Israel-Iran latest: Starmer warns Iranian president against launching attack in direct phone call
Sir Keir Starmer has urged Iran to refrain from attacking Israel in a direct conversation with the country’s president.
Speaking to Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday evening, Sir Keir Starmer warned of “a serious risk of miscalculation”, Downing Street said.
Mr Pezeshkian, who has been in office for barely a month, is considered a reformist, but vowed to make Israel “regret” an air strike on Tehran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
It comes after Israeli military has ordered mass evacuations of southern Gaza after Hamas claimed an airstrike on a school in the north left up to 100 Palestinians dead.
The order was given for Khan Younis, including part of an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone from which the military said rockets had been fired.
US vice president Kamala Harris said “far too many” civilians had been killed “yet again” and urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties.
The Iranian foreign ministry also condemned the attack and accused Israel of carrying out “genocide and crimes against humanity”.
Hamas said the strike on the al-Tabaeen school, central Gaza, wounded 47 people. Israel said it was targeting a Hamas command centre and 20 militants were killed.
Key Points
Sir Keir Starmer has phone call with Iranian president
More than 100 killed in Israeli strike on Gaza school, Hamas claims
Iran claims strike on school example of ‘crimes against humanity’ in Gaza
UN special rapporteur: Israel committing ‘genocide one school at a time’
Hamas brands Israel‘s attack part of ‘extermination campaign’
White house says too ‘many civilians continue to be killed and wounded’ in Gaza
Sir Keir Starmer has phone call with Iranian president
21:37 , Holly Evans
Sir Keir Starmer spoke to Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday evening, urging him to “refrain from attacking Israel”, Downing Street has said.
A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister said that he was deeply concerned by the situation in the region and called on all parties to de-escalate and avoid further regional confrontation.
“There was a serious risk of miscalculation and now was the time for calm and careful consideration, the Prime Minister said. He called on Iran to refrain from attacking Israel, adding that war was not in anyone’s interests.
The situation in the Middle East is deeply concerning.
This evening, I spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian about the need for all parties to de-escalate to avoid further confrontation.
Now is the time for calm. pic.twitter.com/LeiDX1SE8D— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 12, 2024
“The Prime Minister underlined his commitment to an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. He added the focus should be on diplomatic negotiations, to achieve those outcomes.
“The Prime Minister also raised the cases of foreign detainees in Iran, adding that it was vital that they received the necessary medical care.
“The leaders agreed that a constructive dialogue between the UK and Iran was in both countries’ interests. The Prime Minister added that could only be furthered if Iran ceased its destabilising actions including threats against individuals in the UK and did not further aid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
US orders guided missile submarine to the Middle East
08:32 , Jabed Ahmed
US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, the defence department has said.
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group have been told to sail more quickly to the area to help calm soaring tensions.
The moves come as the US and other allies push for Israel and Hamas to achieve a ceasefire agreement following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut.
Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement that Mr Austin spoke to Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant earlier on Sunday, and reiterated America’s commitment “to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of US military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions”.
The Lincoln, which has been in the Asia Pacific, had already been ordered to the region to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group, which is scheduled to begin heading home from the Middle East.
‘Running with our children from fear’: Thousands forced to flee from Gaza’s Khan Younis
Sunday 11 August 2024 14:17 , Rebecca Thomas
Israeli troops launched a new assault yesterday into the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, targeting Hamas fighters who the military claims still operate there despite repeated offensives, as American, Qatari and Egyptian mediators renewed their push for Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire deal.
Israeli evacuation orders triggered yet another exodus of Palestinians from the heavily destroyed eastern districts of Khan Younis, where many had just returned less than two weeks ago — after the Israeli military’s last incursion into the city in July.
Thousands had fled the city on Thursday, carrying essentials like small gas cylinders, mattresses, tents, backpacks and blankets.
Um Raed Abu Elyan told Reuters she and her family were “running from the fire, we are running with our children from fear”.
Asked where would she go she replied: “God knows, we are walking now. They said to go to humanitarian areas, but there is no safe place here in Gaza. It is all destroyed and damaged.”
Displaced Palestinians flee Hamad city following Isreali evacuation order
Sunday 11 August 2024 12:29 , Rebecca Thomas
‘Innocent Palestinians cannot continue to pay the price’ says Australian foreign minister
Sunday 11 August 2024 11:31 , Rebecca Thomas
Australia’s foreign minister has joined the voices condemning Israel’s latest attack on a school in Gaza.
