Iran warns Israel to halt 'war crimes' in Gaza before 'it's too late'
Live updates of the Israel-Hamas conflict
- Israel continues bombing Gaza a day after telling 1.1 million residents to head south ahead of a looming ground offensive following Hamas's attack inside Israel last week.
- At least 2,215 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air attacks on Gaza. The number of people killed in Israel has reached 1,300.
Iran: Israel must stop 'war crimes' before it's 'too late'
Iran demanded that Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza, warning the war could expand to other parts of the Middle East if Hezbollah joins the battle, adding Israel may suffer "a huge earthquake".
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told reporters in Beirut that Lebanon's Hezbollah group has taken all the scenarios of a war into consideration, and Israel should stop its attacks on Gaza immediately.
With no aid in sight, Gaza doctors warn of humanitarian disaster
Doctors at Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in Gaza City, warn of an impending infectious disease outbreak due to overcrowding.
"There are thousands – if not tens of thousands – of people who have flocked to the hospital," surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta told Al Jazeera,
"They are sleeping on the ground, in the corridors, between patients' beds. People are absolutely terrified. They think this is the safest place and everything around them confirms that," he said.
"Unless there is respite there is going to be a public health catastrophe at the hospital."
126 Israelis held captive in Gaza
There are 126 Israelis being held captive in Gaza, an Israeli army spokesman says.
Hamas said it captured more than 100 people and seeks the release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails – about 4,500 detainees – in exchange for the Israeli hostages.
Israel warns Lebanon's Hezbollah to remain out of Gaza war
The national security adviser to Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Hezbollah not to be drawn in Israel's war in Gaza.
"We hope Hezbollah won't, de facto, bring about the destruction of Lebanon, because if there is a war there the result will be no less," Tzachi Hanegbi said during a televised briefing.
Israel's army says preparing operation by 'air, sea and land'
Israel's military has said it is "preparing to expand the attack" in Gaza, hinting at a long-expected land incursion of the enclave.
In a statement, the military said it was planning a wide range of offensive operation, including "coordinated attack from the air, sea and land".
"Various battalions and army forces are deployed throughout Israel in preparation for raising the level of readiness and in preparation for the next stages of the war, especially the large ground operation," the military said.
Aid flights continue arriving in Egypt, with nowhere to go
At least two aid flights – from Turkey and the WHO – have landed at Egypt's Al Arish airport near the Gaza border today.
That brings the total number of planes that have arrived this week carrying humanitarian relief for Gaza to at least five, according to Reuters news agency, which cites a Red Cross official and an aid volunteer.
UN says Gaza shelters 'not safe anymore' as water runs out
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has said its shelters in Gaza "are not safe anymore", calling it "unprecedented" as it warns water running our for besieged enclave's residents.
"Wars have rules. Civilians, hospitals, schools, clinics & UN premises cannot be a target," UNWRA said in a statement.
"We are sparing no effort to advocate with parties to the conflicts to meet their obligations under international law to protect civilians including those seeking refuge in UNRWA shelters," the UN agency added.
UN aid chief says 'humanity is failing'
Martin Griffiths, in his latest statement on the conflict, reflected on a "dreadful week" in which "humanity is failing".
"I fear the worst is yet come," he said, adding in Gaza, there is "no power, no water and no fuel", food supplies were running low, hospitals are "running our medicine", and "morgues are overflowing".
Hamas chief says Palestinians will 'never leave Gaza'
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has just begun a televised address, accusing Israel of committing "genocide" in the Gaza Strip.
"Our enemy is doing this with the US administration and some European countries," he said.
"The people of Gaza are staying in their land. They will never leave Gaza or flee [to Egypt]," he added.
Germany's Scholz says important to avoid Hezbollah intervention
Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany, has held a phone conversation with Netanyahu during which he reiterated that his country "stands unwaveringly at Israel's side", according to a spokesperson.
US, China discuss Israel-Gaza in phone call
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has used a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to ask for Bejing's help in ensuring the Israel-Hamas conflict does not extend to other countries in the Middle East, reports the BBC.
In turn, Wang said Washington should "play a constructive and responsible role".
