Humanitarian crisis in Gaza ‘a priority’, says Biden

Joe Biden said the “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza was a “priority” as Israel called on the entire population of the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate ahead of a ground offensive.

“We can’t lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas and these appalling attacks and they’re suffering as a result as well,” the US president said in a speech in Philadelphia.

Israel gave 1.1 million people 24 hours to leave northern Gaza before it begins an offensive now said to be “imminent”.

The country’s ground forces have already launched localised raids into Gaza, the military said on Friday.

The raids came amid Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip which Hamas responded to by firing back with rockets.

“Over the past 24 hours, IDF forces carried out localised raids inside the territory of the Gaza Strip to complete the effort to cleanse the area of terrorists and weaponry,” an IDF spokesperson said.

The raids mark an attempt to rescue around 150 abducted Israelis and foreigners.

It added: “During these operations, there was also an effort to locate missing persons.”

01:41 AM BST

What happened today

• Israel has sent the first elite troops into Gaza with its defence minister warning of a “protracted, powerful” ground offensive to permanently destroy Hamas

• Yoav Gallant said his defence forces would take Hamas “out of Gaza and out of the Earth”

• Israel gave 1.1 million people 24 hours to leave northern Gaza before it would begin an offensive

• The IDF said on Friday night it was already engaged in an “extensive attack” on Gaza after it pounded more than 750 targets from the air

• Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, expressed his country’s “iron-clad” support for Israel on a visit to the country

• Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, who held talks with Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president in Jordan on Friday, urged Israel to avoid civilian deaths

• The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, called for a humanitarian corridor, as Rishi Sunak called on Israel to “protect ordinary Palestinians”

• The Israeli military action prompted huge pro-Palestinian protests in the Arab world, including in Baghdad

• Hizbollah, the Lebanese militant group, said it was “ready” and would “contribute” towards the fight with Israel

• Iran’s foreign minister warned of “new fronts” opening against Israel if its “war crimes” in Gaza continue

• The Metropolitan Police said there had been a “massive” increase in anti-Semitic incidents in London since the conflict began

• Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said police had stepped up patrols in the capital

• Palestinian sympathisers also tore down posters of Israeli hostages put up by their relatives in London

Follow the latest updates in Saturday’s live blog

12:51 AM BST

Thousand expected at London pro-Palestine march

Thousands of people are expected to march in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London as police warn that anyone showing support for Hamas or deviating from the route could face arrest.

The Metropolitan Police Service will deploy more than 1,000 officers to police the demonstration, in which people will be marching in solidarity with Palestine and demanding Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian land, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Palestinians have begun a mass exodus from northern Gaza after Israel’s military told them to evacuate ahead of an expected ground invasion.

12:17 AM BST

Biden: We're ‘workin’ like hell’ to find US hostages

President Joe Biden said his administration was “workin’ like hell” to find American hostages held by Hamas amid the conflict with Israel, according to an excerpt of a 60 Minutes interview released on Friday.

“I’m not gonna go into the detail of that, but there’s – we’re workin’ like hell on it,” Mr Biden was quoted as saying.

11:37 PM BST

Flight to evacuate Britons leaves Israel

A Government chartered flight to evacuate vulnerable Britons from Israel has left the country, the Foreign Office (FCDO) said.

The FCDO did not confirm where the flight was due to land.

An FCDO spokesperson said: “A UK Government charter flight has now left Israel, with further flights expected to leave in the coming days while commercial options are limited.”

According to flight tracker tool FlightRadar24, a Royal Air Force A400M transport plane left Tel Aviv and arrived in Larnaca in Cyprus late on Friday evening.

10:53 PM BST

How Israel targets the Hamas tunnels

Hamas has spent two decades building a labyrinth of deep, defensive tunnels to resist any ground assault by Israeli troops, Ben Farmer and Nataliya Vasilyeva write.

The extensive network is believed to be as much as 100ft (30m) beneath the surface in some places and makes up a central part of defences the terrorist group has spent years preparing.

Tunnel entrances are hidden in the bottom floors of houses, mosques and schools, while the territory’s narrow streets and alleyways are expected to have been laid with booby traps and homemade bombs in preparation for any Israeli attack.

Read more: How Israel targets the ‘Gaza Metro’ of Hamas tunnels hiding terrorists

09:54 PM BST

Israel yet to identify murdered baby

Israel is still trying to establish the identity of the murdered baby shown in a photograph that shocked the world.

The photograph was released by the government to reveal the full horror of the terror attack on the country and bolster support for Israel.

Experts at an Israeli rescue organisation were still carrying out tests on the remains of babies found dead in attacks on the settlements by Hamas last weekend, sources said.

Read the full report here.

09:26 PM BST

Gaza hospital urged to evacuate

ActionAid sait its partner Al-Awda hospital in Gaza has been given orders to urgently evacuate, but warned that injured children receiving treatment “cannot leave”.

Riham Jafari, the organisation’s coordinator of advocacy and communication for Palestine, said: “Our understanding and fear is that the hospital will be bombed when that deadline expires.

“Let us be clear, ActionAid condemns, in the strongest terms any act that puts innocent lives at risk, and threatening a hospital is an egregious violation of humanitarian law.