Senator Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, posted on social media platform X on Sunday: “Innocent Palestinians cannot continue to pay the price of defeating Hamas”.
Innocent Palestinians cannot continue to pay the price of defeating Hamas.
Australia condemns the deaths of civilians from Israel’s strike on Al-Tabeen School.
Israel must comply with international humanitarian law.
We again call for an immediate ceasefire.— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) August 11, 2024
White house says too ‘many civilians continue to be killed and wounded’ in Gaza
Sunday 11 August 2024 10:43 , Rebecca Thomas
Vice President Kamala Harris told pro-Palestine protesters at a rally in Glendale, Arizona that “now is the time” to get a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza.
Her calls came as reports surfaced of an Israeli strike on a school, where civilians were sheltering, in Gaza City.
Vice president Harris, told protesters: “I have been clear: now is the time to get a ceasefire deal and get the hostage deal done,” she said to applause. “Now is the time. And the president and I are working around the clock every day to get that ceasefire deal done and bring the hostages home. So, I respect your voices, but we are here to now talk about this race in 2024.”
The strike, which came just days ahead of renewed US and Qatar-backed ceasefire talks, was widely condemned, with the White House saying it was “deeply concerned” about the bombings, adding “far too many civilians continue to be killed and wounded in the Gaza war”.
UN condemns Isreali attack on Gazan school
Sunday 11 August 2024 10:10 , Rebecca Thomas
The UN Human Rights Office has condemned the increasing frequency of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) strikes on schools, after the latest attacks on Al-Tabaeen school and mosque, which had been sheltering displaced people, in Gaza City.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said on a social media post on Saturday morning: “Another day of horror in Gaza, another school hit with reports of dozens of Palestinian killed among them women, children and older people,” he said, adding that parties to the conflict must not use schools and other civilian facilities for military or fighting purposes and must, at all times, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
“It’s time for these horrors unfolding under our watch to end,” he said. “We cannot let the unbearable become a new norm. The more recurrent, the more we lose our collective humanity.”
Israel orders evacuation of Khan Younis
Sunday 11 August 2024 08:49 , Alexander Butler
The Israeli military has ordered mass evacuations of southern Gaza after Hamas claimed an airstrike on a school in the north left up to 100 Palestinians dead.
The order was given for Khan Younis, including part of an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone from which the military said rockets had been fired.
The city suffered widespread destruction during an air and ground offensive earlier this year. Tens of thousands fled again last week after an earlier evacuation order.
Hamas: Israel‘s attack on Gaza school part of ‘extermination campaign’
Sunday 11 August 2024 07:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Hamas has released a statement condemning Israel’s killing of more than 100 Palestinians in a school in Gaza City.
The group has accused Israel of carrying out an “extermination campaign” on al-Tabin school.
In a statement, the militant group said: “The massacre perpetrated in the Gaza Strip by the hands of the Neo-Nazis in the center of Gaza City constitutes a horrific crime and represents a grave escalation in the unprecedented series of crimes and massacres in the history of wars.
In response to Israel’s claims that the school was being used as a Hamas command centre, the group said that these justifications are false and “excuses to target civilians, schools, hospitals, and refugee tents, all of which are false pretexts and exposed lies to justify its crimes”.
The statement added: “We call on our Arab and Islamic countries and the international community to fulfill their responsibilities and take urgent action to stop these massacres and halt the escalating Zionist aggression against our people and defenseless citizens.”
Israel has claimed the targeted school, which was turned into a shelter, was as an “active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility”.
Around 20 militants killed in strike, Israel says
Sunday 11 August 2024 06:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Around 20 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants were operating from the Gaza City school that was struck by the Israeli air force on Saturday, an Israeli military spokesperson said.
“The compound, and the mosque that was struck within it, served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility,” Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said on X.
Based on Israeli intelligence, approx. 20 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, including senior commanders, were operating from the compound struck at the Al-Tabaeen school, using it to carry out terrorist attacks.
The compound, and the mosque that was struck within it, served as…— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) August 10, 2024
UK deeply concerned by Israel cancelling accreditation of Norwegian diplomats
Sunday 11 August 2024 05:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Britain is deeply concerned by Israel’s decision to revoke the diplomatic status of eight Norwegian diplomats dealing with the Palestinian Authority, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said.
“We are deeply concerned by Israel’s decision to revoke the diplomatic status of 8 Norwegian diplomats dealing with the Palestinian Authority. Norway has long played a unique and valued role in supporting peace for Israelis and Palestinians. We urge Israel to reconsider,” the FCDO spokesperson said in a statement yesterday.
