Israel-Palestine latest news: Two American hostages released by Hamas as Gaza hospital ‘ordered to evacuate’

 

Israel-Palestine latest news: Two American hostages released by Hamas as Gaza hospital ‘ordered to evacuate’


An American mother and her teenage daughter who were being held hostage by Hamas have been released.

Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie are out of the Gaza Strip and in the hands of the Israeli military, an army spokesman said on Friday night. Hamas said it had released them for humanitarian reasons in an agreement with the Qatari government.

Judith and Natalie Ranaan had been on a trip from their home in suburban Chicago to Israel to celebrate the Jewish holidays, their family said.

They were in the kibbutz of Nahal Oz, near Gaza, on 7 October - Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday - when Hamas fighters stormed out of the territory into southern Israeli towns.

The family heard nothing from them after the attack and were later told by US and Israeli officials that they were being held in Gaza, Natalie’s brother Ben said.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian humanitarian organisation says it has been warned by Israeli forces to evacuate a hospital in Gaza ‘immediately’. The Al Quds hospital currently has more than 400 patients and 12,000 displaced Gazans, while the claims have not been confirmed by the Israeli military.

Key Points

• Father of American teen hostage freed by Hamas says she is 'doing very good'

• Biden says Hamas attack was aimed to disrupt Saudi-Israel normalisation

• Israel reveals ‘three-phase’ war plan with Hamas in the Gaza Strip

• Egypt begins clearing Rafah crossing for humanitarian aid

• Explainer: What will an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza look like?

• Explosion in Gaza church sheltering Palestinian refugees

• Nine British nationals confirmed dead, says Downing Street

Gaza death toll rises to 4,385, says Palestinian health ministry

12:31 , Tara Cobham

The death toll in Gaza has risen to 4,385 dead with 13,651 injured since the conflict between Hamas and Israel escalated two weeks ago, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The dead include 1,756 children and 976 women, the health ministry added.

Humanitarian aid convoy crosses into Gaza Strip from Egypt

08:30 , Tara Cobham

The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has opened to let desperately needed aid flow to Palestinians for the first time since Israel sealed off the territory following Hamas' bloody rampage two weeks ago.

Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians, half of whom have fled their homes, are rationing food and drinking filthy water. Hospitals say they are running low on medical supplies and fuel for emergency generators amid a territory-wide power blackout.

Israel has launched waves of airstrikes across the territory that have failed to stem ongoing Palestinian rocket fire into Israel.

The opening came after more than a week of high-level diplomacy by various mediators, including visits to the region by US President Joe Biden and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Israel had insisted that nothing would enter Gaza until some 200 people captured by Hamas were freed, and the Palestinian side of the crossing had been shut down by Israeli airstrikes.

More than 200 trucks carrying roughly 3,000 tons of aid, which had been positioned near the crossing for days, began heading into Gaza. Hundreds of foreign passport holders also waited to cross from Gaza to Egypt to escape the conflict.

Aid workers on the Egyptian side of the crossing could be seen chanting and clapping as trucks passed through the main gate to Gaza.

‘Israel must respect international law,’ James Cleverly

13:02 , Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent

James Cleverly said he has reminded the Israeli government of its “duty to respect international law”.

The foreign secretary repeated his support for the country’s “right to defend itself” against Hamas and to “secure the release of those kidnapped” by the terror group.

But, speaking at the Cairo Peace Summit, Mr Cleverly added: “We are also clear that we must work and they must work to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and that their actions are in accordance with international law.

“I have spoken directly to the Israeli Government about their duty to respect international law and the importance of preserving civilian lives in Gaza.”

Cleverly: ‘Probably the most challenging situation I have had to deal with’

13:01 , Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent

James Cleverly said Israel’s war against Hamas is “probably the most challenging situation that I have had to deal with in my professional personal or political life”.

The foreign secretary said he suspects “I am not alone,” but said he believes countries can “work together to secure a future where Israelis and Palestinians live in peace”.

