Israel-Hamas war – live: Gaza just 24 hours from ‘catastrophe’ as hospitals near end of fuel supplies

The World Health Organisation has warned that Gaza is less than 24 hours away from “real catastrophe” as hospital fuel supplies dwindle and food and water run low or out completely.

Ahmed al-Mandhari, the WHO’s regional director for the eastern Mediterranean, said Gaza has around “24 hours of water, electricity and fuel left” and that it is barrelling towards “real catastrophe”.

It comes as Egypt’s foreign minister has said Israel is yet to take a stance which allows the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to open, as hopes of a deal to enable aid to be brought into the enclave appeared to falter.

With at least one million people already forced to flee their homes in northern Gaza, international mediators had previously appeared close to striking a deal for Egypt to open the southern border to allow foreign citizens to escape the Israeli bombardment and feared ground offensive.

The US Embassy in Israel has told its citizens in the enclave to “move closer” to the Egyptian border as it may only “open for a limited time” to allow while the situation remains “fluid and unpredictable”, as US president Joe Biden warned Israel that occupying Gaza would be a “big mistake”.

Key Points

• At least six UK citizens killed and 10 missing, says Sunak

• Israel’s stance not allowing Egypt to open Gaza border, Cairo says

• Egypt crossing may open for Gazans fleeing Israeli attack

• ‘Big mistake’: Biden warns Israel against occupying Gaza

• Israeli tanks mass on border ahead of ‘imminent invasion’

• Evacuation of Gaza a ‘death sentence’ for 2,000 sick and injured Palestinians in hospital, says WHO

Biden to visit Israel

07:37 , Tom Watling

US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday to meet with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discuss the imminent offensive into Gaza.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who had returned to Israel after a six-country tour through Arab nations,concluded hours of talks with Mr Netanyahu in Tel Aviv early on Tuesday by saying that Mr Biden would visit Israel.

“(The) president will hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas,” Mr Blinken said.

He added that the US and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

There were few details but he said the plan would include “the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm’s way”.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, also arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli military authorities ahead of the planned presidential visit.

Mr Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders amid fears that the fighting could expand into a broader regional conflict.

Anger as ITV’s Richard Madeley asks Lib Dem MP if she knew about Hamas attack plan

10:10 , Tom Watling

ITV presenter Richard Madeley is facing calls to apologise or be taken off air after he asked a senior Liberal Democrat MP if she knew Hamas was planning to kill innocent Israelis.

The Good Morning Britain host was accused of “appalling” behaviour by asking Layla Moran – who is of Palestinian descent – if she was aware in advance of the terrorist attack.

The Lib Dems’ foreign affairs spokesperson was taken aback at the shocking question, before explaining to Mr Madeley she had no idea of Hamas’ plans.

You can read the full story below.

Egyptian trucks move closer to Gaza border crossing

09:56 , Tom Watling

Egyptian aid trucks have moved closer to the only entry to Gaza not controlled by Israel, local and security sources said, but it was unclear when they might pass through the crossing, shut for days on the Palestinian side due to Israeli strikes.

At least 49 people were killed in overnight Israeli bombardment of Rafah, where the crossing is located, and the nearby town of Khan Younis, Gaza’s interior ministry said.

People with dual citizenship who have gathered in recent days awaiting the opening of the Rafah crossing began approaching the border on Tuesday, but some said they were staying away due to the air strikes.

Egypt says the Rafah crossing, a vital artery before the fighting and now a key route for desperately needed supplies into the Israeli-besieged Palestinian enclave, has not been officially closed but has become inoperable due to the Israeli air strikes on the Gaza side.

Early on Tuesday some 160 trucks left al-Arish in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, where hundreds of tonnes of aid have been awaiting an agreement on aid delivery, an eyewitness told Reuters.

Ahmed Salem of the Sinai Foundation said that the trucks heading for the border contained Egyptian aid, and that the international aid remained in warehouses in al-Arish.

Iran's Khamenei says Israeli officials should face trial for their crimes

09:49 , Tom Watling

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that Israeli officials should be tried for their crimes committed against Palestinians in Gaza, state TV has reported.

Mother of Hamas abductee calls for her daughter to be returned

09:38 , Tom Watling

The mother of a young woman abducted by Hamas following an incursion into Israel on October 7 has called for her daughter to be safely returned.

A video of Miya Shem was posted by Hamas online in which she claims she has been treated well by her captors and is being kept in Gaza.

Speaking to reporters today, Miya’s mother said: “All I ask is to return my baby home. I call on the world leaders to return her home in the same condition I saw her yesterday.”

The family of the abducted Miya Shem said in a statement: “The moment we saw the video we got excited and screamed. Miya is injured.

“There were rumors that she was shot and you see that she has an injury to her hand. You see that she is in pain, very scared and that she is saying what she is being told to say.”

Live: Family members of hostage speak to media after Hamas releases video

09:32 , Tom Watling

Live: Family members of hostage speak to media after Hamas releases video

British girl confirmed as dead after Hamas attack, according to family

09:30 , Tom Watling

A British teenage girl who was believed to have been missing after a Hamas incursion into Israel on October 7 has been confirmed dead, her family told the BBC.