This comes just a day after Israel revoked the accreditation of the eight Norwegian diplomats.
Pictured: Palestinians in Gaza City mourn the Israel’s killing of more than 100 people
Sunday 11 August 2024 04:00 , Salma Ouaguira
In pictures: Relatives of Israeli hostages hold protests in Haifa
Sunday 11 August 2024 03:00 , Salma Ouaguira
ICYMI: Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment as Hezbollah and Iran vow retaliation
Sunday 11 August 2024 02:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Israel has intensified its bombardment of Gaza, hitting two schools, killing at least 40 people and ordering sweeping evacuations.
It comes as its allies brace for Iran and Hezbollah to retaliate over the killing of two top commanders in Tehran and Beirut.
Catch up here:
Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment as Hezbollah and Iran vow retaliation
Israel to join negotiations on August 15
Sunday 11 August 2024 01:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Pursuant to the proposal by the US and the mediators, Israel will – on 15 August – send the negotiations team to a place to be determined in order to finalize the details of the implementation of the framework agreement.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 9, 2024
Gaza Civil Emergency Service says around 100 Palestinians killed in Israel strike on Gaza
Sunday 11 August 2024 00:00 , Salma Ouaguira
An Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City school compound housing displaced Palestinian families killed around 100 people, the Gaza Civil Emergency Service said on Saturday.
Israel said around 20 militants had been operating at the compound.
Video from the site showed body parts scattered around and more bodies being carried away and covered in blankets on the floor. Empty food tins lay in a puddle of blood, and burnt mattresses and a child’s doll lay among the debris.
In another video, men prayed over a dozen body bags laid out on the ground of the Tabeen school complex.
The territory’s Civil Emergency Service, which has a credible record in stating casualty numbers, and the Hamas-run government media office said in separate statements that the complex had been attacked as its occupants were performing dawn prayers.
“So far, there are more than 93 martyrs, including 11 children and six women. There are unidentified remains,” Palestinian civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal told a televised press conference.
Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought shelter in Gaza’s schools, most of which have been closed since the war began 10 months ago.
Around 350 families had been sheltering at the compound, Bassal said - some of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by Israel’s onslaught on Gaza.
The upper floor housing families and the lower floor, used as a mosque, were both hit, he said.
White House slams Israeli ‘extremists’ for resisting hostage deal
Saturday 10 August 2024 23:00 , Salma Ouaguira
The White House has condemned Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich for arguing against a ceasefire and hostage release deal brokered with the Biden administration, calling his recent public statements unhelpful and dangerous.
Andrew Feinberg has the details:
White House slams Israeli ‘extremists’ for resisting hostage deal
Hamas official killed in Lebanon by an Israeli drone strike
Saturday 10 August 2024 22:00 , Salma Ouaguira
A Hamas official was killed on Friday after an Israeli drone strike hit a car in a southern Lebanese city.
Hamas said in a statement that the strike occurred before sunset on the southern entrance of the port city of Sidon and near one of the roads that lead to the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp, Lebanon’s largest, and that Samer al-Haj, a Hamas official in charge of security of the camp was killed.
The Israeli military confirmed it targeted al-Haj, saying he was recruiting people to carry out attacks against Israel.
The military has vowed to target Hamas officials everywhere.
🔴ELIMINATED: Senior Hamas Commander in Lebanon, Samer Mahmoud al-Haj.
Samer operated as the military forces' commander in the Ain al-Hilweh camp, located in the area of Sidon in Lebanon, and was responsible for the recruitment and training of terrorists to attack the State of… pic.twitter.com/1dWpv1hOVe— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 9, 2024
Harris tells pro-Palestine protesters in Arizona ‘now is the time’ to get a ceasefire
Saturday 10 August 2024 21:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Vice president Kamala Harris told pro-Palestine protesters at a rally in Glendale, Arizona that “now is the time” to get a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza.
“I have been clear: now is the time to get a ceasefire deal and get the hostage deal done,” she said to applause, after being heckled by pro-Palestine protesters chanting “free, free, Palestine”.
“Now is the time. And the president and I are working around the clock every day to get that ceasefire deal done and bring the hostages home. So, I respect your voices, but we are here to now talk about this race in 2024.”
Harris tells pro-Palestine protesters in Arizona ‘now is the time’ to get a ceasefire
Israel detains 40 people in occupied West Bank, Palestinian prisoner’s society says
Saturday 10 August 2024 20:00 , Salma Ouaguira
According to the Commission for Detainees’ Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society Israel has arrested dozens of people in the occupied West Bank overnight.
