Israel-Hamas live: Gaza in blackout as IDF claims to have killed commander behind paraglider attack

The Israeli military claims it has killed a Hamas commander responsible for the aerial attack on 7 October, which saw paragliders enter southern Israel and kill over a thousand civilians.

This comes as the IDF ground forces are “expanding their activity” in the Gaza Strip, as the enclave is plunged into darkness and lines of communication have gone down.

Israeli forces are intensifying bombings of targets in Gaza city at intervals for hours amid reports of fighting inside the enclave between Israeli troops and Hamas.

The territory’s internet and mobile communications services collapsed last evening.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the army’s spokesperson, said aerial attacks had been targeting Hamas tunnels and other targets.

“In addition to the attacks that we carried out in recent days, ground forces are expanding their activity this evening,” he said on Friday evening. “The IDF is acting with great force ... to achieve the objectives of the war.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a resolution drafted by Arab states calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza and demanded aid access to Gaza and protection of civilians. It was vetoed by the US and Israel.

Key Points

• Israel expanding ground operations in Gaza, IDF says

• IDF kills top Hamas commander, Israel says

• US fighter jets strike Syria after attacks by Iran-backed militia

• Over 1,000 people still under rubble in Gaza, WHO says

• Palestinian authorities release list of 7,000 people they say have been killed

Israel ground forces ‘expanding activity’ and communication goes down

Friday 27 October 2023 18:43 , Sam Rkaina

The Israeli military has said its ground forces are “expanding their activity” in the Gaza Strip tonight, as lines of communication in the enclave have gone down.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the army’s spokesman, said aerial attacks had been targeting Hamas tunnels and other targets.

“In addition to the attacks that we carried out in recent days, ground forces are expanding their activity this evening,” he said. “The IDF is acting with great force ... to achieve the objectives of the war.”

Israel has amassed hundreds of thousands of troops along the border with Gaza ahead of an expected ground offensive against the Hamas militant group.

Airstrikes have intensified since nightfall and the territory’s internet and mobile communications services collapsed on Friday evening.

Woman knocked over by a police horse in London demonstration

13:34 , Holly Evans

A woman has been knocked over by a police horse startled by fireworks let off at a pro-Palestinian protest.

A number of the horses bolted at the sound of the fireworks near the Houses of Parliament.

The woman was knocked to the floor and trampled on but appeared to be fine when brought back to her feet.

Red and green flares were also let off by protesters.

Israeli army reissues orders to evacuate northern Gaza

13:31 , Holly Evans

The Israeli military has reissued a call to Gaza residents to evacuate the north of the territory ahead of an impending Israeli operation.

Latest pictures of London’s ceasefire protest

13:25 , Athena Stavrou

Police are expecting around 100,000 protestors to take to the streets of London for a demonstration calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, after Israel ramped up its ground incursion into the Gaza Strip.

Demonstrators have been told to stick together and not to talk or interact with the police. Rallies have been organised across the country in Manchester, Glasgow and elsewhere.

SNP leader still hasn’t heard from wife’s parents in Gaza

13:15 , Athena Stavrou

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf said he has still not heard from his in-laws in Gaza as the territory comes under heavy bombardment from Israeli forces and communications were cut off.

In a message apparently aimed at the UK government – which abstained from a UN General Assembly motion on a humanitarian truce – he said he didn’t know how those who do not vote for peace “sleep at night”.

Writing on X, he said: “Thank you for your good wishes, I’m afraid we have not heard from my in-laws. My concern is for all the innocent people suffering for a crime they did not commit. If you did not vote for peace, while children are dying, then I do not know how you sleep at night.”

Thousands of protesters join London march

12:59 , Athena Stavrou

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of London to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

After over 100,000 joined a demonstration in the capital last week, Met Police have said more than 1,000 officers will be on duty, with many more working in communities across the city.

Today’s demonstration comes after the Israel Defense Forces announced it was expanding ground operations.

Russia warns Israel’s bombardment of Gaza could create a ‘catastrophe lasting decades.’

12:50 , Athena Stavrou

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Israel‘s bombardment of Gaza risks creating a catastrophe that could “last decades”.

Lavrov told Belarusian state news agency Belta: “While we condemn terrorism, we categorically disagree that you can respond to terrorism by violating the norms of international humanitarian law, including indiscriminately using force against targets where civilians are known to be present, including hostages that have been taken.”

He added that it would be impossible to destroy Hamas without destroying Gaza along with most of its civilian population.

“If Gaza is destroyed and 2 million inhabitants are expelled, as some politicians in Israel and abroad propose, this will create a catastrophe for many decades, if not centuries,” warned Lavrov. “It is necessary to stop, and to announce humanitarian programmes to save the population under blockade.”

