latest news about israel and gaza war: Key Gaza hospital ‘warned to evacuate immediately’ as IDF ground offensive widens

Israel has warned al-Quds hospital in Gaza to evacuate immediately- a “deeply concerning” order, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said on Sunday it received the warning from Israeli authorities as raids have been taking place 50 yards away from the hospital since this morning.

“We reiterate - it’s impossible to evacuate hospitals full of patients without endangering their lives. Under International Humanitarian Law, healthcare must always be protected,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of WHO, posted on X.

It comes as over 8,000 people have been killed in Gaza after another night and day of relentless airstrikes as Benjamin Netanyahu warned the “next stage of war” has begun.

The Gaza death toll includes over 3,000 children, according to the health ministry, as humanitarian groups and politicians increase calls for a ceasefire.

After Israel’s three-week blockade of food, water, electricity and fuel into Gaza, thousands of civilians broke into aid warehouses overnight, taking wheat flour and other basic survival items like hygiene supplies.

The UNRWA has warned this “is a worrying sign that civil order is starting to break down”.

Key Points

Israel warns Gaza’s Al-Quds hospital to evacuate immediately
Telephone and internet services returning in Gaza, Palestinian media says
Israeli military moving to the next stage of war
Benjamin Netanyahu says Gaza offensive will be ‘difficult and long'
IDF says window to escape northern Gaza is closing
Israel expanding ground operations in Gaza, IDF says

Al-Quds hospital evacuation reports ‘deeply concerning’- WHO

18:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said reports of Israel’s evacuation warning of al-Quds hospital in Gaza are “deeply concerning”.

He posted on X: “We reiterate - it’s impossible to evacuate hospitals full of patients without endangering their lives. Under International Humanitarian Law, healthcare must always be protected.”

Biden presses Netanyahu on protecting civilians and increasing aid for Gaza

19:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

U.S. President Joe Biden underscored the need for Israel to defend its citizens from terrorism in a manner that protects civilians during a call on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said.

Biden also “underscored the need to immediately and significantly increase the flow of humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of civilians in Gaza.”

Impeding relief supplies to Gaza may constitute crime under ICC jurisdiction -ICC prosecutor

18:51 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Impeding relief supplies to Gaza‘s population may constitute a crime under the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) jurisdiction, the court’s top prosecutor said during a visit to the Rafah border crossing on Sunday.

Karim Khan also told a news conference in the Egyptian capital Cairo that Israel must make “discernable efforts” to make sure civilians get basic food and medicine.

Hezbollah says it downs Israeli drone in south Lebanon

18:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Lebanon’s Hezbollah said on Sunday it shot down an Israeli drone over southern Lebanon with a surface-to-air missile, the first time it has announced such an incident, as clashes on the Lebanese border escalate.

The drone was hit near Khiam, about 5 km (3 miles) from the border with Israel, and was seen falling in Israeli territory, Hezbollah added. Two security sources in Lebanon said it was the first time Hezbollah had announced downing an Israeli drone.

“They have insinuated they have this capability but it is the first time they declare they have this kind of capability to shoot down a drone,” Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center said.

The Israeli Defence Ministry was not immediately available for comment.

Earlier on Sunday, the United Nations’ Lebanon peacekeeping force UNIFIL said that one of its members was injured after shells hit its base near the village of Houla on the Lebanese-Israeli border on Saturday.

The Israeli army and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon have been exchanging fire on a daily basis since the start of the Gaza conflict three weeks ago.

Israel warns Gaza’s Al-Quds hospital to evacuate immediately

17:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Palestinian Red Crescent said on Sunday it received warnings from Israeli authorities to immediately evacuate al-Quds hospital in the Gaza Strip, and said there had been raids 50 metres away from the hospital.

Pope Francis prays for a world in 'a dark hour' and danger from 'folly' of war

17:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Amid the latest bloodshed in the Middle East, Pope Francis led special Friday evening prayers in St. Peter’s Basilica for a world “in a dark hour” and in “great danger” from what he described as the folly of war.