Among those detained were a woman, children and several former prisoners, according to the organisations.
“Since the war began, Israeli forces have detained about 10,000 Palestinians. The detentions are systematic and have increased in an unprecedented way since October 7, not just in numbers but also in the mistreatment exercised against the detainees,” they added.
Israeli troops launched a new assault into Gaza’s Khan Younis
Saturday 10 August 2024 19:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Israeli troops launched a new assault yesterday into the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, targeting Hamas fighters who the military claims still operate there despite repeated offensives, as American, Qatari and Egyptian mediators renewed their push for Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire deal.Israeli evacuation orders triggered yet another exodus of Palestinians from the heavily destroyed eastern districts of Khan Younis, where many had just returned less than two weeks ago — after the Israeli military’s last incursion into the city in July.
Thousands had fled the city on Thursday, carrying essentials like small gas cylinders, mattresses, tents, backpacks and blankets.A wave of Israeli airstrikes in the southern city killed at least 21 Palestinians, medics at the city’s Nasser Hospital said. Israeli bombardment also continued to pound central Gaza on Friday, with the bodies of eight Palestinians — all women and children — arriving at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital from a barrage of airstrikes that hit the town of Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat refugee camp.
It’s at least the third time that Israeli forces have launched a major incursion into Khan Younis, where Israeli and American officials have said they believe Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ newly named top leader and one of the architects of the 7 October attack on Israel, could be hiding.
Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, pledged allegiance to Sinwar as its new leader and promised to carry out his decisions. Ismail Haniyeh’s swift replacement “shows that Hamas is coherent and strong,” said Abu Obaida, the group’s chief spokesperson.
With tensions running high along the Israel-Lebanon border, an Israeli drone strike yesterday crashed into an SUV in the Lebanese city of Sidon, killing a Hamas official identified as Samer al-Haj on the main road to the southern port city, Lebanon’s state media reported.
The explosion engulfed al-Haj’s car in flames just outside the sprawling Palestinian refugee camp of Ein al-Hilweh, where Lebanese media reported that he oversaw security matters. Israel confirmed it targeted al-Haj, describing him as a senior Hamas commander and accusing him of recruiting militants to attack Israel as well as directing rocket launches.
In the Gaza Strip, one of the airstrikes in Khan Younis hit the home of the Abu Moamar family, killing a Palestine TV journalist, his wife and three daughters.
Another strike smashed into tents housing displaced people in Mawasi, a costal community just west of Khan Younis that the Israeli military has designated as a humanitarian zone, killing a journalist for the Hamas-run Al Aqsa TV channel and five others. A third airstrike targeted a car in Khan Younis.
In numbers: Israel’s war on Gaza
Saturday 10 August 2024 18:50 , Salma Ouaguira
According to the United Nations, 477 out of 564 schools in Gaza have been directly hit or damaged in the war as of 6 July. In June, an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in central Gaza killed at least 33 people, including 12 women and children, according to local health officials.
The war was triggered by Hamas’ 7 October attack, in which militants from Gaza stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 250 others.
Israel‘s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 39,600 Palestinians and wounded more than 91,700 others, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.
More than 1.9 million of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.3 million have been driven from their homes, fleeing repeatedly across the territory to escape offensives. Most are now crowded into ramshackle tent camps in an area of about 50 sq km (19 square miles) on the Gaza coast.
Microsoft says Iran is using fake news sites to influence 2024 election
Saturday 10 August 2024 18:30 , Salma Ouaguira
Groups connected to the Iranian government are ramping up their efforts to interfere with voters’ decision-making in the 2024 presidential election by targeting far-left and far-right individuals with fake news websites, a new report from Microsoft Threat Analysis Center has claimed.
Read more from Ariana Baio:
Microsoft says Iran is using fake news sites to influence 2024 election
Breaking: White House ‘deeply concerned’ about killed Palestinians in Israeli strike
Saturday 10 August 2024 18:16 , Salma Ouaguira
The White House has said it is “deeply concerned” about reports of civilian casualties Gaza following a strike by Israel on al-Tabaeen school.
Joe Biden’s administration has said there have been “far too many” civilians killed and wounded since Israel’s war on Gaza began.
In a statement, US officials said to be in touch with Israeli counterparts, who claimed they targeted senior Hamas commanders and have asked for further details.