“Here, wounded children, amongst many other civilians, are being treated with life-threatening injuries; they simply cannot leave. We call for the immediate removal of this threat, a ceasefire and the protection of civilians across Gaza.”

08:58 PM BST

Biden says Gaza's 'humanitarian' crisis is a 'priority'

Joe Biden said the “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza was a “priority”.

“We can’t lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas and these appalling attacks and they’re suffering as a result as well,” the US president said in a speech in Philadelphia.

08:29 PM BST

BBC journalist 'stopped and assaulted' by Israeli police

A BBC journalist has been “stopped and assaulted” by Israeli police, the corporation has said.

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 police, according to BBC News.

During the stop of their car, marked with red “TV” tape, the news website reported that the pair showed their press identification cards.

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.

On Friday, 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.

“Journalists must be able to report on the conflict in Israel-Gaza freely.”

07:57 PM BST

Democrats 'repugnant' for not backing Israel says White House

The White House has criticised “repugnant” Democrats who have failed to unequivocally support Israel, saying “there are not two sides here”.

When asked what the White House thinks about members of Congress who haven’t backed the Israeli government, Karine Jean-Pierre, said: “I am going to be very clear: We believe they’re wrong, we believe they’re repugnant, and we believe they’re disgraceful.”

The comments were made two days ago but are now drawing attention.

07:54 PM BST

Netanyahu speech continued

Netanyahu added: “Today, everyone knows that we’re fighting for the homeland, and we’re fighting like lions,” he said, according to the Times of Israel.

“We’ll never forget the Hamas onslaught. We are striking our enemies with unprecedented might.

“We will destroy Hamas, and we will win, but it will take time,” he added during his speech which was televised after the Jewish sabbath had begun.”

07:36 PM BST

Netanyahu vows to 'destroy' Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to “destroy” Hamas, says Gaza offensive still in early stages.

“This is just the beginning,” Netanyahu said in a national address. “We will end this war stronger than ever. We will destroy Hamas.”

07:22 PM BST

Reuters pays tribute to videographer killed in shelling

Reuters news agency has payed tribute to one of its journalists who died on Friday.

Issam Abdallah, a videographer, was part of a crew in southern Lebanon providing live coverage.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Reuters said: “We are urgently seeking more information, working with authorities in the region, and supporting Issam’s family and colleagues.”

Two other journalists from the agency, Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh, also sustained injuries and are being treated.

Reuters added: “Our thoughts are with their families at this terrible time.”

07:19 PM BST

US charters first flight to evacuate Americans

The first US charter flight to evacuate Americans has taken off for an undisclosed destination in Europe, the White House said.

More flights are expected to depart in the coming days and will continue “for as long as there is demand,” said John Kirby, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

07:18 PM BST

Corbyn tells Palestinian citizens 'you are not alone'

07:15 PM BST

Car burns following Israeli strikes

06:58 PM BST

Biden spoken with families of 14 missing Americans

U.S. President Joe Biden has spoken with family members of 14 Americans unaccounted for after attacks by Hamas, the White House said on Friday.

John Kirby, White House national security spokesperson, said the president and his team said authorities would do everything they could to return these people back to their families.

“They are American citizens. They belong home with their families,” Kirby said.

06:54 PM BST

Hospital given 'two hours to evacuate'

A hospital in Gaza has been given “just two hours to evacuate,” a humanitarian organisation said.

Médecins Sans Frontières International said Al Awda Hospital has been told to evacuate staff and patients.

It said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter MSF said: “Our staff are still treating patients. We unequivocally condemn this action, the continued indiscriminate bloodshed and attacks on health care in Gaza.

“We are trying to protect our staff and patients.”

06:45 PM BST

Archbishop of Canterbury called for creation of humanitarian corridor in Gaza

Britain’s Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby appealed on Friday for the creation of a humanitarian corridor and convoy in Gaza where.

He said more than two million civilians, half of them children, were facing a catastrophe.

“But in the face of a ground offensive in Gaza, I plead that the sins of Hamas are not borne by the citizens of Gaza, who themselves have faced such suffering over many decades. The price of evil cannot be paid by the innocent. Civilians cannot bear the costs of terrorists,” he said in a statement.

“Over two million civilians in Gaza, half of them children, are facing a catastrophe. A humanitarian corridor and convoy are needed as rapidly as possible, as set out in the Geneva Conventions.”

06:43 PM BST

PM's wife Akshata Murthy is lighting a candle for Israel in Downing Street

06:34 PM BST

Humza Yousaf says Israel 'gone too far'

Israel is “going too far” and innocent civilians of Gaza cannot simply be “collateral damage”, the Scottish First Minister has said.

Humza Yousaf told the BBC that he “fears for the situation” of his family members in Gaza.

He said: “Innocent men, women and children cannot be victims. They cannot be simply thought of as collateral damage. The ends cannot simply justify the means. Collective punishment cannot and is not justified.”

06:34 PM BST

Palestinian youth clashes with Israeli forces

06:28 PM BST

Israeli airstrikes kill fleeing Gaza residents, says Hamas

Around 70 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on convoys fleeing Gaza City, a Hamas spokesperson said.

