Israel-Palestine war live: Hamas fighting continues beyond barrier as 500 targets in Gaza hit overnight

Israeli forces are still battling against Hamas fighters in several locations on their own territory, as hundreds of targets have been hit in Gaza overnight following Saturday’s wide-ranging attack.

More than two days after Hamas launched its unprecedented incursion out of Gaza, the Israeli military said on Monday it is still battling militants holed up in “seven to eight” places in southern Israel.

Military spokesperson Richard Hecht said it was taking longer than expected to repel the incursion because there were still multiple breaches in the border, which Hamas could be using to bring in more fighters and weapons.

Israeli fighter jets, helicopters and artillery struck over 500 of Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in the Gaza Strip overnight on Monday and had sent four combat divisions south where it continued to battle the Islamist militants.

At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel — a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades — and more than 400 have been killed in Gaza. Palestinian militant groups claimed to be holding over 130 captives from the Israeli side.

An Israeli rescue service said its paramedics removed more than 260 bodies from a music festival that came under attack by Hamas militants.

Early on Saturday morning, Hamas targeted the Nova music festival, a techno rave in the desert near the border with Gaza. British citizen Jacob Marlowe is among the missing after the festival was stormed by militants.

Key Points

• 260 bodies removed from music festival site

• At least 130 Israeli civilians and soldiers held hostage

• British citizen among missing after Hamas attack music festival

• 19 members of a family killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza

• US moves warships closer to Israel after Hamas attack

• Two US congressmen were in Israel during Hamas attack

Israel vows to lay total siege to Gaza Strip

12:53 , Tara Cobham

Israel vowed to lay total siege to the Gaza Strip on Monday, as its military scoured the country's south for militants, guarded breaches in its border fence and pounded the impoverished, Hamas-ruled territory in the wake of an unprecedented weekend incursion.

In an effort to further ratchet up the pressure on Hamas, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a "complete siege" of Gaza, saying authorities would cut electricity and prevent food and fuel from entering the territory. He said Israel was at war with "human animals," using the kind of dehumanizing language often heard on both sides at times of soaring tensions.

Israel and Egypt have imposed various levels of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power, but in recent years Israel had provided limited electricity and allowed the import of food, fuel and consumer goods, while heavily restricting travel in and out.

Timeline of Supernova festival attack that left hundreds dead in Israel

12:45 , Tara Cobham

Terrified festivalgoers fled in panic as Hamas fighters parachuted into an all-night rave and opened fire, taking hostages and killing indiscriminately.

An Israeli rescue service said its paramedics removed more than 260 bodies from the Supernova music festival, near the border with Gaza, which came under attack by Hamas militants early on Saturday morning, with British citizen Jacob Marlowe among the missing.

The total figure is expected to be higher as other paramedic teams were working in the area.

The Independent’s Barney Davis looks at how the deadly tragedy unfolded:

How Supernova festival attack that left hundreds dead in Israel unfolded

Labour shadow Middle East minister urges Israel to keep military response 'proportionate'

12:36 , Jon Stone, in Liverpool

Labour’s shadow Middle East minister has urged Israel to make sure its military response to attacks by Hamas militants is “proportionate” under international law.

Speaking at a fringe event at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, Wayne David said Israel had a right to respond to the “appalling ... terrorist attacks” by Hamas – but said he was worried about would come next, and that Palestinians in Gaza “will undoubtedly suffer tremendous hardship”.

“Our hearts at this moment especially have to go out to all the people of Israel and Gaza who are suffering in this terrible terrible conflict,” said Mr David. “Our concerns are for the people in this developing situation and I believe that the people of Palestine should not be equated with Hamas.”

Mr David said the UK should be “increasing its support for the people of Palestine”, adding: “I think that is something the Labour party will be calling for in the not too distant future.”

On the issue of Israel’s military response, Mr David told the room: “I think we have to recognise that international law does allow Israel to defend itself but it’s also for us to emphasise that the response of Israel must be proportionate.

“International law does require a proportionate response from Israel and that is something that all governments around the world should be saying, if not loudly, very, very firmly to Israel.”

Oil prices rise amid fears Hamas attack on Israel could spark wider Middle East conflict

12:30 , Andy Gregory

Oil prices have surged higher as Hamas’s attack on Israel deepened tensions across the Middle East and raised worries over crude supplies, reports Holly Williams.

Brent crude jumped more than 5 per cent at one stage to $89 (£73) a barrel before edging back slightly to stand 3.3 per cent higher at $87.27.

Swissquote Bank’s markets expert said the attack “sent a panic wave into financial markets”, although London’s FTSE 100 Index was up 0.4 per cent in mid-morning trading on Monday, boosted by gains from defence stocks and oil giants.

Oil prices rise amid fears Hamas attack could spark wider Middle East conflict

Jewish restaurant attackers face ‘full force of law’, says London mayor

12:15 , Andy Gregory

Responding to the attack on a Jewish restaurant in Golders Green, London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “There is no tolerance for hate in our city. I remain in close contact with the Met Police. Whoever did this will face the full force of the law. I stand with Jewish Londoners, today and always.”

The Metropolitan Police said the incident is not currently being treated as a hate crime.

UK supports Israel but not redeploying military assets, says PM

12:01 , Tara Cobham

The UK supports the right of Israel to take proportionate action, acting within international law, to bring an end to violence, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson has said.

However, Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson also said there are no plans to redeploy UK military assets to Israel.

All we know about Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas

11:55 , Tara Cobham

Fears are growing over the safety of dozens of hostages being held in Gaza after attacks by Hamas over the weekend.

Israel’s troops are battling to clear out Hamas gunmen more than two days after they carried out the deadly rampage that has left hundreds of people dead.

Hostages, including members of the Israeli Defence Forces as well as civilians, some of whom were taken from a nearby music festival on Saturday, are currently being held in the heavily-militarised Gaza area.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, said it was an “unprecedented [moment] in our history that we have so many Israeli nationals in the hands of a terrorist organisation”.

Below, The Independent’s Tom Watling takes a look at everything we know about the hostage situation:

All we know about Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas

Is it safe to visit Israel? And your rights if trip booked

11:51 , Tara Cobham

After hundreds of its citizens were killed in a sudden assault from Gaza, Israel has declared war on Hamas.

Fighting is continuing within Israel, and the prime minister has pledged “mighty violence” and threatened to reduce Gaza to “rubble”.

Israel, long popular with tourists, is still accessible by air – but hundreds of flights have been cancelled and cruise ship itineraries have been changed.

Over the first 24 hours following the start of the attack, many flights were diverted or returned to their departure airport – including a United Airlines flight from San Francisco that went on a 13-hour “flight to nowhere”.

The Independent’s Travel Correspondent Simon Calder has the key questions and answers:

Is it safe to travel to Israel amid attacks?

What is Hamas and who funds them?

11:37 , Tara Cobham

Palestinian group Hamas has launched its largest-ever attack on Israel, with militants launching thousands of rockets and storming through the Gaza border in an unprecedented assault.

In the deadliest assault Israel has suffered in generations, hundreds of soldiers and civilians living in settlements close to the border have been killed or abducted, after Hamas blew up observation posts and other fortifications and broke out of beseiged Gaza on motorbikes, speedboats and paragliders.

Two days after the shock incursion, Israel is still engaged in gunfights with Hamas fighters lodged within eight locations on its territory, with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to root out every last militant and fire on all those hiding in Gaza – one of the world’s most densely-populated regions.

With Israel reporting at least 260 fatalities at a trance music festival in the Negev desert raided by Hamas militants armed with assault rifles and grenades, the group’s actions have been widely condemned internationally, with the United States sending military “assistance”.