White House slams Israeli ‘extremists’ for resisting hostage deal
Saturday 10 August 2024 18:00 , Salma Ouaguira
The White House has condemned Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich for arguing against a ceasefire and hostage release deal brokered with the Biden administration, calling his recent public statements unhelpful and dangerous.
Andrew Feinberg has the details:
White House slams Israeli ‘extremists’ for resisting hostage deal
UN condemns ‘increasing frequency’ of Israeli bombardment of Gaza schools
Saturday 10 August 2024 17:39 , Salma Ouaguira
The UN Human Rights Office has condemned the Israeli attack on al-Tabeein school in Gaza City today during Fajr prayers.
The international body has expressed concern over the strike which claimed it was “conducted with apparent disregard for the high rate of civilian fatalities”.
The OHCHR said in a statement: “This is at least the 21st strike on a school, each serving as a shelter, that the UN Human Rights Office has recorded since July 4.
“These strikes have resulted in at least 274 fatalities, including women and children.
“Despite [Israeli army] statements that all measures are taken to avoid civilian harm, the repeated strikes on IDP shelters in areas to which the populations have been forced to move, and the consistent and predictable impact on civilians, suggest a failure to strictly comply with obligations required by International Humanitarian Law.”
“The UN Human Rights Office condemns the Israeli Defense Force’s strikes on Al Tabae’en School in Gaza City which resulted in an initial report of at least 93 Palestinians killed, including 11 children and 6 women. The majority of fatalities seem to have been inside the mosque in…
— UN Human Rights Palestine (@OHCHR_Palestine) August 10, 2024
France condemns Israel’s deadly attack on Gaza school
Saturday 10 August 2024 17:12 , Salma Ouaguira
France has condemned “in the firmest of terms” an Israeli attack on a school where displaced Palestinians were sheltering.
France’s foreign ministry said: “For several weeks, school buildings have been repeatedly targeted with an intolerable number of civilian victims. Israel must respect international humanitarian law.”
Palestinian describes the harrowing moment he found his dad ‘cut into pieces'
Saturday 10 August 2024 17:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Osama Al-Kahlout has described the devastating moment his dad was killed during Israeli strike on Gaza in al-Tabaeen school, Bel Trew reports.
In his harrowing account, the 28-year-old said he found his beloved dad “cut into pieces” and was unable to find his dad’s head.
He told The Independent: ”We recognised him from his hands, with a certain mark. I heard the sound of the missiles, and my brother called me immediately. I arrived at the place within minutes. The place was almost destroyed, there were holes in the ceiling of the mosque. It seems that the type of missile is a vacuum that burns and cuts people into piece.
“The missiles exploded on people, and most of the people’s blood and pieces were hanging from the ceiling. The ground was full of blood and pieces of bodies. Wherever you walk, you find blood. My father is 63 years old, he was a lecturer at the university, teaching the Arabic language. My father and my family live in the school, in a room next to the mosque.
“My father is used to praying Fajr in the mosque, he goes an hour before the prayer. After the Fajr call to prayer, the missiles fell on them at about 4.30 am. Only two or three people survived, the rest were cut into pieces.”
Al Ahli hospital struggles to cope with wounded and killed after deadly Israeli strike on Gaza
Saturday 10 August 2024 16:35 , Salma Ouaguira
Health professionals Al Ahli hospital in Gaza have claimed they are struggling to identify killed Palestinians because of the enormity of their injuries.
The hospital director has confirmed 70 people have been identified and are up to 10 civilians “in pieces”. Dr Fadel Naim said: “Dozens of injuries have been reported, and most of them suffer from amputated limbs, extensive burns, and injuries in the abdomen and viscera. 20 cases have been operated on so far, and 3 cases have been transferred to other hospitals.
“The number of martyrs is expected to increase due to the difficult and complex situation of the injuries and the severe bleeding the injured were exposed to. The body went into shock, resulting from the bleeding and the extensive burns.”
Dr Naim raised concerns around the “weak” capabilities of the hospital as the building can no longer cope with the overwhelming volume of the injured.
He added: “The necessary medical supplies are not available. We receive some supplies in limited quantities through international organisations, but they are not appropriate for the nature of the injuries. We emphasise our message to the world to send and provide medical supplies for burns, including gauze, sterilisers, dressings, special medical threads, and the necessary tools to deal with fractures.
“We also appeal for sending medical delegations from outside the Strip, because the number of delegations that arrived in northern Gaza is very limited. It is necessary to open the crossings to send and transfer the largest number of complex cases that require capabilities and specialists in delicate cases. The worst cases that were received are cases of extensive burns, about 70 per cent and 80 per cent burns, and whcih means they will not survive.
