Israel-Palestine conflict live: Fierce gun battles rage in streets as ‘hundreds of Hamas militants killed’

Israel and Hamas fighters are still trading fire in Israeli towns a day after the Palestinian militants breached the heavily fortified border from Gaza and poured into nearby settlements, killing and taking hostage both soldiers and civilians in an unprecedented attack.

British citizen Jacob Marlowe is among the missing after Hamas stormed a music festival and seized partygoers as hostages as part of its surprise and highly co-ordinated attack on Saturday morning.

Vowing brutal retaliation, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared the country to be at war and vowed to turn Hamas sites to rubble – warning Palestinians they should leave beseiged Gaza, despite them being unable to do so.

Gaza health authorities reported 313 fatalities, as relentless Israeli strikes contined overnight. Israel’s military claimed on Sunday to have killed more than 400 Hamas gunmen as battles continued to dislodge and root out militants from eight settlements within Israel.

The military gave Israeli residents 24 hours to evacuate homes near the border, warning that “every terrorist located in a house, all the commanders in houses, will be hit by Israeli fire”.

Key Points

• Gun battles rage as Israel vows to ‘kill every terrorist in Israeli territory'

• British citizen among missing after Hamas attack music festival

• Hamas has taken 100 Israeli soldiers and civilians hostage, embassy says

• ‘We are at war and we will win,’ says Benjamin Netanyahu

• At least 258 Palestinians killed as Israel levels buildings in relentless Gaza strikes

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.

Poland to evacuate its citizens from Israel -officials

Sunday 8 October 2023 14:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Poland will send military planes to evacuate its citizens from Israel, Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Sunday, a day after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.

“We are sending air force transport planes to carry out the evacuation of Poles currently staying in Israel. Soldiers from our special forces will ensure loading protection and safety on board,” Duda wrote on X social media platform.

Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said Poland was sending two C-130 Hercules planes to evacuate some 200 Poles from Ben Gurion Airport.

It would add more planes if necessary or liaise with Greece to ferry Polish citizens to the Mediterranean country before bringing them home on Casa transport planes.

“We are in talks on establishing an evacuation bridge... with Greece,” Blaszczak said at a press conference.

“We can expect these planes to take off any moment, arrive at their destination and pick up Polish tourists waiting at the airport,” he added.

Watch: Israeli festivalgoer describes terrifying moment Hamas militants opened fire

Sunday 8 October 2023 14:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Disrupting Saudi-Israel ties may have motivated Hamas attack, Blinken says

Sunday 8 October 2023 14:33 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Disrupting a potential normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia could certainly be part of the motivation for the latest attack on Israel by Hamas, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told U.S. media on Sunday.

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 his interview on Sunday with CNN.

Israel's envoy to Turkey says too early to talk mediation

Sunday 8 October 2023 13:38 , Andy Gregory

Israel’s Ambassador to Turkey, Irit Lillian, has said it is too early to talk about mediation offers between Israel and Hamas, adding the attacks showed that Hamas should not have any presence in Turkey or elsewhere.

In an online briefing with journalists after Turkey said it was in contact with all parties and stood ready to de-escalate, Ms Lillian said Israel’s priority was its response to the attack.

“Mediation comes at a different point of time. Right now, we are unfortunately counting the dead, we are trying to heal the wounded, we don’t even know what is the number of the citizens abducted,” she said.

“We want to see all the abducted people coming home and we want quiet and calmness coming back to Israel and the region,” she added. “After that, we can talk about mediation and who are going to be the players in this mediation.”

The conflict comes as Turkey, which has backed Palestinians in the past, hosted members of Hamas, and supported a two-state solution to the conflict, works to repair ties with Israel after years of animosity. Ankara does not consider Hamas a terrorist organisation.