06:11 PM BST

European Commission president calls for immediate release of hostages

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, and Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, called for the immediate release of the hostages as they visited Israel.

“Hamas is a terrorist organisation. It does not represent the aspiration of the Palestinian people,” Ms Metsola said on Friday.

“Release the hostages and stop from taking people as human shields,” Mrs von der Leyen told Hamas, after meeting Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel.

“We are friends of Israel. When friends are under attack, we stand by them,” she added.

05:49 PM BST

Israel's 24 hour deadline 'utterly unrealistic'

Israel’s 24 hour deadline for the one million Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate was “utterly unrealistic,” said the EU’s top diplomat.

Josep Borrell Fontelles warned of the potential for “devastating humanitarian consequences”.

He said: “Certainly Israel has the right to defend itself, but it has to be done in line with international humanitarian law.”

Mr Fontelles added the blockade of Gaza, cutting off food, water and power, was “not in accordance with international law”.

05:38 PM BST

Israel made raids into Gaza 'over past 24 hours'

Israeli ground forces made raids into Gaza over the past 24 hours, the military said on Friday.

It comes ahead of an expected ground offensive on the densely populated Palestinian territory.

“Over the past 24 hours, IDF forces carried out localised raids inside the territory of the Gaza Strip to complete the effort to cleanse the area of terrorists and weaponry,” an army statement said.

“During these operations, there was also an effort to locate missing persons.”

05:37 PM BST

Iran warns Israel of 'new fronts' if Gaza 'war crimes' continue

Iran’s foreign minister has warned of “new fronts” opening against Israel if its “war crimes” in Gaza continue.

Speaking during a visit to Beirut, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran’s Foreign Minister, claimed Western officials had asked him whether it’s possible for new fronts to open against the Israeli regime.

He said: “Naturally with the continuation of Israeli war crimes and the humanitarian siege of Gaza and Palestine, any decision and possibility by other members of the resistance movement is probable,”

The resistance movement comprises groups opposed to the state of Israel, including Hamas, Hezbollah and militant groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

The foreign minister did not disclose which Western officials he had spoken with.

05:35 PM BST

Qatar says it’s 'committed' to managing Iran’s $6 bn

Qatar says it’s “committed” to managing Iran’s $6 bn oil fund as part of US deal.

“Qatar is committed to an agreement and will fulfil its obligations and will not do anything without consultations with our partners,” Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told a joint news conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

05:06 PM BST

Blinken 'grateful' to Qatar

Blinken said he was “grateful” to Qatar for its efforts in helping secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Mr Blinken also urged Israel to take “every possible precaution to avoid harm to civilians”, but noted they were caught in a “crossfire of Hamas’ making”.

Speaking in Doha, he said: “I really want to thank Qatar for the work that they’re doing to try to help secure the release” of hostages.

“I know that other countries are as well, and it’s something that we’re actively pursuing.”

America’s top diplomat said: “Israel has both the right and even the obligation to defend its people.” But, he added: “At the same time, the way Israel does this matters”.

05:03 PM BST

Focus on creating safe zones in Gaza

“Our Focus is now to create safe zones for civilians in Gaza,” Blinken added.

05:02 PM BST

Israel defending its citizens

“What Israel is doing is not retaliation, Israel is defending the lives of its people,” Blinken said.

04:57 PM BST

Blinken urged Israel to avoid citizens

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel on Friday to avoid civilian deaths in Gaza, stepping up the tone after he backed reprisals against Hamas.

“We have urged the Israelis to use every possible precaution to avoid harm to civilians,” Blinken told a news conference in Qatar.

04:52 PM BST

Blinken speaking at press conference

Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, is speaking at press conference.

04:49 PM BST

Al Jazeera says one journalist killed

Al Jazeera said one journalist has been killed and three wounded after Israeli shelling on the Lebanese border.

04:31 PM BST

Israeli army fires towards Lebanon after explosion at border fence

The Israel Defense Forces said an explosion caused “light damage” to a security fence on Israel’s border with Lebanon, near the northern kibbutz of Hanita.

Its troops are “responding with artillery fire toward Lebanese territory,” the IDF said in a statement.

“Additionally, an alert was activated concerning the infiltration of terrorists into the community. IDF soldiers are currently searching the area.”

There are fears a new front could open up in the war if Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah decides to get involved and attack Israel in support of its Palestinian allies.

04:16 PM BST

Map of Palestinian refugee camps around Middle East

A map illustrating the spots where camps are welcoming refugees.

There are a number of locations across Beirut in Lebanon, Damascus in Syria and Amman in Jordan.

04:14 PM BST

'Massive increase' in antisemitic incidents in London

London has seen a “massive increase” in antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Metropolitan Police said.

The Met has heard reports of people playing German military music to intimidation outside synagogues.

Between September 30 and October 13 there were 105 antisemitic incidents and 75 antisemitic offences in the capital, compared with 14 incidents and 12 offences in the same period last year, according to figures from Scotland Yard.

Laurence Taylor, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, said: “That is a massive increase in antisemitic crime and incidents.