“They will die as a result of complications from the burns, the body is completely uncovered, and so the possibility of infection entering is common. Loss of fluids and proteins in large quantities. One of the injured died on the operating table, he had amputations of limbs and burns, an injury to the abdomen, viscera, and pelvis. He was bleeding. We tried to save him and treat him by pumping a large amount of blood, but unfortunately, he died, and we were unable to save him, There are a large number of children and women.”
International NGO condemns Israel’s ‘brutal attack’ in Gaza
Saturday 10 August 2024 16:14 , Salma Ouaguira
ActionAid has branded Israel’s strike on a Gaza school a “brutal attack” and called the international community to condemn the “atrocity”, Bel Trew reports.
Hala, who is a staff member based in Gaza, said: “Yet another brutal attack on a school has seen dozens killed and hundreds of people left grieving and traumatised. We cannot let this kind of atrocity become normalised. The world must not become numb to the horror that we in Gaza are having to live through every single day - this nightmare has to end.”
“ActionAid is calling for a permanent and immediate ceasefire, and urges states to do everything in their power to bring about an end to the crisis - including banning arms sales to the Israeli government and imposing sanctions on senior Israeli officials linked to alleged violations of international humanitarian law, such as travel bans and asset freezes. There can be no more delay.”
British foreign secretary ‘appalled’ by ‘tragic loss of life’ in Israeli strike on Gaza school
Saturday 10 August 2024 16:02 , Salma Ouaguira
David Lammy has said he is “appalled” by the Israeli Military strike on al-Tabeen school and the “tragic loss of life”.
Taking to X, the foreign secretary expressed deep concern and urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law.
Appalled by the Israeli Military strike on al-Tabeen school and the tragic loss of life.
Hamas must stop endangering civilians. Israel must comply with International Humanitarian Law.
We need an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians, free all hostages, and end restrictions…— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 10, 2024
Palestinian Civil Defence: Number of martyrs to increase in the coming hours
Saturday 10 August 2024 15:50 , Salma Ouaguira
The Palestinian Civil Defence has said the number of Palestinians killed in Israel’s bombing is expected to rise in the next hours.
A spokesperson in Gaza said: “What happened in Al-Daraj neighbourhood, Gaza city is beyond imagination.
“An Israeli warplane hit a school inhabited by 4000 displaced people while they were performing the dawn prayer and bombed them with at least three missiles, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 citizens.
“We are finding it extremely difficult to transfer the bodies of the martyrs and the severed parts of the wounded, and we also expect a significant increase in the number of martyrs in the coming hours.”
Seven schools attacked in seven days in Gaza means UK must stop arms sales to Israel – Action For Humanity
Saturday 10 August 2024 15:30 , Salma Ouaguira
Action For Humanity, one of the leading NGOs working in Gaza, has condemned the seven attacks on schools in Gaza in as many days, Bel Trew writes.
Action For Humanity, who are based in the UK, have continuously called on the government to suspend arms sales to Israel due to concerns over human rights abuses.
Action For Humanity said: “We are devastated by Israel’s attacks on Al-Taba’een school in Gaza, which killed nearly 100 people.“In the past seven days, Israel has attacked at least seven schools in Gaza - one per day - including Al-Zahra School, Abdel Fattah Hammoud School, Al-Nasr and Hassan Salama schools, and Al-Huda School.
“Each of these schools were crowded with displaced civilians sheltering, in what we are concerned was a potential policy of targeting schools-turned shelters. The UK cannot continue to export arms while there is a clear and evident risk they could be used to violate international law.
“The UK Government must condemn these attacks. The application of justice and accountability for international crimes can never be selective. The UK Government must also work urgently to enforce an immediate ceasefire as the best way to secure the release of all hostages, ensure humanitarian aid reaches those who need it, and save lives.”
Pictured: Aftermath of deadly Israeli strike on Gaza school
Saturday 10 August 2024 15:10 , Salma Ouaguira
Israel could attend ceasefire and hostage negotiation talks next week
Saturday 10 August 2024 14:50 , Salma Ouaguira
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said negotiators would attend talks on August 15 in order to finalize a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.
On Thursday leaders of the United States, Egypt and Qatar called on both Israel and Hamas to meet for negotiations, saying in a joint statement that the talks could take place in either Doha or Cairo.
