Israel-Hamas war – live: Gaza blackout eases as Netanyahu says ground invasion entering ‘second stage’

The communication blockade in Gaza has eased as Israel commences with the second day of its ground invasion of the enclave.

Two days after cellular and internet services abruptly vanished for most Gazans, Palestinian media reported phone and internet services were gradually returning.

It comes after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the ground offensive in Gaza is “only the beginning” and confirmed it is entering the “second stage of the war”.

The prime minister added that the war will be “long and difficult” but said the country is prepared for this.

“This is the second stage of the war whose goals are clear - to destroy Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and to bring the hostages home,” Netanyahu said.

Residents described the ground operation as “a catastrophe” and medics chased the thunder of artillery and bombs because they couldn’t receive distress calls.

It comes as residents in the north of the bombarded enclave have been ordered to evacuate south as they were told their “window to act is closing”.

The death toll in Gaza has soared to 8,000 casualties, the Gaza health ministry said.

Key Points

• Telephone and internet services returning in Gaza, Palestinian media says

• Israeli military moving to the next stage of war

• Benjamin Netanyahu says Gaza offensive will be ‘difficult and long'

• IDF says window to escape northern Gaza is closing

• Pro-Palestine protesters march in London calling for Gaza ceasefire

• Israel expanding ground operations in Gaza, IDF says

• IDF kills top Hamas commander, Israel says

Al-Quds hospital evacuation reports ‘deeply concerning’- WHO

18:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said reports of Israel’s evacuation warning of al-Quds hospital in Gaza are “deeply concerning”.

He posted on X: “We reiterate - it’s impossible to evacuate hospitals full of patients without endangering their lives. Under International Humanitarian Law, healthcare must always be protected.”

Hezbollah says it downs Israeli drone in south Lebanon

18:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Lebanon’s Hezbollah said on Sunday it shot down an Israeli drone over southern Lebanon with a surface-to-air missile, the first time it has announced such an incident, as clashes on the Lebanese border escalate.

The drone was hit near Khiam, about 5 km (3 miles) from the border with Israel, and was seen falling in Israeli territory, Hezbollah added. Two security sources in Lebanon said it was the first time Hezbollah had announced downing an Israeli drone.

“They have insinuated they have this capability but it is the first time they declare they have this kind of capability to shoot down a drone,” Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center said.

The Israeli Defence Ministry was not immediately available for comment.

Earlier on Sunday, the United Nations’ Lebanon peacekeeping force UNIFIL said that one of its members was injured after shells hit its base near the village of Houla on the Lebanese-Israeli border on Saturday.

The Israeli army and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon have been exchanging fire on a daily basis since the start of the Gaza conflict three weeks ago.

Israel warns Gaza’s Al-Quds hospital to evacuate immediately

17:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Palestinian Red Crescent said on Sunday it received warnings from Israeli authorities to immediately evacuate al-Quds hospital in the Gaza Strip, and said there had been raids 50 metres away from the hospital.

Pope Francis prays for a world in 'a dark hour' and danger from 'folly' of war

17:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Amid the latest bloodshed in the Middle East, Pope Francis led special Friday evening prayers in St. Peter’s Basilica for a world “in a dark hour” and in “great danger” from what he described as the folly of war.

Francis delivered his remarks in the form of a prayer to the Virgin Mary and didn’t mention by name the conflict that exploded when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel retaliated by sealing off the Gaza Strip and battering the Palestinian territory with airstrikes.

He said he was praying for “especially those countries and regions at war,” and he pleaded with Mary to “take the initiative for us, in these times rent by conflicts and laid waste by the fire of arms.”

Pope Francis prays for a world in 'a dark hour' and danger from 'folly' of war

‘Difficult to target Hamas without hurting innocent people’, says Tory minister

17:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Netanyahu and Biden speak after Israel expands Gaza ground incursions

17:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Sunday with U.S. President Joe Biden, Netanyahu’s office said, after Israel expanded ground incursions in a Gaza war now in its fourth week.

The Israeli statement did not expand on the conversation.

Labour frontbenchers in revolt over Gaza stance as Starmer warned he could lose seats

17:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned Labour could lose seats over his stance on the Hamas conflict, as more frontbenchers defied his leadership by openly calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

A host of shadow ministers broke ranks with Sir Keir on Saturday to voice their support for the move – either with express endorsements or by sharing a demand from the Labour Friends of Palestine group.

Shadow ministers Naz Shah, Paul Barker and Afzal Khan all challenged Sir Keir’s refusal to support a ceasefire. Shadow veterans minister Rachel Hopkins, shadow local government minister Sarah Owen and shadow domestic violence minister Jess Phillips, and Labour whip Kim Leadbeater all retweeted calls for a ceasefire on X/Twitter.

Labour frontbenchers in revolt over Gaza stance as Starmer warned he could lose seats

17:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Watch: Palestinians break into aid warehouse for ‘basic survival items’

UN General Secretary calls for the ‘protection of civilians'

16:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

António Guterres, the UN General Secretary, said the “protection of civilians is paramount” as Gaza continues to be razed down by Israeli airstrikes.

Biden having conversations with Middle East leaders on Sunday

16:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

U.S. President Joe Biden is having conversations with Middle East regional leaders on Sunday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, though he did not specify which leaders.

“It’s something I was on the phone late last night working on. Something the president will be working on today in conversations he’s having with regional leaders and we will continue to pound away at this problem until we’ve gotten any American who wants to leave Gaza out,” Sullivan told MSNBC.

16:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Empty Shabbat table in Times Square set up to honour 224 Israeli hostages

16:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian parents call each other ‘brothers’ over shared grief

15:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Empty Shabbat table in Times Square set up to honour 224 Israeli hostages

Iran does not want Israel-Hamas conflict to spread

15:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Sunday said Iran does not want war to “spread out” following the Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian militants of Hamas on Israel that killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

Israel has since bombarded the Gaza Strip with air strikes and begun ground operations.

“We don’t want this war to spread out,” Amirabdollahian said during an appearance on CNN.

The U.S said Iran likely knew that Hamas was planning “operations against Israel” but initial U.S. intelligence reports showed that some Iranian leaders were surprised by the attack, the deadliest day of Israel‘s 75-year history.

Amirabdollahian on Sunday dismissed claims directly connecting Iran to the attacks, calling them “baseless.”

“We always had political media and international support for Palestine. We have never denied this,” he said.

“This is the truth, but in relation to this operation called the Al Aqsa Storm, there was no connection to that data between Iran and this Hamas operation, not my government nor part of my country.”

US says Israel must protect civilians in Gaza and stop Jewish settler violence

15:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Israel has a responsibility to protect the lives of innocent people in Gaza, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday amid a growing outcry over Palestinian civilian deaths.