They said on Tuesday morning that 13-year-old Yahel was now confirmed as having been killed in the Hamas attack.

Her mother, Lianne, was also killed. Her sister, Noiya, 16, and father, Eli, are still missing.

Satellite images show Egyptian border crossing

09:28 , Tom Watling

Satellite images from the past two days have shown the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled towards the border in the past four days following an Israeli evacuation order.

Labour councillors quit in protest over Keir Starmer’s Israel stance

09:05 , Tom Watling

Several Labour councillors have quit the part in protest over Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on Israel’s planned invasion of Gaza – including the first Arab Muslim woman on Manchester City Council.

Amna Abdullatif said she had been left “no choice” other than to resign from Labour as she accused the Labour leader of “effectively endorsing a war crime”.

The councillor said Sir Keir and senior frontbenchers had made “horrifying” comments about Israel having the right to withhold fuel, water, food and electricity from the 2.2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza, effectively endorsing a war crime”.

Sir Keir, who has continued to emphasis his strong support for Israel’s “right to defend herself” and has said “responsibility lies with Hamas” for the bombardment on Gaza.

Full report below by political correspondent Adam Forrest.

Hezbollah claims responsibility for northern Israel shelling

08:55 , Tom Watling

The Iranian-backed militia group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for an anti-tank missile attack on the northern Israeli settlement of Metula.

The group, which is the de facto ruler of southern Lebanon, said it fired 17 mortar rounds on Tuesday morning.

Israeli reports claimed two people were (minorly) injured in the strike on Metula and footage showed a small fire in the area following the attack.

King of Jordan said accepting Palestinian refugees was ‘red line’

08:47 , Tom Watling

The King of Jordan has told a German delegation in Berlin that “accepting refugees [from Gaza] is a red line”.

Speaking to Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, King Abudullah II said: “What is happening in Gaza is dangerous and threatens the security and stability of the entire region.

“We are working to end the tragic situation in Gaza, and not escalate the crisis. That is a red line, because I think that is the plan by certain of the usual suspects to try and create de facto issues on the ground. No refugees in Jordan, no refugees in Egypt.”

The King will later meet with German chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Footage shows strike on northern Israel

08:37 , Tom Watling

Footage has shown the aftermath of a anti-tank missile strike allegedly carried out by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah on the Israeli settlement of Metula.

Reports suggest Israel retaliated with a strike of their own.

Anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon towards Israel - photo

08:23 , Tom Watling

An anti-tank missile has reportedly been fired from Lebanon towards Israel this morning.

Images published to Telegram from southern Lebanon appeared to show the moment the missile was fired towards Metula, an Israeli settlement bulge on the borderline.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) subsequently issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, said a “report was received regarding a shooting toward the town of Metula on the border with Lebanon”.

On Monday, the Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that that a war with Israel with multiple fronts was “inevitable” if airstrikes continued in Gaza.

“If the war crimes against the Palestinians are not immediately stopped,” he said, “other multiple fronts will open and this is inevitable.”

More than 2,800 Palestinians killed, according to latest death toll

08:18 , Tom Watling

At least 2,837 Palestinians have been killed in the last nine days of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, the ministry of health in the region has claimed.

They added that roughly 12,000 had been wounded.

How big is the Israeli military and what is the Iron Dome?

08:12 , Tom Watling

You can read below our explainer on the size of the Israeli military and how the Iron Dome is protecting citizens from rockets.

How big is the Israeli military and what is the Iron Dome?

Overnight strikes kill 71 in southern Gaza, according to revised death toll

08:02 , Tom Watling

At least 71 people have been killed in an overnight Israeli airstrike on southern Gaza, according to Al Jazeera Arabic.

Ministry of Health officials told the news outlet that 71 people had been killed while many more were trapped under the rubble.

The strikes affected three areas in the south of Gaza, including the main city of Khan Younis, the Rafah region near the border crossing with Egypt and Deir el-Balah.

“Many of those killed are families who evacuated from Gaza City and the northern part of the Strip as ordered by Israel,” the site claimed.

The video below, published by Al Jazeera Arabic, appears to show victims of the overnight attacks being brought into hospitals in bodybags.

Biden speaks with Iraqi PM on preventing Middle East conflict

07:54 , Tom Watling

US President Joe Biden held a call last night with Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to discuss preventing the conflict in Israel-Palestine escalating into a regional conflict.

The pair “discussed ongoing efforts to prevent an expansion of the conflict in Gaza”, a White House statement read, as well as “the importance of addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, in coordination with the UN and regional partners”.

Mr Biden is due to visit Israel and Jordan on Wednesday. He will meet with various Arab leaders in Jordan.

Humanitarian crisis in Gaza ‘looming’ despite Israeli ambassador dismissal

07:48 , Tom Watling

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell has said a humanitarian crisis in Gaza is “looming” as he praised Israel for allowing water into Gaza.

Israeli ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely reportedly claimed to Sky News earlier that there is “no humanitarian crisis”.