Here, The Independent’s Andy Gregory takes a brief look at the group’s history and aims:

What is Hamas? The Palestinian group launching deadly attack on Israel

Dozens killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza refugee camp

11:36 , Tara Cobham

Gaza's health ministry said there were dozens of Palestinians killed and wounded in Israeli air strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp on Monday.

At least 493 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli bombardments on the blockaded enclave since Saturday, according to a ministry death toll published earlier on Monday.

Hamas says four Israelis held in Gaza killed in Israeli strikes

11:35 , Tara Cobham

Hamas said on Monday that four Israeli captives and their Hamas captors had been killed in Israeli strikes on the Palestinian enclave since Sunday.

"The bombardment overnight and today on the Gaza Strip led to the killing of four of the enemy's captives and their captors," said Abu Ubaida, spokesman of the Hamas armed wing.

Watch: Woman kidnapped by Hamas fighters at festival

11:33 , Tara Cobham

Sunak won’t say if he'll designate IRGC terrorist group

11:32 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Rishi Sunak won’t say if he wants to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist group. The government has thus far rejected calls to designate the group as terrorists in favour of sanctions.

The PM was asked about the issue, and whether Iran had helped Hamas with its attack on Israel, at an event in Nottinghamshire: “I’m not going to speculate on the origins of all of this,” he said. Mr Sunak said the UK had taken “quite strong action against the Iranian regime” – including sanctions imposed on the IRGC.

He said proscription groups is “not something governments have ever routinely commented on” – but said he wanted to “remind you that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation under UK law”.

Watch: Music festival barman describes ‘hell on earth’ Hamas attack

11:27 , Tara Cobham

Robbie Keane forced to flee Israel amid Hamas attacks

11:19 , Tara Cobham

Former Premier League and Ireland star Robbie Keane has reportedly been forced to flee Israel amid the attacks by Hamas militants over the weekend.

Keane became manager of Israeli top-flight side Maccabi Tel Aviv over the summer and quickly installed former Ireland teammate Rory Delap as his assistant.

And talkSPORT reported that the pair were forced to spend hours inside a panic room when the initial Hamas attacks – which have reportedly killed more than 700 people in Israel – started on Saturday before subsequently fleeing to Greece.

Luke Baker reports:

Robbie Keane forced to flee Israel amid Hamas attacks

David Lammy: ‘Israelis and Palestinians are paying a terrible price’

10:45 , Tara Cobham

David Lammy has said Israelis and Palestinians are paying a “terrible price” for Hamas’s attack on the country on Saturday.

The shadow foreign secretary used his Labour conference speech to “utterly condemn” the “appalling attacks”.

Mr Lammy has been criticised over plans to appear alongside top Palestinian diplomat Husam Zomlot at the party’s conference.

Zomlot, the head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, told CNN: “Israel knew that this was coming their way... It’s a consequence.” He is reportedly to attend a reception at the conference on Tuesday night alongside Mr Lammy.

Mr Lammy said on Monday morning: “Labour stands firmly in support of Israel’s right to defend itself, rescue hostages​ and protect its citizens. The hostages so cruelly taken – including children - should be released immediately.

“Hamas’ indiscriminate attacks set back the cause of peace. Both Israelis and Palestinians are paying a terrible price. There will not be a just and lasting peace until Israel is secure, Palestine is a sovereign state, and both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy security, dignity and human rights.”

In pictures: More than two days of conflict

10:41 , Tara Cobham

Israel says imposing 'total' Gaza blockade in battle against 'beastly people'

10:35 , Tara Cobham

Israel is escalating measures against the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip to a "total blockade" and “complete siege” including a ban on admitting food and fuel, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday, describing this as part of a battle against "beastly people".

Sirens sound in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with explosions heard

10:29 , Tara Cobham

Sirens have sounded in the Tel Aviv area and Jerusalem on Monday morning.

Reporters on the ground in the latter city heard explosions that may have been from rocket impacts or mid-air interceptions.

Sunak holding Cobra meeting today

10:25 , Tara Cobham

Rishi Sunak said that he will hold a Cobra meeting later today, amid ongoing clashes between Israel and Hamas.

Speaking to businesses in Nottinghamshire, the Prime Minister said: "We already have a very longstanding relationship with Israel, we're one of their strongest allies.

"We've provided in the past the kinds of equipment that they've used to defend themselves over the past couple of days.

"And as I said to the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu), we will continue to provide - whether that's diplomatic, intelligence or security - support as they need.

"I'm chairing a Cobra with my ministerial colleagues this afternoon, when we'll continue to discuss the situation, but we're in close dialogue with our Israeli counterparts."

US Senator reveals terrifying escape from Israel

10:19 , Tara Cobham

Two members of the US Congress were stuck in Israel but managed to escape unharmed as Hamas militants stormed the country over the weekend, their office said.

Senator Cory Booker, who was scheduled to speak on Tuesday in Israel, was in the country for planned meetings, site visits, and an economic summit, his office said on Sunday. He and accompanying staffers were in Jerusalem when the attacks began. They were “sheltered in place for their safety”, his spokesperson said.

The senator was “able to safely depart Israel” on Sunday.

Mr Booker took to social media to detail how he learned that Israel “was under attack”.

Arpan Rai reports:

Senator Cory Booker reveals terrifying escape from Israel amid Hamas attacks

At least four Americans killed in Hamas invasion of Israel

10:10 , Tara Cobham

At least four Americans have been killed following the attacks by Hamas on Israel – with many more believed to be missing, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The Democratic Senate leader said in a statement on Sunday that he had been informed about the fatalies in an unclassified briefing by Acting Deputy Secretary of State Toria Nuland and Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Sasha Baker on Sunday.

In the briefing, attended by Senate leaders and some members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Mr Schumer said they were warned the death toll will climb higher as the violence enters a third day on Monday.

“Unfortunately, we know there are Americans who were killed. The Administration told us that they know of four thus far, but, sadly, we know the toll will rise,” he said.

Josh Marcus reports:

At least four Americans killed in Hamas invasion of Israel

In pictures: Bloody battle between Israel and Hamas continues

10:09 , Tara Cobham

Warning issued over risk of civilian aircraft being shot down

09:56 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

A leading flight operations organisation, Ops Group, has issued a stark warning about the risk of civilian aircraft being shot down following the attacks on Israel. It has categorised Israeli airspace as “Level 1 – Do Not Fly” and says: “The risk of a passenger aircraft becoming a casualty of this war is high.”

The bulletin issued on Monday morning reads:“Israel is now an active war zone, and therefore the Safe Airspace warning is at Level 1 – Do Not Fly. The Israeli cabinet officially declared war against Hamas on Sunday 8 October.

“As such, all lessons learned regarding civil operations in conflict zones over the last nine years since MH17 need to be applied. The risk of a passenger aircraft becoming a casualty of this war is high.”

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, a passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over occupied eastern Ukraine in 2014 by a Buk anti-aircraft missile that belonged to the Russian army. All 298 passengers and crew died in the attack.

Ops Group, a membership organisation for pilots and other aviation staff, said:“In the nine years since MH17 was shot down, we have made many advances in recognising Conflict Zone risk to civil aviation. It’s time to apply that understanding, and avoid another civil aircraft catastrophe.

In January 2020, Ops Group warned of a heightened risk in the air-traffic control areas around Baghdad and Tehran. Shortly afterward, a Ukraine International plane with 176 passengers and crew was inadvertently shot down by the Iranian military shortly after take-off from Tehran airport. The deaths of all on board were initially blamed on technical problems, but Iran’s military chiefs later admitted it was a “disastrous mistake”.