With the death toll in the Gaza Strip in the thousands and climbing, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has been under increasing pressure to make clear that its steadfast support of Israel does not translate into a blanket endorsement of all that its ally is doing in the impoverished coastal enclave.

In a round of television interviews, Sullivan said Washington was asking hard questions of Israel, including on issues surrounding humanitarian aid, distinguishing between terrorists and innocent civilians and on how Israel is thinking through its military operation.

“What we believe is that every hour, every day of this military operation, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), the Israeli government should be taking every possible means available to them to distinguish between Hamas terrorists who are legitimate military targets and civilians who are not,” Sullivan said on CNN.

Latest pictures from Gaza

14:52 , Holly Evans

Iran linked to Hamas attack claims are ‘baseless,’ Iran foreign minister says

14:39 , Holly Evans

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Sunday described claims that Iran was directly connected to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack as “baseless.”

“We always had political media and international support for Palestine. We have never denied this,” Amirabdollahian said during an appearance on CNN.

“This is the truth, but in relation to this operation called the Al Aqsa Storm, there was no connection to that data between Iran and this Hamas operation, not my government nor part of my country.”

Thousands rally in Pakistan against Israel's bombing in Gaza

14:20 , Holly Evans

Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s main politico-religious party rallied in the capital, Islamabad, Sunday against Israel’s bombing of Palestinians in Gaza, chanting anti-American slogans and accusing the U.S. of “backing the aggressor.”

The extreme right party, Jamaat-e-Islami, had announced a march from Islamabad’s famous Abpara intersection to the US embassy in the high-security diplomatic enclave.

However, stern action by the authorities the previous night forced the religious party to modify its program and hold the rally in a major street well away from the protected area.

Police pulled down the party’s encampments on Saturday night, detaining the local leadership and dozens of supporters.

Because of the plan announced by Jammat-e-Islami and the risk of violence, the US embassy issued an advisory for American citizens living in Islamabad and the surrounding area to “limit unnecessary travel on Sunday.”

Israeli airstrikes hit near Gaza’s largest hospital

14:02 , Holly Evans

Israeli airstrikes have hit areas around Gaza’s largest hospital, residents say, destroying roads leading to the facility, which is a major shelter for Palestinians fleeing Israeli bombardment.

The Israeli military has renewed longstanding allegations in recent days that top Hamas leaders and operatives have built underground bunkers below Shifa hospital and accused the militant group of using civilians as human shields.

Israel has not presented evidence, and Hamas denies the claims.

“Reaching the hospital has become increasingly difficult,” Mahmoud al-Sawah, who was sheltering in the hospital, said over the phone on Sunday. “It seems they want to cut off the area.”

Another Gaza resident, Abdallah Sayed, described the Israeli air and land attacks in the past two days as “the most violent and intense” since the war started.

Israel's Mobileye CEO urges that Netanyahu be replaced immediately

13:45 , Holly Evans

The head of self-driving auto technologies firm Mobileye and one of Israel’s leading businessmen, Amnon Shashua, on Sunday urged the immediate ouster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.

Shashua, in a high-profile public rebuke from Israel’s private sector, said Netanyahu’s government was guilty of “failures, dissonance and incompetence” since Hamas gunmen crossed from Gaza in a deadly rampage of southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7.

“We must cut our losses and do it quickly. The only solution to the current situation in Israel is to replace the government, and it needs to happen immediately,” Shashua wrote in an opinion piece in financial daily Calcalist.

Sunak and Macron 'stress importance of getting urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza'

13:25 , Athena Stavrou

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French president Emmanuel Macron have spoken following the expansion of Israel‘s military operation against Hamas, No 10 has confirmed.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The leaders stressed the importance of getting urgent humanitarian support into Gaza. They agreed to work together on efforts both to get crucial food, fuel, water and medicine to those who need it, and to get foreign nationals out.

“They expressed their shared concern at the risk of escalation in the wider region, in particular in the West Bank. The Prime Minister and President Macron updated on the conversations they have had with leaders in the region to stress the importance of working to ensure regional stability.”

They added that Sunak and Macron agreed it was important not to lose sight of “the long-term future” in particular the “need for a two-state solution”

They added: “They underscored that Hamas does not represent ordinary Palestinians and that their barbarism should not undermine the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.”

Two women arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, police say

13:22 , Athena Stavrou

Two women have been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred at London’s ceasefire protest following a police appeal.

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police launched an appeal to speak to two women pictured in Trafalgar Square during London’s ceasefire march.

On Sunday afternoon, the force confirmed the two women had been arrested and remained in custody.

Scotland Yard boss backs extremism review to deal with ‘gap’

13:06 , Athena Stavrou

Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he would support a review into the legal definition of extremism, and how it should be policed.

He told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme: “There is scope to be much sharper in how we deal with extremism within this country.

“The law was never designed to deal with extremism – there’s a lot to do with terrorism and hate crime but we don’t have a body of law that deals with extremism, and that is creating a gap.”

UN peacekeeper injured on Lebanese-Israeli border

12:40 , Holly Evans

United Nations peacekeeping force UNIFIL said on Sunday that one of its members was injured after shells hit the mission’s base near the village of Houla on the Lebanese-Israeli border on Saturday.

The Israeli army and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon have been exchanging fire on a daily basis since the start of the Gaza conflict three weeks ago.

UNIFIL said on Saturday that its headquarters near the Lebanese coastal town of Naqoura was also damaged by a shell that landed inside the base.

UN chief reiterates appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire

12:22 , Holly Evans

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated his appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza and called for an unconditional release of all hostages and the delivery of sustained relief to the people in the territory.

Guterres, who is on an official visit to Nepal, condemned the “appalling attacks perpetrated by Hamas” and said “there is no justification, ever, for the killing, injuring and abduction of civilians.”

He also said he regretted Israel’s move to intensify its military operations in Gaza.He also reminded Israel and Hamas about their obligations under international humanitarian law.

“I have always been consistent in my call for strict compliance of the well-established principles and rules of international humanitarian law. The protection of civilians is paramount,” he said.

“The laws of war establish clear rules to protect human life and respect humanitarian concerns. Those laws cannot be contorted for the sake of expediency. The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes,” he added.

Labour’s Gaza rebels won’t be sacked, frontbencher suggests

12:04 , Holly Evans

Labour frontbencher Peter Kyle said the party will “continue engaging” with shadow cabinet members rebelling over the party’s refusal to back a ceasefire.

Asked if Labour frontbenchers speaking against Sir Keir Starmer’s stance should be sacked, Mr Kyle replied: “Well look, what we are going to do, I suspect, is continue engaging with them.”The shadow science secretary said the row was a sign of “strength not weakness”.