As Israel prepares a ground invasion of Gaza in retaliation against Hamas’s terrorist attacks, Mr Cleverly said: “We can and should work together to achieve that peaceful, sustainable, two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians not just living beside each other, but working with each other and securing peace for future children.”

Cleverly: ‘Regional conflict is what Hamas wants’

13:01 , Tara Cobham

James Cleverly has called on world leaders to ensure conflict between Israel and Hamas does not spread across the Middle East, because “that is exactly what Hamas wants”.

The foreign secretary told the Cairo Peace Summit countries have “a duty to work together to prevent instability from engulfing the region, and claiming yet more lives”.

“This has been an issue which has long stimulated passions and we are now all seeing on social media and in our communities, how divisive and polarising the current situation has become,” Mr Cleverly said.

He added that Hamas “has long stood in opposition” to peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.

“And we must therefore, ensure that Hamas does not win,” he said.

Concern over exclusion of fuel from aid reaching Gaza

12:55 , Tara Cobham

The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza issued a statement stressing that the exclusion of fuel from humanitarian aid reaching the enclave will leave the lives of the sick and wounded in danger.

"We appeal to the international community and Egypt to work immediately to bring in fuel and emergency health needs before more victims are lost in hospitals," the statement said.

Trucks carrying aid arrive in southern Gaza, says official

12:54 , Tara Cobham

Trucks carrying aid for Gaza exited the Rafah crossing and arrived into the southern part of the enclave on Saturday, a Palestinian border official told Reuters.

At least 20 trucks that are expected to enter the Gaza Strip "constitute only three percent of what was entering the Gaza Strip daily in terms of health and humanitarian needs before the aggression," a statement from the Palestinian health ministry said.

Marble Arch Station forced to close as crowds descend for protest

12:19 , Tara Cobham

Marble Arch Underground Station has been forced to close as huge crowds have descended on the station for protests being held in central London in support of Palestine on Saturday.

Transport for London said: “This station is closed to prevent overcrowding on the platforms.”

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the march, according to Director Ben Jamal of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which is organising the demonstration.

Italy's Meloni says conflict in Middle East must not escalate

12:05 , Tara Cobham

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Saturday that the international community must avoid an escalation in the war between Israel and Hamas and set a roadmap towards the two states solution.

Meloni made the remarks while speaking in Egypt at the Cairo international summit for peace in the Middle East.

The summit is being held as Israel prepares a ground assault on Gaza following Hamas' attack that killed 1,400 people.

Hundreds of thousands expected at London protest, says organiser

12:00 , Tara Cobham

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to march in support of Palestine in central London on Saturday, according to the organiser of the protest.

Director Ben Jamal of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: “We’re expecting hundreds of thousands joining us today. We’ve got coaches coming from cities and towns all across the UK - dozens of coaches arriving.”

Watch live as Palestinian supporters gather to march in London

11:47 , Tara Cobham

Watch live as thousands of Palestinian supporters are expected to gather in London and converge on Downing Street on Saturday 21 October as diplomatic efforts intensify to allow access for humanitarian aid to Gaza and secure the release of hostages.

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was opened this morning to allow an aid convoy into the besieged territory.

Foreign secretary James Cleverly said it was a “lifeline” for those suffering in Gaza, but added the opening of the crossing could not be a one-off event.

Oliver Browning reports:

Watch live as thousands of Palestinian supporters gather to march in London

Protests in support of Palestinians set to take place in London

11:45 , Tara Cobham

More than 1,000 Metropolitan Police officers are being deployed at what is set to be a “significant” protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in central London on Saturday.

The protest is due to begin at Marble Arch at midday, proceeding along Park Lane, via Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square and ending up in Whitehall.

A smaller demonstration organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain is taking place at the same time between the Egyptian and Turkish embassies.

Crowd gathers at Rafah border as aid convoy crosses

11:35 , Tara Cobham

The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has opened to let desperately needed aid flow to Palestinians for the first time since Israel sealed off the territory following Hamas’ bloody rampage two weeks ago.

Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians, half of whom have fled their homes, are rationing food and drinking filthy water.

Hospitals say they are running low on medical supplies and fuel for emergency generators amid a territory-wide power blackout.

Trucks carrying roughly 3,000 tons of aid, which had been positioned near the crossing for days, began heading into Gaza on Saturday 21 October.

Oliver Browning reports:

Crowd gathers at Rafah border as humanitarian aid convoy crosses into Gaza Strip

Arab leaders denounce Israel attacks on Gaza as risks to region rise

11:29 , Tara Cobham

Arab leaders condemned Israel's two-week-old bombardment of Gaza on Saturday and demanded renewed efforts to reach a Middle East peace settlement to end a decades-long cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Speaking at a hastily convened gathering dubbed the Cairo Peace Summit, Jordan's King Abdullah denounced what he termed global silence about Israel's attacks on the enclave and urged an even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

"The message the Arab world is hearing is that Palestinian lives matter less than Israeli ones," he said, adding he was outraged and grieved by acts of violence waged against innocent civilians in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.

"The Israeli leadership must realise once and for all that a state can never thrive if it is built on a foundation of injustice ... Our message to the Israelis should be that we want a future of peace and security for you and the Palestinians."

He said in his opening speech that the forced or internal displacement of Palestinians would be a war crime.

In his speech Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said his country opposed what he called the displacement of Palestinians into Egypt's Sinai region.

"Egypt says the solution to the Palestinian issue is not displacement, its only solution is justice and the Palestinians’ access to legitimate rights and living in an independent state."

At least 307 soldiers total killed, says Israeli military

11:24 , Tara Cobham

At least 307 soldiers have been killed since Hamas launched its bloody attack two weeks ago, Israeli military has said.

‘We won’t leave, we will remain on our land,’ says Palestinian President

11:13 , Tara Cobham

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said "we won't leave, we will remain on our land" during his opening speech at the Cairo Peace Summit on Saturday.

The summit is being held in Egypt as Israel prepares a ground assault on Gaza following Hamas' attack that killed 1,400 people. More than 4,100 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's counteroffensive, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, amid a growing humanitarian crisis.

Aid is ‘barely a drop in the ocean’, says ActionAid

11:08 , Tara Cobham

ActionAid has welcomed the aid convoy heading into Gaza but said it is “clear that what’s being delivered today is barely a drop in the ocean”.

Riham Jafari, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator for ActionAid Palestine, said: "We welcome this morning's aid convoy into Gaza, but it's clear that what's being delivered today is barely a drop in the ocean. Before this crisis began, around 500 aid trucks would normally cross the border every day providing a vital lifeline to millions of Gazans who were already facing a humanitarian crisis.

"Aid trucks also did not bring with them the fuel needed to power hospitals, keep ambulances moving, or to pump water from the ground. We're hearing stories every day of communities coming together to donate whatever fuel they have remaining to keep incubators going for newborns who are in a critical condition. With 2.2 million Gazans facing a humanitarian crisis we're urgently calling for a ceasefire and for the opening of humanitarian corridors.”

Small blast outside Israeli embassy in Cyprus overnight

10:56 , Tara Cobham

A small blast occurred overnight outside the Israeli embassy in the Cypriot capital Nicosia, police said. No damage or injuries were reported.

Police said a metal object containing "a small amount of pyrotechnic material" exploded about 30 metres away from a perimeter compound of the embassy, which lies in a heavily populated area of Nicosia.

Four youths aged between 17 and 21 found in the area were being questioned by police, a security source said. In the car of one of the detainees police found 2 knives and a hammer.

Cyprus state radio reported the detainees were Syrians.

Cyprus, on the edge of the volatile Middle East, has tightened security at locations across the island. In the wake of fresh violence authorities widened a security cordon around the embassy, shutting off civilian roads.

The embassy was the target of a botched bombing attempt in 1988 when a car packed with explosives went off on a nearby bridge, killing three people.