“A framework agreement is now on the table with only the details of implementation left to conclude,” they said. There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay. It is time to release the hostages, begin the ceasefire, and implement this agreement.”
The leaders also offered to present “a final bridging proposal” resolving the remaining issues.
Despite Netanyahu’s confirmation that Israel would attend, there was no immediate comment from Hamas.
Palestinians reportedly shot and injured near Hebron
Saturday 10 August 2024 14:33 , Salma Ouaguira
The Palestinian news agency Wafa has reported that three Palestinians have been shot and injured by Israeli military forces today in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank.
According to reports, citing Palestinian security and local sources, said “the individuals sustained injuries to their lower limbs from Israeli army gunfire near the village of Beit Marsam, located west of the town of Dura”.
The injures are “moderate” and the wounded have been transported to hospitals by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
Pictured: Palestinians hold protest in the West Bank following deadly Israel strike on Gaza
Saturday 10 August 2024 14:22 , Salma Ouaguira
Turkey condemns Israel’s ‘new crime against humanity’ in Gaza school attack
Saturday 10 August 2024 14:08 , Salma Ouaguira
The Turkish foreign ministry has condemned Israel’s dawn attack on a prayer hall at al-Tabaeen school in Gaza City, which was used to sheltering displaced Palestinians.
In a statement, the ministry accused Israel of being responsible for “massacring” more than 100 civilians who had taken refuge in the school.
A spokesperson said: “This attack demonstrates once again that the Netanyahu government intends to sabotage the negotiations for a permanent ceasefire.
“International actors who do not take steps to stop Israel are complicit in Israel’s crimes.”
EU representative ‘horrified’ by images of bombed Gaza City school
Saturday 10 August 2024 13:53 , Salma Ouaguira
The EU’s high representative for foreign affairs has said he is “horrified” by the images coming out of Gaza City’s al-Tabaeen school.
Posting on X, Josep Borrell said the deadly attack is the 10th to hit Gaza’s schools in the last month causing “massacres of no justification”.
Mr Borrell also criticised Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for opposing a ceasefire deal with Hamas.
Horrified by images from a sheltering school in Gaza hit by an Israeli strike, w/ reportedly dozens of Palestinian victims.
At least 10 schools were targeted in the last weeks. There’s no justification for these massacres
We are dismayed by the terrible overall death toll. 1/2— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 10, 2024
Gaza’s Health Ministry corrects number of wounded Palestinians
Saturday 10 August 2024 13:37 , Salma Ouaguira
The ministry originally reported that 91,702 Palestinians have been wounded in the territory since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza on October 7.
But it has now revised its figure of wounded to 92,002.
Gazan surgeon warns number of killed Palestinians to raise as many can’t be identified
Saturday 10 August 2024 13:23 , Salma Ouaguira
Senior surgeon at al-Ahli hospital, where the injured from the strike are being taken, has described the
He has been speaking to our International chief correspondent Bel Trew about the state of the victims killed on the Israeli strike on the al-Tabaeen school in Gaza City.
The surgeon told The Independent: “At 5 am in the morning we received a huge number of injured and killed people. The number of killed people raised with time to be about 70 people we could identity and five to 10 we couldn’t.
“These people were in parts - heads, upper limbs - we couldn’t identify them at all. Most of the 60 injured people unfortunately had amputations of the lower and upper limbs and huge area of burns.
“Most of them with 40 to 50 per cent burns - some of them with 70 - 80 per cent burns. We dealt with twenty of them in the OR unfortunately two of them died on the [operating] table. We have to refer some of them to the ICU in Indonesian hospital.
“We think that the number of the dead people will rise with time because of the severe injuries and complicated injuries especially those with burns.”
Israel attacks southern Lebanon in cross-border clash with Hezbollah
Saturday 10 August 2024 13:04 , Salma Ouaguira
Israel’s military has carried out new strikes in southern Lebanon amid cross-border clashes with Hezbollah.
Air raids hit towns of Houla and Tayr Harfa, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.
The attack reportedly targeted homes in the Tayr Harfa and the Houla attack struck the Tal al-Hanbal neighbourhood.
The cross-border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah intensified since 8 October and the spiraling assaults have sparked fears of further escalation in the region.
Palestinian president urges the US to end support to Israel
Saturday 10 August 2024 12:48 , Salma Ouaguira
Mahmoud Abbas has called the White House to end its support to Israel following the deadly attack on a school in Gaza.
A spokesperson for Palestinian president, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, urged the US to put an end to the “blind support that leads to the killing of thousands of innocent civilians, including children, women, and the elderly”.