He said: “I think the fact that we have a vigorous debate within our party … reflects a strength. It is a strength of our leadership, certainly not a weakness of our party.”

Mr Kyle said the party is not thinking about whether it will lose the support of Muslim voters or win over others on its position. “We are not thinking ‘how do we win votes?’ or what votes we will lose at a time when there is war and conflict unfolding before us,” he said.

Mr Kyle also stressed caution when asked if he thought Israel is potentially guilty of war crimes in Gaza. “We have called for international law to be obeyed at all times … we are expecting Israel in its response to that terrorist attack to act within international law.”

WHO chief calls threats to Gaza hospital ‘deeply concerning’

11:49 , Holly Evans

The director-general of the World Health Organisation has said the reports of evacuation threats to Al-Quds hospital in Gaza is “deeply concerning”.

Taking to social media platform X, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “The @PalestineRCS report of evacuation threats to Al-Quds hospital in Gaza is deeply concerning.

“We reiterate - it’s impossible to evacuate hospitals full of patients without endangering their lives. Under International Humanitarian Law, healthcare must always be protected.”

Pope Francis calls for ceasefire in weekly blessing

11:37 , Holly Evans

Pope Francis on Sunday called for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas and renewed an appeal for the release of hostages held by the militant group in Gaza.

“Let no-one abandon the possibility of stopping the weapons,” he said at his weekly blessing in St. Peter’s Square.

“Ceasefire ... we say ‘ceasefire, ceasefire’. Brothers and sisters, stop! War is always a defeat, always,” he added.

More arrests expected in the next week, says Met Police

11:24 , Holly Evans

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he would support a review into the legal definition of extremism and how it should be policed.

He told the Trevor Phillips On Sunday programme on Sky News: “There is scope to be much sharper in how we deal with extremism within this country.

“The law was never designed to deal with extremism, there’s a lot to do with terrorism and hate crime but we don’t have a body of law that deals with extremism and that is creating a gap.”

He added: “We will robustly enforce up to the line of the law.

“We’re going to be absolutely ruthless and we have been and you’ll see many more arrests over the next week or so.”

'God Save Gaza' graffitied on Grade-II listed First World War statue after London protest

11:08 , Holly Evans

More than 8,000 people killed in Gaza, says health ministry

11:02 , Holly Evans

The number of people killed in Gaza has climbed to 8,005, according to the Hamas-led Gaza health ministry.

They added that some 3,342 children are among those that have died since 7 October.

In its last update, the ministry reported 7,650 people had died, meaning the death toll has risen by 355.

Government orders extremism crackdown as minister says some Palestine activists ‘inciting hate’

10:50 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak’s government is reviewing the definition of extremism in a move that could allow councils and police forces to cut off funding to charities and religious groups found to have aired hateful views.

Levelling up secretary Michael Gove is understood to have ordered officials to draw up a new official definition of extremism in a move designed to counter hate, including antisemitism.

Separately, home secretary Suella Braverman is reportedly examining potential changes to terrorism legislation to expand some definitions in existing laws.

Read the full story below

Government orders extremism crackdown as minister says some activists ‘inciting hate’

Lib Dem MP says it is ‘torturous’ not knowing if family in Gaza are ‘dead or alive’

10:36 , Holly Evans

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said it was “torturous” not knowing whether her family in Gaza were “dead or alive” following a communications blackout in the territory.

Members of Ms Moran’s extended family, who are Palestinian Christians, are currently living with around 100 people in a church in Gaza.

The Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman said her family members had moved into the church after their home was bombed by the Israel Defence Forces during its retaliation for Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Moran said: “We are deeply worried for their safety.

“The 24-48 hours where the internet and everything else was cut was torturous. Not knowing whether they were dead or alive — we are worried for them anyway — I can’t tell you what that did to us as a family.

“We have heard since, because someone in the church has a foreign SIM that can connect to the Israeli networks, has put out a message saying that, for now, they are safe.”

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf says his family in Gaza are alive after losing contact with them

10:23 , Holly Evans

Scotland’s first minister has said his family in Gaza are alive after sharing he had lost contact with them amid Israeli bombardment.

The family of Humza Yousaf’s wife, Nadia El-Nakla, are stuck in the country amid the ongoing conflict.

Humza Yousaf revealed, on X, formerly known as Twitter, this morning, that he had heard from his in-laws in the besieged strip, thanking God that they are alive.

Read the full article below

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf says his family are alive

Almost 100 arrests made at protests, says Met commissioner

10:13 , Holly Evans

The Met police is has arrested nearly 100 people at demonstrations in recent weeks, Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has told Sky News.

He said there have been “distasteful” scenes at recent pro-Palestine protests but some of those actions were not at the level to be prosecuted, and he called for greater “clarity” from the Government.

Sir Mark said his officers were working with CPS lawyers in the operations room to identify potential offences.

He told Sir Trevor Phillips on Sky News: “We’ve got these big protests and some of what goes on there, people do find it upsetting and distasteful and sometimes people give an instinctive view that must not be legal.

“But there’s no point arresting hundreds of people if it’s not prosecutable, that’s just inflaming things.”

Yesterday, an estimated 100,000 people took to the streets of London to demand a ceasefire.

UK not setting any ‘red lines’ for Israel invasion, says Tory minister

10:01 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak’s government had not set any so-called “red lines” in Israel’s response to the Hamas terror attack, said Tory cabinet minister Michelle Donelan.

The science secretary told Sky News: “I don’t think we need to do that because there are already structures in place, there is international law that is well established.”

Ms Donelan also blamed Hamas for civilian deaths in Israel’s offensive. She said Hamas has been using the Palestinian people as “human shields”, adding: “It is very difficult to get to Hamas without hurting innocent civilians”.

The minister also told the BBC that it was “very difficult to target Hamas … without hurting innocent civilians.” Asked if she accepted more civilians will die in the offensive on Gaza, Ms Donelan said: “It is very, very difficult because of what Hamas are doing … We want those losses to be minimised.”

Israel will allow more aid in coming days

09:51 , Holly Evans

Israel would allow a dramatic increase in aid to Gaza in the coming days, an official said on Sunday, calling on Palestinian civilians to head to what he described as a “humanitarian” zone in the south of the territory.

“In the coming week we were planning to increase dramatically the amount of assistance” headed for Gaza from Egypt, said Colonel Elad Goren of Cogat, the Israeli Defence Ministry agency that coordinates with the Palestinians.

“We have mrked a humanitarian zone in the southern Gaza Strip in the Khan Younis area ... we still recommend that the civilian population that evacuated will go to this zone,” he told media during an online briefing.

Goren did not say whether the humanitarian zone was new or an existing area.