Russia, which backs an immediate ceasefire and a two-state solution, has angered Israel by inviting a Hamas delegation to Moscow, a decision it defended on Friday. Hamas has said it is seeking eight Gaza hostages at Russia’s request.

Lavrov said Russia was in close contact with Israel too.

Egypt warns region could become 'ticking time bomb'

12:42 , Athena Stavrou

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday warned against any expansion of the conflict in Gaza, saying the region risked becoming a “ticking time bomb”.

He also said his country’s sovereignty should be respected after drones were intercepted after entering Egyptian air space on Friday.

Israel on Friday said it was the target of the drones which it blamed on Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi movement. Egypt’s military said the drones, which fell on the Egyptian towns of Taba and Nuweiba near the Israeli border, injuring six, originated in the southern Red Sea. It did not say who launched the drones.

“Regardless of where it comes from, I have warned of the expansion of the conflict. The region will becoming a ticking time bomb that impacts us all,” Sisi said, speaking at a conference.

“Egypt is a sovereign country and its sovereignty and position should be respected ... Egypt is a strong country and it is untouchable,” he added.

Sisi held a peace summit last Saturday and has called for aid to be allowed into Gaza, the release of hostages, and a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Watch live: Pro-Palestine protesters march in London calling for Gaza ceasefire

12:25 , Holly Evans

Watch live: Pro-Palestine protesters march in London calling for Gaza ceasefire

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

12:21 , Holly Evans

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

First pictures of London’s protest

12:13 , Holly Evans

Protestors gather in central London

12:05 , Holly Evans

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered in central London with banners and posters.

Demonstrators have been told to stick together and not to talk or interact with the police.

Protesters also chanted “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, despite controversy around the slogan’s meaning.

World Health Organisation says reports of airstrikes near hospitals are ‘gravely concerning'

11:57 , Holly Evans

In a statement, the World Health Organisation said: “During a night of intense bombardment and ground incursions in Gaza, with reports of hostilities still continuing, health workers, patients and civilians have been subject to a total communication and electrical blackout.

“The WHO reiterates its calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and reminds all parties to the conflict to take all precautions to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

“This includes health workers, patients, health facilities and ambulances, and civilians who are sheltering in these facilities. Active measures must be taken to ensure they are not harmed and safe passage provided for the movement of desperately needed medical supplies, fuel, water and food into and across Gaza.

“Reports of bombardment near the Indonesia and Al Shifa hospitals are gravely concerning. The WHO reiterates that it is impossible to evacuate patients without endangering their lives.

“Hospitals across Gaza are already operating at maximum capacity due to the injuries sustained in weeks of unrelenting bombardment, and are unable to absorb a dramatic rise in the number of patients, while sheltering thousands of civilians.

“Health workers who have stayed by their patients’ sides face dwindling supplies, with no place to put new patients, and no means to alleviate their patients’ pain. There are more wounded every hour. But ambulances cannot reach them in the communications blackout. Morgues are full. More than half of the dead are women and children.”

Labour voters think Keir Starmer has handled Israel-Hamas crisis badly

11:39 , Holly Evans

Labour voters tend to think Keir Starmer has handled the Gaza crisis badly, a new poll has revealed as the party leader comes under growing pressure to back a ceasefire.

A new YouGov survey finds that 42 per cent of 2019 Labour voters think that Sir Keir has badly handled his response to Israel-Hamas conflict.

Only 26 per cent think Mr Starmer – who has refused to support a ceasefire despite backing from a revolt by dozens of MPs and the party’s devolved leaders – has handled it well.

Read more from political correspondent Adam Forrest here

Labour voters think Keir Starmer has handled Israel-Hamas crisis badly

Scotland’s Humza Yousaf still has not heard from family in Gaza

11:37 , Holly Evans

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has said he has still not heard from his family in Gaza after internet and communications were knocked out last night.

In a post on X, he said: “Thank you for your good wishes, I’m afraid we have not heard from my in-laws.

“My concern is for all the innocent people suffering for a crime they did not commit. If you did not vote for peace, while children are dying, then I do not know how you sleep at night. “

Gaza humanitarian crisis could reach 'catastrophic levels', says Bel Trew

11:29 , Holly Evans

Police expecting 100,000 to join London demonstration calling for ceasefire

11:17 , Holly Evans

Police expect about 100,000 people to join a demonstration in London demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, with other rallies organised elsewhere in the UK – including in Manchester and Glasgow.

The Times reported that counter-terrorism officers have privately said Iran is attempting to heighten tensions at rallies over Israel’s bombing of Gaza and were warning of increased hostile-state activity in Britain.

The newspaper said Iranian activity included a campaign of online disinformation and Tehran operatives being physically present at protests.