"When dealing with international hot-spot issues, major countries must adhere to objectivity and fairness, maintain calmness and restraint, and take the lead in abiding by international law," said Wang.
Netanyahu visits troops near Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has paid a visit to Israeli ground forces stationed near the besieged Gaza Strip.
"With our fighters in the Gaza Strip, on the front line. We are all ready," he said on X.
State Dept says US encouraging citizens in Gaza to move to Rafah crossing
"We have informed US citizens in Gaza with whom we are in contact that if they assess it to be safe, they may wish to move closer to the Rafah border crossing," a State Department spokesperson said. "There may be very little notice if the crossing opens and it may only open for a limited time."
At least 28 medical staff killed by Israeli shelling: Ministry of health
According to the ministry of health, at least 28 medical staff have been killed in Gaza.
Also, at least 15 hospitals have been damaged by Israeli shelling and air raids.
UN expert warns of new instance of mass ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, calls for ceasefire
A United Nations human rights expert has warned that Palestinians are in grave danger of mass ethnic cleansing and has called on the global community to mediate a ceasefire.
"The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel has reached fever pitch," said Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
"There is a grave danger that what we are witnessing may be a repeat of the 1948 Nakba, and the 1967 Naksa, yet on a larger scale. The international community must do everything to stop this from happening again," she said.
Biden says US working to create conditions for aid flow
In a post on X, President Joe Biden said the United States is working with the governments of Israel, Egypt, Jordan, as well as the United Nations, "to surge support to ease the humanitarian consequences of Hamas's attack, create conditions needed to resume the flow of assistance, and advocate for the upholding of the law of war".
'They have a just struggle': South African president pledges solidarity with Palestinians
Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of the ruling African National Congress, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged "solidarity" with Palestinians.
Hezbollah claims responsibility for attack on Israeli positions
Hezbollah has now claimed responsibility for the attack on Israeli positions.
The Lebanese group's military media said it attacked five Israeli positions in the Shebaa Farms with guided missiles and mortar shells at 3:15pm (12:15 GMT).
Hamas chief accuses Israel of war crimes
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has accused Israel of committing war crimes and preventing humanitarian aid from entering Gaza.
"Israeli atrocities amount to war crimes," he said in a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that was posted on the Palestinian group's website.
Delivery of aid to Gaza 'must happen': WHO
The World Health Organisation said the delivery of aid to Gaza "must happen".
"Hospitals are overwhelmed, people cannot get treatment, kids with burns have no pain relief – it's absolutely critical," WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told Al Jazeera.
Hamas says nine hostages killed in Israeli air strikes in 24 hours
Hamas says another nine hostages taken a week ago, including four foreigners, were killed due to Israeli air strikes in Gaza over the past 24 hours.
Saudi FM decries civilian casualties after meeting Blinken
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has decried civilian casualties after meeting Blinken.
"It's a disturbing situation. It's a very difficult situation. And, you know, the primary sufferers of this situation are civilians and civilian populations on both sides are being affected," he said.
UN says its shelters in Gaza are not safe any more
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said its shelters in Gaza "are not safe anymore", calling it "unprecedented".
"Wars have rules. Civilians, hospitals, schools, clinics & UN premises cannot be a target," the UNWRA said in a statement.
'We comply with International Humanitarian Law': Israel's envoy to the UN
Meirav Eilon Shahar, Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, has said Israel is complying with international humanitarian law, reports Al Jazeera.
On the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), she said the Israeli army takes "every feasible precaution available to mitigate unintended civilian harm, including warning of operations that may cause harm to civilians, in Arabic, through media, social media, dropping leaflets, civic and international organisations. Under IHL(International Humanitarian Law), warnings should be effective and in advance."
Her comments came in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus's plea to Israel to "reconsider the decision to evacuate 1.1 million people."
Children among dead as fleeing Palestinian convoy struck on evacuation route
The BBC has confirmed that a convoy of vehicles heading towards southern Gaza were hit during a strike, leaving many, including children, dead.
The strike occurred on Salah-al-Din street; one of two evacuation routes from north Gaza to the south.
The road was full of traffic all day yesterday as Gazans based in the north adhered to Israeli warnings to vacate the area, the BBC reported.
At least 12 dead bodies are visible in footage captured by the BBC.