People in Gaza asking 'Where do we want to be when we die?' says Lib Dem MP

09:43 , Holly Evans

Layla Moran – the senior Liberal Democrat MP who has relatives in Gaza – has accused of Tory cabinet minister Michelle Donelan of “deeply offensive” remarks about civilians in the Palestinian territory.

Ms Moran condemned Ms Donelan for saying Hamas was stopping people from leaving their homes as requested. “That is not what is happening. I find it deeply offensive to suggest that Hamas is giving my family any kind of marching orders. They can’t move … Nowhere in Gaza is safe.”

The Lib Dem spokesperson told the BBC: “The conversation now in Gaza has changed. No longer are people saying, ‘Where do we go to be safe’. The question they are now asking, ‘Where do we want to be when we die?’”

BBC host Victoria Derbyshire said: “Oh my God.” Ms Moran said the government was “failing” by supporting Israel’s response to the Hamas terror attack. She called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” and support for “political space for talks that will eventually lead to ceasefire”.

Palestinian man shot dead in the West Bank

09:33 , Holly Evans

A Jewish settler shot dead a Palestinian man harvesting olives near the West Bank city of Nablus, the man’s uncle said Sunday.

This brings the number of Palestinians reported killed by settlers to seven since Hamas’s bloody incursion into Israel three weeks ago.

Tayseer Mahmoud said his nephew, Bilal Saleh, was working in the grove in the village of Sawiya with his wife and their four children on Saturday when a group of settlers attacked them.

Saleh, concerned about the safety of his children, tried to leave the area, but a settler shot him in the chest, Mahmoud said. Mahmoud said he didn’t witness the confrontation but was close by and reached the scene within minutes of the shooting. Saleh died before he could be taken for medical care, he said.

Family of Scotland’s first minister are alive but out of clean drinking water

09:21 , Holly Evans

Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, has said his parents-in-law, who have been trapped in Gaza, are alive but have run out of clean drinking water.

In a social media post, he called for the UN resolution to be implemented and for aid to be allowed into the besieged enclave.

Israel orders hospital to evacuate ‘immediately’, says aid group

09:04 , Holly Evans

A humanitarian group working in Gaza says it has received “serious threats” from Israeli forces to evacuate al Quds hospital.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society claimed the hospital was going to be “bombarded” in a post on X.

Since this morning, there have been raids occurring 50 metres from the facility, the PRCS said.

Netanyahu says wasn't shown intel of planned Hamas attack

08:58 , Holly Evans

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday took a jab at his intelligence chiefs, saying they never warned him Hamas was planning its wide-scale attack on Oct. 7 and causing a political uproar and a rift within his war cabinet.

Netanyahu, who has drawn public ire for not taking responsibility over the intelligence and operational failures surrounding Hamas’ rampage through southern Israel, later erased the remarks posted on social media platform X at 1 a.m. Sunday.

While top officials - from the heads of the military and the Shin Bet domestic spy service to his finance minister - have all acknowledged their failures, Netanyahu has not.

He has only said that there would be time to ask tough questions, including of himself, after the war.

Israel’s military spokesperson, asked about Netanyahu’s comments during a daily briefing with reporters, declined to respond, saying: “We are now at war, focused on the war.”

Netanyahu’s post had said: “At no time and no stage was a warning given to Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding war intentions of Hamas. On the contrary, all security officials, including the head of army intelligence and the head of the Shin Bet, estimated that Hamas was deterred and interested in an arrangement.”

Thousands broke into aid warehouses to take wheat and hygiene supplies

08:45 , Holly Evans

Thousands of people broke into several UNRWA warehouses and distribution centres in the middle and southern areas of the Gaza Strip, taking wheat flour and other basic survival items like hygiene supplies. One of the warehouses, in Deir al-Balah, is where UNRWA stores supplies from the humanitarian convoys coming from Egypt.

“This is a worrying sign that civil order is starting to break down after three weeks of war and a tight siege on Gaza. People are scared, frustrated and desperate.

“Tensions and fear are made worse by the cuts in the phones and internet communication lines. They feel that they are on their own, cut off from their families inside Gaza and the rest of the world,” said Thomas White, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the Gaza Strip.

The UNRWA described public services as “crumbling” under the pressure of Israeli evacuation orders telling Palestinians to move from the north to the south of the territory.

“The needs of the communities are immense, if only for basic survival, while the aid we receive is meager and inconsistent,” said Mr White

Relief as connectivity returns to Gaza

08:26 , Holly Evans

Connectivity is slowly returning to Gaza after it was knocked out on Friday evening, leaving over two million people without internet or phone usage while Israel intensified their aerial bombardments.

Internet monitoring service NetBlocks posted network data on X - formerly known as Twitter - showing that internet connectivity was being restored on Sunday.

Gazans break into aid centres taking flour, supplies, UN says

08:09 , Holly Evans

Thousands of Gaza residents broke into warehouses and distribution centres of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) grabbing flour and “basic survival items”, the organisation said on Sunday.

“This is a worrying sign that civil order is starting to break down after three weeks of war and a tight siege on Gaza,” UNRWA said in a statement.

Aid supplies to Gaza have been choked since Israel began bombarding the Palestinian enclave in response to a deadly attack by its ruling militant group Hamas.

Latest pictures from Gaza

07:59 , Holly Evans

Qatar warns of ‘catastrophic repercussions’ of Israel invasion on the Middle East

07:31 , Holly Evans

Qatar’s foreign ministry has warned that Israel’s bombardment and incursion into Gaza will have “catastrophic repercussions” on the stability of the region.

“The State of Qatar expresses its deep concern over the Israeli ground incursion into Gaza Strip, and considers it a dangerous development that will have devastating security and humanitarian effects in the Strip, especially on the safety of civilians and hostages,” a statement read.

“It also warns of the catastrophic repercussions on the security and stability of the region.”

The foreign ministry said the incursion constituted a “flagrant violation” of the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly calling for an immediate humanitarian truce.

Ministers review extremism label as police arrest protesters for ‘hate crimes’

07:30 , Shweta Sharma

Ministers are reviewing the definition of extremism in a move that could reportedly allow councils and police forces to cut off funding to charities and religious groups found to have aired hateful views.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove is understood to have ordered officials to draw up a new official definition of extremism in a move designed to counter hate, including antisemitism.

It comes after nine people were arrested in central London during a mainly peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration on Saturday, with at least 100,000 protesters calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Ministers review extremism label as police arrest protesters for ‘hate crimes’

Israeli military tells Reuters and AFP it cannot guarantee safety of journalists in Gaza

07:08 , Shweta Sharma

In a letter to Reuters and AFP, the Israeli military said it cannot assure the safety of journalists present in the Gaza Strip after media agencies sought assurances.