Ops Group says: “This morning, looking at the traffic levels in the Tel Aviv FIR, we feel the same sense of unease and concern. It should be noted that about 30 per cent of the traffic shown in the radar image is operated by El Al, who are running normal service in order to repatriate reservists called up for duty, and citizens wishing to leave Israel.

“This may give operators even a sense that ops are normal – but bear in mind that these El Al flights are to some degree troop transport movements, and in fact may increase the appetite for making civil aircraft a target.

“The ultimate sentiment from MH17 still echoes: ‘What were they doing flying over a war zone?’ We truly hope the same question doesn’t need to be asked in Tel Aviv airspace this week.”

Hamas paragliders descend on Israel festival as people flee massacre

09:55 , Tara Cobham

Footage appears to show Palestinian militants paragliding towards a music festival in Israel before hundreds are forced to flee for their lives.

In a video shared on social media, revellers are seen dancing at the all-night rave near Kibbutz Re’im, close to the Gaza Strip, on Saturday 7 October.

The cameraperson suddenly zooms in on grey dots in the air, believed to be Hamas fighters.

A second video, filmed shortly after, shows festivalgoers fleeing the attack.

At least 260 people were killed in the early-morning assault on the Supernova festival, with many more still missing.

Oliver Browning reports:

Hamas paragliders descend on Israel music festival as people flee massacre

Virgin Atlantic cancels some flights to and from Tel Aviv

09:46 , Tara Cobham

British airline Virgin Atlantic said its flights between London Heathrow and from Tel Aviv could face delays or cancellations due to the evolving situation in Israel.

Virgin said it had cancelled flights VS453 and VS454 on Monday and Tuesday, but planned to continue to operate VS457 and VS458.

Austria says it is suspending aid to Palestinians after Hamas attack

09:45 , Tara Cobham

Austria is suspending its aid to Palestinians, totalling around 19 million euros ($20 million) for a handful of projects, in response to Islamist group Hamas's deadly attack on Israel, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on Monday.

Neutral Austria's ruling conservatives have adopted one of the most pro-Israel stances in the European Union in recent years. The Israeli flag has been hoisted above the chancellor's office and the Foreign Ministry after the shock Hamas assault launched from the Gaza Strip on Saturday.

"The extent of the terror is so horrific ... that we cannot go back to business as usual. We will therefore put all payments from Austrian development cooperation on ice for the time being," Schallenberg told ORF radio in comments confirmed by a spokeswoman, adding the estimate of funds and projects affected.

Mother recalls phone call with missing daughter after festival attack

09:45 , Tara Cobham

The mother of a missing woman has recalled the harrowing phone call she had with her daughter as Hamas militants attacked a music festival near the Gaza-Israel border.

At least 260 people were killed in an early-morning attack on the Supernova festival, near Kibbutz Re’im, on Saturday 7 October.

“She called us and said ‘Mummy, we were bombed, they shot at us,’” mother Meirav Leshem Gonen said, speaking through tears as she described a call with her missing daughter, Romi.

“I cannot tell you how we feel... these are kids, they are not soldiers,” she added.

Oliver Browning reports:

Mother recalls phone call with missing daughter after Hamas militants attack festival

Rachel Reeves grilled on appearance of Palestinian diplomat at Labour conference

09:43 , Tara Cobham

Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has been grilled about the appearance of the top Palestinian diplomat Husam Zomlot at the party’s conference.

Zomlot, the head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, told CNN: “Israel knew that this was coming their way... It’s a consequence.” He is reportedly to attend a reception at the conference on Tuesday night alongside shadow foreign secretary David Lammy.

Asked about his comment, Ms Reeves told Sky News: "I'm very upset about those remarks. Israel, and the attacks on civilians, the festival goers, the children who have been taken hostage, it is completely unacceptable.

Asked if Mr Lammy should appear alongside the Palestinian diplomat, Ms Reeves said: “I don't know what David's schedule is, I don’t know whether this man is at our conference.”

Ms Reeves also said Jeremy Corbyn will “absolutely not” be welcomed back as a Labour MP. Asked about Labour MP Apsana Begum posing with Palestinian activists, Ms Reeves said: “I don’t think that Labour could be any clearer about our support for the right of Israel to defend itself.”

Asked about the cheering for a Palestinian Youth Movement activist who praised the “Palestinian resistance” at a World Transformed event in Liverpool, Ms Reeves told Times Radio: “I’ve got no time for that. I want to see a Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel.”

Iran calls for emergency OIC meeting as Israel battles Hamas

09:39 , Tara Cobham

Iran has called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces raged following a weekend assault on Israel, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

"Tehran has called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss regional developments," spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said.

Iran said it was not involved in the attacks in which 700 Israelis were killed and dozens more abducted by the Islamist group Hamas. More than 400 Palestinians have also been killed.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was no evidence Iran was behind the latest attacks on Israel but he said there are long standing ties between Tehran and Hamas.

"Anyone who threatens the Islamic Republic of Iran should know that any foolish action will be met with a devastating response," Kanaani said.

Tory minister tells Palestinian activists to be ‘extremely cautious’

09:36 , Tara Cobham

Tory communities minister Lee Rowley has warned any potential protesters in the UK to be “extremely cautious” – saying they “cannot glorify what Hamas has done” in Israel.

It comes as a Kosher restaurant in Golders Green in north London was vandalised while a bridge metres away branded with ‘Free Palestine’.

“You cannot support proscribed organisations like Hamas within the United Kingdom, and if that’s the case then I would expect police to take action accordingly,” Mr Rowley told Sky News.

He added: “Ultimately, there is a right to protest, but there is not a right ... to glorify terrorism … What happens on the streets of the UK is that people should be extremely cautious and know exactly where the law is, and they cannot glorify what Hamas has done.”

Watch: Israel festival barman describes ‘hell on earth’ Hamas attack

09:35 , Tara Cobham

A barman at the Nova festival where hundreds of people were killed in a Hamas militant attack has described the terrifying ordeal.

Peleg Orev, says the barrage was relentless and that he left the Nova festival just in time.

Mr Orev said: “It was all very quickly happening. It escalated in a few minutes. We were at work having fun, the music was amazing and the atmosphere the best.

“In a few minutes, it all turned upside down into hell on earth. There were non-stop bombings and people were running away.

“After a few moments heard the shootings. The terrorists were looking to kill as many people as they can.”

Lucy Leeson reports:

Israel festival barman describes ‘hell on earth’ Hamas attack

Israel says retaken Gaza periphery villages but isolated clashes continue

09:33 , Tara Cobham

Israeli forces have re-established control of communities near the Gaza Strip that had been overrun in a Hamas mass-infiltration but isolated clashes continue as some Palestinian gunmen remain active, the military spokesperson said on Monday.

Two Spaniards ‘affected' by Hamas attacks, Madrid says

09:32 , Tara Cobham

Two Spaniards have been "affected" by the Hamas assault on Israel, Spain's acting foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Monday.

Albares did not elaborate on the status of the Spaniards or give any further details.

"We have information about two Spaniards who have been affected and we are in constant contact with their families. For security reasons and out of respect for their families, I will not give any more details," he told state broadcaster TVE.

In pictures: The conflict between Israel and Hamas

09:25 , Tara Cobham

Nepal says 10 nationals killed in Israel after Hamas attack

09:15 , Tara Cobham

Nepal said on Monday at least 10 of its nationals were killed in Israel after the attack by Palestinian group Hamas, and the cabinet will hold an emergency meeting to discuss how to evacuate thousands of others working and studying there.

The foreign ministry said four Nepalis were also wounded in Saturday's attack, and media reports said many others were hiding in bunkers.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has convened a special cabinet meeting to discuss ways to get citizens back home, his office said on Monday.

