Israel-Hamas war live: Land, air and sea invasion ‘imminent’ after IDF ‘kills Hamas massacre mastermind’

A land, air and sea invasion of Gaza is “imminent” as the Israel Defence Forces killed a top Hamas commander responsible for one of the murderous attacks on southern Israel last week.

The IDF said it was preparing to “expand the offensive” on Gaza by implementing a “wide range of offensive operational plans” including a “joint and coordinated attack from the air, sea and land.”

It comes as the Israeli military said Ali Qadhi, a company commander in the so-called Nukhba unit, was killed in a drone strike on Saturday.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the Israeli airforce said: “Air Force aircraft, under the intelligence guidance of the Shin Bet and Amman, killed Ali Kachi, a commander in the Najaba force of the terrorist organization Hamas, who led a terrorist attack in the settlements surrounding Gaza last weekend.”

Meanwhile, the Pentagon ordered a second aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean Sea “to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas’s attack.”

Key Points

• Thousands of people gather for pro-Palestine rally in London

• Gazan death toll rises to 2,215

• Israel's deadline for Palestinians to flee south ends as 'small raids' begin in Gaza

• Air strikes ‘kill dozens fleeing Gaza City'

• Hamas commander who led Israel attacks, ‘eliminated’

UN chief appeals for Hamas to release hostages

22:50 , Tom Watling

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for Hamas to release hostages without conditions and for Israel to allow rapid and unimpeded humanitarian aid access to the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

“Each one of these two objectives are valid in themselves. They should not become bargaining chips and they must be implemented because it’s the right thing to do,” Mr Guterres said in a statement.

Iran warns Israel: Don't attack us, we won't engage you

22:30 , Tom Watling

Iran said on Sunday that if Israel does not attack it, its interests or its citizens, then Iran‘s armed forces would not engage militarily with Israel.

“Iran‘s armed forces will not engage, provided that the Israeli apartheid does not dare to attack Iran, its interests, and nationals. The resistance front can defend itself,” Iran‘s mission to the United Nations in New York told Reuters.

Armoured vehicles line a street near Gaza, footage shows

22:10 , Tom Watling

Footage has shown Israeli armoured personnel carriers lined up along a street near the border with Gaza.

An Israeli offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip was expected this weekend but was reportedly delayed due to poor weather conditions, senior officers have said.

The Israeli forces have said an attack will be carried out by “land, sea and air” with an emphasis on the ground attack.

Egypt-Gaza crossing to open on Monday, says Palestinian official

21:50 , Tom Watling

The Egyptian border crossing into Gaza will reopen at 9am on Monday, a Palestinian official has said.

The Rafah crossing at the southern Gaza border with Egypt will only be open to hundreds of foreign nationals leaving the enclave, as well as humanitarian aid coming into the Strip.

More than 200 Hamas members arrested in West Bank

21:30 , Tom Watling

More than 200 members of Hamas have been detained in the West Bank since October 7, says an Israeli military spokesman.

Hamas commander killed in airstrike, claims Israel

21:10 , Tom Watling

Israel has claimed Muataz Eid, the head of the terror group's national security southern district, was killed in an airstrike following intelligence efforts by the Shin Bet security agency and Military Intelligence Directorate.

Blinken says Egypt-Gaza border crossing to reopen pending negotiations

20:50 , Tom Watling

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the Egyptian-controlled border crossing into Gaza would reopen and the US was working with Egypt, Israel and the United Nations to get assistance through it.

Hundreds of tonnes of aid from several countries have been waiting in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula for days pending a deal for its safe delivery to Gaza and the evacuation of some foreign passport holders through the Rafah crossing.

Egypt said it had stepped up diplomatic efforts to break the impasse.

“We have put in place, Egypt has put in place a lot of material support for people in Gaza, and Rafah will be reopened,” Mr Blinken told reporters in Cairo after what he said was a “very good conversation” with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

“We are putting into place with the United Nations, with Egypt, with Israel, with others the mechanism by which to get the assistance in and to get it to the people who need it,” he added.