Francis delivered his remarks in the form of a prayer to the Virgin Mary and didn’t mention by name the conflict that exploded when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel retaliated by sealing off the Gaza Strip and battering the Palestinian territory with airstrikes.

He said he was praying for “especially those countries and regions at war,” and he pleaded with Mary to “take the initiative for us, in these times rent by conflicts and laid waste by the fire of arms.”

Pope Francis prays for a world in 'a dark hour' and danger from 'folly' of war

‘Difficult to target Hamas without hurting innocent people’, says Tory minister

17:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Netanyahu and Biden speak after Israel expands Gaza ground incursions

17:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Sunday with U.S. President Joe Biden, Netanyahu’s office said, after Israel expanded ground incursions in a Gaza war now in its fourth week.

The Israeli statement did not expand on the conversation.

Labour frontbenchers in revolt over Gaza stance as Starmer warned he could lose seats

17:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned Labour could lose seats over his stance on the Hamas conflict, as more frontbenchers defied his leadership by openly calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

A host of shadow ministers broke ranks with Sir Keir on Saturday to voice their support for the move – either with express endorsements or by sharing a demand from the Labour Friends of Palestine group.

Shadow ministers Naz Shah, Paul Barker and Afzal Khan all challenged Sir Keir’s refusal to support a ceasefire. Shadow veterans minister Rachel Hopkins, shadow local government minister Sarah Owen and shadow domestic violence minister Jess Phillips, and Labour whip Kim Leadbeater all retweeted calls for a ceasefire on X/Twitter.

Labour frontbenchers in revolt over Gaza stance as Starmer warned he could lose seats

17:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Watch: Palestinians break into aid warehouse for ‘basic survival items’

UN General Secretary calls for the ‘protection of civilians'

16:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

António Guterres, the UN General Secretary, said the “protection of civilians is paramount” as Gaza continues to be razed down by Israeli airstrikes.

Biden having conversations with Middle East leaders on Sunday

16:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

U.S. President Joe Biden is having conversations with Middle East regional leaders on Sunday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, though he did not specify which leaders.

“It’s something I was on the phone late last night working on. Something the president will be working on today in conversations he’s having with regional leaders and we will continue to pound away at this problem until we’ve gotten any American who wants to leave Gaza out,” Sullivan told MSNBC.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

16:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Empty Shabbat table in Times Square set up to honour 224 Israeli hostages

16:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian parents call each other ‘brothers’ over shared grief

15:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Empty Shabbat table in Times Square set up to honour 224 Israeli hostages

Iran does not want Israel-Hamas conflict to spread

15:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Sunday said Iran does not want war to “spread out” following the Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian militants of Hamas on Israel that killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

Israel has since bombarded the Gaza Strip with air strikes and begun ground operations.

“We don’t want this war to spread out,” Amirabdollahian said during an appearance on CNN.

The U.S said Iran likely knew that Hamas was planning “operations against Israel” but initial U.S. intelligence reports showed that some Iranian leaders were surprised by the attack, the deadliest day of Israel‘s 75-year history.

Amirabdollahian on Sunday dismissed claims directly connecting Iran to the attacks, calling them “baseless.”

“We always had political media and international support for Palestine. We have never denied this,” he said.

“This is the truth, but in relation to this operation called the Al Aqsa Storm, there was no connection to that data between Iran and this Hamas operation, not my government nor part of my country.”

US says Israel must protect civilians in Gaza and stop Jewish settler violence

15:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Israel has a responsibility to protect the lives of innocent people in Gaza, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday amid a growing outcry over Palestinian civilian deaths.

With the death toll in the Gaza Strip in the thousands and climbing, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has been under increasing pressure to make clear that its steadfast support of Israel does not translate into a blanket endorsement of all that its ally is doing in the impoverished coastal enclave.

In a round of television interviews, Sullivan said Washington was asking hard questions of Israel, including on issues surrounding humanitarian aid, distinguishing between terrorists and innocent civilians and on how Israel is thinking through its military operation.