Aid entering Gaza will go to south and won’t include fuel, says Israel

10:51 , Tara Cobham

The Israeli military said on Saturday that humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip would go only to southern areas of the enclave, where it has urged Palestinian civilians to congregate to avoid its fighting with Hamas.

In a televised briefing, chief spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the aid shipments would not include fuel.

He added that around a fifth of Palestinian rockets launched since Friday had fallen short within Gaza due to misfires, causing fatalities.

Number of people held hostage in Gaza is 210, says Israeli military

10:43 , Tara Cobham

The number of people held hostage in Gaza is 210, the Israel Defense Forces has said.

In a televised briefing on Saturday, chief spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari gave 210 as the updated number of hostages held by Hamas since its 7 October attack on Israel.

Thousands attend pro-Palestine demonstrations across Australia

10:30 , Tara Cobham

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Australia on Saturday for a rally in support of Palestine with calls for an end to Israel’s attacks.

The rally took place in Australia’s largest city, Sydney, and saw an estimated 15,000 protesters marching with the Palestinian flag and demanding Israel stop bombing Gaza.

The air and artillery strikes by Israel in the last two weeks in the narrow strip have already killed 4,100 people.

Protestors chanted “Palestine will never die” and from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.

Stuti Mishra reports:

Thousands attend pro-Palestine demonstrations across Australia

More than 60 cross-party MPs demand a ceasefire

10:12 , Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent

More than 60 MPs have demanded an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Cross-party MPs including Tories Crispin Blunt and Sir Peter Bottomley have expressed “deep alarm” at Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, in response to terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas which killed more than 1,400 Israelis.

The MPs, who also include former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his shadow chancellor John McDonnell, said: “These horrific acts do not justify responding with the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”

The group of MPs signed an early day motion condemning the massacre of Israelis and hostage-taking by Hamas, but said “the urgent priority must be to stop the deaths and suffering of any more civilians in Gaza and Israel”.

Cairo peace summit grapples with Gaza war as risks to region rise

10:09 , Tara Cobham

Egypt opens a summit on the Gaza crisis on Saturday to try to head off a wider regional war but assembled Middle Eastern and European leaders are expected to struggle to agree a common position on the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants.

Two diplomats said it was unlikely there would be a joint statement from the gathering because of sensitivities around any calls for a ceasefire, and whether to include mention of Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel and Israel's right to defend itself.

The absence of a top official from Israel's main ally the United States and some other major Western leaders has cooled expectations for what the hastily-convened event can achieve. The US, which has no ambassador currently assigned to Egypt, is represented by its embassy Charge d'Affaires.

Egypt has said little about the aims of the gathering, beyond a statement released on Sunday by the Egyptian presidency that the summit would cover recent developments involving the crisis in Gaza and the future of the Palestinian issue.

China said its envoy for Middle East issues Zhai Jun would attend, while Russia said it would be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will not attend, while there has been no official word on whether French President Emmanuel Macron will go.

A senior EU official said on Friday there had been discussions about a common summit declaration but there were still "differences" so it was not clear if there would be a text in the end. European countries have struggled to settle on a united approach to the crisis, beyond condemning Hamas's attack, after days of confusion and mixed messaging.

Clashes on Israel's border with Lebanon and attempted attacks by Iranian-backed forces elsewhere have fuelled fears of a spillover, particularly if a ground offensive proves bloody, while growing anti-Islamic and anti-Semitic harassment around the world has raised security concerns in many countries.

Daughter’s release from Hamas is ‘best day of my life’

10:00 , Tara Cobham

The father of freed hostage Natalie Raanan has described the release of his daughter as the “best day of my life”.

Ms Raanan, 17, and her mother Judith, 59, both US citizens, were abducted and held for two weeks by Hamas during its terror attack on Israel earlier this month.

On Friday night Hamas released mother and daughter, who were being held in Gaza, for “humanitarian reasons”.

Speaking from Evanston, Illinois, Uri Raanan, 71, said he was left in “tears” by the release of his daughter, who he described as “doing good...very good”