“In balance, we have seen an increase in Islamophobic incidents, but nothing like the scale of the increase in antisemitism.

“The context is really challenging for us, we are seeing behaviours that are provocative, that are inciteful, we’ll address those whilst recognising the emotion and the activities and the incidents that are taking place overseas.”

04:09 PM BST

Israeli Defence Force evacuation notice

Civilians are being asked to leave Gaza City by the IDF.

Around 1.1 million people have been given 24 hours notice to flee for safety.

Here is a picture of the notice residents are being served.

04:05 PM BST

Gaza offensive will affected 'permanent change', says Israeli Defence Minister

Yoav Gallant, Israel Minister of Defence said Gaza’s offensive will be protracted, powerful and affect permanent change.

04:01 PM BST

Eleven Palestinians shot dead on Friday

Eleven Palestinians were shot and killed in the West bank by Israeli forces on Friday, the Palestinian health ministry said.

03:58 PM BST

Putin compares Gaza siege to Nazi blockade of Leningrad

Vladimir Putin, Russian President, called Israel’s siege of Gaza “unacceptable”, comparing it to the Nazi blockade of Leningrad during World War II.

“Israel is now about to do something that is “comparable to the siege of Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War,” Putin said in Kyrgyzstan on Friday. He added: “In my opinion, this is unacceptable.”

03:32 PM BST

Evacuating Gaza in 24 hours 'a tall order', says White House

Evacuating 1.1 million civilians in northern Gaza in the next 24 hours is a “tall order”, a White House spokesperson said.

John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communication, told CNN that moving away from a “dense” and “urban” environment was difficult.

“We understand what they’re trying to do: they’re trying to move civilians out of harm’s way and giving them fair warning,” he said.

“Now it’s a tall order. It’s a million people and very urban, dense environment. It’s already a combat zone. So I don’t think anybody’s underestimating the challenge here of effecting that evacuation.”

03:03 PM BST

Civilians flee Gaza City for safety

02:38 PM BST

Gaza becoming hellhole, says UN

Gaza is “fast becoming a hellhole and is on the brink of collapse”, according to the commissioner general of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency.

Philippe Lazzarini said: “The scale and speed of the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza is bone-chilling.”

He called for all parties to give Gaza’s civilians “immediate and unconditional” humanitarian access and protection.

02:06 PM BST

Two government flights to repatriate Britons failed

Two attempts by the UK Government to organise flights to repatriate British nationals from Israel have failed, aviation sources have said.

This is despite flights to the UK arranged by the US and Australia going ahead.

A UK-organised flight was initially planned to arrive at Gatwick Airport on Friday morning, but that was cancelled amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

01:55 PM BST

Hamas terrorists take 'evil to another level'

Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, said that Hamas terrorists take “evil to another level”, as he pledged that US backing for Israel was “iron-clad”.

“In encountering Isis I felt as if we were staring evil in the eye - it was truly evil,” he said, following talks with Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister.

“And what we’ve seen from Hamas, it takes that evil to another level.”

Mr Austin added that there was “never any justification” for terrorism and that the US “has Israel’s back”.

“That is not negotiable and it never will be,” he said.

01:42 PM BST

Sadiq Khan worried of 'disproportionate' Israeli response

Sadiq Khan has said he fears that a “disproportionate” Israeli response to Hamas’s attacks could lead to “inexplicable suffering” in Gaza.

The Mayor of London called for the Israeli government to reconsider its decision to cut off food, water and electricity to the region.

“I’ve spoken to Londoners who lost family members in Gaza and Londoners who’ve lost family as a consequence of the Hamas terrorist attack last weekend, so we’re feeling the pain here,” he said, during a visit to the charity, Medical Aid for Palestinians.

“But we are worried about the response of the Israeli government being disproportionate (and) leading to the sort of suffering which is inexplicable.

“We’re talking about human suffering on a scale which this charity, who has worked in that area for decades, hasn’t seen.”

01:20 PM BST

Pictured: Israeli officers stand guard in Jerusalem

In this photograph, Israeli police officers check Muslims attending Friday prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, near Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate.

01:11 PM BST

Watch: Israeli soldiers retake border base overrun by Hamas terrorists

12:56 PM BST

Pictured: Israel drops fliers warning Palestinians

Israel has dropped fliers across Gaza warning Palestinians to flee.

12:46 PM BST

'America’s support for Israel is iron-clad'

Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, told reporters that “it is good to be back in Israel even during such terrible days”.

“To make something crystal clear – America’s support for Israel is iron-clad,” he said.

Mr Austin said he is in solidarity with families living in a waking nightmare, not knowing where their kidnapped relatives are.

“This is no time for neutrality, or false equivalence, or for excuses for the inexcusable. There is never any justification for terrorism, and that is especially true after this rampage by Hamas,” he said.

Mr Austin added that “Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people”.

12:43 PM BST

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin speaks with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant

A press conference is being held between US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Mr Gallant described Hamas as the “Isis of Gasa”, but added that US deployment of assets in the region had sent a strong message.

12:38 PM BST

Hezbollah 'ready to contribute'

Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s deputy chief, said the group was “ready” and would “contribute” toward the fight against Israel with its own plan.