"Arrangements are being made to evacuate Nepali nationals who want to return home from Israel," the foreign ministry said late on Sunday.

Officials say about 4,500 Nepalis work in Israel, mostly as caregivers, and more than 100 are studying there under an "earn and learn" programme.

At least 493 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza

09:11 , Tara Cobham

Gaza's health ministry said on Monday that at least 493 Palestinians have been killed and 2,751 wounded in Israeli air strikes on the blockaded enclave since Saturday.

Israeli military dismisses questions about intelligence failures

09:05 , Tara Cobham

The international spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces has dismissed questions about Israeli intelligence failures and said he is hopeful that "other parties will come" into the conflict with Hamas.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht said Israeli forces were still fighting on the ground and described the attacks by Palestinian militants as the "worst massacre of Israeli civilians in our history".

Asked if the Israeli security services had failed by not pre-empting the attack, Mr Hecht told BBC Breakfast: "At this stage in time, I would kick that big question down the road. I'm sure this is going to be talked about, there's going to be books written about it, [but] right now Israel is fighting, we're fighting for the safety of our civilians. That's a big question which is an important one, but we'll get to it at some point."

Mr Hecht added: "I think another important thing to mention this morning is that the Americans have sent a battle group, a carrier, towards Israel. We are now focused on the south but we are looking up north. Hopefully other parties will come into this. There's been some friction on the Lebanese border, so that American statement of sending that battle group here into the Mediterranean is a big thing for us, not for Gaza, but for other parties."

Rachel Reeves hits out at people cheering for Palestinian cause

08:55 , Tara Cobham

Rachel Reeves has hit out at people cheering for the Palestinian cause at the Labour conference in Liverpool.

The shadow chancellor told Times Radio: "I've got no time for that.

"I want to see a Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel.

"What frustrates me so much is that what Hamas has done over the last few days has set back the cause for peace that I am so desperate to see in the Middle East, and that people across Labour are desperate to see in the Middle East.

"Terrorism is not the way to get there. I'm appalled by what we've seen."

She added: "Israel has been attacked by terrorists. It has every right to defend itself, get its hostages back and protect its citizens."

Gaza’s National Bank explodes after building hit by Israeli airstrike

08:45 , Tara Cobham

Footage shows explosions after Gaza’s National Bank building was hit during an Israeli airstrike on Sunday 8 October.

Video obtained by Reuters showed an explosion and thick clouds of smoke rising from the site of the bank.

Israel battered Gaza on Sunday after suffering its bloodiest attack in decades, when Hamas fighters rampaged through Israeli towns killing hundreds and abducting dozens more, as the spiralling violence threatened a major new Middle East war.

Israeli air strikes hit housing blocks, tunnels, a mosque and homes of Hamas officials in Gaza, killing more than 370 people, including 20 children.

Oliver Browning reports:

Gaza’s National Bank explodes after building hit by Israeli airstrike

Several airlines suspend Tel Aviv flights until safety conditions improve

08:35 , Tara Cobham

Several international air carriers have suspended flight services with Tel Aviv in light of the Hamas militant attack on Israel, saying they were waiting for safety conditions to improve before resuming.

Britain's easyJet said it had halted flights with Tel Aviv on Sunday and Monday, and would adjust the timings of flights in the next few days.

Hungarian airline Wizz Air said flights to and from Tel Aviv were cancelled until further notice, citing the situation in Israel.

On Sunday, US air carriers United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines said they had suspended direct flights, as did Air France and Finland's Finnair.

Hainan Airlines, the only Chinese airline to fly between China and Israel, cancelled flights between Tel Aviv and Shanghai on Monday, citing the security situation in Israel.

Cathay Pacific, which said it also cancelled its flight between Hong Kong and Tel Aviv on Tuesday, is to provide further updates about the next flight on Thursday.

Hamas' action ‘is terrorism’, says Spain’s Acting Foreign Minister

08:22 , Tara Cobham

Spanish Acting Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Monday that the Hamas assault on Israel from the Gaza strip qualified as "terrorism".

"Without a doubt, we are talking about terrorism and terrorist actions," he said in an interview with Spanish radio Onda Cero.

He said his services would help Spanish nationals who are in Israel and wish to return to Spain.

Jeremy Corbyn refuses to condemn Hamas

08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Jeremy Corbyn has refused to condemn Hamas after militants stormed settlements in southern Israel, killing and taking hostage both soldiers and civilians in a surprise attack.

The former Labour leader said “all attacks are wrong” and repeated his call for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

“Which, of course, is fundamentally the background to the whole issue,” Mr Corbyn said. “I don’t support any attacks, therefore I criticise them all.”

Archie Mitchell reports.

Jeremy Corbyn refuses to condemn Hamas after deadly attack on Israel

Britain advises against all but essential travel to Israel

07:49 , Tara Cobham

The British government said it had updated its travel advice for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, advising against all but essential travel as fighting continued near Gaza after a bloody incursion by gunmen from Islamist group Hamas.

Britain already advised against all travel to Gaza, but on Sunday also added several areas in Israel close to the border with Gaza to that recommendation, and changed its advice for the country as a whole.

The British Foreign Office also asked all Britons in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to register their presence there, so they can be kept updated of further changes to travel advice.

US Senate Majority Leader urges China to support Israel

07:30 , Tara Cobham

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday called on China to support Israel after deadly attacks by Hamas, adding he was "disappointed" that Beijing showed "no sympathy" for the country over the weekend.

Fighters from Islamist group Hamas killed 700 Israelis and abducted dozens more as they attacked Israeli towns on Saturday, the deadliest incursion into Israeli territory since Egypt and Syria's attacks in the Yom Kippur war 50 years ago.

In response, China's foreign ministry urged the "relevant parties" to remain calm and immediately end hostilities to protect civilians, adding that "the fundamental way out of the conflict lies in implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent State of Palestine".

Schumer is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Asia, which includes stops in South Korea and Japan. It aims to advance US economic and national security interests, and in China, the group hopes to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"The ongoing events in Israel over the past few days are horrific. I urge you and the Chinese people to stand with the Israeli people and condemn these cowardly and vicious attacks,” Schumer said at a meeting with China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Beijing.

"I was very disappointed, to be honest, by the Foreign Ministry statement that showed no sympathy or support for Israel during these troubled times," he added.

At least 12 Thai nationals killed in Israel

07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Thailand said 12 of its citizens were killed in Israel, while 11 others have been kidnapped by Hamas fighters.

“We are working to help all Thai citizens in Israel,” foreign ministry spokesperson Kanchana Patarachoke said, according to Reuters.

The Thai students “are innocent and have nothing to do with any conflict”, prime minister Srettha Thavisin said.

Dozens of Israelis held in Gaza, says Israel military

07:05 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Dozens of Israeli captives are being held in Gaza by Hamas militants, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Monday.

The militant group on Sunday claimed it had taken at least 100 Israeli citizens, including children and soldiers, hostage.

A second Palestinian militant group, Islamic Jihad, said it was holding more than 30 of the captives.

Watch: US Secretary of State addresses reports of missing Americans in Israel

07:00 , Josh Marcus

Multiple Americans may have been killed or kidnapped in Israel as part of the ongoing war.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared an update on the situation on Sunday.

Watch below.

Israel intensifies bombardment of Gaza Strip

06:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Israel intensified its bombardments of the Gaza Strip on Monday after declaring war and vowing to destroy the "military and governing capabilities" of the enclave's Hamas rulers.

An Israeli military spokesperson said that the army had called up around 100,000 reservists, and said in a statement that Israel would aim to end Hamas' rule of Gaza.