Asked about the comments on the same broadcaster, Mr Mitchell said: “There is a looming humanitarian crisis, which is why we’re all so focused on trying to do everything we can to relieve it.

“Israel went to some lengths yesterday to make sure the water supply was restored, that obviously helps very significantly.

“I think it was the right thing to do and Israel should be credited with having taken that humanitarian action.”

We pray they’re alive’: No update on 10 Britons still missing after Hamas attacks

07:46 , Tom Watling

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said he did not have an update on the 10 Britons missing after the Hamas attacks in Israel, telling Sky News: “We pray that they are alive.”

At least six Britons killed in Israel and 10 missing, says Rishi Sunak

06:15 , Namita Singh

At least six British citizens have been killed in Israel while another 10 are missing, Rishi Sunak told the Commons on Monday as he described the attacks by Hamas as a “pogrom”.

The prime minister said the “barbaric” attacks on the people of Israel had “shocked the world”, adding: “We should call it by its name: it was a pogrom.”

Mr Sunak said Britain stands with Israel when he repeated his support for the country’s right to defend itself as it prepares for to “go after Hamas [and] take back hostages” with a ground invasion of Gaza.

My colleagues Adam Forrest and Bel Trew have more:

At least six Britons killed in Israel and 10 missing, says Rishi Sunak

BBC says it has given ‘careful consideration’ to Israel-Hamas conflict coverage

06:01 , Namita Singh

The BBC said it has given “careful consideration” to all aspects of its coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict following complaints it has been biased against both Israel and Palestinians.

In a statement responding to the complaints, the BBC said: “Careful consideration has been given to all aspects of our coverage to ensure that we report on developments accurately and with due impartiality in line with the BBC editorial guidelines, which are publicly available.”

The statement, published on the BBC website, added: “We understand that this is an extremely worrying time for people not only in the region, but also in the UK and around the world, and we have reflected this in our coverage.”

Read the report to find out why the outlet defended its decision to not describe Hamas as a terrorist organisation:

BBC says it has given ‘careful consideration’ to Israel-Hamas conflict coverage

Riz Ahmed calls for an end to ‘indiscriminate bombing of Gaza’s civilians’

06:00 , Holly Evans

Actor Riz Ahmed has called for “an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza’s civilians” amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The British actor, 40, who was nominated for an Oscar for the film The Sound Of Metal, said “staying silent is not an option” as he blasted the “morally indefensible war crimes”.

Sharing a lengthy statement on social media, he wrote: “We are told there are two sides to what is happening in Israel and Palestine. But in my heart, I know there is only one — the side of our humanity.

Read more here

Riz Ahmed calls for an end to ‘indiscriminate bombing of Gaza’s civilians’

Turkey 'discusses release of civilian hostages with Hamas'

05:42 , Namita Singh

Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan on Monday held a call with Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, a ministry source said, adding the two discussed the release of civilian prisoners held by the group.

Last week, a senior Turkish official had said Ankara was in talks with Hamas on the release of the prisoners. Monday’s call marks the first official announcement of contact between Ankara and Hamas, whose members Turkey has hosted for years.

The source said Mr Fidan and Mr Haniyeh had discussed the latest developments in the conflict, as well as “the possibilities of releasing civilians” taken from Israel, but did not provide further information.

Turkey has backed Palestinians in the past, while supporting a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict with Israel. It has offered to mediate the conflict and sent humanitarian aid to Gaza, which is stuck in Egypt as borders remained closed.

Israel suspends military exports to Colombia

05:41 , Namita Singh

Israel has suspended security exports to Colombia in an escalating diplomatic spat over online messages by Colombia’s president comparing Israel’s siege of Gaza to the actions of Nazi Germany.

Colombian president Gustavo Petro has doubled down on his criticism of Israel and suggested that his country may need to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel, while his foreign minister has suggested Israel’s ambassador should leave the country.

In a statement published on Sunday, Israel’s foreign ministry said that Mr Petro’s recent statements on X, previously known as Twitter, “inflame antisemitism” and “threaten the safety of the Jewish community in Colombia.”

The Israeli government said it called Colombia’s ambassador to a meeting in which she was informed that defense cooperation between the countries would be suspended.

Colombia currently has diplomatic relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and over the past two decades it has been one of Israel’s closes partners in Latin America.

The war of words between Petro and Israel’s ambassador Gali Dagan started a week ago when Mr Petro refused to condemn the Hamas raid on Israel, in which militants killed hundreds of civilians in their homes.

When the Israeli ambassador urged Mr Petro to speak about the “terrorist” attack, Colombia’s president replied with a message that “terrorism is killing innocent children in Palestine” and followed up with messages in which he accused Israel of turning Gaza into a “concentration camp.”

Malaysia pulls out of Frankfurt Book Fair citing organisers’ pro-Israel stance

05:11 , Namita Singh

Malaysia’s education ministry has withdrawn from participating in this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, accusing the organisers of taking a pro-Israel stance, amid growing global divisions over the ongoing conflict between Israeli and Palestinian forces.

The move by Malaysia to pull out of what is considered the world’s largest trade fair for books came after literary association Litprom said it would postpone an award ceremony for a novel by a Palestinian author at the event following the deadly 7 October attack by militant group Hamas in Israel.