This comes after at least 200 protestors were arrested in New York as they forced the closure of Grand Central station in a large sit-in.

The demonstration, made up mostly of Jewish New Yorkers, took over the main hall of the iconic station and blocked its main concourse.

BBC refusal to call Hamas terrorists wrong says Badenoch

11:13 , Holly Evans

Business secretary Kemi Badenoch has attacked the BBC for its refusal to call Hamas terrorists. She told the Telegraph a “false equivalence” has been made in “an attempt to be impartial”.

“Given all of the footage that we saw, we were in no doubt that what we were looking at was a terror attack,” she said.

The cabinet minister also defending the UK continuing to deal with Qatar which is believed to be housing members of Hamas. “If you stop doing business with people, if you stop talking to them, then you have less influence and you’re unable to help shape the outcome of events.”

Read more here

BBC’s refusal to call Hamas terrorists was wrong says Badenoch

Latest pictures from Gaza

11:02 , Holly Evans

'Anxiety' racks Israeli hostage families as army assaults Gaza

10:55 , Holly Evans

The families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip have been racked with worry for their loved ones since the military stepped up ground assaults inside the Palestinian territory, a group lobbying for the families, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, said on Saturday.

In a statement, they said:“We demand the Prime Minister, Minister of Defense Gallant, and members of the war cabinet to meet with us immediately.

“The families spent a night in great anxiety. This night was the most terrible of all nights. It was a long and sleepless night, against the backdrop of the major IDF operation in the Strip, and absolute uncertainty regarding the fate of the hostages held there, who were also subject to the heavy bombings.

“Anxiety, frustration, and especially enormous anger that none of the war cabinet bothered to meet with the families of the hostages to explain one thing - whether the ground operation endangers the well-being of the 229 hostages in Gaza.

“The families are worried about the fate of their loved ones and are waiting for an explanation. Every minute feels like an eternity. We demand that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and members of the war cabinet - meet with us this morning!”

London set for massive pro-Palestinian protest demanding Gaza ceasefire

10:45 , Holly Evans

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to take to the streets of Britain on Saturday as Israel steps up its offensive on Gaza.

Police expect about 100,000 people to join a demonstration in London demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, with other rallies organised elsewhere in the UK – including in Manchester and Glasgow.

It comes as Israel knocked out communications in the Gaza Strip in intensified attacks, largely cutting off the 2.3 million population from contact with each other and the outside world.

Read more here

London set for massive pro-Palestinian protest demanding Gaza ceasefire

Sisi urges all to respect Egypt’s sovereignty after drones fall on Red Sea towns

10:41 , Holly Evans

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday urged all to respect Egypt’s sovereignty and position in the region following incidents on Friday where drones fell on two Egyptian Red Sea towns.

Egyptians should feel safe and the army is able to protect the country, Sisi said at a manufacturing expo in Cairo.

He also emphasised that Egypt would continue to play a positive role in the Israel-Hamas conflict and did not want it to expand regionally.

Senior Tory MP backs ‘humanitarian truce’

10:24 , Holly Evans

Senior Tory MP Alicia Kearns, the chair of parliament’s foreign affairs select committee, said she support the idea of a “humanitarian truce” voted for in a UN General Assembly motion.

“120 countries voted for a truce. Personally … I do support a truce. The reason being [is] we need to alleviate the suffering, we need to get more aid in. People are starting to die because they do not have access to basic goods.”

She added: “A humanitarian would give us the opportunity to get them [UK hostages] out. I think it’s really important we use the word truce. A truce doesn’t mean a long-term cessation of hostilities – it means a temporary white flag.”

Israel's military says thwarted missile fire from Lebanon

10:12 , Holly Evans

Israel’s military said on Saturday it had stopped a surface-to-air missile fired from Lebanon at one of its drones, and was responding by striking the launch site.

“The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) thwarted a surface-to-air missile that was fired from Lebanon toward an IDF UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). In response, the IDF is striking the origin of the missile’s fire,” it said.

Some pro-Palestine protesters have ‘negative aims’, says Cleverly

10:03 , Holly Evans

Asked about foreign actors helping stoke unrest in the UK, foreign secretary James Cleverly said: “Sadly I do think that a minority, a small minority within those protests, have got very much more negative aims.”

The cabinet minister told protesters: “Be conscious of this and be conscious about disinformation and manipulation.”

Mr Cleverly added: “To those protesting, I would say that they should recognise that it is possible to be completely condemning of Hamas’s atrocities on the 7th October and also be supportive of Palestinian people.”

Hamas would not abide by ceasefire, says Cleverly

09:54 , Holly Evans

Foreign secretary James Cleverly said Hamas do not want a ceasefire, as he defended the government’s rejection of calls for one.