“What we believe is that every hour, every day of this military operation, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), the Israeli government should be taking every possible means available to them to distinguish between Hamas terrorists who are legitimate military targets and civilians who are not,” Sullivan said on CNN.

Latest pictures from Gaza

14:52 , Holly Evans

Israeli tanks and other military machines manoeuvre inside the Gaza Strip (REUTERS)

Smoke rises over Gaza, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza (REUTERS)

Iran linked to Hamas attack claims are ‘baseless,’ Iran foreign minister says

14:39 , Holly Evans

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Sunday described claims that Iran was directly connected to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack as “baseless.”

“We always had political media and international support for Palestine. We have never denied this,” Amirabdollahian said during an appearance on CNN.

Thousands rally in Pakistan against Israel's bombing in Gaza

14:20 , Holly Evans

Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s main politico-religious party rallied in the capital, Islamabad, Sunday against Israel’s bombing of Palestinians in Gaza, chanting anti-American slogans and accusing the U.S. of “backing the aggressor.”

The extreme right party, Jamaat-e-Islami, had announced a march from Islamabad’s famous Abpara intersection to the US embassy in the high-security diplomatic enclave.

However, stern action by the authorities the previous night forced the religious party to modify its program and hold the rally in a major street well away from the protected area.

Police pulled down the party’s encampments on Saturday night, detaining the local leadership and dozens of supporters.

Because of the plan announced by Jammat-e-Islami and the risk of violence, the US embassy issued an advisory for American citizens living in Islamabad and the surrounding area to “limit unnecessary travel on Sunday.”

Israeli airstrikes hit near Gaza’s largest hospital

14:02 , Holly Evans

Israeli airstrikes have hit areas around Gaza’s largest hospital, residents say, destroying roads leading to the facility, which is a major shelter for Palestinians fleeing Israeli bombardment.

The Israeli military has renewed longstanding allegations in recent days that top Hamas leaders and operatives have built underground bunkers below Shifa hospital and accused the militant group of using civilians as human shields.

Israel has not presented evidence, and Hamas denies the claims.

“Reaching the hospital has become increasingly difficult,” Mahmoud al-Sawah, who was sheltering in the hospital, said over the phone on Sunday. “It seems they want to cut off the area.”

Another Gaza resident, Abdallah Sayed, described the Israeli air and land attacks in the past two days as “the most violent and intense” since the war started.

The Al-Shifa hospital is sheltering thousands of Palestinians fleeing bombardment (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Israel's Mobileye CEO urges that Netanyahu be replaced immediately

13:45 , Holly Evans

The head of self-driving auto technologies firm Mobileye and one of Israel’s leading businessmen, Amnon Shashua, on Sunday urged the immediate ouster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.

Shashua, in a high-profile public rebuke from Israel’s private sector, said Netanyahu’s government was guilty of “failures, dissonance and incompetence” since Hamas gunmen crossed from Gaza in a deadly rampage of southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7.

“We must cut our losses and do it quickly. The only solution to the current situation in Israel is to replace the government, and it needs to happen immediately,” Shashua wrote in an opinion piece in financial daily Calcalist.

Sunak and Macron 'stress importance of getting urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza'

13:25 , Athena Stavrou

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French president Emmanuel Macron have spoken following the expansion of Israel‘s military operation against Hamas, No 10 has confirmed.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The leaders stressed the importance of getting urgent humanitarian support into Gaza. They agreed to work together on efforts both to get crucial food, fuel, water and medicine to those who need it, and to get foreign nationals out.

“They expressed their shared concern at the risk of escalation in the wider region, in particular in the West Bank. The Prime Minister and President Macron updated on the conversations they have had with leaders in the region to stress the importance of working to ensure regional stability.”

They added that Sunak and Macron agreed it was important not to lose sight of “the long-term future” in particular the “need for a two-state solution”

They added: “They underscored that Hamas does not represent ordinary Palestinians and that their barbarism should not undermine the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.”

Two women arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, police say

13:22 , Athena Stavrou

Two women have been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred at London’s ceasefire protest following a police appeal.