The fair’s organiser also said on Facebook it would be making Jewish and Israeli voices “especially visible” at this year’s edition.

“The ministry will not compromise with Israel’s violence in Palestine, which clearly violates international laws and human rights,” Malaysia’s education ministry said in a statement late on Monday.

“The decision (to withdraw) is in line with the government’s stand to be in solidarity and offer full support for Palestine.”

Muslim-majority Malaysia has long supported the Palestinian cause, with prime minister Anwar Ibrahim saying this week that he did not agree with Western pressure to condemn Hamas.

Mr Anwar on Tuesday called for an immediate end to bombardment in Gaza and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor, following a phone conversation with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Gaza’s limited water supply raises concerns for human health

05:09 , Namita Singh

A lack of clean water in the Gaza Strip is raising major concerns for human health.

“Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life,” said Philippe Lazzarini, chief of the UN agency for Palestinians.

Gaza normally gets its water supplies from a combination of sources, including a pipeline from Israel, desalination plants on the Mediterranean Sea and wells. Those supplies were slashed when Israel cut off water, along with the fuel and electricity that power water and sewage plants, in the wake of the Hamas attacks.

The United Nations recognises access to water as a human right, and on a basic level, the human body needs a constant supply of water to survive.

Report:

Gaza's limited water supply raises concerns for human health

Landlord charged with killing boy claims he felt in danger after listening to right-wing radio on Israel-Hamas

04:50 , Namita Singh

A landlord charged with fatally stabbing a six-year-old Palestinian American boy and wounding his mother had been listening to right-wing talk radio coverage of the Israel-Hamas war before the shocking attack, say prosecutors.

Joseph Czuba, 71, appeared in Will County court outside of Chicago on Monday, accused of murdering Wadea Al-Fayoume after attacking the youngster and his mother, Hanan Shaheen.

Prosecutors told the court that the suspect had become increasingly concerned for his safety as he listened to conservative radio coverage of the Middle East conflict before his violent attack on Saturday.

Report:

Man charged with killing boy claims he felt danger after hearing right-wing radio

Baby and toddler among entire family killed in Gaza, devasted relative reveals

04:49 , Namita Singh

A two-month-old baby was among 10 members of the same family killed in Gaza after an Israeli air strike hit their home, a devastated relative has revealed.

Just one day after Hamas launched an attack on Israel, 56-year-old Abdel Naser Shamalakh and his entire family were killed after rockets hit their home in Gaza.

“The whole family was buried under the rubble. They only found two whole bodies. The others were in parts or unrecognisable,” his British-Palestinian niece, 37-year-old Waf’a Shamalakh, told The Independent.

“Ten people were killed. My uncle, his wife, his five sons, his daughter-in-law, and two grandsons.

“They have nothing to do with Hamas or the military,” she tells my colleague Maryam Zakir-Hussain:

‘My two-month-old cousin was killed in airstrikes in Gaza’

Voices: Hamas is guilty as charged, but is Israel committing war crimes?

04:36 , Namita Singh

There is no doubt the heinous massacres carried out by Hamas in Israeli communities were war crimes, writes Donald Macintyre. But is Israel’s response proportionate, legal or – in the eyes of the world – legitimate?

Hamas is guilty as charged, but is Israel committing war crimes?

Von der Leyen does ‘not speak for Ireland’ on Israel-Hamas conflict

04:30 , Namita Singh

Irish president Michael D Higgins has criticised Ursula von der Leyen’s comments on the Israel-Hamas war.

Mr Higgins said the EU Commission president was “not speaking for Ireland and she wasn’t speaking for the opinions that they hold”.

He was speaking at the World Food Forum in Rome, where he joined criticism of Ms von der Leyen’s comments on the Middle East conflict where she did not urge Israel to ensure its retaliation for the Hamas attacks conforms with international law.

Read more on the criticism from the Irish president here:

Von der Leyen does ‘not speak for Ireland’ on Israel-Hamas conflict

UN Security Council meets to vote on rival Russian and Brazilian resolutions on Israel-Hamas war

04:27 , Namita Singh

The UN Security Council met on Monday evening to vote on rival Russian and Brazilian resolutions that reflect deep divisions over the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict and the latest Hamas’ attacks and Israeli retaliation.

But immediately after the meeting was gaveled to order, the United Arab Emirates ambassador, Lana Nusseibeh, asked for members to go into closed consultations, and the 15 council ambassadors left the room. Several diplomats said they wanted a delay in the vote, especially on the Brazil resolution.

Report:

UN Security Council meets to vote on rival Russian and Brazilian resolutions on Israel-Hamas war

Waiting for news, families of Israeli hostages in Gaza tell stories of their loved ones

04:27 , Namita Singh

They range from babies to the elderly. Most are civilians. Israel says at least 199 people taken during the Hamas attack are being held captive in Gaza.

Some of their families received frantic phone calls or texts during the attack. Others heard nothing and later saw video evidence their loved ones were taken.

For now, they wait, desperate to find out whether the hostages are even alive. And they tell their stories. Here are some of them.