They are mostly women and children - some of whom appear to be as young as two to five years old.
Most are seen lying on the back of flatbed truck – others are scattered around the road. Other damaged vehicles also litter the area.
The Palestinian Health Ministry says 70 people were killed at the scene, and have blamed Israel for the attack.
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) says it is investigating but said its enemies are trying to prevent civilians leaving the north.
More than a million Palestinians were told on Friday to relocate ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive.
The evacuation area includes the whole of Gaza City and two major refugee camps, Jabalia and Beach Camp.
Human rights organisations have said such a mass movement of people will inevitably prove chaotic and extremely hazardous - the UN called a movement of this many people in a short time frame "impossible".
Israel gives Palestine's Red Crescent until 1300 GMT to evacuate Al-Quds hospital in Gaza City
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society received an order from Israeli forces on Saturday with a new deadline to evacuate its Al-Quds hospital in Gaza City by 1300 GMT (16:00 pm local), according to a statement.
An initial deadline was given for 0300 GMT (06:00 am local) but was later extended, reports Reuters.
However, the association said they cannot evacuate the hospital and it is obliged under a humanitarian mandate to continue providing services to the sick and wounded, the statement added.
Israel, Egypt agree to let US citizens leave Gaza Saturday: US
Egypt and Israel have agreed to let US citizens leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing on Saturday as Israel carries out strikes against Hamas, a US official said.
According to AFP, the two US partners agreed to keep the sole crossing from Gaza to Egypt open from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm (0900-1400 GMT), said a US official accompanying Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a regional tour, and adding that Qatar spoke with Hamas to encourage cooperation.
Fleeing Gazans can stay with relatives, take a tent: IDF spokesperson
Israel is acting according to international law, a military spokesperson told BBC amid accusations that the forcible evacuation of people from northern Gaza amounts to a war crime, reports BBC.
"We're not putting people in trucks," Lt Col Richard Hecht told the BBC News channel.
"We're telling people to move south. Hamas could move them if they cared about them - it's their responsibility." He also suggested fleeing Gazans to stay with relatives or take a tent, saying he is sure they would "find places to stay". "We will not lose our humanity. We are not them - we are not them."
Pro-Palestinian rally under way in central London
According to BBC, the demonstration - which will make its way to Whitehall where the UK government is based - is made up of people of all ages and several families with children. A small group wearing the kippah, the traditional Jewish skullcap, are also taking part. One group unfurled a giant Palestinian flag as organisers and protesters chanted, "Free, free Palestine - occupation is a crime". Others carried banners reading "Stop arming Israel".
Israel has announced a six-hour evacuation window for move to south Gaza, the Al Jazeera has reported.
With air raids having decimated populations fleeing Gaza, the window provides some reprieve.
The evacuation has also prompted worries in neighbouring countries, who face heightened concerns of having to deal with a refugee crisis.
In a statement, Qatar says it categorically rejects any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinian residents of Gaza Strip.
It called on "lifting the siege of Gaza Strip, and provide full protection for the Palestinian civilians according to the international and humanitarian laws".
Meanwhile, Israeli raids continue in refugee camps.
According to Al Jazeera, one Palestinian has been killed in Aqbat Jabr refugee camp.
Around 400 Palestinians have been arrested since the start of the current escalation and our sources say that some of them are indeed Hamas leaders.
Gaza hospitals make urgent corridor appeal amid bombing
Gaza health officials demand urgent opening of corridors to evacuate the wounded abroad due to the "catastrophic" situation inside the besieged enclave.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia 'categorically reject' evacuation of Gazans: BBC
Qatar and Saudi Arabia both say they categorically reject the forcible displacement of Palestinians inside Gaza, after Israel called on Gazans to leave the north of the territory and head south, reports BBC.
A statement from the Qatari foreign ministry says it is calling for the "lifting of the siege of the Gaza Strip, and provide full protection for the Palestinian civilians according to the international and humanitarian laws".
The health ministry in Gaza says 324 Palestinians have been killed and 1,000 others have been wounded in Israeli air raids in Gaza in the past 24 hours.
It added that 66 percent of the victims are children and women.