"Our task is to make sure that Hamas will no longer have any military capabilities to threaten Israel with this," said spokesperson Jonathan Conricus. "And in addition to that, we will make sure that Hamas is no longer able to govern the Gaza Strip."

As of late Sunday, Israeli airstrikes had destroyed 159 housing units across Gaza and severely damaged 1,210 others, the UN said.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said a school sheltering more than 225 people took a direct hit, according to the Associated Press.

Analysis: What happens now Israel has declared war?

06:30 , Josh Marcus

The killing of at least 700 Israelis in the carnage of the attack by Hamas is the most lethal day in the country’s many conflicts, exceeding by far the 317 killed on 7 October 1973, the first 24 hours of the Yom Kippur war, which had also started with the enemy achieving a total surprise attack to great effect.

Unlike that conflict, when multiple assaults came from Arab states led by Egypt and Syria, what happened this weekend is not an existential threat to the Jewish state.

Hamas, along with other militias which may join in the fight, like Hezbollah in Lebanon, are nowhere near being a military match for Israel. A reported request by the Taliban in Afghanistan to Iran to let its fighters transit to fight Israel is not going to change that balance, we can safely assume, if passage is granted.

But Benjamin Netanyahu’s government faces the severest security crisis in decades with the potential prospect of combat on two fronts, Lebanon and Gaza, as well as escalation in the West Bank where militant Palestinian groups such as the Jenin Brigade and Lion’s Den have already been involved in a rising number of armed clashes with Israeli security forces.

Kim Sengupta has more.

Bloodshed is the only thing we can be sure of in this Israel-Hamas war | Kim Sengupta

Active fighting in six border towns, says Israeli military

06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Israel Defence Forces were fighting the Palestinian militants in six towns near the border with the Gaza Strip, a military spokesperson said on Monday.

Some of the Hamas militants were still in Israel since the attack on Saturday, while others managed to cross the border into Gaza, said Israel military spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari.

He said Hamas was using the town of Beit Hanoun as a staging ground for attacks.

“We will continue to attack in this way, with this force, continuously, on all gathering (places) and routes” used by Hamas, he added.

Iran denies being involved in Hamas attacks

06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Iran’s mission to the US on Sunday claimed Tehran was not involved in Palestinian militants’ attack in Israel.

“The resolute measures taken by Palestine constitute a wholly legitimate defence against seven decades of oppressive occupation and heinous crimes committed by the illegitimate Zionist regime,” Iran’s UN mission said in a statement.

Iran has made no secret of its backing for Hamas, funding and arming the group and another Palestinian militant organisation Islamic Jihad.“We emphatically stand in unflinching support of Palestine; however, we are not involved in Palestine’s response, as it is taken solely by Palestine itself,” Iran’s UN mission said.

The statement comes after the Wall Street Journal reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps worked with Hamas since August to coordinate the eventual attack.

Iran’s UN mission said the “success” of the Hamas operation was because it was a surprise, which makes it the “biggest failure” of Israel’s security organisations.

“They are attempting to justify their failure and attribute it to Iran’s intelligence power and operational planning,” it added.

Nineteen members of a single family killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza

05:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Nineteen members of a family, including children, were killed as Israel rained missiles in the southern Gaza strip in retaliation against the Hamas militant group.

The waves of airstrikes has killed over 400 Palestinians so far, including dozens of women and children, health officials said on Sunday. There appeared to be several similar deadly airstrikes on crowded residential buildings.

Abu Quta, whose family was killed in the strike, told the Associated Press that there were no militants in his building.

“This is a safe house, with children and women,” he said.

“Dust overwhelmed the house. There were screams,” he said. “There were no walls. It was all open.”

Iran helped plan attack on Israel, report says

05:30 , Josh Marcus

Iranian officials were instrumental in helping Hamas develop plans to attack Israel, even giving the militant group a final “green light” ahead of their Saturday offensive, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps worked with Hamas, an Iranian-backed military group, since August to coordinate the eventual attack, according to the paper, citing senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, another Iran-backed force.

Iran gave final approval for the attack during a meeting in Beirut this Monday, according to the report.

Both Iran and Hamas formally denied coordinating on the decision to attack Israel.

A history day of carnage in Israel

05:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Gunfights are raging in the streets of Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to root out every Hamas militant who broke through the Gaza border and rampaged through nearby settlements, as harrowing accounts emerge of the toll on civilians in their path.

In the wake of Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Saturday morning – which has led to the worst loss of Israeli lives in decades – Israel’s security cabinet formally declared war on Sunday, authorising it to take “significant military steps” in retaliation.

Already hammering the trapped residents of Gaza with relentless airstrikes, and cutting off power and other supplies to the besieged enclave the prospect of a large-scale humanitarian crisis grew starker on Sunday – with Israel doing little to disperse fears of a looming ground offensive.

Mr Netanyahu had first vowed to “go through every community until we kill every terrorist that is in Israeli territory” as he ordered the evacuation of regions near the border – where Israeli troops were seeking to dislodge Hamas fighters from eight separate locations.

Andy Gregory reports.

Israel suffers bloodiest day in decades as fierce Hamas gunfights rage in streets

Two US congressmen were in Israel during Hamas attack

04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least two members of congress were in Israel during the militant attack and were able to depart the country unharmed.

Rep Dan Goldman, his wife and their three children were in Israel for a Bar Mitzvah when the attacks began over the weekend.

“Congressman Goldman and his family sheltered from Hamas rocket fire in their hotel’s interior stairwell until early Sunday morning, when they were able to safely depart for New York,” his spokesperson, Simone Kanter, said in a statement.

Senator Cory Booker arrived in Israel on Friday for planned meetings, site visits and to speak at an economic summit on the Abraham Accords.

“Senator Booker and accompanying staff were in Jerusalem when Hamas launched their attacks against Israel on Saturday, and sheltered in place for their safety,” spokesperson Maya Krishna-Rogers said in a statement on Sunday, according to Politico.

“We are grateful that Senator Booker and our colleagues were able to safely depart Israel earlier today.”

At least 130 Israeli civilians and soldiers held hostage

04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least 100 Israeli citizens and soldiers have been taken hostage by the Hamas militant group, one of its officials, Mousa Abu Marzouk, told al-Ghad news outlet on Sunday.

The militants dragged back into Gaza dozens of captives, among them women, children and the elderly.

A second Palestinian militant group, Islamic Jihad, said it was holding more than 30 of the captives.

Dozens of Tel Aviv flights cancelled amid fighting

04:20 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Dozens of flights to and from Tel Aviv were cancelled by major airlines citing the security situation in Israel.

American Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, and Ryanair were among the major commercial airlines that cancelled flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

China’s Hainan Airlines cancelled flights between Shanghai and Tel Aviv on Monday, citing the war in Israel, the Global Times reported.

El Al, the Israeli flag carrier, said on Sunday that it was maintaining its Tel Aviv flights even though some flights operated by foreign partners had been cancelled.

“We might cancel flights to places where we don’t have a lot of Israelis to help other Israelis in other places,” a spokesperson told AFP.

Three Americans 'killed in Hamas invasion of Israel'

04:06 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least three Americans have been killed in the ongoing Hamas war on Israel, according to a US government memo reviewed by CNN.

The reported State Department document also adds that other US citizens remain unaccounted for in the violence.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Sunday that Americans could be among the dead and said the government was making it a major priority to verify that information and rescue any US hostages.

“We are very actively working to verify those reports,” he told NBC’s Meet the Press.

More here.

Three Americans killed in Hamas invasion of Israel and others missing: report

How much aid has the US given Israel?