Waiting for news, families of Israeli hostages in Gaza tell stories of their loved ones

Teen sisters among Britons missing from Israel as Gaza aid efforts continue

04:26 , Namita Singh

Two teenage sisters are among the British citizens still missing following Hamas’s attacks on Israel as efforts continue to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

According to reports, the girls, named only as Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, disappeared from their home in Kibbutz Be’eri after it was stormed by militants and their mother Lianne was killed.

Rishi Sunak told MPs on Monday at least six Britons were killed and a further 10 missing in the “pogrom” on 7 October and called for the immediate release of the around 200 hostages taken by the militant group.

Read the details here:

Teen sisters among Britons missing from Israel as Gaza aid efforts continue

Viral hate and misinformation renews fears of real-world violence

04:00 , Namita Singh

Last week, Republican officials and right-wing figures amplified warnings of a “global day of jihad” across social media platforms, joining the already-toxic flood of viral mis- and disinformation from the fog of the Israel-Hamas war.

After growing increasingly concerned for his safety after listening to right-wing media and fearing a “day of jihad” attack against him, a 71-year-old landlord attacked the Palestinian-American tenants in their home, according to prosecutors in Illinois.

Joseph Czuba fatally stabbed a six-year-old boy 26 times and severely injured his mother, who was stabbed at least a dozen times, according to law enforcement officials. Wadea Al-Fayoume was buried on 16 October.

False claims about a “global day of jihad” joined increasingly violent on- and offline rhetoric surrounding the crisis in Gaza, with members of Congress calling on Israel’s military to “level” the Palestinian territory and prominent far-right personalities calling on Americans to arm themselves.

More in this report from my colleague Alex Woodward:

Viral hate and false claims renew fears of real-world violence amid Gaza crisis

Richard Madeley faces backlash after comparing Gaza civilian deaths to those in Nazi Germany

04:00 , Holly Evans

Richard Madeley has come under heavy criticism after comparing Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza to innocent Germans bombed by Britain during the Second World War.

The Good Morning Britain presenter sparked controversy on Monday (16 October) during a discussion on the Israel-Hamas war, which has so far claimed the lives of 2,750 Palestinians from aerial strikes in reponse to a terror attack on Israel ten days ago.

Madeley asked his co-host Susanna Reid if it was “fair” to draw a “parallel” between the deaths of civilians in Palestine and the deaths of German civilians in Nazi Germany.

Read more here

Richard Madeley faces backlash on GMB over comments on Israel-Hamas war

Biden to visit Israel as war rages

03:57 , Namita Singh

President Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced early on Tuesday morning from Tel Aviv.

Mr Biden’s visit will bring immense logistical and security challenges as the president enters an active war zone in a conflict that has killed more than 4,000 Israelis and Palestinians and displaced over 1 million people from Gaza.

It will include meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as a stop the same day in Amman, Jordan, for discussions with King Abdullah, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, which partially governs the West Bank, according to the White House.

Read the details here:

Biden to visit Israel as war with Hamas continues, Blinken says

Gaza's limited water supply raises concerns for human health

03:00 , Holly Evans

A lack of clean water in the Gaza Strip is raising major concerns for human health.

“Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life,” said Philippe Lazzarini, chief of the U.N. agency for Palestinians.

Gaza normally gets its water supplies from a combination of sources, including a pipeline from Israel, desalination plants on the Mediterranean Sea and wells. Those supplies were slashed when Israel cut off water, along with the fuel and electricity that power water and sewage plants, in the wake of the Hamas attacks.

Read more here

Gaza's limited water supply raises concerns for human health

Unspeakable violence should not be answered with unspeakable violence

02:00 , Holly Evans

At a time when the prestige of parliament is standing low, the display of unity and determination tempered by humanity in the chamber of the Commons is a reminder of how the House can still rise to the occasion.

The prime minister, the leader of the opposition, the leader of the SNP parliamentary group, the Liberal Democrat Layla Moran and others spoke eloquently and movingly for the nation as a whole, and the people suffering in Gaza and Israel.

The critics of Israeli policy were temperate and the prime minister careful in his language about Israel’s right to defend itself. He resisted the temptation to polarise: if only the rest of his cabinet had the sense to.

Read more here

We must stand with Israel – but as a candid friend

How big is the Israeli military and what is the Iron Dome?

01:00 , Holly Evans

Israel is laying siege to Gaza after a deadly attack by Hamas left hundreds of people dead.

The country is drawing on its huge military capabilities to hit back at the terrorists and say they have already killed around 1,500 militants following Saturday’s incursion.

“We are going to go on the offense and attack the Hamas terrorist group and any other group that is in Gaza,” Israeli Brigadier General Dan Goldfus said. “We will have to change the reality from within Gaza to prevent this from happening again.”

How big is the Israeli military and what is the Iron Dome?

Ofcom’s online safety supervision director suspended after posts about Israel

Tuesday 17 October 2023 00:00 , Holly Evans

Ofcom’s online safety supervision director has been suspended after anti-Israel comments were posted on her private Instagram account.