12:24 PM BST

Watch: Gaza locals flee

12:16 PM BST

BBC journalist reporting on bloody scenes breaks down in tears

A BBC journalist broke down in tears while reporting on the bloody scenes inside a hospital in the Gaza Strip, where the wards are littered with dead and injured Palestinians killed by Israeli air strikes, reports Nick Squires.

Adnan El-Bursh, wearing a blue helmet and body armour marked ‘Press’, wiped away tears as he delivered a piece to camera in Al-Shifa Hospital. Among the dead and wounded were friends and neighbours.

“Today has been one of the most difficult days of my career,” Mr El-Bursh said, adding: “I have seen things that I can never unsee.”

A reporter for BBC Arabic, he is also a resident of Gaza. “This is my local hospital. Inside are my friends, my neighbours, this is my community,” he said.

He said there were “bodies everywhere” in the hospital, which is the largest of the 13 hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

“The injured scream for help, you can never forget these sounds. You never want to become the story,” Mr El-Bursh said in his distressing dispatch. “But in my city, I feel helpless.”

12:04 PM BST

Israel death toll in war with Hamas rises to over 1,300

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Israel since Hamas militants unleashed a massive attack from the blockaded Gaza Strip, the army said Friday, raising an earlier toll by 100.

Over 3,200 other people had been wounded, the Israeli army said on X, formerly Twitter, while families of 120 hostages have been contacted since attack at dawn on Saturday that spiralled into all-out war.

11:54 AM BST

Loud bangs heard in Jerusalem

Several loud bangs were heard in Jerusalem moments before prayers were due to take place on Friday, according to reports.

Reporters from CNN likened the bangs to stun grenades.

Smoke could be seen near the Lions’s Gate, an entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City.

Israeli authorities are restricting access to the old city and have sealed off the road leading to the gate.

Only those over the age of 60 are allowed to access the al-Aqsa compound, according to CNN.

11:41 AM BST

Senior Hamas commander killed

A senior Hamas commander was killed after Israel struck over 750 targets in Gaza overnight, vowing to annihilate the terrorists who led Saturday’s attack.

The commander led Hamas’ special “Nukhba” military unit, which was said to be tasked with infiltrating Israel.

Israeli strikes hit underground tunnels used by Hamas, as well as military compounds, residences of senior operatives and weapons storage warehouses.

Dozens of fighter jets were involved in the strikes, which Israel said included 12 Hamas military assets “each located in a multi-storey building”.

11:39 AM BST

Israeli soldiers patrol Jerusalem

Israeli soldiers have been recorded in the Wadi al-Joz neighbourhood in Jerusalem during Friday prayer.

11:33 AM BST

PIctured: Israeli forces amass near the border

11:25 AM BST

Hamas fires rockets towards Ben Gurion Airport

Hamas has claimed that it fired rockets towards Ben Gurion airport and the southern Israeli city of Sderot.

A total of 50 rockets were fired towards Sderot.

Israeli soldiers in Kfar Sa’ad were also targetted by two explosive drones, it added.

11:14 AM BST

Western countries should take steps to ease tensions in Gaza, Erdogan tells Macron

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed the humanitarian situation in the conflict between Israel and Palestinians in a phone call on Friday, the Turkish presidency said.

Erdogan told Macron that the violation of human rights in Gaza against civilians was unacceptable and Western countries needed to take steps to ease tensions, it said in a statement posted on messaging platform X, formerly Twitter.

11:06 AM BST

Israel sends flyers to Gaza urging locals to flee

Israel has “sent flyers” into Gaza warning Palestinians to flee south, according to reports.

10:56 AM BST

Iraqis gather in solidarity with Palestinians

In this photograph, supporters of Iraqi Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gather during a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Baghdad, Iraq.

10:48 AM BST

Gaza ground operation would lead to 'unacceptable' civilian toll, says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned Israeli forces’ expected ground offensive would bring unacceptable levels of civilian casualties, and that his country was ready to help with mediation efforts.

“The use of heavy machinery in residential areas is a complex matter fraught with grave consequences,” Putin said, “most importantly, the civilian casualties will be absolutely unacceptable.”

10:38 AM BST

447 Palestinian children killed

A total of 447 Palestinian children have been killed in airstrikes in Gaza so far after Israel vowed to annihilate Hamas with a relentless bombing campaign.

UNICEF reports that this total is likely to rise as Israel strikes Gaza around the clock.

Over 2,800 lives have been claimed on both sides so far, while tensions across the region soar. 

10:21 AM BST

Man arrested on site of music festival massacre

A man was ordered to strip before being arrested after being found at the site of the Supernova Music festival, following bursts of gunfire as Israeli soldiers continued to search for ID and belongings among the cars and tents.

10:10 AM BST

Israeli embassy employee attacked in Beijing

An Israeli embassy worker in Beijing was attacked on Friday, Israel’s foreign ministry said.

“An Israeli employee of the Israeli embassy in Beijing was attacked today,” a foreign ministry statement said, adding that the attack did not take place at the embassy compound in the Chinese capital.

“The employee is being treated at hospital and is in stable condition,” the statement said.