On Sunday, the United States appointed veteran diplomat David Satterfield as Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues to lead the US response to the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

Situation in Gaza described as ‘catastrophic, catastrophic, catastrophic’

20:30 , Tom Watling

A United Nations worker in Gaza has described the “catastrophic” situation facing Palestinians trapped in the enclave.

You can watch her translated comments below.

Netanyahu meets with families of missing Israelis - video

20:10 , Tom Watling

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has met with the families of those missing following a Hamas attack last Saturday.

An Israeli military spokesman said 125 people have been “confirmed” as being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Middle East war could widen beyond Israel and Hamas, US officials warn

19:50 , Tom Watling

Top US officials warned on Sunday that the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas could escalate into a bigger conflict across the Middle East, saying they were worried the Lebanese group Hezbollah could attack Israel's north or that Iran might get involved.

Another set of US warships was headed to the region in a show of force meant to prevent such escalation.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin announced deployment of a second carrier group late on Saturday, calling it a sign of “our resolve to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war”.

The aircraft carrier the USS Dwight Eisenhower will join a small fleet including the massive USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier in the eastern Mediterranean.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS that “there is a risk of an escalation of this conflict, the opening of a second front in the north and, of course, Iran's involvement”.

The comments were echoed by White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who told Fox News that the White House was worried about “a potential escalation or a widening of this conflict”.

Iranian FM says US will suffer 'significant damages' if Gaza war expands

19:30 , Tom Watling

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said the United States will suffer “significant damages” if the Gaza war spirals into a bigger conflict, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.

“We have conveyed our message to the Zionist regime through its allies that if they do not cease their atrocities in Gaza, Iran cannot simply remain an observer,” Iranian state media cited Amirabdollahian as telling the network.

“If the scope of the war expands, significant damages will also be inflicted upon America.”

Israel can fight on two or more fronts, military says

19:19 , Tom Watling

Israel is prepared to fight a war on two or more fronts, its chief military spokesman said on Sunday, adding that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement was escalating tensions on the Lebanon border to hinder Israel‘s offensive in Gaza.

Palestinian civil defence: Over 1,000 people missing under rubble in Gaza

18:58 , Tom Watling

Over 1,000 people are currently missing under the rubble of buildings in Gaza that have been targeted by deadly Israeli airstrikes, the Palestinian civil defense said on Sunday.

In a statement, the civil defence team said many others were pulled alive out of the rubble, 24 hours after buildings were struck, Reuters reports.

Kim Sengupta In south Israel: ‘My place is here’: Israeli reservists wait for orders at the Gaza border

18:31 , Tom Watling

‘My place is here’: Israeli reservists wait for orders at the Gaza border

Watch: Israeli police officer threatens reporter live on air

18:16 , Tom Watling

Watch: Israeli police officer threatens reporter live on air

Watch: Israeli police officer threatens reporter live on air

Palestinian death toll rises again

18:05 , Tom Watling

At least 2,670 Palestinians have been killed and 9,600 wounded since Israel launched its attack on the Gaza strip on the ninth day of conflict, the enclave's health ministry said on Sunday.

Archbishop of Canterbury calls for Israeli evacuation order in Gaza to be ‘reversed’

17:40 , Tom Watling

The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for the Israeli evacuation order issued to Palestinians in northern Gaza to be “reversed”, describing the situation facing hospitals and patients in the area as a “catastrophe”.

UN headquarters in Lebanon hit by missile

17:32 , Tom Watling

A United Nations headquarters in southern Lebanon has been hit by a rocket following hours of intense fires exchange between Israel and Hezbollah forces.

A statement from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) read: “Today we are observing intense exchanges of fire in several areas along the Blue Line between Lebanese territory and Israel.

“There have been impacts on both sides of the Blue line. Our headquarters in Naqoura was hit with a rocket and we are working to verify from where. Our peacekeepers were not in shelters at the time. Fortunately, no one was hurt.”