Fadzai Madzingira was appointed by media watchdog Ofcom in June 2023 and has now been suspended.

Screengrabs published by the Guido Fawkes website appeared to show posts from Ms Madzingira’s account describing Israel as an “apartheid state” and liking a post criticising Israel and the UK for a “vile colonial alliance”.

Read more here

Ofcom’s online safety supervision director suspended after posts about Israel

Gaza facing ‘real catastrophe’ as hospitals only have hours of fuel left

Monday 16 October 2023 23:19 , Holly Evans

Hospitals in Gaza have just hours left of generator fuel, while water and other critical supplies have either run out or will do so in around 24 hours, according to the United Nations – with Egypt warning that aid for the besieged Strip is stuck at the border as a result of Israel “not cooperating”.

The UN and rights groups have pleaded for supply lifelines to be fully opened with Egypt, warning that Israel’s “total siege” of the enclave means that food, water and medical supplies are running perilously low.

Since Gaza’s only power plant shut down five days ago, many fear that intensive care units will be plunged into darkness, with doctors having to switch off incubators and ventilators as their supply of diesel to power back-up generators runs out.

Gaza facing ‘real catastrophe’ as hospitals only have hours of fuel left

Israel’s offensive in Gaza will be ‘horrific’, UK minister warns

Monday 16 October 2023 23:00 , Holly Evans

Britain’s armed forces minister has said nobody should pretend Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza is going to be “anything other than horrific”, warning that “we are going to see some awful things”.

James Heappey said Israel’s armed forces were “doing everything they can” to avoid civilian casualties, but terror group Hamas’s use of “human shields” would make the task “incredibly difficult”.

Speaking to Sky News as Israel prepares an air, ground and naval offensive in Gaza, Mr Heappey said: “Israel is doing everything that it reasonably can to tell the civilian population to move.

Read more here

Israel’s offensive in Gaza will be ‘horrific’. UK minister James Heappey warns

Vandalism of Jewish schools ‘sent shockwaves through community’

Monday 16 October 2023 22:20 , Holly Evans

Two Jewish schools in north London have been vandalised with red paint in what has been called “a disgraceful attempt to intimidate and harass” the community.

Shomrim Stamford Hill said one school was targeted on Thursday and a second on Monday morning, as it tweeted CCTV footage of a masked figure spraying the paint on the outside of the buildings.

Chief executive of the Jewish security group Chaim Hochhauser said: “The brazen acts of vandalism have sent shockwaves through our community.

Vandalism of Jewish schools ‘sent shockwaves through community’

Egypt’s president and Biden agreed necessity of containing the conflict

Monday 16 October 2023 21:55 , Holly Evans

Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. President Joe Biden underlined the necessity of containing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict so that it doesn’t threaten regional security, Sisi’s office said on Monday.

Both leaders also agreed in a phone call that it is a priority to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian Gaza enclave, an Egyptian presidency spokesman said in a statement.

UN and aid groups should use Hamas links to help free Gaza hostages, says former Tory leader

Monday 16 October 2023 21:35 , Holly Evans

The United Nations and aid agencies should be urged to use their links with Hamas to secure the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, Tory former leader Michael Howard has said.

The Conservative peer pointed out the organisations had been working in the territory for many years and must have “extensive contacts” with the militant group.

Responding to a statement in the Lords on the escalating Middle East crisis, Lord Howard of Lympne, who had spoken with families of those kidnapped by the insurgents, said: “NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and the United Nations have understandably been vociferous in their concern for the civilian population in Gaza, but those organisations have been working in Gaza for many years.

“So they must have extensive contacts with Hamas and the leadership of Hamas.

“Will the Government urge those organisations to use their contacts with Hamas to persuade them to release now the hostages – the grandmother, the Holocaust survivor, the babes in arms, all 199 of them – in return for which Israel has said it will resume the supply of food, fuel and water to the people of Gaza?”

Lord True, leader of the House of Lords, said the British Government would “bend all its efforts” to help secure the release of those held captive.

He promised the Government “will pursue the action” suggested by Lord Howard.

Posters of kidnapped children posted on BBC walls

Monday 16 October 2023 21:22 , Holly Evans

Protesters stuck posters of kidnapped Israelis on a wall opposite Broadcasting House as they urged the BBC to call Hamas “terrorists”.

More than 20 posters were put up while supporters chanted and waved flags for around 90 minutes outside Broadcasting House in central London.

The rally paused briefly to pray after hearing there had been warnings of rockets in Tel Aviv before beginning to chant again.

Two Jewish schools covered in red paint in suspected hate crimes

Monday 16 October 2023 21:14 , Holly Evans

Two Jewish schools in north London have been splattered with red paint in what police are treating as hate crimes.

Officers attended the Beis Chinuch school in Stamford Hill at 9am on Monday after paint was thrown over the door and gates.

The incident is understood to have taken place shortly before 7am on Thursday, with police also investigating a second incident at another school in Woodberry Down which was also doused in paint.