Death toll in Israel ‘rises to 600', local media reports

Sunday 8 October 2023 13:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The death toll in Israel following a surprise attack by the militant group Hamas stands at 600, according to several Israeli media outlets.The Kan public broadcaster and Channel 12, as well as the Haaretz and Times of Israel newspapers, reported the toll Sunday.There has been no official confirmation of the number of deaths on the Israeli side since the fighting erupted early Saturday.

Watch: Moment Israel strikes Gaza tower block as reporter is live on-air

Sunday 8 October 2023 13:21 , Andy Gregory

Hezbollah: ‘Our guns and rockets are with Hamas'

Sunday 8 October 2023 13:04 , Andy Gregory

Senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine said his group’s “guns and rockets” were with Palestinian militants who carried out a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday that left 250 Israelis dead.

“Our history, our guns and our rockets are with you. Everything we have is with you,” Safieddine said at an event in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh on Beirut’s outskirts in solidarity with the Palestinian fighters.

Gun battles rage as Israel vows to ‘kill every terrorist in Israeli territory'

Sunday 8 October 2023 12:47 , Andy Gregory

Israel claims to have killed hundreds of Hamas fighters as gun battles play out in the streets of Israel amid efforts to root out and dislodge militants from eight settlements.

Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters the situation at the northern border was calm after the exchange. But he said fighting was still underway in the south and that there were still hostage situations there.

He said troops had moved into every community near the Gaza frontier, where they planned to evacuate all civilians and scour the area for militants. This includes Urim, Bari, Nahal Oz, Native Hatara, Zikim, and further evacuations “will be done according to the assessment of the situation”, the military said.

“We will go through every community until we kill every terrorist that is in Israeli territory,” he said. In Gaza, “every terrorist located in a house, all the commanders in houses, will be hit by Israeli fire. That will continue escalating in the coming hours.”

Hamas said it had continued overnight to send forces and equipment into “a number of locations inside our occupied territories,” referring to Israel.

Hamas-linked media reported that the son of Nizar Awadallah, a senior political official, was killed. Hamas has not reported any senior members being captured, killed or wounded.

‘Hundreds’ of Hamas fighters killed and dozens captured, says Israel

Sunday 8 October 2023 12:13 , Andy Gregory

“Hundreds” of Hamas militants have been killed and dozens captured amid ongoing fighting in Gaza and southern Israel, Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari has said.

Israel’s military has been pummelling Gaza with strikes and claims to have hit multiple Hamas targets. More than 300 people have been reported dead by health authorities, with a hospital and high-rise civilian buildings said to be among those hit.

Israel also said it was seeking to push Hamas fighters from eight locations in Israel with gunfights reported in the streets after militants breached the border from Gaza yesterday.

Mapped: Where is fighting said to be taking place?

Sunday 8 October 2023 12:01 , Andy Gregory

My colleague Maryam Zakir-Hussain has mapped out the locations where fighting is reported to be taking place:

Two Israelis killed after Egyptian police ‘open fire at tourist site’ in Alexandria

Sunday 8 October 2023 10:59 , Andy Gregory

Two Israeli tourists were killed after an Egyptian police officer reportedly opened fire in the coastal city of Alexandria, according to Egypt’s interior ministry.

One Egyptian person was also killed in the shooting.

You can refresh the article below for updates on this breaking development:

Two Israelis killed after Egyptian police ‘open fire at tourist site’ in Alexandria

Flights cancelled and cruise diverted as travel industry responds to attacks on Israel

Sunday 8 October 2023 10:54 , Andy Gregory

Our travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:

Seventy flights to and from Tel Aviv on Sunday have been cancelled and diverted following the Hamas attacks on Israel. Most departures from Europe, the Middle East and the US were grounded. Two flights – from Ibiza and Naples – took off for Tel Aviv but were diverted to Larnaca, the main airport on the island of Cyprus.

Ben Gurion International Airport remains open and operational. Saturday night’s British Airways flight from London Heathrow touched down 80 minutes behind schedule at 1.10am on Sunday, and the return service departed on time at 7.10am. But the Sunday afternoon BA flight has been grounded, along with services on easyJet and Wizz Air.