“We want to see this resolved – we want to see Israel safe, peaceful and secure,” he told broadcasters.

“As yet, I have seen or heard nothing from Hamas that gives me any confidence that they either desire or would abide by calls a ceasefire.”

The UN General Assembly approved a resolution calling for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza. The UK government – which has called for a “humanitarian pause” – abstained from the motion, and criticised it failure to include unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’ terrorist attacks.

Hamas says it is ready to confront Israel with ‘full force’

09:44 , Holly Evans

Hamas has said its militants are ready to confront Israeli attacks with “full force” after Israel announced it was expanding ground operations on Friday.

Their armed wing said: “The al Qassam brigades and all the Palestinian resistance forces are completely ready to confront [Israel’s] aggression with full force and frustrate its incursions.”

“Netanyahu and his defeated army will not be able to achieve any military victory.”

Metropolitan Police set to intervene over ‘jihad’ calls at Palestine protests

09:32 , Holly Evans

Metropolitan Police officers are set to intervene if activists call for “jihad” against Israel at pro-Palestine protests in London this weekend.

However, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has pointed out that calling for jihad is not an automatic hate crime.

Police expect about 100,000 people to join a huge demonstration in London demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, with other major rallies organised in Manchester and Glasgow.

Read more here

Police set to intervene over ‘jihad’ calls at Palestine protests

Israel expanding ground operation backed by ‘massive’ strikes from the air and sea

09:21 , Holly Evans

Israel is expanding its ground operation in Gaza, with infantry and armoured vehicles backed by “massive” strikes from the air and sea, a military spokesman has said.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Saturday that “the forces are still on the ground and are continuing the war”.

Earlier on Saturday, the military had released videos showing columns of armoured vehicles moving slowly in open sandy areas of Gaza, the first visual confirmation of ground troops.

Previously, troops had conducted brief nightly ground incursions before returning to Israel.

Pose star Indya Moore detained as protesters flood Grand Central calling for Israel-Hamas ceasefire

09:14 , Holly Evans

Indya Moore detained in Grand Central as protesters call for Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Israel says it will allow trucks with food and aid into southern Gaza

09:06 , Holly Evans

An IDF spokesperson has told a news conference its military entered northern Gaza and expanded ground operations overnight, with its forces still in the field.

For those who have travelled south, humanitarian aid will increase, spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.

“More trucks carrying food, medicine and water will enter. Anybody in that area, which is a safe and protected area, will receive [them].”

The number of aid trucks has not been specified, and comes after Israel placed a complete blockade on the besieged enclave, cutting off electricity, medical supplies, fuel and water.

Israel shares video of ground forces in Gaza

08:52 , Holly Evans

The Israeli Defence Forces have shared a video on social media of ground forces in the Gaza Strip. Tanks can be seen entering the besieged enclave, which comes after a night of heavy bombardment with communication services collapsing.

Explosions light up Gaza sky as Israel says ground operations expanding

08:43 , Holly Evans

Explosions light up Gaza sky as Israel says ground operations expanding

UNICEF loses contact with colleagues in Gaza

08:38 , Holly Evans

UNICEF’s executive director Caroline Russell has said she is “extremely concerned” after another night of “unspeakable horror” in the Gaza Strip, after the organisation loses contact with their colleagues.

“All humanitarians and the children and families they serve MUST be protected,” she said.

UK government doing 'what we can' to deescalate Israel-Hamas conflict, says Cleverly

08:34 , Holly Evans

WHO chief says evacuation of patients is not possible in Gaza

08:21 , Holly Evans

The World Health Organization (WHO) is out of touch with its staff and health facilities in Gaza, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The blackout is also making it impossible for ambulances to reach the injured,” Tedros said. “The evacuation of patients is not possible under such circumstances, nor to find safe shelter,” he said.

Israel used ‘around a hundred fighter jets’ in overnight bombardment

08:12 , Holly Evans

“Around a hundred fighter jets” were used in Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip overnight that destroyed hundreds of Hamas targets, according to the head of Israel’s Air Force Operations Brigadier General Gilad Keinan.

In a post on X, Israeli forces quoted Keinan as saying that the air force’s “goal is clear - to destroy everything touched by the hand of Hamas”.

He said that they had dropped hundreds of weapons and that they intended to kill “every senior or junior terrorist and every terrorist infrastructure of Hamas”.

French Jewish groups set up a hotline for people in the community traumatized by Israel-Hamas war

08:00 , Holly Evans

French Jewish groups have set up a helpline to provide support to people in the community traumatized by the latest Israel-Hamas war — from families who have lost loved ones in the Middle East to parents anxious about their children’s reaction to the conflict and Holocaust survivors.

