judih, 72, were on an early morning walk near Nir Oz, their home of nearly 30 years in southern Israel, when Hamas gunmen broke through the border with Gaza on October 7.

Mrs Haggai’s final message to her four children, sent in the family group chat, said they were laying face down as “hundreds” of rockets flew above their heads, their family said.

Mr Haggai, a retired chef, and his wife, an English teacher, both from Toronto, Canada, are among dozens feared dead or taken hostage from Nir Oz.

Their nephew, Arad Haggai, who lives in Epping Forest, Essex, said: “We’ve had no new updates for more than a week.

“We are very confused, shocked and angry.

“There’s no way to go back there as most of the buildings are burned.

“(My cousins) are all in shock.

“They are hoping that something will come out but after 10 days it is a bad situation."

Read the full story here.

Hundreds gather in rain for vigil outside Downing Street

20:09 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Hundreds of protesters have attended a vigil outside Downing Street for victims of a deadly blast at a hospital in Gaza.

Hamas has blamed an Israeli air strike for the explosion, which killed hundreds of civilians, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

Protesters have braved heavy rain this evening to gather in Westminster holding signs reading "stop the massacre" and "stop bombing Gaza".

They also chanted "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free".

Prayers were then held in Arabic, with attendees laying out plastic sheets on the ground to pray on.

Britons in Lebanon urged by Foreign Office to 'leave now'

20:55 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

The Foreign Office has updated its guidance on Lebanon, advising against travel to the Middle East country which shares a border with Israel.

Britons in Lebanon are encouraged to "leave now", the department said on its website.

It comes after hundreds of protesters clashed with Lebanese security forces in a Beirut suburb near the US embassy in support of Gaza.

In a statement, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: "You are advised against all travel to the whole of Lebanon.

"If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available."

It added: "Events in Lebanon are fast-moving. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and with no warning. Commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted or cancelled at short notice and roads across the country could be closed."

British nationals in the country are recommended to register their presence with the FCDO.

Starmer assures Labour councillors of stance on conflict amid resignations

21:44 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Sir Keir Starmer has written to Labour councillors setting out his position on the Israel-Hamas conflict after a string of resignations over his stance.

The Labour leader believes it is "important that people hear directly what our position is".

A Labour spokesman said: "He respects those who are councillors who have communities to represent across the religious spectrum, across people of all faiths and none.

"And it's right that people hear directly from the leader of the Labour Party with what our position actually is, I think that's the responsible thing to do."

The spokesman said Labour's position had consistently been to "completely condemn" the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, to say that Israel has "a right to defend herself, to go and get the hostages back".

But "all parties need to act in accordance with international law" and it was "vitally important" that humanitarian aid reached Gaza.