“The IDF is targeting all Hamas military activity throughout Gaza,” the IDF letter said, adding that Hamas deliberately put military operations “in the vicinity of journalists and civilians”.

The IDF also noted that its high-intensity strikes on Hamas targets could cause damage to surrounding buildings and that Hamas rockets could also misfire and kill people inside Gaza.

“Under these circumstances, we cannot guarantee your employees’ safety, and strongly urge you to take all necessary measures for their safety,” the IDF letter concluded.

Reuters and AFP said they were very concerned about the safety of journalists in Gaza.

“The situation on the ground is dire, and the IDF’s unwillingness to give assurances about the safety of our staff threatens their ability to deliver the news about this conflict without fear of being injured or killed,” Reuters said in a statement in response to receiving the Israel military letter.

Israel enters ‘second stage’ of war in Gaza with troops and tanks – alongside ‘unprecedented’ bombardment

07:00 , Shweta Sharma

Israel has entered the “second stage” of its war on Hamas, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, with an extended ground operation inside Gaza involving tanks and troops. That is backed up by the heaviest aerial bombardment the besieged Strip has faced since the retaliatory airstrikes began.

The Israeli leader said that this will be a “long and difficult” conflict but that the military “will not withdraw”.

“We are only at the beginning. The battle within the Gaza Strip will be difficult and long; this is our second war of independence,” he added.

Israel enters ‘second stage’ of war in Gaza with troops and tanks

Israel strikes near Gaza's largest hospital after accusing Hamas of using it as a base

06:45 , Shweta Sharma

Israeli warplanes struck areas close to Gaza’s largest hospital early morning today as it remains crowded with patients and tens of thousands of Palestinians seeking shelter.

Israel has said Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers have a command post under the hospital, without providing much evidence.

Residents said the latest airstrikes destroyed most of the roads leading to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which is part of the northern half of the besieged territory, which Israel has told people to evacuate.

“Reaching the hospital has become increasingly difficult,” Mahmoud al-Sawah, who is sheltering in the hospital, said over the phone. “It seems they want to cut off the area.”

Another Gaza City resident, Abdallah Sayed, said the Israeli bombing over the past two days was “the most violent and intense” since the war started.

Egypt says 'Israeli obstacles' impeding aid delivery to Gaza

06:30 , Shweta Sharma

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday “Israeli obstacles” including truck inspection procedures were impeding the prompt delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Palestinian enclave.

“The trucks must be inspected at the Israeli Nitzana crossing before they head to the Rafah crossing on a journey that takes a distance of 100 km (62 miles) before they actually enter the Rafah crossing, which causes obstacles that significantly delay the arrival of aid,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

The Rafah crossing, which is controlled by Egypt and does not border Israel, has become the main point of aid delivery since Israel imposed a siege on Gaza in retaliation for an attack by Hamas militants from the coastal strip on Oct. 7.

Before the conflict, about 500 trucks a day were crossing into Gaza, but in recent days, an average of only 12 trucks a day have entered, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday.

A border source said that trip results in a 16-hour delay and was the reason why the number of trucks never again reached a high of 20 achieved on the first day deliveries were restarted.

Watch: IDF tells northern Gaza civilians to ‘temporarily relocate’ ahead of impending ground invasion

06:15 , Shweta Sharma

Three Palestinians killed in West Bank by Israeli forces

05:47 , Shweta Sharma

The Palestinian health ministry said three people were killed in West Bank by Israeli forces yesterday.

Several relatives of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails carried out protests and demanded their release.

The protesters expressed support for those in Gaza as Israeli forces launched ground operations.

Palestinian telecom confirms restoration of services

05:22 , Shweta Sharma

“We are pleased to announce that telecommunication services (landline, mobile, and internet) in Gaza Strip, disrupted on Friday, October 27, 2023, due to the ongoing aggression, are gradually being restored,” the Palestine Telecommunications Company, Paltel, says.

'Entire families remain under the rubble’

05:15 , Shweta Sharma

A freelance journalist Anas al-Sharif called it a night of “catastrophe” as Israeli forces launched a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip under the darkness.

“It’s a catastrophe,” said Anas al-Sharif, a freelance journalist. “Entire families remain under the rubble.”

Reached by WhatsApp, freelance photojournalist Ashraf Abu Amra in northern Gaza said panic and confusion surrounded him.

“It’s barely possible to send this message,” he said. “All I want to convey is that the international community must intervene and save the people of Gaza from death immediately.”

Residents said they darted across dilapidated neighbourhoods under heavy bombardment to check on loved ones.

Medics chased the thunder of artillery and bombs because they couldn’t receive distress calls. Survivors pulled the dead from the rubble with bare hands and loaded them into cars and donkey-drawn carts.

Israel’s forces set up to punch deeper into Gaza with largest assault of war so far

05:06 , Shweta Sharma

In their biggest ground operation of the war so far, Israeli forces appear to have established, after fierce fighting, bridgeheads in northern Gaza for massed troops and tanks to punch south deeper into the territory.

The attack, which began on Friday night, was much larger in scope and scale than the half-dozen previous raids, with more than a hundred warplanes carrying out pounding strikes for hours from the air while Merkava tanks and Namer armoured carriers and troops moved in on the ground.

The aim was to destroy Hamas’s defensive positions, flush out ambush points, and sweep for mines and boobytraps.

The Independent’s Kim Sengupta writes.

Israel’s forces set up to punch deeper into Gaza with largest assault of war so far

Pro-Palestinian protests held around the world

04:12 , Shweta Sharma

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators rallied in cities in the UK, US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to show support for the Palestinians as Israel’s military widened its air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip.

In one of the biggest marches, in London, aerial footage showed large crowds marching through the centre of the capital to demand the government of prime minister Rishi Sunak call for a ceasefire.

Protesters gathered in streets in Malaysia, Turkey’s Istanbul and Iraq’s Baghdad. Elsewhere in Europe, people took to the streets of Copenhagen, Rome and Stockholm.

In New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, thousands of people holding Palestinian flags and placards reading “Free Palestine” marched to Parliament House.

‘Ground shook in Gaza’

03:51 , Shweta Sharma

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said the ground shook in Gaza as his country vowed to continue its campaign.

He said more than 150 Hamas bases were destroyed and two chiefs were killed in the operations.

“We moved to the next stage in the war,” Mr Gallant said in remarks broadcast on Saturday.

“Last evening, the ground shook in Gaza. We attacked above ground and underground. ... The instructions to the forces are clear. The campaign will continue until further notice.”

The military released grainy images on Saturday showing tank columns moving slowly in open areas of Gaza, many apparently near the border, and said warplanes bombed dozens of Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers.