The US is currently the biggest supplier of arms to Israel, and according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), it accounts for 69 per cent of major conventional arms, the BBC reports.
Pictured: Palestinians mourn across Gaza after Israeli strike
Saturday 10 August 2024 12:28 , Salma Ouaguira
‘Shameful beyond words’ - Human rights organisations slam Israel’s attack
Saturday 10 August 2024 12:15 , Salma Ouaguira
Refugees International has condemned Israel’s airstrike on a school serving as a shelter in Gaza City.
President Jeremy Konyndyk has slammed Israel’s attack “shameful beyond words”. He tweeted: “Israel continues to bomb humanitarian sites with complete impunity, enabled by unstinting support from Biden.
“There seems to be no legal, moral, or strategic line that he is willing to enforce. Shameful beyond words.”
Israel continues to bomb humanitarian sites with complete impunity, enabled by unstinting support from Biden. There seems to be no legal, moral, or strategic line that he is willing to enforce. Shameful beyond words. https://t.co/2O9APfaTTl
— Jeremy Konyndyk (@JeremyKonyndyk) August 10, 2024
Pictured: Gaza’s Al-Taba’een school in ruins after Israeli strike
Saturday 10 August 2024 12:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Iran condemns strike on al-Tabin school example of Israel’s ‘crimes’ in Gaza
Saturday 10 August 2024 11:45 , Salma Ouaguira
The Iranian foreign ministry has described Israel’s attack on al-Tabin school in Gaza City an example of “genocide and crimes against humanity”.
Spokesman Nasser Kanaani accused Israel of not being committed to any international laws or moral principles and called for immediate action from the international community.
In a statement, Mr Kanaani urged Muslim countries to “practically and firmly” support the Palestinian cause and told the UN Security Council to stop Israel’s “crimes” in Gaza.
Israel claims the bombed mosque had ‘no women or children’ despite casualties
Saturday 10 August 2024 11:30 , Salma Ouaguira
A military official said that the part of the mosque struck was a men’s area where no women or children were present.
The Israeli official said: “This was verified by intelligence and the strike was carried out using three small, precise munitions which cannot cause the scale of damage that the Palestinians are reporting.”
But at a news conference in Gaza City, Palestinian Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal said that the strike hit “the upper and ground floors of the school. The upper floor included women and children and the ground floor included people who were praying. They were directly hit.”
Israel says Palestinian militant groups embed among Gaza’s civilians, operating from within schools, hospitals and designated humanitarian zones - but Hamas and its allies deny.
Hamas said the strike was a horrific crime and a serious escalation. Izzat El-Reshiq, a member of Hamas’ political office, said in a statement that the dead did not include a “single combatant.”
Jordan: School strike ‘flagrant violation of international law'
Saturday 10 August 2024 11:10 , Salma Ouaguira
The Jordanian foreign ministry has said that Israel’s attack on n al-Tabin school in Gaza City is a breach of “all humanitarian values”.
In the statement, it said: “In the absence of a decisive international stance to restrain Israeli aggression and compel it to respect international law and stop its aggression against Gaza, and the results of this are unprecedented killings, deaths and human catastrophe”.
The ministry added the attack, which took place during ongoing ceasefire talks, represents “an indication of the Israeli government’s attempt to block these efforts and postpone them”.
UN special rapporteur: Israel committing ‘genocide one school at a time’
Saturday 10 August 2024 10:46 , Salma Ouaguira
The UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories has accused Israel of committing genocide “one school at a time”.
Francesca Albanese condemned the “world’s indifference” to the bloodshed in Gaza following Israel’s strike on al-Tabin school.
She tweeted: “Israel is genociding the Palestinians one neighborhood at the time, one hospital at the time, one school at the time, one refugee camp at the time, one ‘safe zone’ at the time.
“May the Palestinians forgive us for our collective inability to protect them, honouring the most basic meaning of international law.”
Palestinian health authorities confirm death toll rises to 80
Saturday 10 August 2024 10:27 , Salma Ouaguira
The death toll from an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City school early today has risen to 80, Palestinian health authorities said.
The Israeli military acknowledged the strike on the Tabeen school, claiming it hit a Hamas command center within the school. Hamas denied that.
Fadel Naeem, director of the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, told The Associated Press that the facility received the bodies of 80 people killed in the strike.
He said medical teams identified 70 bodies and they received body parts of at least 10 others.
The school, like almost all those in Gaza, has been used as a shelter for people forced to flee their homes by the war.