Fabien Azoulay, the deputy director general in charge of solidarity at the United Jewish Social Fund, or FSJU, which brings together many associations in France, said that over 60 psychologists, psychiatrists and child psychiatrists are volunteering to call back those who leave messages on the helpline number.People of all ages are seeking support, from teenagers to parents and elderly people, Azoulay stressed.For some survivors of the Holocaust, “it brings back childhood traumas they thought they’d never see again,” Azoulay said. “They see it in the country (Israel) that was supposed to be the refuge for Jews. So it’s very, very traumatic.”

Fears for 1.4m Palestinians displaced by Israeli airtstrikes

07:34 , Holly Evans

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been left homeless after weeks of airstrikes - figures that only look set to increase if Israel launches a full-scale invasion of Gaza

On 13 October, 1 million people were ordered by Israel to evacuate northern Gaza. The move garnered international criticism with the WHO 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 asking 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.

Read the full story here

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

Israel says it killed head of Hamas's aerial operations

07:19 , Holly Evans

Israel’s military claimes it has killed the man who allegedly commanded the Hamas fighters who infiltrated Israel on paragliders on 7 October and was allegedly responsible for drone attacks on Israeli military posts.

The Israel Defense Force posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck Asem Abu Rakaba, the Head of Hamas’ Aerial Array.

“Abu Rakaba was responsible for Hamas’ UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles], drones, paragliders, aerial detection and defence. He took part in planning the October 7 massacre and commanded the terrorists who infiltrated Israel on paragliders and was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts.”

WHO says it urgently needs millions of dollars for Gaza response

07:01 , Andy Gregory

The World Health Organisation has warned that it urgently needs an estimated $80m (£66m) to respond to humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza and to undertake contingency planning for Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan through the end of 2023.

Besieged Gaza remains cut off from world for more than 12 hours

06:52 , Shweta Sharma

Thousands of Palestinians were thrown into isolation as Israel struck targets in the Gaza Strip with bombardment and artillery fire stepped up overnight, knocking out communications and creating a near-blackout of information.

The enclave of nearly 2.3 million people, mostly living in refugee camps, lost all contact with the outside world.

The Israeli military said it was expanding ground operations in the territory, signaling it was moving closer to an all-out invasion of Gaza, where it has vowed to crush the ruling Hamas militant group after its bloody incursion in southern Israel three weeks ago.

Explosions from continuous airstrikes lit up the sky over Gaza City for hours after nightfall yesterday.

200 pro-Palestinian protesters detained in New York

06:30 , Shweta Sharma

Scores of protesters filled the main concourse of New York City’s famed Grand Central Terminal during the evening rush hour yesterday, chanting slogans and unfurling banners demanding a cease-fire as Israel intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Wearing black T-shirts saying “Jews say cease-fire now” and “Not in our name,” at least 200 of the demonstrators were detained by New York Police Department officers and led out of the train station, their hands zip-tied behind their backs.

The NYPD said the protesters were taken briefly into custody, issued summonses and released, and that a more exact number of detentions would be available today morning.

Some protesters hoisted banners as they scaled the stone ledges in front of leaderboards listing departure times.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority asked commuters to use Penn Station as an alternative. After the sit-in was broken up by police, the remaining protesters spilled into the streets outside.

“Hundreds of Jews and friends are taking over Grand Central Station in a historic sit-in calling for a ceasefire,” advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace said on social media.

London set for massive pro-Palestinian protest demanding Gaza ceasefire

06:27 , Shweta Sharma

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to take to the streets of Britain on Saturday as Israel steps up its offensive on Gaza.

Police expect about 100,000 people to join a demonstration in London demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, with other rallies organised elsewhere in the UK – including in Manchester and Glasgow.

It comes as Israel knocked out communications in the Gaza Strip in intensified attacks, largely cutting off the 2.3 million population from contact with each other and the outside world.

The United Nations said the move would prevent aid from reaching Palestinians trapped inside the bombarded territory, with Tel Aviv continuing to fire air strikes on the 25-mile stretch.

London set for massive pro-Palestinian protest demanding Gaza ceasefire

Doctors Without Borders says ‘lost contact’ with staff in Gaza

06:07 , Shweta Sharma

Doctors Without Borders, a charity organisation, said it had lost all contact with Palestinian colleagues on the ground.

“We are deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. We have lost contact with some of our Palestinian colleagues on the ground,” it said.

“We are particularly worried for the patients, medical staff & thousands of families taking shelter at Al Shifa hospital and other health facilities.”

“We call for the unequivocal protection of all medical facilities, staff and civilians across the Gaza Strip.”