Al Jazeera correspondents have reported that thousands of Palestinian civilians have fled northern Gaza after a warning from Israel.
Jordan says Palestinian displacement pushes region to 'abyss' of wider conflict
Jordan on Saturday said any move by Israel to impose a new displacement of Palestinians would push the region to the "abyss" of a wider regional conflict, reports Reuters.
Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also said Israel's blocking of humanitarian aid to Gaza and forcing its residents to leave their homes as it escalates its military action were a "flagrant" breach of international law.
Foreign victims of Hamas attack: BBC
- US: 27 dead
- Thailand: 24 dead
- France: 15 dead
- Nepal: 10 dead
- Argentina: Seven dead
- Ukraine: Seven dead
- Russia: Four dead
- UK: Four dead
- Chile: Four dead
- Austria: Three dead
- Belarus: Three dead
- Canada: Three dead
- China: Three dead
- Philippines: Three dead
- Brazil: Three dead
- Peru: Two dead
- Romania: Two dead
- Australia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Colombia, Paraguay: One dead
- Germany, Mexico: Several hostages taken
- Italy, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Tanzania: Several missing
More than 1,300 buildings destroyed in Gaza: UN
More than 1,300 buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed, the United Nations said Saturday, after nearly a week of fierce bombardment by Israeli forces, reports AFP.
The UN's humanitarian agency OCHA said "5,540 housing units" in those buildings were destroyed and nearly 3,750 more homes were so badly damaged they were uninhabitable.
Plane with medical supplies lands in Egypt: WHO chief
"We're ready to deploy the supplies as soon as humanitarian access through the crossing is established," he said.
UN chief calls for rules of war to be respected, stops short of urging Israel to halt Gaza attack
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said that moving more than 1 million Palestinians through an overcrowded war zone that is under blockade to an area that is short of food, water and shelter would be "extremely dangerous and simply not possible." He stopped short of calling on Israel to halt its assault on the besieged territory but said "even wars have rules."
Humanitarian agencies have called on Israel to withdraw its ultimatum, delivered on Friday, in which it told more than 1.2 million Palestinians to relocate from northern Gaza to the south of the territory within 24 hours, denouncing it as the collective punishment of civilians, including women, children and the elderly, which is illegal under international law.
Russia calls for Israel-Hamas cease-fire at UN
Russia's ambassador to the United Nations called for a "humanitarian cease-fire" in the Gaza Strip and Israel on Friday, while blaming the United States for the ongoing conflict, reports AFP.
The Russian draft resolution, presented to the Security Council and seen by AFP, calls for an "immediate" ceasefire and the secure release of all hostages, and "strongly condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism."
In less than 24 hours, 256 Palestinians killed: Al Jazeera Report
Saudi Arabia puts Israel deal on ice amid war, engages with Iran, sources say
Saudi Arabia is putting US-backed plans to normalise ties with Israel on ice, two sources familiar with Riyadh's thinking said, signalling a rapid rethinking of its foreign policy priorities as war escalates between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.
The conflict has also pushed the kingdom to engage with Iran. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took his first phone call from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as Riyadh tries to prevent a broader surge in violence across the region.
The two sources told Reuters there would be a delay in the US-backed talks on normalisation with Israel that was a key step for the kingdom to secure what Riyadh considers the real prize of a US defence pact in exchange.
Israel says air raid killed top Hamas commander; no comment from group
According to Al Jazeera, Murad Abu Murad was killed over the past day when fighter jets struck an operational centre of Hamas from where the group carried out its "aerial activity", the military said.
Thai death toll in Israel-Gaza conflict hits 24
Three more Thai nationals have died in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, bringing the death toll to 24, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said Saturday.
"I have been informed that there are three more people who died, making it a total of 24," Srettha told reporters.
Two additional Thai nationals have been wounded, the Thai foreign ministry said, bringing the total to 16.
EU foreign policy chief calls Israel's evacuation plan 'utterly impossible'
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Saturday that a plan by Israel to evacuate more than one million people out of northern Gaza in a single day was "utterly impossible to implement".
Israel warned residents in the area to evacuate before an expected ground offensive against Hamas in retaliation for the deadliest attack in Israel's history.