British-Palestinian doctor in Gaza says ‘entire families have been killed’

17:00 , Tom Watling

A British-Palestinian surgeon working out of the al-Shifaa Hospital in Gaza has provided a jarring update amid the Israel and Hamas conflict.

Doctors Without Borders surgeon Dr Ghassan Abu-Sitta told The Independent’s Bel Trew: “The situation in al-Shifaa is catastrophic.

“There are families sitting on the floor in the corridor, and all the way out, into the stairwell and outside the building.

“We think there are around tens of thousands like them around the hospital.”

When asked if the morgues were overflowing, Dr Abu-Sitta said: “People are too afraid to go to cemeteries.

“There are around 50 families who have been completely wiped out because people are seeking refugee with their relatives.

“There are 50 families with three generations of grandparents — their parents and their kids’s kids who have been wiped out.

“There is no one to bury anybody.”

You can listed to the audio below.

British-Palestinian doctor in Gaza provides devastating update from frontline

Iran says Israeli neighbours have hands ‘on the trigger’

18:45 , Tom Watling

Iran warned Israel of escalation if it failed to end aggressions against Palestinians, with its foreign minister saying other parties in the region were ready to act, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday.

“If the Zionist aggressions do not stop, the hands of all parties in the region are on the trigger,” Hossein Amirabdollahian was quoted as saying.

More than 2,400 Palestinians killed, according to latest death toll

16:40 , Tom Watling

At least 2,450 Palestinians have been killed and 9,200 wounded since Israel launched its attack on the Gaza strip on the ninth day of conflict, the enclave’s health ministry said on Sunday.

Footage shows explosions near Israel/Lebanon border

16:20 , Tom Watling

Footage published online has shown plumes of smoke on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.

There have been multiple reports of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah exchanging fire with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the area.

Israel ‘striking Hezbollah military infrastructure in Lebanon'

15:55 , Tom Watling

Israel have said they are currently “striking Hezbollah military infrastructure in Lebanon” as munitions exchanges continue on the border.

IDF reveals enormous arsenal of Hamas weapons

15:40 , Tom Watling

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has revealed an enormous arsenal of Hamas weapons seized after a raid.

You can see the video below.

IDF reveals enormous arsenal of Hamas weapons after raid: ‘We can deal with it’

Gaza facing ‘spectre of death’ as ‘thousands will die’, says UN official

15:30 , Tom Watling

A top United Nations official has said that the “spectre of death” is hanging over Gaza while it remains cut off from the outside world.

Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “The specter (sic) of death is hanging over Gaza.

“With no water, no power, no food and no medicine, thousands will die. Plain and simple.”

Israel intercepts five rockets fired from Lebanon

15:04 , Alexander Butler

The Israel Air Force said it has intercepted five out of nine rockets fired into Israeli territory from Lebanon.

“Following the reports of alerts being activated in the Western Galilee, nine launches were identified that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

“Air defense fighters intercepted five launches according to policy,” it said on X, formerly Twitter.

Met Police launch appeal to find two women pictured wearing suspected pro-Hamas images

15:00 , Alexander Butler

The Met Police has launched an appeal to find two women who appeared to wear pro-Hamas imagery to a rally in London on Saturday.

The photo, taken on Saturday, shows two women walking with a depiction of a parachuter stuck to their back with tape.

It is unclear if the depiction was intended as a Hamas tribute or if the two women were aware the images were stuck on their backs.

But the image is an apparent reference to Hamas terrorists who descended on Israeli communities with parachutes and gliders and killed up to 1,300 Israelis.

Israel has ‘no interest’ in fighting war with Lebanon

14:50 , Alexander Butler

Israel has no interest in waging war on its northern front, and if the Lebanese group Hezbollah restrained itself, the country would respect the situation along the border as it is today, Israeli defence minister said.

It comes after Lebanese Hezbollah fighters launched a missile at an Israeli northern border village on Sunday, killing one person and wounding three others, Israeli medics said.

The medics had initially said two people were wounded in the attack on Shtula, a farming community the abuts the border fence, opposite the Lebanese community of Ayta a-Shab.