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police launched an appeal to speak to two women pictured in Trafalgar Square during London’s ceasefire march.

On Sunday afternoon, the force confirmed the two women had been arrested and remained in custody.

Scotland Yard boss backs extremism review to deal with ‘gap’

13:06 , Athena Stavrou

Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he would support a review into the legal definition of extremism, and how it should be policed.

He told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme: “There is scope to be much sharper in how we deal with extremism within this country.

“The law was never designed to deal with extremism – there’s a lot to do with terrorism and hate crime but we don’t have a body of law that deals with extremism, and that is creating a gap.”

UN peacekeeper injured on Lebanese-Israeli border

12:40 , Holly Evans

United Nations peacekeeping force UNIFIL said on Sunday that one of its members was injured after shells hit the mission’s base near the village of Houla on the Lebanese-Israeli border on Saturday.

The Israeli army and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon have been exchanging fire on a daily basis since the start of the Gaza conflict three weeks ago.

UNIFIL said on Saturday that its headquarters near the Lebanese coastal town of Naqoura was also damaged by a shell that landed inside the base.

UN chief reiterates appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire

12:22 , Holly Evans

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated his appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza and called for an unconditional release of all hostages and the delivery of sustained relief to the people in the territory.

Guterres, who is on an official visit to Nepal, condemned the “appalling attacks perpetrated by Hamas” and said “there is no justification, ever, for the killing, injuring and abduction of civilians.”

He also said he regretted Israel’s move to intensify its military operations in Gaza.He also reminded Israel and Hamas about their obligations under international humanitarian law.

“I have always been consistent in my call for strict compliance of the well-established principles and rules of international humanitarian law. The protection of civilians is paramount,” he said.

“The laws of war establish clear rules to protect human life and respect humanitarian concerns. Those laws cannot be contorted for the sake of expediency. The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes,” he added.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for a ceasefire (REUTERS)

Labour’s Gaza rebels won’t be sacked, frontbencher suggests

12:04 , Holly Evans

Labour frontbencher Peter Kyle said the party will “continue engaging” with shadow cabinet members rebelling over the party’s refusal to back a ceasefire.

Asked if Labour frontbenchers speaking against Sir Keir Starmer’s stance should be sacked, Mr Kyle replied: “Well look, what we are going to do, I suspect, is continue engaging with them.”The shadow science secretary said the row was a sign of “strength not weakness”.

He said: “I think the fact that we have a vigorous debate within our party … reflects a strength. It is a strength of our leadership, certainly not a weakness of our party.”

Mr Kyle said the party is not thinking about whether it will lose the support of Muslim voters or win over others on its position. “We are not thinking ‘how do we win votes?’ or what votes we will lose at a time when there is war and conflict unfolding before us,” he said.

Mr Kyle also stressed caution when asked if he thought Israel is potentially guilty of war crimes in Gaza. “We have called for international law to be obeyed at all times … we are expecting Israel in its response to that terrorist attack to act within international law.”

WHO chief calls threats to Gaza hospital ‘deeply concerning’

11:49 , Holly Evans

The director-general of the World Health Organisation has said the reports of evacuation threats to Al-Quds hospital in Gaza is “deeply concerning”.

Taking to social media platform X, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “The @PalestineRCS report of evacuation threats to Al-Quds hospital in Gaza is deeply concerning.

“We reiterate - it’s impossible to evacuate hospitals full of patients without endangering their lives. Under International Humanitarian Law, healthcare must always be protected.”

Pope Francis calls for ceasefire in weekly blessing

11:37 , Holly Evans

Pope Francis on Sunday called for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas and renewed an appeal for the release of hostages held by the militant group in Gaza.

“Let no-one abandon the possibility of stopping the weapons,” he said at his weekly blessing in St. Peter’s Square.

“Ceasefire ... we say ‘ceasefire, ceasefire’. Brothers and sisters, stop! War is always a defeat, always,” he added.

More arrests expected in the next week, says Met Police

11:24 , Holly Evans

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he would support a review into the legal definition of extremism and how it should be policed.