04:00 , Josh Marcus

The US Navy is moving warships and an aircraft carrier closer to Israel, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said. He added that the US would be “rapidly providing” Israel with “additional equipment and resources, including munitions” in the coming days.

The strengthening of the US position in the region is part of the larger military support America provides to Israel.

Each year, Israel receives more than $3bn in US military assistance.

Additionally, there are six US stockpiles, containing an estimated $2bn in material, available for Israeli use in case of an emergency, The New York Times reports.

ICYMI: Witnesses describe Hamas attack on desert rave

03:30 , Josh Marcus

Partygoers at a rave in the desert near the border with Gaza have told how the first hint of the horror raging towards them in the early hours of Saturday was a barrage of rockets roaring through the morning sky, as it emerged more than 260 people had died in the attack.

It was 6am. Most of the attendees, including a British and a German citizen, had not been to bed and were dancing to trance music under multicoloured tents set up for the Nova festival.

The music stopped briefly and they dropped to the floor – a well-rehearsed drill for Israelis in the south of the country used to frequent cross-border exchange of fire with the Hamas militant group.

But this was so much worse than usual.

“For five minutes there wasn’t a second’s break without a rocket,” says bartender Peleg Oren, 26, one of those who escaped safely. The barrage was so relentless that his friend started to have a panic attack, and begged him to help her leave.

‘My terror as Hamas bombs fell on us at desert rave in Israel’

Why the hostage situation in Gaza is so complicated

02:30 , Josh Marcus

In addition to the wider war between Hamas and Israel, there’s also a deeply complicated hostage crisis.

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another militant group, are holding an estimated 130 people in captivity.

The hostages reportedly include citizens of Israel, as well as ally nations like the US.

As Joel Braunold of the Abraham Center notes, hostages being held between two groups, in sites across two countries, makes any efforts to rescue the detainees, negotiate for their release, or check on their health and human rights even more difficult.

“There is no one authority that has all the hostages which makes the whole thing even more disastrous and unlike and not same as administrative detention,” he wrote on X. “There is no single station or system or visitation or canteen or any of the other things.”

Survivor of rave attack says victims raped by Hamas

02:00 , Josh Marcus

One of the survivors of a Hamas attack on a music festival in Re’im, Israel, says militants raped attendees in addition to killing and kidnapping civilians.

“Women have been raped at the area of the rave next to their friends bodies, dead bodies,” the survivor told Tablet.

Israeli officials say 260 bodies have been recovered from the site of the attack.

Rescuers recover more than 260 bodies at music festival attacked by Hamas

Across US, protests and rallies over Hamas-Israel war

01:30 , Josh Marcus

Demonstrations broke out across the US on Sunday as the Hamas attack on Israel entered its second day.

In New York City, opposing demonstrators clashed near the United Nations compound, The Associated Press reports.

New York govenor Kathy Hochul condemned those turning out to support Palestine, calling them “abhorrent and morally repugnant.”

Meanwhile, pro-Palestine demonstrations occured in Chicago and Atlanta.

“We’re out here again to raise our voice, to make a very clear message: We stand with our people back in Palestine, that we’re behind them 100%,” Muhammad Sankari with the United State Palestinian Community Network told ABC7 Chicago, as demonstrators marched past the Israeli Consulate.

“The people of Gaza are facing essentially brutality and ethnic cleansing again by the Israelis,” he added. “We’re here to say we want a stop to it. We don’t want the United States to be supporting Israel anymore, and we want freedom and liberation for the Palestinian people.”

How the Hamas-Israel war is impacting the airline industry

Monday 9 October 2023 00:50 , Josh Marcus

Intense fighting in Israel and Gaza has massively disrupted international air travel.

Airlines including Delta and American have said operations are suspended at least through Sunday, and they’ve joined United in temporarily halting flights in and out of Tel Aviv.

“Due to the ongoing conflict situation in the region, between Israel and Gaza based extremist militants, operators are advised to review current security, threat information and [Notice to Air Missions],” the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority said Saturday, urging operators to “exercise caution” and expect delays.

How many people have been harmed in the Hamas-Israel war?

Monday 9 October 2023 00:25 , Josh Marcus

Over 1,100 people have been killed and numerous others have been wounded in fighting since Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday.

At least 700 Israeli people and 400 Palestianian people have died in the violence, according to officials.

Hamas and the Islamic Jihad militant group claim to have taken more than 130 people captive, The Associated Press reports.

US moves warships closer to Israel after Hamas attack

Sunday 8 October 2023 23:44 , Athena Stavrou

The US says it is moving an aircraft carrier, ships and jets to the eastern Mediterranean and will also give Israel additional equipment and ammunition.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, a missile cruiser and four missile destroyers were heading to the region. He also said the US had also taken steps to augment U.S. Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.

He added that the US would be “rapidly providing” Israel with “additional equipment and resources, including munitions” in the coming days.

At least three Americans were among those killed, CNN reported on Sunday, citing a U.S. memo.

Pence accuses Trump, DeSantis and Ramaswamy of ‘appeasement’

Sunday 8 October 2023 23:20 , Athena Stavrou

Mike Pence led the charge for the foreign interventionist wing of the 2024 Republican primary against their isolationist rivals this weekend as new hostilities erupted between Israel and the Hamas militants of the occupied Gaza Strip.

Mr Pence made his remarks in Iowa, where he is battling for a surprise victory (or at least a decent-enough showing) in the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Calling out Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis by name, he accused them of supporting America’s retreat from a global military, diplomatic and economic footprint he argued was previously responsible for tamping down on unrest around the world.

Pence accuses Trump, DeSantis and Ramaswamy of ‘appeasement’ over their isolationism

Three Americans killed in Hamas invasion of Israel and others missing, according to State Department

Sunday 8 October 2023 23:00 , Athena Stavrou

At least three Americans have been killed in the ongoing Hamas war on Israel, according to a US government memo reviewed by CNN.

The reported State Department document also adds that other US citizens remain unaccounted for in the violence.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Sunday that Americans could be among the dead and said the government was making it a major priority to verify that information and rescue any US hostages.

Three Americans killed in Hamas invasion of Israel and others missing: report

Rescuers recover more than 260 bodies at music festival attacked by Hamas

Sunday 8 October 2023 22:40 , Athena Stavrou

The Israeli rescue service Zaka says its paramedics removed more than 260 bodies from a music festival that came under attack by Hamas militants.

The total figure of bodies found is expected to be higher, as other paramedic teams were also working in the area and Zaka added that the bodies “haven’t all been collected yet”.

Early on Saturday morning, Hamas targeted Nova music festival, a techno rave in the desert near the border with Gaza. Videos shared on social media and by Israeli news outlets showed dozens of festival-goers running through an open field as gunshots rang out.

Read more:

Rescuers recover more than 260 bodies at music festival attacked by Hamas

Musk begs Twitter users to stay ‘as close to the truth as possible’

Sunday 8 October 2023 22:20 , Athena Stavrou

Elon Musk pleaded with X users on Sunday to try and stick to the facts, as the site and its billionaire owner come under heavy criticism for the spread of false information regarding the Israel-Hamas war.

“As always, please try stay as close to the truth as possible, even for stuff you don’t like,” Mr Musk wrote on X. “This platform aspires to maximize signal/noise of the human collective.”

Musk begs X users to stay ‘close to the truth’ as fake news about Gaza war spreads

UK government buildings fly Israeli flag

Sunday 8 October 2023 21:47 , Athena Stavrou

Government buildings in the UK have lit up in support of Israel.

Rishi Sunak shared a photo of 10 Downing Street with a projection of the Israeli flag. The government has asked all its buildings fly the Israeli flag and use appropriate coloured lighting to show solidarity with the country.