The Israeli military said it was striking in Lebanon in retaliation. Video from Shtula that was circulated on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showed a soldier checking an immobile and bloodied man in civilian clothing.

Israel’s reaction goes ‘beyond’ right to self defence

14:45 , Alexander Butler

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said Israel’s response to Hamas’s attacks which left 1,300 Israelis dead go “beyond” the right to self defence.

It comes after Egypt warned against Palestinians being forced off their land. “This is the cause of all causes, the cause of all Arabs,” President al-Sisi said.

“It is important that the (Palestinian) people remain steadfast and present on their land.”

Hamas wants to spark wider war, foreign secretary warns Israel

14:38 , Alexander Butler

Palestinians deserve ‘dignity, safety and security'

14:35 , Alexander Butler

Palestinians in Gaza deserve “dignity, safety and security”, US national security advisor Jake Sullivan said.

He also said a water pipe had been turned back on in southern Gaza. Speaking to CBS, he added a weapons package for Israel and ukraine would be higher than $2bn.

Asked whether the request would be for $2 billion, Sullivan said: “Well, the number is going to be significantly higher than that, but it will, as I said, certainly include the necessary military equipment to defend freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity in Ukraine, and to help Israel defend itself as it fights its terrorist threat.”

Israeli military rules ‘loosened'

14:15 , Alexander Butler

Military rules of engagement have been “loosened” for Israeli soldiers ahead of the IDF’s expected ground invasion of Gaza.

Three unnamed senior Israeli military officers told the New York Times that the loosened rules will allow Israeli soldiers to make fewer checks before shooting at suspected enemies.

When the ground incursion starts troops will be given cover by warplanes, helicopter gunships, aerial drones and artillery fired from land and sea, according to the report.

SNP backs motion on UN Gaza ceasefire calls

14:00 , Alexander Butler

The Scottish National Party has backed the UN’s calls for an immediate ceasfire on the Gaza strip and the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the enclave.

It follows pleas from Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf for restraint in the conflict. Mr Yousaf’s mother-in-law and father-in-law, who is Palestinian, are stranded in Gaza and living without enough food, water and power.

It said the party “supports the United Nation’s call for a humanitarian corridor, protected by a ceasefire, to be agreed to allow people to leave and civilian supplies, including food, fuel, water and medical supplies, to reach those who cannot leave.”

Protesters arrested for assaults on emergency workers, Met says

13:45 , Alexander Butler

Protesters were arrested for assaults on emergency workers during a pro-Palestine rally in London yesterday, according to the Met Police.

“In the evening there were small pockets of disorder and unacceptable criminality towards police officers in Trafalgar Square. Nine officers were treated for minor injuries,” it said.

“The evening saw a further eight arrests for offences including assaults on emergency workers, setting off fireworks in a public place and public order offences.”

Pictured: Smoke billows in Lebanon

13:16 , Alexander Butler

Netanyahu vows to ‘demolish’ Hamas

12:57 , Alexander Butler

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “demolish” Hamas as he convened Israel’s first emergency cabinet today.

The meeting, held in military headquarters in Tel Aviv, began with ministers standing for a moment’s silence in memory of some 1,300 Israelis killed in Hamas’s onslaught last weekend.

“Hamas thought we would fall apart, but it is we who will break Hamas apart,” Mr Netanyahu said.

IDF parade massive Hamas weapons haul

12:53 , Alexander Butler

The Israeli Defence Forces has paraded a massive cache of weapons seized from Hamas following the terror group’s attack on southern Israel which left 1,300 Israelis dead. Up to 500 rocket launchers were seized, it said.

“I believe they have much more of this but there is nothing new here and we can deal with everything you can see here,” an IDF soldier said during a press conference.

Hamas uses different versions of the Iranian-made Fateh-110 surface-to-surface ballistic missiles which are road-mobile and can carry warheads weighing up to 500kg. The group also has anti-tank missiles similar to the US Stinger.