‘Surprised by an unprecedented escalation’: UN chief

03:38 , Shweta Sharma

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has said that the devastation and bombardments in Gaza are undermining the humanitarian objectives despite a growing international consensus for a humanitarian pause in the conflict.

“I was encouraged in the last days by what seemed to be a growing consensus in the international community... for the need of at least a humanitarian pause in the fighting,” Mr Guterres said in a statement.

“Regrettably, instead of the pause, I was surprised by an unprecedented escalation of the bombardments and their devastating impacts, undermining the referred humanitarian objectives,” he added.

“I reiterate my appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, together with the unconditional release of hostages & the delivery of relief at a level corresponding to the dramatic needs of the people in Gaza, where a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in front of our eyes.”

It was after the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in favour “humanitarian truce” in Gaza.

Telephone and internet services returning in Gaza, Palestinian media says

03:15 , Shweta Sharma

Telephone and internet communications are returning gradually to the Gaza Strip, several Palestinian media outlets said early on Sunday.

Most of Gaza was cut off from the rest of the world for more than two days after communication services were cut and electricity went out as the Israeli military launched ground operation.

Speaking at the press conference, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the offensive in Gaza will be “difficult and long”.

He added that Israel is fighting its “second war of independence,” as he said: “We always said never again - never again is now.”

Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant said retrieving the hostages “is not a secondary mission, this is a mission of supreme importance” as he gave a final ultimatum to the Gazans to leave for the south of the strip.

Israeli defence minister says humanitarian aid to Gaza to expand

03:06 , Shweta Sharma

In a video message, Israel’s defence minister spokesperson Daniel Hagari said today that humanitarian aid sent by Egypt and the US “will be expanding” in Gaza.

He did not elaborate on the topic further.

He accused Hamas terrorists of hiding among Gazan civilians and using them as “human shields”.

But, he said, IDF knows how to distinguish between terrorists and civilians.

“Hamas terrorists operate inside and under civilian buildings, precisely because they know the IDF distinguishes between terrorists and civilians,” he added.

British Palestinians ‘helpless’ as they lose communication with family in Gaza

03:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

British Palestinians have said they felt “helpless” as they lost communication with their families trapped in Gaza and accused the UK Government of “failing its citizens” by not securing their escape.

Israel has knocked out communications in the Gaza Strip in intensified attacks over the last 24 hours, largely cutting off the 2.3 million population from contact with each other and the outside world.

Mohammed Awad, an English teacher at a language school in Cambridge, had been sharing regular WhatsApp messages and phone calls with his family – but he lost contact with them on Friday and has not heard from them since.

British Palestinians ‘helpless’ as they lose communication with family in Gaza

Latest in Israel and Gaza

02:52 , Shweta Sharma

It is Sunday morning in Israel-Gaza. Here is the recap of all the latest developments:

1. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military is now in the “second stage” of what he called a “long and difficult” war with Hamas.

2. Casting the war as a fight for his country’s very survival, he warned that the assault would intensify ahead of a broad ground invasion into the territory.

3. The death toll in Gaza is now more than 7,700 deaths, with 377 deaths reported since late Friday, according to the Gaza health ministry. Most of those killed have been women and minors, the ministry said.

4. An estimated 1,700 people remain trapped beneath the rubble, according to the health ministry.

5. Mr Netanyahu met families of Israelis, who have been held hostage by Hamas and the family members expressed concern about the intensifying attacks on Gaza

6. Telephone and internet communications are gradually being restored in Gaza following a total communication blackout, reported the Safa press agency.

7. Israel’s foreign minister said he ordered the return of Israel’s diplomatic mission from Turkey to reassess ties.

Tens of thousands march through London calling for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war

02:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have marched through central London demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas war.

Around 100,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered holding banners and fireworks and flares were set off as the mostly peaceful group of demonstrators snaked through the closed-off roads in Westminster on Saturday afternoon.

Punches and kicks were thrown as police clashed with some protesters close to Downing Street. Demonstrators were told to move away as a man was taken to the floor and carried away to chants of “let him go”.

Tens of thousands march through London calling for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war

01:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Bel Trew: Gaza humanitarian crisis could reach ‘catastrophic levels’

Israel enters ‘second stage’ of war in Gaza with troops and tanks – alongside ‘unprecedented’ bombardment

Sunday 29 October 2023 00:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Israel has entered the “second stage” of its war on Hamas, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, with an extended ground operation inside Gaza involving tanks and troops. That is backed up by the heaviest aerial bombardment the besieged Strip has faced since the retaliatory airstrikes began.

The Israeli leader said that this will be a “long and difficult” conflict but that the military “will not withdraw”.

“We are only at the beginning. The battle within the Gaza Strip will be difficult and long; this is our second war of independence,” he added.

Israel enters ‘second stage’ of war in Gaza with troops and tanks

Humza Yousaf does not know whether his in-laws are alive or dead

Sunday 29 October 2023 00:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Scotland’s First Minister has said he does not know if his parents-in-law who are trapped in Gaza are dead or alive after Israel knocked out communications there.

Humza Yousaf said he and his wife Nadia are “desperately worried” and that she is “numb” as they try to find out news about her parents.

Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged - the parents of Mr Yousaf’s wife - travelled to Gaza before hostilities flared up earlier this month to visit family and became trapped.

He told BBC Scotland: “We haven’t heard from them obviously since the intensity of the bombing last night and you can imagine how desperately worried we are, and to be frank, we don’t know if they are alive or dead.

“And that is the reality not just facing us, clearly the reality for many people right across the world who haven’t heard from their loved ones who are trapped in Gaza and have been facing bombardment over the last three weeks.

“My wife is numb to be honest, I’m trying to do my best to give her some hope and we’re doing our best to try to keep ourselves distracted, and obviously calling as many phone numbers as we possibly can, as many relatives as we can across Gaza, with no luck this far.

“It’s having an impact, of course it is, and not just on my wife. I listened to my four-year-old daughter this morning pretending to phone her granny, and asking when she will come back.”

Want to understand Gaza? Then read any of these books...

Saturday 28 October 2023 23:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Unending war in the Middle East is not a subject that invites impartiality, writes Donald Macintyre.

Controversial? Perhaps, but he should know – he was The Independent’s man on the front line for years and wrote an acclaimed book about Gaza.

Who better to ask to unpick the challenge authors face when writing about the region? Plus, Don’s five favourite books for understanding the conflict better:

Want to understand Gaza? Then read any of these books...

Scotland’s First Minister does not know if his in-laws in Gaza are alive or dead

Saturday 28 October 2023 22:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Scotland’s First Minister has said he does not know if his parents-in-law who are trapped in Gaza are dead or alive after Israel knocked out communications there.