Keir Starmer hit by open Labour revolt over support for Israel

06:07 , Andy Gregory

Labour leader Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure to shift his stance on the Israel-Hamas war as some of his party’s most senior politicians outside the shadow cabinet broke ranks to call for a ceasefire.

In a blow to Sir Keir’s authority, mayors Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham as well as Anas Sarwar, Labour’s leader in Scotland, defied their leader’s position on Gaza.

Sir Keir was also hit with warnings that more than 100 Labour MPs – half his parliamentary party – back calls for an immediate cessation to the fighting. Forty nine MPs have now publicly made the call.

He now risks a thorny internal row within his previously united party, just two weeks after he appeared to be riding high in the wake of a successful party conference and well ahead of the Tories in the polls.

Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest have more in this report:

Starmer hit by open Labour revolt over support for Israel

Israel claims Hamas fighter who 'took part' in 7 October attack has been killed

06:02 , Shweta Sharma

Israel has claimed a Hamas fighter who “took part” in planning and commanding the 7 October attack on the country was killed in overnight attacks.

Asem Abu Rakaba, the Head of Hamas’ Aerial Array was killed, the IDF said in a post.

“Abu Rakaba was responsible for Hamas’ UAVs, drones, paragliders, aerial detection and defense. He took part in planning the October 7 massacre and commanded the terrorists who infiltrated Israel on paragliders and was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts,” IDF said.

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf says he has lost contact with his family in Gaza

05:54 , Shweta Sharma

Scotland’s first minister has said he is praying his family survive the night as Gaza comes under heavy bombardment.

Humza Yousaf revealed via social media that he has been unable to contact his wife’s mother and her husband after communications were cut off as bombing of the Gaza Strip intensified.

Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged travelled to the region before the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October and have been trapped since Israel’s retaliation.

Scotland’s first minister says he has lost contact with his family in Gaza

Day breaks in Gaza amid heavy bombing

05:48 , Shweta Sharma

The sun has come up over Gaza after a night of bombardment and heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas militants.

A video purported to be of the Gaza skyline showed smoke rising above grey skies. Bombs and explosions could be heard in the video with gunfire also ringing in the background.

Gaza blackout blackout risks providing cover for ‘mass atrocities’, says Human Rights Watch

05:26 , Shweta Sharma

The “near-total telecoms blackout” in Gaza could create a cover for “mass atrocities” in Gaza, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch said.

“This information blackout risks providing cover for mass atrocities and contributing to impunity for human rights violations,” Deborah Brown of HRW said in a statement posted online.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) also expressed “deep concern” for media workers in Gaza after the communications blackout.

It said it was to suppress information about “new massacres” in Gaza.

“The PJS holds the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the lives of fellow journalists and urges the United Nations and its organizations and all human rights organizations to immediately intervene and stop the war of genocide in Gaza and restore access to communication in Gaza,” the association added in a statement.

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also said the world was “losing a window into the reality” of the conflict.

It said the void created by lack of information “can be filled with deadly propaganda, dis- and misinformation”.

Palestinian telecom provider says ‘complete’ blackout of services amid bombardment

05:11 , Shweta Sharma

Palestinian telecom provider Paltel said Israel’s bombardment has caused “complete disruption” of internet, cellular and landline services.

The cutoff meant casualties from strikes and details of ground incursions could not immediately be known. Some satellite phones continued to function.

Already plunged into darkness after most electricity was cut off weeks ago, Palestinians were thrown into isolation, huddling in homes and shelters with food and water supplies running out.

Relatives outside Gaza panicked after their messaging chats with families inside suddenly went dead and calls stopped going through.

“I was so scared this was going to happen,” said Wafaa Abdul Rahman, director of a feminist organization based in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

“We’ve been seeing these horrible things and massacres when it’s live on TV, so now what will happen when there’s a total blackout?” she said, referring to scenes of families that have been crushed in homes by airstrikes over the past weeks.

What are Israel’s D9R bulldozers? £1m armoured ‘Teddy Bear’ tanks set to lead soldiers into booby-trapped Gaza

05:05 , Andy Gregory

As thousands of Israeli soldiers mass at the Gaza border ahead of an anticipated ground offensive, a heavily modified armoured bulldozer dubbed the “Teddy Bear” is set to lead the charge.

The heavily-armoured vehicles, manufactured by the US tractor company Caterpillar, will be used to soak up enemy fire and clear a path through cluttered streets intermittently mined by Hamas, the militant group in control of the enclave.

In a national address on Wednesday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said forces were “preparing for a ground invasion” of the Gaza Strip.

What are Israel’s ‘Teddy Bear’ armoured D9 bulldozers?