Medic in Gaza warns of thousands of deaths

12:30 , Alexander Butler

A medic in Gaza have warned thousands could die as hospitals packed with wounded people run out of fuel and energy supplies.

Dr Mohammed Qandeel, a consultant at Nasser Hospital, said all patients were in “danger of death” if fuel ran out in the territory.

“We are talking about another catastrophe, another war crime, a historical tragedy. All these patients are in danger of death if the electricity is cut off,” he said.

Today, Palestinians were pictured cooking food with firewood amid the fuel and gas shortages.

Suella Braverman issues warning about glorifying terrorism

12:24 , Alexander Butler

Home Secretary Suella Braverman issued a stark warning to demonstrators at pro-Palestine rallies, some of whom she said were involved in glorifying terrorism.

“Thank you to police officers who worked so hard yesterday in difficult circumstances to manage tens of thousands of protesters.

“To all those who saw fit to promote genocide, glorify terrorism and mock the murder of Jewish people, including women and babies - the police are coming for you,” she said.

Two women spotted wearing an apparent Hamas tribute

12:19 , Alexander Butler

Two women were spotted wearing an apparent Hamas tribute at a pro-Palestinian march in London this weekend.

The photo, taken on Saturday, shows two women walking with a depiction of a parachuter stuck to their back with tape.

A different video showed one of the women marching with the tribute on her back under a bag strap. It is unclear if the depiction was intended as a Hamas tribute or if the two women were aware the images were stuck on their backs.

It comes after The Chicago Black Lives Matter organisation apologised for posting a graphic seemingly celebrating Hamas’s slaughter of Israelis.

The group, which has more than 60,000 followers, posted an image of a person paragliding with a Palestinian flag attached to its parachute and “I stand with Palestine” written beneath.

The image is an apparent reference to Hamas terrorists who descended on Israeli communities with parachutes and gliders and killed up to 1,300 Israelis.

This morning, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly warned people against glorifying terrorism, after major marches across the UK in support of the Palestinian cause.

“Glorifying murder and terrorism is no benefit to the Palestinian people, just as Hamas are not friend to the Palestinian people,” he told Sky News.

Britons trapped in Gaza will be supported, foreign secretary vows

11:43 , Alexander Butler

Pictured: Gazans cook with firewood amid fuel and gas shortage

11:38 , Alexander Butler

Pope Francis calls for humanitarian corridors

11:34 , Alexander Butler

Pope Francis has called for humanitarian corridors to help those under siege in Gaza and renewed calls for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

“I strongly ask that the children, the sick, the elderly, women and all civilians do not become victims of the conflict,” the Pope said.

“Humanitarian rights must be respected, above all in Gaza.”

Pictured: Israelis mourn soldier killed in Hamas attack

11:29 , Alexander Butler

President Abbas says Hamas' actions do not represent Palestinians

22:24 , Tom Watling

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the actions and policies of Islamist group Hamas do not represent Palestinian people, according to official news agency WAFA.

In a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Abbas also called the Palestine Liberation Organization the “sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,” WAFA said.

Gaza evacuation smelled of ‘blood and death’

11:11 , Alexander Butler

The journey to the south of Gaza tens of thousands of Palestinians have made smelled of “death” and “blood”, a father-of-three said.

Nabil Diab, 49, who is a comedian, said his journey to the south of the besieged territory was “extremely difficult”, “disturbing” and “unnecessary”, Maira Butt reports.

“The move to the south was extremely difficult. It was was excrutiating. Whether it was the smell of blood and death, or the destruction, it was a struggle. It was disturbing, disgusting and unnecessary,” Mr Diab told The Independent.

On Friday, more than 400,000 Palestinians fled their homes in northern Gaza after Israel’s military urged about 1m people to leave for the south ahead of an expected ground invasion.

Families in cars, trucks and donkey carts packed with possessions crowded a main road southward from Gaza City as they fled Israeli airstrikes.

Today, the Israeli Defence Force said it would not carry out “any operations” along the evacuation route between 10am and 1pm Gazan time to allow for safe passage.