Humza Yousaf said he and his wife Nadia are “desperately worried” and that she is “numb” as they try to find out news about her parents.

Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged – the parents of Mr Yousaf’s wife – travelled to Gaza before hostilities flared up earlier this month to visit family and became trapped.

Scotland’s First Minister does not know if his in-laws in Gaza are alive or dead

Bella Hadid speaks out on Israel terror attack and Palestine airstrikes: ‘My heart is bleeding’

Saturday 28 October 2023 22:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Bella Hadid posted a written statement to her Instagram condemning the Hamas attacks and advocating for the innocent lives of Palestinians amid Israel airstrikes in Gaza.

The supermodel shared a post on Instagram asking the public to “forgive” her for her silence amid the Hamas terror attacks and Israeli retaliation, telling her followers that she struggled to find the “ideal” words to respond to the “deeply intricate and horrific” events of the past two weeks.

She explained that amid being sent “hundreds of death threats daily” and her phone number being leaked, she and her family have felt unsafe. Despite these risks, Hadid wrote that “fear is not an option,” and added, “The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence. We are not brave – they are.”

Bella Hadid speaks out on Israel terror attack and Palestine airstrikes

Musk says Starlink to provide connectivity in Gaza for aid organizations

Saturday 28 October 2023 22:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Elon Musk said on Saturday that SpaceX’s Starlink will support communication links in Gaza with “internationally recognized aid organizations”, prompting Israel‘s communication minister to say Israel would fight the move.

Musk said in a post on social media platform X that it was not clear who has authority for ground links in Gaza, but we do know that “no terminal has requested a connection in that area”.

A telephone and internet blackout isolated people in the Gaza Strip from the world and from each other on Saturday, with calls to loved ones, ambulances or colleagues elsewhere all but impossible as Israel widened its air and ground assault.

International humanitarian organizations said the blackout, which began late on Friday, was worsening an already desperate situation by impeding life-saving operations and preventing contact with their staff on the ground.

SpaceX did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on how it would ensure any Starlink connection was used by aid organizations and not by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip.

Responding to Musk’s post on X, Israel‘s communication minister Shlomo Karhi said Israel “will use all means at its disposal to fight this.”

“HAMAS will use it for terrorist activities,” Karhi wrote. “Perhaps Musk would be willing to condition it with the release of our abducted babies, sons, daughters, elderly people. All of them! By then, my office will cut any ties with starlink.”

Nine arrests made at pro-Palestine protest- Met Police

Saturday 28 October 2023 21:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A total of nine arrests were made at a pro-Palestine protest attended by around 100,000 people in central London on Saturday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force said seven people were detained over public order offences, while two others were held for assaults on police officers.

It added that several of the public order arrests were being treated as hate crimes.

Israel enters ‘second stage’ of war in Gaza with troops and tanks – alongside ‘unprecedented’ bombardment

Saturday 28 October 2023 21:45 , Bel Trew

Israel has entered the “second stage” of its war on Hamas, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, with an extended ground operation inside Gaza involving tanks and troops. That is backed up by the heaviest aerial bombardment the besieged strip has faced since the retaliatory airstrikes began.

The Israeli leader said that this will be a “long and difficult“ but that the military “will not withdraw”.

“We are only at the beginning. The battle within the Gaza Strip will be difficult and long; this is our second war of independence,” he added.

Bel Trew reports from Ashkelon:

Israel enters ‘second stage’ of war in Gaza with troops and tanks

‘We will not be silent. We will not be complicit’

Saturday 28 October 2023 21:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Approximately half a million people marched for Palestine today in London, Zarah Sultana MP said.

In a post on X, the MP for Coventry South said: “We will not be silent. We will not be complicit. And we will keep demanding a ceasefire until there’s an end to the slaughter.”

Hamas ‘immediately ready to agree exchange deal'

Saturday 28 October 2023 21:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Qatar-led negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue

Saturday 28 October 2023 21:19 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Qatar-mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at de-escalating fighting in Gaza continued on Saturday, a source briefed on the negotiations said, even as Israel intensified its assault on the enclave.

Talks have not broken down, but are taking place at a "much slower pace" than before the escalation from Friday evening, the source told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of negotiations.

Gaza's besieged people had barely any communications with the outside world on Saturday as Israeli jets dropped more bombs on the Hamas-ruled Palestinian enclave and military chiefs said a long-threatened ground offensive was gearing up.

Qatar has been conducting behind-the-scenes diplomacy for more than three weeks, speaking to Hamas officials and Israel to promote peace and secure the release of hostages.

Its mediation last week led to the release of two American hostages, a mother and daughter, and two elderly Israeli women.

Israeli PM says Gaza ground operation is ‘only the beginning of the road’

Saturday 28 October 2023 21:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been left homeless after weeks of airstrikes - figures that only look set to increase given Israel steps up its ground operations inside Gaza.

On 13 October, one million people were ordered by Israel to evacuate northern Gaza. The move garnered international criticism with the World Health Organization calling it a “death sentence for the sick and injured” and the UN warning it was impossible to execute and would lead to a “calamitous situation”.

The call to evacuate was repeated on 21 October with leaflets dropped in the north of the strip telling residents to leave “immediately”. It prompted Amnesty International to release a statement suggesting that the order could amount to a war crime under international humanitarian law.

The homeless Palestinians fearing for their future as 1.4m displaced by airstrikes

Watch: Israeli PM says Gaza ground operation is ‘only the beginning of the road’

Saturday 28 October 2023 20:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

In pictures: Pro-Palestine protests in Berlin and Paris

Saturday 28 October 2023 20:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Bel Trew: Gaza humanitarian crisis could reach ‘catastrophic levels’ under Israel’s expanded operations

Saturday 28 October 2023 20:25 , Bel Trew

Bel Trew: Gaza humanitarian crisis could reach ‘catastrophic levels’

Hamas leader offers to ‘exhange all hostages for prisoners in Israeli jails'

Saturday 28 October 2023 20:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, has offered to release all hostages held in Gaza in return for the release of all Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails.

In a statement on the group’s official website, Sinwar said: “We are ready for an immediate exchange deal that includes the release of all prisoners in the prisons of the Zionist enemy in exchange for the release of all prisoners with the resistance.”

Israel’s forces set up to punch deeper into Gaza with largest assault of war so far

Saturday 28 October 2023 20:10 , Kim Sengupta

Tanks and troops, backed by pounding airstrikes, look to create the space to press on, but face fierce clashes with Hamas at a number of locations. Kim Sengupta reports from Sderot, close to the Gaza border:

In their biggest ground operation of the war so far, Israeli forces appear to have established, after fierce fighting, bridgeheads in northern Gaza for massed troops and tanks to punch south deeper into the territory.