Irish-Israeli citizen is missing after attacks in Israel

Sunday 8 October 2023 21:10 , Athena Stavrou

An Irish-Israeli citizen is missing after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Saturday.

The Irish government said it is in contact with the family of 22-year-old Kim Damti, who is unaccounted for after an unprecedented surprise attack was launched against Israel.

According to the Irish Times, who first reported the story, the young woman’s mother is Irish.

Irish premier Leo Varadkar said on Sunday that they were aware of the case. He added: “We don’t have any definite detail beyond that, but certainly (we’re) aware of it and willing to offer any consular assistance we can to any Irish citizens or any dual Irish citizens that are caught up in these terrible attacks.”

Ireland’s deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin echoed those comments.

“We are aware of the case and the Department Foreign Affairs has been in touch... with the family. But we don’t intend to comment specifically on the case at this stage,” the Tanaiste said.

“Could I say that as more information is revealed, I think the full horror of the crimes that were committed yesterday by Hamas are laid bare - hundreds and hundreds of innocent people slaughtered in the most savage of ways.”

He said that people had been targeted in their homes in an “indiscriminate” way.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is “aware of this case and we are in touch with the family directly and providing consular assistance”.

“We don’t comment on the detail of individual cases,” it added.

260 bodies recovered from music festival attacked by Hamas

Sunday 8 October 2023 20:42 , Athena Stavrou

The Israeli rescue service Zaka says its paramedics removed about 260 bodies from a music festival attended by thousands that came under attack by Hamas militants.The total figure is expected to be higher as other paramedic teams were working in the area.Videos aired on social media and by Israeli news outlets showed dozens of festival goers running through an open field as gunshots rang out at Nova festival. Many hid in nearby fruit orchards or were gunned down as they fled.

UEFA postpones all matches in Israel

Sunday 8 October 2023 20:36 , Athena Stavrou

UEFA has decided to postpone all matches scheduled in Israel in the next two weeks with new dates to be confirmed later, the governing body said on Sunday.

Israel declared war on Sunday, following an attack by Hamas militants.

UEFA said it was waiting a few days to assess whether the European Championship qualifier between Kosovo and Israel can be played on the scheduled date of Oct. 15 or will need to be postponed.

New York governor condemns pro-Palestinian rally

Sunday 8 October 2023 20:20 , Athena Stavrou

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has condemned a pro-Palestinian march being held in Times Square on Sunday as the Israeli death toll from Hamas attacks reaches 700.

“The people of Israel are facing violent terrorist attacks and civilian kidnappings,” Gov Hochul wrote on X/Twitter on Saturday.

“I condemn plans to rally in Times Square tomorrow in support of the perpetrators of these horrific actions. The planned rally is abhorrent and morally repugnant.”

Starmer denounces attack on Israel while Corbyn resists Hamas condemnation

Sunday 8 October 2023 20:00 , Athena Stavrou

Sir Keir Starmer clearly labelled Hamas’s deadly assault on Israel a “terrorist attack”, in contrast to Jeremy Corbyn who resisted directly condemning the militant group.

The Labour leader said on Sunday that there can be “no justification” for the operation and said he spoke to the leader of the Israeli Labour Party, Merav Michaeli, on Saturday night.

“As we were on the phone the siren went off and she had to go down into her shelter taking her papers with her,” he said. “So it’s an appalling act of terrorism, it needs to be called out across the world.”

His predecessor said he does not “support any attacks”, but sought to avoid directly criticising Hamas while being questioned in Liverpool, where Mr Corbyn is attending a left-wing political festival instead of the Labour conference.

In a tetchy exchange with journalists on the way to one event, Mr Corbyn said he wants “peace, a ceasefire and a process that ends the Israeli occupation of Palestine”.

“I don’t support any attacks, therefore I criticise them all,” he said, after being repeatedly asked whether he would condemn Hamas, having not been clear about his position on the group.

Israel suffers “bloodiest day in decades”

Sunday 8 October 2023 19:40 , Athena Stavrou

Gunfights are raging in the streets of Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to root out every Hamas militant who broke through the Gaza border and rampaged through nearby settlements, as harrowing accounts emerge of the toll on civilians in their path.

In the wake of Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Saturday morning – which has led to the worst loss of Israeli lives in decades – Israel’s security cabinet formally declared war on Sunday, authorising it to take “significant military steps” in retaliation.

Andy Gregory reports:

Israel suffers bloodiest day in decades as fierce Hamas gunfights rage in streets

Palestinian death toll rises to over 400

Sunday 8 October 2023 19:19 , Athena Stavrou

At least 413 Palestinians have been killed, including 78 children and 41 women, the health ministry of the Palestinian authority reported on Sunday.

A further 2,300 have been wounded by Israeli air strikes in Gaza since Saturday, the health ministry say.

Over 700 Israelis have been reported dead since Hamas’ surprise attack on Saturday morning.

The current death toll stands at 1,113 as fighting continues.

UN Security Council says Hamas attack on Israel is ‘war on the free world’

Sunday 8 October 2023 19:13 , Athena Stavrou

The UN Security Council has said that Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel is “war on the free world.”

A spokesperson said on Sunday that the attacks were “Israel’s 9/11” and promised “nothing would be as it was” as he labelled Hamas “barbaric terrorists”.

He said: “This is not only a war against or on Israel. This is a war on the free world. It is a war on civilisation.”

US to ‘send support to assist Israel'

Sunday 8 October 2023 18:43 , Athena Stavrou

The Pentagon has ordered the Ford carrier strike group to sail to the eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist Israel, two US officials said on Sunday.

The USS Gerald R. Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything - from possibly intercepting additional weapons from reaching Hamas to conducting surveillance.

The carrier was already in the Mediterranean and last week it was conducting naval exercises with Italy in the Ionian Sea.

It is the United States’ newest and most advanced aircraft carrier and this is its first full deployment.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, AP reports.

UK Foreign Office issues advice against all but essential travel to Israel and Palestine.

Sunday 8 October 2023 18:20 , Athena Stavrou

The UK Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory advising against all but essential travel to Israel and Palestine and against all travel to Gaza.

Any British nationals in need of help should contact +972 (0)3 725 1222 or +972 (2) 5414100. They added that British nationals in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories, should register their presence to receive updates.

Sadiq Khan condemns Hamas

Sunday 8 October 2023 18:00 , Athena Stavrou

Sadiq Khan has condemned Hamas and its “terrorist acts” and said London’s City Hall will be lit up in the colours of the Israeli flag.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London, said: “Sadiq condemns the terrorist acts of Hamas and stands in solidarity with London’s Jewish community.

“We are in contact with Government about public acts of support and in accordance with government guidance, City Hall will be lit up in the colours of the Israeli flag from tonight.”

Israeli death toll rises to 700

Sunday 8 October 2023 17:41 , Athena Stavrou

The number of Israelis killed in Hamas’ attacks has risen to 700, local media reports.

A further 2,156 people have also been injured as fighting continues.

Gaza health authorities reported 370 fatalities, as relentless Israeli strikes continued overnight, meaning the total death toll is now at least 1,070.

Rishi Sunak in ‘close contact’ with Israel over status of British nationals

Sunday 8 October 2023 17:30 , Athena Stavrou

Rishi Sunak is reportedly in ‘close contact’ with Israeli counterparts over the status of British nationals.

The UK Prime Minister has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon and told him the UK will stand ‘unequivocally’ against Hamas’ “acts of terror”, Reuters reports.

Hamas ‘behaves like ISIS’, Israel say

Sunday 8 October 2023 17:16 , Athena Stavrou

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say “Hamas behaves like ISIS”.