Read more here

Two Jewish schools covered in red paint in suspected hate crimes

‘They still had dreams’: Baby and toddler among entire family killed in Gaza, devastated relative reveals

Monday 16 October 2023 21:02 , Holly Evans

A two-month-old baby was among 10 members of the same family killed in Gaza after an Israeli air strike hit their home, a devastated relative has revealed.

Just one day after Hamas launched an attack on Israel, 56-year-old Abdel Naser Shamalakh and his entire family were killed after rockets hit their home in Gaza.

“The whole family was buried under the rubble. They only found two whole bodies. The others were in parts or unrecognisable,” his British-Palestinian niece, 37-year-old Waf’a Shamalakh, told The Independent.

‘My two-month-old cousin was killed in airstrikes in Gaza’

BBC booed during rally against its reporting of the conflict

Monday 16 October 2023 20:45 , Holly Evans

The BBC was booed as during a rally in central London against its reporting over the Israel-Hamas conflict, with speakers from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) and UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) taking part.

Hundreds of protesters joined the event outside Broadcasting House, with the crowd stretching up to Regent Street.

Protesters shouted “don’t pay the licence”, “shame” and “Hamas is Isis” as they heard from podcaster Jonny Gould.

The National Jewish Assembly hosted the rally in collaboration with the UKLFI, CAA and the European Jewish Association.

‘There is no one left to bury anybody'

Monday 16 October 2023 20:30 , Bel Trew

The Israeli military has vowed an “unprecedented response to an unprecedented attack” by Hamas, admitting in multiple interviews with The Independent these have been the most ferocious airstrikes ever recorded, adding a ground invasion was imminent.

In Gaza, the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency said the death toll from the onslaught was so high Gaza was running out of body bags.

In the enclave’s largest city, meanwhile, doctors told The Independent morgues were overflowing and bodies were being stacked against walls. They shared videos showing the authorities using bulldozers to hastily dig “emergency’ mass graves to buy dozens of corpses.

At the al-Aqsa hospital in the centre of the country, medics described putting the overflow of bodies into refrigerated food trucks.

One young man, who asked not to be identified as he was evacuating south, said he witnessed the authorities burying the dead “without family or friends present as there was no time and no one left to bury them.”

“The problem is people are too afraid to go to cemeteries,” said Ghassan Abu Sitta, a prominent British-Palestinian surgeon who works for Doctors Without Borders at Gaza’s largest hospital al-Shifaa which is also sheltering 35,000 people.

“Around 50 families had been completely wiped out because people are seeking refugee with their relatives,” during the heavy deployment. And so there is no one left to bury anybody”

Hospitals face collapse as international aid waiting at the Egyptian border

Monday 16 October 2023 20:15 , Holly Evans

Hospitals in the Gaza Strip face collapse as water, power and medicine near depletion, while hundreds of thousands of Palestinians face dwindling food supplies as Israel maintains punishing air strikes in retaliation for the deadly rampage by Hamas.

Thousands of patients’ lives are at risk, UN officials said, and mediators are struggling to reach a ceasefire deal to let in aid waiting at the Egyptian border.

More than a week after Israel stopped entry of essential supplies, all eyes are on the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Trucks carrying badly needed aid have waited there for days unable to pass through, and Israeli air strikes last week forced the shutdown of Gaza’s only connection to Egypt.

Egyptian state TV and Gaza media reported that Israel struck the crossing again on Monday.

Lessons from the Yom Kippur war, 50 years on – and why it matters today

Monday 16 October 2023 20:00 , Holly Evans

As the world holds its breath and leaders meet in an attempt to stop the Israel-Gaza conflict from escalating, author Uri Kaufman revisits the Yom Kippur war, which brought the world close to nuclear war, and looks at what stopped it.

Read the full article here:

Critical lessons from the Yom Kippur war, 50 years on – and why it matters today

Paraglider image used by protesters after Hamas massacre condemned

Monday 16 October 2023 19:45 , Holly Evans

The Jewish community and a former MP have condemned the use of a paraglider image in the wake of Hamas’ deadly attacks in Israel, saying it “glorifies terrorism”.

Metropolitan Police officers investigating a public order offence has launched an appeal to find two women who were seen wearing images of paragliders at a pro-Palestine march in London on Saturday.

The images appear to hark back to last weekend’s attacks, which saw Hamas paragliders being used during an attack on civilians that left around 1,300 people dead.

Read more here

‘It’s glorifying terror’: Paraglider image worn after Hamas massacre condemned

Grant Shapps and Oliver Dowden appear to laugh during Sunak’s Israel and Gaza statement

Monday 16 October 2023 19:27 , Holly Evans

Shapps and Dowden appear to laugh during Sunak’s Israel and Gaza statement

More pictures of the protest outside the BBC

Monday 16 October 2023 19:20 , Holly Evans

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shelters in bunker

Monday 16 October 2023 19:11 , Holly Evans

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister sheltered in a bunker for five minutes on Monday when air sirens went off in Tel Aviv during their meeting, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The two have since moved out and are continuing their discussions at the defense ministry’s command center, Miller said.

Placards show pictures of kidnapped Israeli children in BBC protest

Monday 16 October 2023 19:04 , Holly Evans

Protestors have gathered outside BBC Broadcasting House in central London to urge the broadcaster to call Hamas “terrorists”.