The attack, which began on Friday night, was much larger in scope and scale than the half-dozen previous raids, with more than a hundred warplanes carrying out pounding strikes for hours from the air while Merkava tanks and Namer armoured carriers and troops moved in on the ground.

The aim was to destroy Hamas’s defensive positions, flush out ambush points, and sweep for mines and boobytraps. There was stubborn resistance at a number of points, with prolonged clashes in the Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun area and further east near the Bureji refugee camp near the southern city of Khan Younis, a place to which people had fled after warnings to leave their homes in the north.

Israel’s forces set up to punch deeper into Gaza with largest assault of war so far

Israel's Netanyahu says contacts to return hostages will continue

Saturday 28 October 2023 19:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Efforts to secure the release of more than 200 hostages will continue even during the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, after announcing the war had moved to a second phase.

Asked at a news conference whether contacts to release the hostages would continue even during the ground offensive, Netanyahu replied: “Yes”.

He said the idea of a swap deal of hostages for Palestinian prisoners had been discussed within the Israeli war cabinet but declined to elaborate, saying revealing any details would be counterproductive.

‘The ground shook in Gaza'

Saturday 28 October 2023 19:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The country’s defence minister said “the ground shook in Gaza“ and that the war against the territory’s Hamas rulers has entered a new stage.

The bombardment, described by Gaza residents as the most intense of the war, also knocked out most communications.

This largely cut off the besieged enclave’s 2.3 million people from the world while enabling the Israeli military to control the narrative in a new stage of fighting.

“We moved to the next stage in the war,” defence minister Yoav Gallant said in remarks broadcast on Saturday.

“Last evening, the ground shook in Gaza. We attacked above ground and underground. ... The instructions to the forces are clear. The campaign will continue until further notice.”

UAE condemns Israeli ground operations in Gaza Strip

Saturday 28 October 2023 19:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday condemned the Israeli ground operations in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, the state news agency WAM reported, citing the country’s foreign ministry.

UAE, which became the first Gulf country to normalise relations with Israel in 2020, also “expressed its deep concern over the Israeli military escalation and exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis that threatens more loss of civilian lives.”

Benjamin Netanyahu says Gaza offensive will be ‘difficult and long'

Saturday 28 October 2023 19:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Speaking at the press conference, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the offensive in Gaza will be “difficult and long”.

He added that Israel is fighting its “second war of independence,” as he said: “We always said never again - never again is now.”

Israel’s defense minister Yoav Gallant said retrieving the hostages “is not a secondary mission, this is a mission of supreme importance”.

Israel ‘fighting a war for entire humanity’- Netanyahu

Saturday 28 October 2023 19:07 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

“Israel is not fighting its own war but a war for entire humanity,” Benjamin Netanyahu said, adding that the Arab world now understands that “Unless Israel wins they will be next in line”.

“This is our second war of liberation, we are going to fight,” he said. “Together we shall fight, together we shall prevail.”

‘This is not going to be a short war’- Israel’s defence minister

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

“This is not going to be a short war. It’s going to be long,” Israel’s defense minister Yoav Gallant said.

He added: “It is a not a war of choice. It is us against them.”

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Speaking about the wars Israel has fought in the past, Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We’ve always said, ‘Never again.’ Never again is now.”

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu has said the country’s soldiers are “united” against Hamas.

Netanyahu begins press conference

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:46 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has started speaking.

He said “additional ground forces from Israel entered Gaza” on Friday night.

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Live: Israeli PM gives update after military say they've entered "next stage in the war"

‘God help anyone under the rubble'

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

With many buildings reduced to rubble and shelter hard to find, Gazans are short of food, water, fuel and medicines.

Their plight got worse from Friday night when phone and internet services were cut - followed by heavy bombing through the night.

“God help anyone under the rubble,” said one Gaza journalist, who spent a terrifying night in a stairway building watching “belts of fire” as bombs fell and Israeli forces appeared to exchange fire with Palestinian fighters.

Without mobile phones, no one could call ambulances and emergency services anyway were short of fuel, he said, adding that desperate people were turning to the police when they could be found to use their walkie-talkies to seek help.

‘How many more children have to die?'

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, said the UK government’s abstention from a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza is “a shameful abdication of their moral responsibility” as he asked, “How many more children have to die?”

He added: “Innocent men, women and children are dying. They shouldn’t be paying the price for a crime they did not commit.”

Israel’s Netanyahu to hold press conference

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be holding a press conference in 15 minutes.

He will be joined by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz.

Stay tuned as we bring you the latest.

UAE asks UN Security Council to meet on Gaza

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:07 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The United Arab Emirates asked the United Nations Security Council on Saturday to meet “as soon as possible” following Israel‘s expanded ground operations in Gaza and the disconnection of telecommunications networks, diplomats said.

The 15-member council could meet as early as Sunday, diplomats said, and the UAE has asked for U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths and Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the U.N. agency providing aid to Palestinians (UNRWA), to brief.

UN chief ‘surprised' by escalation of Israel’s bombardment

Saturday 28 October 2023 18:00 , Athena Stavrou

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday he was surprised by Israel‘s escalation of the bombardments in Gaza, and repeated a call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the delivery of aid.

“I was encouraged in the last days by what seemed to be a growing consensus in the international community ... for the need of at least a humanitarian pause in the fighting,” Guterres said in a statement.

“Regrettably, instead of the pause, I was surprised by an unprecedented escalation of the bombardments and their devastating impacts, undermining the referred humanitarian objectives,” he said.

Last night marked Israel’s heaviest bombardment of Gaza yet.

The death toll in Gaza climbed to 7,650 dead and 19,450 injured since Israel‘s bombardment on the Gaza Strip began three weeks ago, according to a daily report released on Saturday from the Palestinian health ministry.

Israeli general says military moving to the next stage of war

Saturday 28 October 2023 17:45 , Athena Stavrou

Israel‘s military was moving to a new phase of its war with Hamas in Gaza, the Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi said on Saturday, as ground forces continued operations in the bombarded Palestinian enclave.

“This war has stages and today we are moving to the next stage. Our forces are currently operating on the ground in the Gaza Strip,” Halevi said in a televised message.

Hamas armed wing says Israel 'stalled' on possible deal over hostages

Saturday 28 October 2023 17:30 , Athena Stavrou

Hamas was about to reach an agreement with Israel over the hostages held by the Palestinian militant faction but Israel had “stalled” on that possibility, a spokesman for the group’s armed wing said on Saturday.

Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, also said in a video speech the group would only release all the hostages it has if Israel freed all Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas can also hold talks over a “partial” agreement over the captives, he added.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website