In a news briefing on Sunday afternoon, an IDF spokesperson said: “Hamas behaves like ISIS.

“It’s the same strategy to maximise civilian casualties in Gaza and Israel and make you all forget the massacre of hundreds of Israelis that started this war in the first place. We will not forget.”

He added that Israeli intelligence indicated Hamas militants were ‘hiding among civillians’ in Gaza, and said they IDF would do “whatever it takes” to “restore security” to Israel.

French citizen killed after Hamas attacks

Sunday 8 October 2023 17:10 , Athena Stavrou

One French citizen has been killed as a result of the attacks in Israel, a spokesperson for the French foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Nathanel Young, a 20-year-old British man serving in the Israeli army has also been killed in the attack by Hamas militants, his family have said.

Israeli death toll reaches 659

Sunday 8 October 2023 17:00 , Athena Stavrou

The latest reports by Israeli media say at least 659 people have been killed in Israel.

This is up from the previous 600 killed reported earlier. Another 2,156 people have been injured as fighting continues.

Gaza health authorities reported 370 fatalities, as relentless Israeli strikes continued overnight, meaning the total death toll is now over 1,000.

Hamas militants 'hiding in hospitals and schools’

Sunday 8 October 2023 16:42 , Athena Stavrou

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say Hamas militants are hiding among Gazan civillians in ‘homes and schools’.

In a press briefing on Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson said: “Israeli intelligence indicates Hamas are hiding among Gazan civilians, inside Gaza homes and schools, hospitals and mosques.”

He added that Israel would “do whatever it takes” to protect the people of Israel and “restore security”.

IDF says it is carrying out wave of airstrikes in Gaza

Sunday 8 October 2023 16:37 , Athena Stavrou

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say they are carrying out more strikes in Gaza and on Hamas border positions.

“The IDF is attacking targets in the areas near the fence at Beit Hanoun, which are used by the Hamas terror group to carry out attacks against the State of Israel,” the military said in a statement.

They added: “IDF fighter jets just struck Hamas terrorist targets in Gaza that were used to attack Israel.”

Mapped: Where is the conflict happening in Israel and Gaza

Sunday 8 October 2023 16:21 , Athena Stavrou

Israeli strikes battered Gaza on Sunday after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his country is at war following the unprecedented surprise attack by Hamas.

Thousands of rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israeli towns on Saturday morning while Hamas militants opened fire as they stormed borders into Israel.

Overnight, Israeli air strikes hit housing blocks, tunnels, a mosque and homes of Hamas officials in Gaza, killing more than 300 people, including 20 children, in retaliatory attacks described as “mighty vengeance” by Mr Netanyahu.

As fighting continues, Maryam Zakir-Hussain, explains where the conflict is now:

Mapped: Where is the conflict happening in Israel and Gaza

Two Brits missing and one dead following Hamas attacks

Sunday 8 October 2023 15:54 , Athena Stavrou

Two British men are missing and one has been killed following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Saturday morning

Nathanel Young, a 20-year-old British man serving in the Israeli army has been killed in an attack by Hamas militants, his family have said.

Gaby Shalev, from London, posted on Facebook: “We’re heartbroken to share that our little brother Nathanel Young was tragically killed on the Gaza Border yesterday.”

Two Britons have also been reported missing by their families.

Jake Marlowe, 26, had been providing security at the rave in the desert near Kibbutz Re’im when the surprise attack unfolded. His mother, Lisa, told Jewish News that he had last messaged her at 5:30am on Saturday.

The family of British photographer Dan Darlington also say they have not heard from him since Saturday morning, BBC reports. His father, David Darlington, told the BBC his son was travelling with a German woman, and that his half-sister had last spoken to him on Saturday morning.

“The communications network is down and we haven’t spoken to him for 24 hours,” he told the BBC.

Israelis come out in numbers to donate blood amid Hamas attacks

Sunday 8 October 2023 15:45 , Athena Stavrou

The State of Israel has thanked Israelis on social media for coming out in full force to donate blood amid war breaking out with Hamas.

A room packed with people young and old could be seen waiting to do their part, after thousands have been injured during the events of the last 24 hours.

“In the face of tragedy, we are united”, officials wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

‘Several Americans’ may have been killed or kidnapped, US say

Sunday 8 October 2023 15:35 , Athena Stavrou

The US secretary of State warned on Sunday that the Biden administration has received reports indicating that “several” Americans may be among the missing or dead in Israel.

Antony Blinken said on NBC’s Meet the Press that the US government was working to verify those reports, and pledged that the Biden administration would make the release of any Americans held by Hamas a “top priority”.

Second British man missing in Israel

Sunday 8 October 2023 15:14 , Athena Stavrou

A second British man is missing following Hamas’ surprise attacks attacks on Saturday.

The family of British photographer Dan Darlington say they have not heard from him since Saturday morning, BBC reports.

He lives in Berllin but had been visiting a friends in Israel, his family say.

His father, David Darlington, told the BBC his son was travelling with a German woman, and that his half-sister had last spoken to him on Saturday morning.

“The communications network is down and we haven’t spoken to him for 24 hours,” he told the BBC.

Watch: Israeli festivalgoers flee as Gaza strikes begin

Sunday 8 October 2023 15:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

This upsetting footage shows Israeli festivalgoers fleeing as Gaza strikes began on Saturday morning.

US to announce new assistance for Israel after Hamas attack

Sunday 8 October 2023 14:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Washington will announce new aid and assistance for Israel on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, adding part of the motivation for Hamas’ latest attack could have been disrupting a potential normalizing of Israel-Saudi Arabia ties.

The United States has also taken note of reports of several Americans killed in Israel and Washington is looking to verify the details and figures, Blinken added in an interview with CNN.

Blinken said details of that U.S. assistance will be made later, as he labeled the attack on Israel as a “terrorist attack by a terrorist organisation.”

Death toll in Gaza rises to 370- Palestinian health ministry

Sunday 8 October 2023 14:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The death toll in Gaza has risen to 370, the Palestinian health ministry has said.

The ministry also said that 2,200 others have been injured as a result of the ongoing Israeli attack on the besieged strip.

My terror as Hamas bombs fell on us at desert rave

Sunday 8 October 2023 14:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Thousands of young people were dancing at a rave in the desert near the Gaza border when Hamas bombs struck and militants seized dozens of hostages, writes Bel Trew and Natalie Lisbona:

The first hint of the horror raging towards the partygoers in the desert rave near the border with Gaza was a barrage of rockets roaring through the morning sky.

It was 6am. Most of the attendees, including a British and a German citizen, had not been to bed and were dancing to trance music under multicoloured tents set up for the Nova festival.

The music stopped briefly and they dropped to the floor – a well-rehearsed drill for Israelis in the south of the country used to frequent cross-border exchange of fire with the Hamas militant group.

But this was so much worse than usual.

‘My terror as Hamas bombs fell on us at desert rave in Israel’

Mapped: Where is the fighting happening

Sunday 8 October 2023 14:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said its fighters are still engaged in fierce clashes in several sites inside Israel, with fighting continuing in several areas bordering the Gaza strip, including Ofakim, Sderot, Yad Mordechai, Kfar Azza, Be’eri, Yatid and Kissufim.

Israeli media reported that hostages were released in Beeri and Ofakim, but when asked by AFP the army refused to offer details.

In Gaza, a densely populated strip where Hamas is headquartered, Israeli strikes have been hampering down on old Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Rafah, killing hundreds and injuring thousands.

The fighting has also spilled over to Lebanon where an exchange of strikes with the Hezbollah militant group has raised fears of a broader conflict.

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