Both easyJet flights from Luton to Tel Aviv on Sunday have been grounded. Passengers were told: “We’re sorry that your flight has been cancelled. This is due to the evolving events in Israel.”

A spokesperson for Wizz Air said: “Due to the situation in Israel, we have cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv on Sunday 8 October. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and are in touch with the relevant authorities. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our number one priority and all affected passengers will be contacted via email or text.”

El Al, the Israeli national airline, was not flying during the initial attacks because schedules avoid the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat). Operations resumed after nightfall on Saturday, and the overnight flight from London Heathrow landed on schedule shortly after 5am.

A cruise ship that was due to arrive at Haifa in Israel in the early hours of Sunday morning has changed course to Limassol. Celebrity Apex had just begun a Holy Land cruise from Athens to Israel and Egypt.

The subsequent departure, on 16 October, appears to have been changed so that the two days at Israeli ports will instead be spent at sea.

Whereabouts and wellbeing of missing British citizen still unknown, says Israeli embassy

Sunday 8 October 2023 10:51 , Andy Gregory

It is yet not known whether missing British citizen Jake Marlowe is still alive or if he has been taken hostage, the Israeli embassy in London has told The Independent.

“He is missing,” a spokesperson said. “We don’t know yet if taken hostage or killed.”

The 26-year-old’s mother Lisa told Jewish News: “He was doing security at this rave yesterday and called me at 4.30am to say all these rockets were flying over. Then, at about 5.30am, he texted to say, ‘signal very bad, everything OK, will keep you updated I promise you,’ and that he loves me.”

Ms Marlowe said her son had not been online for hours, adding: “I’ve left him lots of WhatsApp messages but I’ve not been able to leave him a [voice] message… I can’t bear to listen to the phone just ringing and not being answered.”

UK in contact with Israel about British citizens, says Tory minister

Sunday 8 October 2023 10:32 , Adam Forrest

Cabinet minister Mark Harper told Sky News that the UK is “working very closely and have been in contact with the Israeli government about any British citizens” in the country after the attack by Hamas militants.

Mr Harper, the transport secretary, said he had no “specific information” on the reports of a British woman who said her son is missing, amid fears he has been taken to Gaza.

“My own department is working closely with British airlines that fly in that part of the world to make sure they’ve all the information they have to make sure they can continue to keep their passengers safe,” he told the BBC.

He added: “We support their right of self-defence and will support them in whatever they decide to do to defend their country.”

British citizen ‘missing’ after Hamas gunmen storm Israeli music festival and drag away hostages

Sunday 8 October 2023 10:16 , Andy Gregory

A British citizen is “missing near Gaza” after Hamas militants attacked a music festival and seized partygoers as hostages during their unprecedented incursion across the border with Israel, the country’s embassy in the UK has said.

Thousands of partygoers fled a rave near the border as it was attacked by militants, who were filmed seizing one woman and taking her away on a motorbike.

British citizen Jake Marlowe has not been heard from since Saturday morning and is “missing near Gaza” after the attack on the festival, the Israeli embassy told Sky News.

The Independent has approached the embassy and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment and we’ll bring you more details as we get them.

British citizen missing after Hamas attacks Israeli music festival, embassy says

Hamas has deliberately pushed peace prospects, says Starmer

Sunday 8 October 2023 10:13 , Andy Gregory

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has said there is “no justification” for the attack on Israel, arguing that Hamas has deliberately pushed back the prospect of a peace deal.

He told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “This is an appalling attack on Israel, a terrorist attack, for which there is no justification. The perpetrators of this have deliberately pushed back the prospect of peace agreements.”

He said he spoke to the leader of the Israeli Labour party, Merav Michaeli, last night. “The siren went off and she had to go down into her shelter,” he said. “So it’s an appalling act of terrorism, it needs to be called out across the world.”