UK open to talking with China about Israel-Hamas conflict, Cleverly says

11:03 , Alexander Butler

The UK is open to holding talks with China over the Israeli-Hamas conflict, Britain’s foreign secretary said.

He told Times Radio: “I haven’t spoken directly with (China foreign minister) Wang Yi, (US Secretary of State) Tony Blinken has, I’ll be comparing notes with him later today.

“One of the points I’ve long made is that engagement matters, it is important work … as I say, I’ll be comparing notes with Tony Blinken to see whether there is utility in speaking with the Chinese foreign minister.

“But engagement with China is important, I’ve always made the case that engagement with China is important so I may well do depending on the feedback I get from my conversation with Tony Blinken later on today.”

Vehicle explodes as civilians attempt to evacuate Gaza City

10:26 , Alexander Butler

James Cleverly and David Lammy embrace after pair discuss Israel-Palestine

10:12 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf’s mother-in-law said “her goodbyes” in a panicked call

09:59 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf’s mother-in-law said “her goodbyes” in a panicked call to the First Minister and his wife early on Sunday morning following a false alarm, he has said.

Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg from the SNP conference in Aberdeen, the First Minister said: “Last night was a very difficult night, if I’m honest.

“We got a call at one in the morning from my mother in law in a panic.”

Someone in the neighbourhood where they live, he said, had been told to evacuate their home because it was due to be hit, leaving neighbours “running to goodness and God knows where”.

“You can imagine the panic, and my mother-in-law was even saying her goodbyes, which was pretty hard to hear.”

The alert, however, was a “false alarm”, the First Minister said.

Israel must act within ‘international law’, David Lammy says

09:57 , Alexander Butler

David Lammy told the Trevor Phillips On Sunday programme on Sky News: “He is entitled to have his own operational desire to see an end to Hamas and we support him in that.

When asked if that support remained if that desire leads to “carnage” that sweeps up innocent civilians he said: “No, we must distinguish between Hamas, a terrorist group, and the Palestinian people.

“International law must prevail and that means that you have to minimise civilian casualties.”

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is entitled to have an “operational desire” to “see an end to Hamas” but must act within international law, the shadow foreign secretary has said.

Up to 279 Israeli soldiers killed since Hamas attack

09:43 , Alexander Butler

At least 279 Israeli soldiers have been killed since Hamas launched a murderous attack on southern Israel last Saturday, the IDF said.

On Saturday, the Israel Defence Forces launched “localised raids” into Gaza to locate dead Israelis and attempt to find missing citizens.

Among those missing is the 75-year-old mother of British citizen Noam Sagi, who went missing from the Nir Oz kibbutz near the border with Gaza.

Mr Sagi has not heard from his mother, Ada, since she called in distress last Saturday morning to say Hamas gunmen had stormed the kibbutz.

Palestine protester arrests are question for the police, says Labour

09:32 , Alexander Butler

Labour’s shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has said the question of whether anyone should be arrested at pro-Palestine protests is a matter for the police.

Asked where the limit of free expression on the issue was, Mr Lammy told Sky News:“I think that these are decisions that it’s right that the police make on the ground. Let me give you a distinction: We have to live in a country where people are free to wave their national flag and be proud of where they come from.

“But if you are doing that outside a synagogue, clearly intimidating and harassing, you’re contravening the law.”

Organisers say around 150,000 people marched in central London on Saturday, with thousands more in other cities.

Labour has advised its members not to attend the gatherings.While the protests were generally peaceful, critics have raised questions about some of the anti-Israel signs displayed by a small minority of attendees – and whether they might constitute a public order offence.

Pushed on the matter, Mr Lammy told the broadcaster: “We live in a free society but we do not tolerate intimidation.“I am not here to act as the director of public prosecutions and to make those determinations on the ground. Those are determinations for the police and subsequently the courts.”

Israel sets new deadline for evacuation of Gazans

09:23 , Alexander Butler

The IDF has extended its deadline for ordering the evacuation of Gazan civilians from the north of the enclave.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, it said: “Residents of Gaza City and northern Gaza, in the past days, we’ve urged you to relocate to the southern area for your safety.