"I am saying that representing the official position of the European Union,... (the evacuation plan) is utterly, utterly impossible to implement," Borrell told a press conference in Beijing on the final day of a three-day diplomatic visit to China.
"To imagine that you could move one million people in 24 hours in a situation like Gaza can only be a humanitarian crisis," he added.
Netanyahu: Week-long Gaza counter-offensive 'only the beginning'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel's week-old retaliation for the Hamas assault from Gaza was "only the beginning," though he did not elaborate on what might follow or for how long.
"We are striking our enemies with unprecedented might," Netanyahu said in a brief statement which, unusually, was televised after the Jewish sabbath had begun. "I emphasise that this is only the beginning."
Arab states say Palestinians must stay on their land as war escalates
Calls for a humanitarian corridor or an escape route for Palestinians from Gaza as a conflict between Israel and the Palestinian fighters group Hamas has escalated have drawn a blunt reaction from Arab neighbours.
Egypt, the only Arab state to share a border with Gaza, and Jordan, which is next to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, have both warned against Palestinians being forced off their land.
At UN, Palestinians call for halt to Israeli offensive, world powers mull options
The Palestinian United Nations envoy appealed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday to do more to stop a "crime against humanity" by Israel, which has warned nearly half of the population of the Gaza Strip to relocate as it plans an assault.
"He has to do more. Whatever was done is not sufficient. We need all of us to do more to stop this crime against humanity," Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour told reporters before a meeting of Arab Group ambassadors at the United Nations.
Tens of thousands rally in Mideast, West to support Israel, Palestinians
Tens of thousands of protesters rallied across the Middle East and in parts of Asia, Europe and the United States on Friday in support of Palestinians and condemnation of Israel as it intensified its strikes on Gaza in retaliation for Hamas assaults.
Jewish communities in the US, France and elsewhere also held rallies in solidarity with Israel after the Hamas attack from Gaza, the deadliest killing spree against Israeli civilians in the country's 75-year history.
There has been strong support and sympathy for Israel from Western governments and many citizens over the Hamas attacks, but the Israeli response has also prompted anger, particularly in Arab and Muslim countries.
In Turkey, crowds gathered outside mosques chanting against Israel and saluting Hamas. In the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, 46-year-old business owner Mikail Bakan said: "All the Muslim world needs to be one against Israel."
White House: No sign other actors to join Israel-Hamas conflict
The White House said on Friday it has not seen any indications that other actors were considering joining and widening the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian fighter group Hamas.
"We haven't seen any other external actor that has indicated a willingness or readiness to widen and deepen this conflict," White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. The comments came hours after Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem said on Friday that the group would not be swayed by calls for it to stay on the sidelines of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, saying the party was "fully ready" to contribute to the fighting.
Gaza faces evacuation deadline as Israel prepares ground offensive
More than 1 million Palestinians in northern Gaza faced an Israeli deadline on Saturday to flee south, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had only just begun to retaliate for last week's Hamas rampage across southern Israel.
US President Joe Biden said consultations were underway with regional governments on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as trapped Palestinians endured a power blackout and shortages of food and water amid fierce Israeli bombing.
Latest updates on the Israel-Hamas war
It's close to 05:00 GMT (8am local time) Saturday in the Palestinian territories and Israel. If you are joining us just now, here's the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war:
- Dozens of people, including women and children, have been killed in Israeli air raids on convoys of Palestinian refugees fleeing Gaza City.
- Forced evacuations of thousands of people are under way in northern Gaza, in what is described by human rights observers as a "war crime".
- At least 1,900 Palestinians were killed and 7,696 wounded in Israeli air attacks on Gaza. The number of people killed in Israel has reached 1,300, with 2,800 wounded.
- Israeli ground raids have been reported in northern Gaza and the West Bank early on Saturday.
- UN chief Antonio Guterres urges Israel to reconsider its evacuation order in northern Gaza, saying the situation is approaching "a moment of calamitous escalation".
- An Israeli missile attack on journalists working in southern Lebanon killed a Reuters cameraman and wounded several other journalists, including two Al Jazeera staff.
Disclaimer: The news in the thread was sourced from BBC, Al Jazeera, Reuters and other international news sites.