Hamas gunmen open fire at music festival and drag away screaming hostages as thousands flee for their lives

Sunday 8 October 2023 09:52 , Andy Gregory

Thousands of terrified partygoers fled as Hamas militants stormed a desert rave in Israel during their shock cross-border attack from Gaza, with attendees at the dance party among those seized as hostages.

Esther Borochov was among thousands who fled the rave attacked by the gunmen, and described surviving only by playing dead in a car after the driver trying to help her escape was shot at point-blank range.

“I couldn’t move my legs,” she told Reuters from hospital. “Soldiers came and took us away to the bushes.”

Harrowing footage showed a 25-year-old woman being driven away on a Palestinian gunman’s motorcycle as she pleaded “don’t kill me”. Her boyfriend, who was also in the footage being dragged away, is also believed to have been taken hostage, his brother told Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 News.

UK must encourage Israel and Palestine to re-engage on peace process, says Tory MP

Sunday 8 October 2023 09:18 , Andy Gregory

The UK needs to encourage Israel and Palestine to re-engage with the introduction of a special envoy to the Middle East peace process, a senior Tory MP has said.

Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee, has called for the proscription of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) which she described as the country’s “international terror tool”.

She told BBC Breakfast: “We need to crack down on the IRGC on UK soil. Yesterday we saw too many Jewish people across our country asking why they saw people out on the streets of London – across our country – celebrating the torture and attack on Israeli people.

“And we need to make sure that human cost is minimised as much as possible for our Israeli allies, but also for those civilians who are stuck and trapped within Gaza.”

Israel ‘in a reality that has become a nightmare’, ambassador to UK says

Sunday 8 October 2023 08:41 , Andy Gregory

Israel is experiencing “a reality that has become a nightmare”, the country’s ambassador to the UK has said.

Tzipi Hotovely told BBC Breakfast: “Israel is in a war that Hamas started yesterday. Calculated. Planned. Targeting Israelis, targeting civilians, targeting innocent children.

“We saw Prime Minister Sunak, we saw President Biden yesterday, they’re supporting Israel’s right for self-defence, because we are in a reality that has become a nightmare. We can’t do anything else ... we need to protect our people.

“This is a necessity war. [Israel] wasn’t expecting this to happen [but] we need to make sure the infrastructure of terrorism is 100 per cent destroyed.”

At least 256 Palestinians killed as Israel launches relentless overnight airstrikes

Sunday 8 October 2023 08:19 , Andy Gregory

At least 256 people in the Gaza Strip have so far killed in Israeli strikes, including 20 children, and close to 1,800 wounded, the Palestinian health ministry has said.

Israel struck 426 targets in Gaza, its military said, flattening residential buildings in giant explosions. That included a 14-storey tower that held dozens of apartments as well as Hamas offices in central Gaza City.

Hezbollah and Israel trade fire on targets near Lebanon border

Sunday 8 October 2023 08:12 , Andy Gregory

Israel has exchanged fire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, amid concerns that the Lebanese militant group – which is backed by Iran – could seek to join the conflict which erupted on Saturday morning.

With a UN peacekeeping force having enhanced its presence near Lebanon’s southern border, including “counter rocket-launching operations”, Hezbollah nevertheless struck Israeli positions in a disputed area along the border with Syria’s Golan Heights.

Israel’s military has responded with armed drone strikes on Hezbollah targets in a disputed area where the borders of Israel, Lebanon and Syria meet.

100 hostages have been taken, Israel embassy to US says

Sunday 8 October 2023 07:58 , Andy Gregory

Around 100 Israeli soldiers and civilians have been taken hostage by Hamas, Israel’s embassy to the United States has said.

It is the clearest indication of the number of hostages so far, with Israel’s military having said that a “significant number” of hostages have been taken.

Israel has said two hostage situations have beedn “resolved” but the wellbeing of those freed is unclear.

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