Scenes from above Gaza and around the world as heavy bombardment continues

05:03 , Shweta Sharma

As Gaza city remains under blackout with communication cut off, pictures of the sky taken from outside the enclave showed the dark area lit up by Israeli airstrikes.

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian protesters across the world, including in the US, have demanded governments to call for an immediate ceasefire.

Protests at one of the busiest train stations in the US forced the closure of New York’s Grand Central Terminal.

Protests were also seen in Paris, JakaIstanbul, Washington DC and parts of Germany.

Hamas vows to counter Israel with ‘full force’ after ground operations

04:34 , Shweta Sharma

Hamas has said it will confront Israeli attacks with “full force” after the country’s military plunged the city into darkness and imposed a communication blackout to widen its air and ground attacks.

The Palestinian militant group that rules Gaza said earlier that its fighters were clashing with Israeli troops in areas near the border with Israel after the latter intensified attacks in Gaza.

The armed wing of Hamas said its fighters were clashing with Israeli troops in Gaza’s northeastern town of Beit Hanoun and in the central area of Al-Bureij.

“The Al-Qassam brigades and all the Palestinian resistance forces are completely ready to confront (Israel’s) aggression with full force and frustrate its incursions,” Hamas said in a statement.

“Netanyahu and his defeated army will not be able to achieve any military victory,” referring to the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bombardment of Gaza intensified after Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised news briefing yesterday evening: “In addition to the attacks carried out in the last few days, ground forces are expanding their operations tonight.”

UN calls for 'humanitarian truce' in Gaza as Israel expands activity in the territory

04:08 , Shweta Sharma

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) approved a resolution yesterday calling for an immediate “humanitarian truce” in Gaza leading to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers.

The resolution – though nonbinding – was the first UN response to Hamas’s surprise 7 October attacks on Israel and Israel’s ongoing military response and vow to obliterate Hamas.

The UNGA adopted the resolution by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions after rejecting a Canadian amendment backed by the US to unequivocally condemn the “terrorist attacks” by Hamas and demand the immediate release of hostages taken by the militant group.

The resolution was drafted by a group of 22 Arab countries. It passed even as 45 countries abstained and the US and Israel voted no.

Scotland’s first minister ‘can only pray family in Gaza survive the night'

04:02 , Andy Gregory

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf has said he is unable to contact his family in Gaza and “can only pray they survive the night”.

His wife Nadia El-Nakla said 10 days ago that three of her young cousins – including a two-year-old – had suffered shrapnel injuries after being hit by an Israeli drone.

World is ‘in a dark hour’, says Pope Francis

03:05 , Andy Gregory

Pope Francis has 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 did not mention by name the conflict that exploded when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October and Israel retaliated by sealing off the Gaza Strip and battering the Palestinian territory with air strikes.

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”.

“This is a dark hour,” Francis said in a subdued voice, in his remarks in the basilica.

UN chief urges change in how aid to Gaza is inspected

02:03 , Andy Gregory

The UN secretary-general has appealed for the procedures for inspecting aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip from Egypt through the Rafah crossing to be “adjusted to allow many more trucks to enter Gaza without delay”.

“The humanitarian system in Gaza is facing a total collapse with unimaginable consequences for more than 2 million civilians,” Antonio Guterres said.

The US is leading negotiations with Israel, Egypt and the UN to try and create a sustained delivery mechanism for aid to Gaza, but they are wrangling over procedures for inspecting aid which see each truck offload its cargo at a checkpoint to be inspected for possible arms and ammunition.

“The verification system for the movement of goods through the Rafah crossing must be adjusted to allow many more trucks to enter Gaza without delay,” Mr Guterres said.

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, he said.

Describing the situation in Gaza as “desperate and dramatic” the U.N. chief said the United Nations will not be able to continue delivering assistance inside the enclave “without an immediate and fundamental shift in how aid is going in.”

Buses loaded with arrested activists after Grand Central protest

01:48 , Graeme Massie

Footage: Multiple explosions seen and sirens heard on Israel-Gaza border

Saturday 28 October 2023 00:59 , Andy Gregory

Jewish Voice for Peace stages ‘takeover’ of NYC’s Grand Central Station

Saturday 28 October 2023 00:24 , Graeme Massie

US supports humanitarian pause in Gaza

Saturday 28 October 2023 00:01 , Andy Gregory

The United States supports a pause in Israeli military operations in Gaza to get humanitarian aid, fuel and electricity to civilians, White House spokesperson John Kirby has said.

Mr Kirby also said that if getting hostages out of Gaza requires a localised temporary pause, then the United States is in support of that.

“We absolutely believe that that if a pause can be effected to allow for the … release of hostages, then that is something we absolutely would support and we believe Israel should support it,” Mr Kirby said.

“We’ve been having active conversations with them about that.”