“The motive for the assault is being looked into.”

10:01 AM BST

Hamas launches rockets at Israel

Hamas claims to have launched more than 150 rockets towards the port city of Ashkelon “in response to the displacement and targeting of civilians”, according to reports.

09:58 AM BST

Israel tells Palestinians to flee

Israel has told 1.1 million Palestinians living in northern Gaza to leave now ahead of its expected ground assault on Hamas.

The military said on Friday morning it planned to “operate significantly” within Gaza City “in the coming days”.

All citizens and UN staff have been told to move south beyond Wadi Gaza “for your own safety”.

The Israeli military told Palestinians: “You will only be able to return to Gaza when another announcement permitting it is made.”

09:50 AM BST

Blinken meets Palestinian president

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in Amman, Jordan, on Friday.

09:41 AM BST

Four London schools close amid fears for children's safety

Four schools have closed in London over concerns about the safety of their students, according to reports.

Torah Vodaas Primary School in Edgware, Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary School in Colindale and Menorah High School in Neasden will not reopen until Monday.

A fourth unnamed school will also close its doors today.

Jewish children have been warned by schools to hide their uniforms in fear of antisemitic attacks.

09:31 AM BST

Footage allegedly shows White Phosphorus munitions in Gaza

09:09 AM BST

Hamas says 13 hostages killed in Israel strikes on Gaza

At least 13 Israeli and foreign hostages held in the northern Gaza Strip have been killed in Israeli air strikes in the past 24 hours, Hamas’s armed wing said Friday.

In a surprise assault early Saturday, Hamas militants stormed Israeli communities near the Gaza border and fired barrages of rockets, in an attack that claimed more than 1,200 lives.

Israel says Hamas has taken more than 150 people hostage, including both civilians and security forces.

“Thirteen prisoners... including foreigners” were killed in five locations targeted by Israeli fighter jets, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement.

08:59 AM BST

Lebanese and Iranian leaders meet

Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian earlier today.

They met to discuss the aftermath of the deadly operation by Hamas militants against Israeli towns last weekend.

08:53 AM BST

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrives in Israel

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has landed in Israel, where he is expected to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Friday.

08:42 AM BST

Foreign office advises Britons in Gaza to follow Israeli orders

The Foreign Office has urged civilians to leave Gaza City.

Earlier, the Israeli military told civilians there to flee towards southern Gaza for their own safety.

An update on the Foreign Office travel advice page said: “The Israeli military announced on the morning of 13 October that the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours.

“We advise following this advice issued by the Israeli authorities. We recognise this is a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks.”

08:30 AM BST

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrives in Israel

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has arrived in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv to meet with senior government leaders and see firsthand some of the U.S. weapons and security assistance that Washington rapidly delivered to Israel.

08:21 AM BST

Palestinians flee Israeli attacks

08:08 AM BST

Hamas tells Palestinians to ignore evacuation order

Palestinians have been told by Hamas to remain in their homes, despite a sweeping evacuation order issued by Israel.

The Hamas authority for refugee affairs said its residents of the north of the territory should “remain steadfast in your homes and to stand firm in the face of this disgusting psychological war waged by the occupation”.

08:00 AM BST

Japan condemns Hamas' 'terror attacks'

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told her Israeli counterpart on Thursday the terror attacks by Hamas cannot be justified for any reason, and that Tokyo resolutely condemns the conduct, a statement by the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

Kamikawa told Eli Cohen in their phone call that Israel had the right to defend itself and its people under international law, the statement said.

After initially referring to Hamas as Palestinian militants and avoiding the term “terrorism”, Japan joined other Group of Seven nations in condemning the weekend attacks in Israel as “terrorist acts”.

07:48 AM BST

US speaking to Israeli military 'hourly'

John Kirby said that the US is speaking to the Israeli military on an hourly basis about the hostages.

07:41 AM BST

US 'working very hard hour by hour' for safe evacuation of Palestinians

John Kirby, the White House National Security spokesperson, has said that the US is “working very hard hour by hour” to ensure that there is a way for Palestinian civilians to flee safely.

He told CNN:

07:30 AM BST

Nepali nationals arrive home

Nepali nationals who survived the attack returned home aboard the first special flight from Israel.

A plane carrying 254 Nepalis from Israel landed in the capital city Kathmandu before dawn on Friday, nearly a week after attacks by Hamas.

All those evacuated on Friday were students who were studying agriculture and forestry in Israel under a “learn and earn” programme.

07:18 AM BST

In pictures: Gaza wakes up to destruction

07:06 AM BST

Israel strikes over 750 targets in Gaza overnight

Israel struck over 750 targets in Gaza overnight as the country vowed to annihilate Hamas terrorists who led the attack on Saturday.

The strikes hit underground tunnels used by Hamas, as well as military compounds, residences of senior operatives and weapons storage warehouses.

Dozens of fighter jets were involved in the strikes, which Israel said included 12 Hamas military assets “each located in a multi-storey building”.

A commander of the Hamas’ special “Nukhba” military unit was also killed, according to Israel.

The elite force was said to be tasked with infiltrating Israel.