Many waved Israeli flags while others held placards with pictures of Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas.

One placard said “BBC if the King can call Hamas terrorists so can you” while another said “BBC! Hamas are terrorists, not militants!”

Protestors gather outside the BBC to urge broadcaster to call Hamas ‘terrorists'

Monday 16 October 2023 18:38 , Holly Evans

Protestors have gathered outside BBC Broadcasting House in central London to urge the broadcaster to call Hamas ‘terrorists’.

Many waved Israeli flags while others held placards with pictures of Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas.

One placard said “BBC if the King can call Hamas terrorists so can you” while another said “BBC! Hamas are terrorists, not militants!”

BBC says it has given ‘careful consideration’ to Israel-Hamas coverage

Monday 16 October 2023 18:34 , Holly Evans

The BBC said it has given “careful consideration” to all aspects of its coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The broadcaster has received complaints that its reporting has been biased against both Israel and Palestinians.

In a published statement, the BBC said: “Careful consideration has been given to all aspects of our coverage to ensure that we report on developments accurately and with due impartiality in line with the BBC editorial guidelines, which are publicly available.”

It added: “We understand that this is an extremely worrying time for people not only in the region, but also in the UK and around the world, and we have reflected this in our coverage.

“BBC News has provided our global audiences with coverage and first-hand testimony of the atrocities committed by Hamas and the suffering in Gaza.”

Speaking about its decision not to describe Hamas as a terrorist organisation, it said: “The BBC, along with many other UK and global news organisations, does use the word ‘terrorist’, but attributes it. We have made clear to our audiences that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK and other governments.”

The numbers of complaints are in the higher hundreds, not in the thousands, and there is a handful of numbers difference between the complaints totals for perceived Israeli and Palestinian bias, the PA news agency understands.

Watch live: Family and friends arrive for funeral of Muslim boy stabbed in Illinois

Monday 16 October 2023 18:30 , Holly Evans

Watch live: Family and friends arrive for funeral of Muslim boy stabbed in Illinois

Middle East travel: Is it safe to visit Egypt, Jordan and Morocco?

Monday 16 October 2023 18:18 , Holly Evans

Thousands of people have died since Hamas launched an assault on Israel from Gaza, and the conflict appears to be intensifying.

Many readers have contacted The Independent with concerns about their travel plans to the Middle East as well as the eastern Mediterranean.

These are the key questions and answers.

Read more from Simon Calder here

Is it safe to travel to the Middle East?

Palestinian man shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank

Monday 16 October 2023 18:05 , Holly Evans

Israeli forces have shot dead a 19-year-old Palestinian man near the Salem military checkpoint outside Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Palestinian health ministry said.

It said Anas Raed Farid Manasra was shot in the head and chest.

No immediate comment has been provided by the Israeli army.

Star of David graffitied on Berlin homes in echo of Nazi persecution

Monday 16 October 2023 17:58 , Holly Evans

The Star of David has been graffitied on homes in Berlin, amid concerns anti-semitism is on the rise in Europe since the Hamas massacre in Israel.

The vandalism echoes the persecution of Jewish people in the 1930s, when Nazis marked the doors of Jewish businesses to deter Germans from using them.

Police in Berlin are dealing with four cases, after pictures of graffiti were shared on social media.

Read the full story here

Star of David graffitied on Berlin homes in echo of Nazi persecution

MPs pay tribute to Israel and Gaza victims with minute of silence in UK parliament

Monday 16 October 2023 17:50 , Holly Evans

MPs pay tribute to Israel and Gaza victims with minute of silence in UK parliament

Chuck Schumer rushed to shelter in Tel Aviv amid rocket attacks

Monday 16 October 2023 17:44 , Holly Evans

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the bipartisan congressional delegation he was leading to Israel were rushed to a bomb shelter as Hamas launched rockets at Tel Aviv.

The New York Democrat wrote on X on Sunday (15 October) morning: “While in Tel Aviv today, our delegation was rushed to a shelter to wait out rockets sent by Hamas. It shows you what Israelis have to go through. We must provide Israel with the support required to defend itself.”

Mr Schumer included an image in the post showing him and Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney, in addition to a number of others.

Read more here

Chuck Schumer rushed to shelter in Tel Aviv amid rocket attacks

Hamas is guilty as charged, but is Israel committing war crimes?

Monday 16 October 2023 17:19 , Holly Evans

Israel’s Ambassador to the UK – Tzipi Hotovely – made a robust argument on the BBC Today programme on Monday that Israel is acting fully within international law in its tightened and draconian blockade of Gaza, its seemingly relentless bombing and its orders to 1.1m Gazans to leave their homes for the south of the territory.

It was also, by implication, a pre-emptive defence of what may happen once a ground invasion starts at a cost to Palestinian lives – of civilians as well as militants – which is impossible to predict.

There is no doubt whatsoever that the heinous massacre carried out by Hamas in Israeli communities on 7 October was a war crime, brutally targeting civilians.

Read more from Donald Macintyre here

Hamas is guilty as charged, but is Israel committing war crimes?