“We want to inform you that the IDF will not carry out any operations along this route from 10 AM to 1 PM. During this window, please take the opportunity to move southward from northern Gaza. Your safety and that of your families matters.

“Please follow our instructions and head southward. Be assured, Hamas leaders have already ensured their safety and that of their families.”

Hamas wants to turn conflict into ‘war’ with wider world, Cleverly says

09:19 , Alexander Butler

Hamas wants to turn the conflict in Israel into a “war between the Muslim world and the wider world”, Britain’s foreign secretary James Cleverly said.

He told Sunday With Trevor Phillips on Sky News: “I have said it’s in Israel’s interest to avoid civilian casualties and Palestinian casualties because Hamas clearly wants to turn this into a wider Arab-Israeli war or indeed a war between the Muslim world and the wider world and none of us, including Israel, want that to be the case and so that’s why we do give that strong advice from a position of friendship.”

He added: “I’ve said that restraint, discipline these are the hallmarks of the Israel Defence Force that I want to see and indeed those are the hallmarks of a high-functioning military organisation, which the IDF is - in stark contrast to the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.”

Pictured: Israelis tanks near Gaza

09:04 , Alexander Butler

Ten British people dead or missing in Israel not “unreasonable estimate”, Cleverly says

09:00 , Alexander Butler

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that around 10 British people dead or missing was not an “unreasonable estimate”.

The figure was put to him on Sunday With Trevor Phillips on Sky News.

He declined to give an exact number and said that the situation remained uncertain, but told the programme: “That is not an unreasonable estimate of the kind of number of people that we’re talking about.”

One killed and three wounded in attack on Israeli village near Lebanon

08:58 , Alexander Butler

Lebanese Hezbollah fighters launched a missile at an Israeli northern border village on Sunday, killing one person and wounding three others, the militant group and Israeli medics said.

The medics had initially said two people were wounded in the attack on Shtula, a farming community the abuts the border fence, opposite the Lebanese community of Ayta a-Shab.

The Israeli military said it was striking in Lebanon in retaliation. Video from Shtula that was circulated on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showed a soldier checking an immobile and bloodied man in civilian clothing.

‘Incredibly difficult’ to open Rafah border crossing, Cleverly says

08:45 , Alexander Butler

It is proving “incredibly difficult” to open the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt, foreign secretary James Cleverly said.

Speaking to Sunday With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, he said: “I’ve spoken a number of occasions with my Egyptian counterpart, we stay in very close coordination with the United States of America, with other friends in the region and of course with the Israeli government trying to coordinate a time window when the Rafah crossing can be opened so that people can leave.

“That is proving incredibly difficult. So I’m not able to say with any certainty when that crossing may be open.”

Israeli military preparations indicate “imminent” attack, Cleverly says

08:43 , Alexander Butler

Israeli military preparations indicate an “imminent” attack on Gaza, Britain’s foreign secretary James Clevery said.

It comes after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “the next stage” of an “air, land and sea” assault was ready.

“With our fighters in the Gaza Strip, on the front line. We are all ready,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The Israel Defence Forces also said it was gearing up for a “comprehensive offensive”.

Pictured: Gaza under siege

08:21 , Alexander Butler

Israel not responsible for strike on Gaza convoy, IDF claims

07:52 , Alexander Butler

The Israeli Defence Forces has denied responsibility for an airstrike that killed a convoy of 70 Gazan civilians fleeing northern Gaza.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said “no strikes” were carried out by the IDF and Hamas “booby trapped” the road the convoy was travelling on.

“Our review found that there was no strikes conducted by the IDF and it appears that Hamas booby trapped the road,” he told Sky News.

“It’s all part of their propaganda effort in order to raise the sense of strife and they have proven time and time again they are going to sacrifice their people.”