06:52 AM BST

IDF shares footage of hostage rescue

The Israel Defence Forces has shared footage of what they say is the rescue of around 250 hostages on the day Hamas infiltrated the country.

Sharing a clip on X purporting to show troops moving into a kibbutz in southern Israel, the IDF said 60 Hamas “terrorists” had been killed.

The IDF added that Hamas terrorists were neutralised and 26 were apprehended—including Muhammad Abu A’ali the Deputy Commander of the Hamas southern Naval Division.

06:38 AM BST

Blinken seeks Arab pressure on Hamas as Israel readies Gaza move

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday began a tour of Arab capitals as he seeks to build pressure on Hamas.

The top US diplomat will meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II, a longtime US partner, and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Amman and will then visit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Blinken spent Thursday in Tel Aviv where he promised unwavering solidarity to US ally Israel.

Qatar, where Mr Blinken will head immediately after Jordan, has longstanding ties with Hamas and has been seen as an intermediary in freeing the hostages.

“We’ll continue pressing countries to help prevent the conflict from spreading, and to use their leverage with Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release the hostages,” Blinken said late Thursday in Tel Aviv.

“We’ll also discuss how we can continue to make real our affirmative vision for a region that’s more peaceful, more prosperous, more secure, more integrated.

“In fact, that is the choice, and the choice in some ways has been made even more stark by the actions of Hamas.”

06:27 AM BST

‘Tehran’s hands are all over the Hamas terror attacks’

Writing in The Telegraph, Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, says Hamas’s assault on Israel is part of Iran’s scheme to become a superpower in the Middle East.

Read more: Iran’s sinister plan is in danger of succeeding

05:56 AM BST

UN refugee agency relocates to south

The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) said it relocated its central operations centre and international staff to Gaza’s south to continue its humanitarian operations and support its staff and Palestinian refugees.

“We urge the Israeli Authorities to protect all civilians in UNRWA shelters including schools,” the agency said on X.

05:34 AM BST

Move south now, Israel tells 1.1 million Gazans

The Israeli military has issued a statement telling citizens of northern Gaza to move south.

“The IDF calls on all residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes, move south for their protection and settle in the area south of the Gaza River, as described on the map.

“The terrorist organisation Hamas started a war against the State of Israel; Gaza City is an area where military activity takes place.”

05:20 AM BST

Israeli envoy: UN response to warning is ‘shameful’

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations has appeared to confirm earlier reports that the Israeli military told the UN that 1.1 million people should leave north Gaza in the next 24 hours.

Gilad Erdan told Reuters: “The UN’s response to Israel’s early warning to the residents of Gaza is shameful.”

Mr Erdan added that the UN should focus on condemning Hamas and supporting Israel’s right to self-defence.

05:16 AM BST

Pictured: Police use tear gas as French defy ban on pro-Palestine protests

Paris police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters who had defied a ban and demonstrated Thursday against the Israeli government.

The unrest came despite France’s interior minister on Thursday ordering local authorities to ban all pro-Palestinian demonstrations amid a rise in antisemitic acts since Hamas attacked Israel over the weekend.

President Emmanuel Macron urged French people not to allow the war in the Mideast erupt into tensions at home.

“Let us not bring ideological adventures here (to France) by imitation or by projection. Let us not add national fractures... to international fractures,” Mr Macron pleaded. “Let us stay united.”

04:57 AM BST

Hamas: Israel relocation order is ‘fake propaganda’

A Hamas official has told Reuters that Israel’s relocation warning to the UN is “fake propaganda” and has urged citizens of Gaza “not to fall for it”

04:17 AM BST

Israel ‘used white phosphorus in Gaza’

Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions capable of burning human flesh in Gaza and Lebanon.

The international non-governmental organisation claimed it had verified videos showing repeated use of artillery-fired white phosphorus in Gaza and Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday.

White phosphorus can cause severe burns, putting civilians at risk of serious and long-term injuries, including causing multiple organ failure.

Read more: Israel has used white phosphorus in Gaza, human rights group claims

03:41 AM BST

Posters of missing children torn down by Palestine supporters

Palestine supporters appear to have torn down posters of missing Israeli children in London.

Footage shared on social media shows two women ripping the flyers from walls in Camden.

The Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the footage, and it is being assessed.

Read more: Posters of missing Israeli children torn down by Palestine supporters in London

03:02 AM BST

Hamas member defends murderous rampage

A prominent civilian member of Hamas defended the group’s rampage through Israeli communities in a video released by the group on Thursday and decried the civilian deaths in Gaza from the six days of Israeli airstrikes that have followed.

Basem Naim, a physician and former Hamas government minister, said in the “swift collapse” of the Israeli military on Saturday, “chaos prevailed and civilians found themselves in the middle of the confrontation” between Israeli and Hamas combatants.

The claim is contradicted by countless videos and survivor accounts of Hamas militants deliberately targeting and killing hundreds of civilians.

Naim said the 150 hostages taken back into Gaza would be treated according to religious values and international laws. “At the same time we are really worried … they might be the victims of the Israeli army bombardment, like our people,” he said.

He added that Hamas would not consider freeing the captives until Israel stopped its bombardment.