Friday 27 October 2023 23:32 , Graeme Massie

British citizens trapped under Israel’s bombing of Gaza slam ‘shameful’ lack of support from UK government

Friday 27 October 2023 23:30 , Sam Rkaina

British citizens trapped under Israel’s ferocious bombing of Gaza have slammed the “shameful” lack of support from the British government that has failed to push for evacuation or a humanitarian ceasefire.

There are believed to be 200 Britons registered with the UK authorities in the besieged enclave, where food, water, fuel and medical supplies are fast running out.

Among them is Manchester resident Mohammed Ghalayini, who said Israeli air strikes have killed 37 members of his extended family and forced him to be displaced four times.

He was visiting family in Gaza when Israel unleashed its heaviest-ever air raids in retaliation for Hamas’s bloody 7 October attack on southern Israel.

Despite struggling to access food, water, and other supplies the 44-year-old said he has only received one communique from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: a single email 10 days ago.

Click here for the full story.

Diplomat contradicts DeSantis claims on shipping weapons to Israel

Friday 27 October 2023 23:25 , Graeme Massie

Governor has helped coordinate evacuation flights.

Diplomat contradicts DeSantis claims on shipping weapons to Israel

Diplomat contradicts DeSantis claims on shipping weapons to Israel

Friday 27 October 2023 23:23 , Graeme Massie

Governor of Florida as helped coordinate evacuation flights.

Will US airstrikes in Syria trigger a wider conflict?

Friday 27 October 2023 22:30 , Joe Middleton

After the recent airstrikes in Syria, America has a careful balancing act on its hands to prevent the situation from getting out of control, writes world affairs editor Kim Sengupta from Jerusalem

Will US airstrikes in Syria trigger a wider conflict? | Kim Sengupta

Don’t fall into the trap of ‘picking sides’ over Gaza

Friday 27 October 2023 22:00 , Joe Middleton

The horrors of Dresden, Guernica and Iraq are compelling reasons not to raze Gaza to dust, just as those sadistic and hate-filled attacks by Hamas are abhorred by all of us. This war is not about choosing one camp over another, writes Alan Rusbridger. Basic humanity is at stake – we need our leaders not to take sides

Don’t fall into the trap of ‘picking sides’ over Gaza | Alan Rusbridger

Biden questioned Gaza’s death toll, so Palestinians released the names

Friday 27 October 2023 21:59 , Barney Davis

The list is stark in its simplicity: the victim’s name, age and sex.

There are 6,747 names in total, all of them killed during Israel’s assault on Gaza.

That number, reached in just 19 days, does not include the missing, making the true toll likely higher still.

Biden questioned Gaza’s death toll, so Palestinians released the names

“Those are real people”: Hamas captive’s family despair as hostage posters torn down across London

Friday 27 October 2023 21:42 , Barney Davis

The family of a headteacher held by Hamas has spoken of their sadness at seeing posters of kidnapped Israelis being ripped down across London.

Ada Sagi, a 75-year-old mother and grandmother, has not had contact with her family since she was believed to have been taken hostage from her home in a dawn ambush on Kibbutz Nir Oz on 7 October.

Her daughter-in-law Michel Sagi, who knows the organisers of the missing poster campaign, said her worst fears were realised when she saw the flyers being ripped down or defaced in a flurry of videos.

“Those are real people”: Hamas captive’s family despair as hostage posters torn down

Footage of Israeli ground forces heading towards Gaza City

Friday 27 October 2023 21:32 , Barney Davis

PBS reporter Leila Molana-Allen has shared footage of Israeli trucks full of troops and supplies heading to the Gaza border as air strikes bombard the Strip.

Moment Hamas spokesman storms out of BBC interview when asked about ‘killing Israeli families’

Friday 27 October 2023 21:30 , Joe Middleton

This is the moment a top Hamas spokesman throws his microphone on the floor and storms out of a BBC interview when questioned about the killing of Israeli families as they slept in their beds.

Ghazi Hamad, the deputy foreign minister for Hamas, was being questioned about the killings by BBC’s Middle East reporter Hugo Bachega.

When asked how he can justify killing people as they slept. Mr Hamad looks to the side and pulls off his microphone. He states: “I want to stop this interview.”

He then throws the microphone onto the floor.

Hamas spokesman storms out of interview when asked about ‘killing Israeli families’

IDF can’t guarantee safety of journalists

Friday 27 October 2023 21:27 , Barney Davis

Israel’s military has told international news organisations that it cannot guarantee the safety of their journalists operating in the Gaza Strip.

The Israel Defense Forces wrote to Reuters and AFP this week after they had sought assurances that their journalists in Gaza would not be targeted by Israeli strikes.

“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.