US meeting with Saudi Arabia ‘very productive'

07:45 , Alexander Butler

The United States’ meeting with Saudi Crown Prince was “very productive”, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

It comes after Saudi Arabia paused US-backed plans to normalise ties with Israel as war escalates between the country and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Until Hamas sparked a war on last Saturday by launching a devastating attack on Israel, both Israeli and Saudi leaders had been saying they were moving steadily towards a deal that could have reshaped the Middle East.

Israel seeks to close Al Jazeera bureau

07:37 , Alexander Butler

Israel is looking to close new channel Al Jazeera’s local bureau after accusing it of pro-Hamas bias and of exposing Israeli soldiers to potential attacks from Gaza.

It comes after a BBC journalist was “stopped and assaulted” by the Israeli police on Saturday. Muhannad Tutunji, Haitham Abudiab, and the BBC Arabic team were making their way to a hotel in Tel Aviv on Thursday when they were dragged from their car by the police, according to BBC News.

Mr Tutunji said while filming the incident, his phone was taken and thrown to the floor. He also claims he was hit on the neck.

A BBC spokesperson said: “One of our BBC News Arabic teams deployed in Tel Aviv, in a vehicle clearly marked as media, was stopped and assaulted last night by Israeli police.

Death toll climbs to over 2,300 Palestinians, Gaza officials say

06:26 , Vishwam Sankaran

The death toll in Gaza has climbed to over 2,300 Palestinians, Gaza health ministry said today.

Since the conflict began, officials say at least 2,329 Palestinians have been killed and 9,714 have been injured.

These numbers, according to the ministry, are in Gaza alone, where people are forced to migrate south following Israel’s deadline to start its ground offensive.

Blinken to meet Saudi Crown Prince

06:20 , Vishwam Sankaran

US secretary of state Antony Blinken is set to meet with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman today.

The meeting comes as Israel prepared to launch a ground assault in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Mr Blinken is reportedly working with regional allies to prevent the war between Israel and Hamas from spiraling into a bigger conflict, and to help secure the release of hostages kidnapped by the terrorist group.

The meeting is expected to take place at 7.30am local time, Reuters reported.

Israel accuses Iran of trying to deploy arms via Syria

06:14 , Vishwam Sankaran

Israel has accused Iran of trying to deploy weapons in or via Syria to open a second war front.

Responding to a post on X that posed such a scenario, Joshua Zarka, head of strategic affairs for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, said: “They (Iranians) are.”

The Israeli official’s accusation comes as Israel steps up an on-ground counter-offensive in Gaza to the south.

China's special envoy to visit Middle East

06:10 , Vishwam Sankaran

China’s special envoy on the Middle East is set to visit the region next week over the crisis in Israel and Gaza, according to state media CGTN.

Special envoy Zhai Jun told the state network that he will “further strengthen coordination with all parties in the direction of a ceasefire.”

He said there would be coordination towards “the protection of civilians, de-escalation, and the promotion of peace talks.”

World facing 'most dangerous time', says JP Morgan boss

06:05 , Vishwam Sankaran

JP Morgan chief Jamie Dimon said the world may be facing “the most dangerous time... in decades” following wars in Ukraine and Israel.

The wars could hit energy and food prices and global trade, Mr Dimon warned as he revealed the bank’s latest quarterly results.

“My caution is that we are facing so many uncertainties out there,” he said, according to BBC.

“The war in Ukraine compounded by last week’s attacks on Israel may have far-reaching impacts on energy and food markets, global trade, and geopolitical relationships,” Mr Dimon said, adding that this may be “the most dangerous time the world has seen in decades.”

Thousands attend pro-Palestinian rallies in Australia

06:00 , Vishwam Sankaran

Thousands of people attended pro-Palestinian rallies across Australian state capitals today despite police threats.

Sydney held one of the largest rallies where people waved Palestine flags and chanted “Free, free Palestine.”

The protest’s organiser, the Palestine Action Group, said around 5,000 attended, but a Reuters witness account estimates the crowd to be around 2,000.

Thousands also attended rallies held in Adelaide and Melbourne, according to The Guardian Australia.