02:34 AM BST

PM calls on Israel to ‘protect ordinary Palestinians’

Rishi Sunak has called on Israel to “protect ordinary Palestinians” as it hunts down Hamas militants responsible for killing hundreds of Israelis.

Downing Street confirmed the Prime Minister spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday after agreeing to send Royal Navy vessels and Royal Air Force surveillance planes to support Tel Aviv after Hamas’ attack.

A No 10 spokeswoman said that during the phone call Mr Sunak “reiterated that the UK stands side by side with Israel in fighting terror” and that Hamas should “never again be able to perpetrate atrocities against the Israeli people”.

She added: “Noting that Hamas has enmeshed itself in the civilian population in Gaza, the Prime Minister said it was important to take all possible measures to protect ordinary Palestinians and facilitate humanitarian aid.”

01:51 AM BST

UN issues appeal to help Palestinians

The United Nations on Thursday issued an emergency appeal for $294 million to address “the most urgent needs” in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The funds would be used to help more than 1.2 million people, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, stressing that aid groups do not have “the resources required to adequately respond to the full range of needs of vulnerable Palestinians.”

01:27 AM BST

HRW claims it has proof Israel used white phosphorus

Human Rights Watch said it had verified footage showing multiple airbursts of artillery-fired white phosphorus over Gaza City’s port and in two rural locations along the Israel-Lebanon border.

It said it had also interviewed two people who described an attack in Gaza.

They estimated that the attack took place sometime between 11.30 am and 1pm. Both said that the smell was stifling.

“Any time that white phosphorus is used in crowded civilian areas, it poses a high risk of excruciating burns and lifelong suffering,” said Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

“White phosphorus is unlawfully indiscriminate when airburst in populated urban areas, where it can burn down houses and cause egregious harm to civilians.”

01:02 AM BST

X investigated by EU over disinformation

Elon Musk’s X platform is being investigated by the European Union over the dissemination of violent content and misinformation related to the Israel-Hamas war.

The move by Thierry Breton, a European commissioner, ramps up the pressure on social media companies to remove illegal and harmful content from their platforms in order to comply with a landmark European law.

Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), large social media companies must follow tough new rules on stopping the spread of disinformation and other harmful material or face penalties of up to six per cent of their global revenues.

Read more: Elon Musk’s X investigated by EU over disinformation about Israel-Hamas war

12:45 AM BST

UN: 423,000 people forced out of Gaza

More than 423,000 people have now been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations said, as heavy Israeli bombardments continue to hit the Palestinian enclave.

As of late Thursday, the number of displaced people in Gaza had risen by an additional 84,444 people and reached 423,378, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said.

12:17 AM BST

Israel publishes picture of murdered baby

The Israeli government has released a graphic photograph that appears to show the body of a baby murdered by Hamas terrorists.

It shows a blood-stained infant, still dressed in a babygrow and nappy, lying inside a small body bag.

The baby’s face has been blurred out. Gloved hands of two Israeli forensic workers in white overalls can be seen in the background.

The official Twitter account of the Israeli government has posted a distressing image that appears to show a baby murdered by Hamas terrorists. The Telegraph is giving readers the choice of whether they wish to view the image.

Read more: Israel publishes picture of baby murdered by Hamas

12:15 AM BST

What is white phosphorus?

White phosphorus munitions can legally be used on battlefields to make smoke screens, generate illumination, mark targets or burn bunkers and buildings.

Upon contact, white phosphorus can burn people “down to the bone” as it is highly soluble in human flesh, according to the NGO.

Dressed wounds can reignite when the dressings are removed and the wounds are re-exposed to oxygen, and even relatively minor burns can prove fatal.

Because it has legal uses, white phosphorus is not banned as a chemical weapon under international conventions.

White phosphorous is considered an incendiary weapon under Protocol III of the Convention on the Prohibition of Use of Certain Conventional Weapons. The protocol prohibits using incendiary weapons against military targets located among civilians, although Israel has not signed it and is not bound by it.

12:02 AM BST

Good morning

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the latest developments in Gaza.

Here’s a summary of the top stories:

• The Israeli government has released a graphic photograph that appears to show the body of a baby murdered by Hamas terrorists

• Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, went even further, publishing several other pictures showing the charred remains of infants

• Israel is pounding Gaza with missiles and troops, while tanks gather for a full ground invasion

• Rishi Sunak said Israel was the victim of the world’s third-worst terror attack since 1970

• Britain is sending warships to help prevent any future massacres in Israel and deter Israel’s regional foes, such as Iran, from joining the war

• Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, warned that Iran was trying to provoke Israel into an “over-reaction”

• Israel launched twin air strikes on Syria’s Aleppo and Damascus airports in an attempt to stem the flow of weapons to Lebanese faction Hizbollah

• Britain’s Foreign Office said it had “temporarily” withdrawn the families of staff at its embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem

• France banned all pro-Palestine demonstrations, but police later clashed with protesters in Paris

• The Metropolitan Police said it would not ban flying the Palestinian flag at demonstrations ahead of a pro-Palestine rally in London on Saturday

• Palestine supporters appear to have torn down posters of missing Israeli children in London

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