He told the Trevor Phillips On Sunday programme on Sky News: “There is scope to be much sharper in how we deal with extremism within this country.

“The law was never designed to deal with extremism, there’s a lot to do with terrorism and hate crime but we don’t have a body of law that deals with extremism and that is creating a gap.”

He added: “We will robustly enforce up to the line of the law.

“We’re going to be absolutely ruthless and we have been and you’ll see many more arrests over the next week or so.”

Clashes broke out between rival supporters and the police during Saturday’s demonstration (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

'God Save Gaza' graffitied on Grade-II listed First World War statue after London protest

11:08 , Holly Evans

More than 8,000 people killed in Gaza, says health ministry

11:02 , Holly Evans

The number of people killed in Gaza has climbed to 8,005, according to the Hamas-led Gaza health ministry.

They added that some 3,342 children are among those that have died since 7 October.

In its last update, the ministry reported 7,650 people had died, meaning the death toll has risen by 355.

Government orders extremism crackdown as minister says some Palestine activists ‘inciting hate’

10:50 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak’s government is reviewing the definition of extremism in a move that could allow councils and police forces to cut off funding to charities and religious groups found to have aired hateful views.

Levelling up secretary Michael Gove is understood to have ordered officials to draw up a new official definition of extremism in a move designed to counter hate, including antisemitism.

Separately, home secretary Suella Braverman is reportedly examining potential changes to terrorism legislation to expand some definitions in existing laws.

Read the full story below

Government orders extremism crackdown as minister says some activists ‘inciting hate’

Lib Dem MP says it is ‘torturous’ not knowing if family in Gaza are ‘dead or alive’

10:36 , Holly Evans

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said it was “torturous” not knowing whether her family in Gaza were “dead or alive” following a communications blackout in the territory.

Members of Ms Moran’s extended family, who are Palestinian Christians, are currently living with around 100 people in a church in Gaza.

The Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman said her family members had moved into the church after their home was bombed by the Israel Defence Forces during its retaliation for Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Moran said: “We are deeply worried for their safety.

“The 24-48 hours where the internet and everything else was cut was torturous. Not knowing whether they were dead or alive — we are worried for them anyway — I can’t tell you what that did to us as a family.

“We have heard since, because someone in the church has a foreign SIM that can connect to the Israeli networks, has put out a message saying that, for now, they are safe.”

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf says his family in Gaza are alive after losing contact with them

10:23 , Holly Evans

Scotland’s first minister has said his family in Gaza are alive after sharing he had lost contact with them amid Israeli bombardment.

The family of Humza Yousaf’s wife, Nadia El-Nakla, are stuck in the country amid the ongoing conflict.

Humza Yousaf revealed, on X, formerly known as Twitter, this morning, that he had heard from his in-laws in the besieged strip, thanking God that they are alive.

Read the full article below

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf says his family are alive

Almost 100 arrests made at protests, says Met commissioner

10:13 , Holly Evans

The Met police is has arrested nearly 100 people at demonstrations in recent weeks, Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has told Sky News.

He said there have been “distasteful” scenes at recent pro-Palestine protests but some of those actions were not at the level to be prosecuted, and he called for greater “clarity” from the Government.

Sir Mark said his officers were working with CPS lawyers in the operations room to identify potential offences.

He told Sir Trevor Phillips on Sky News: “We’ve got these big protests and some of what goes on there, people do find it upsetting and distasteful and sometimes people give an instinctive view that must not be legal.

“But there’s no point arresting hundreds of people if it’s not prosecutable, that’s just inflaming things.”

Yesterday, an estimated 100,000 people took to the streets of London to demand a ceasefire.

Protesters during a pro-Palestine march (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

UK not setting any ‘red lines’ for Israel invasion, says Tory minister

10:01 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak’s government had not set any so-called “red lines” in Israel’s response to the Hamas terror attack, said Tory cabinet minister Michelle Donelan.

The science secretary told Sky News: “I don’t think we need to do that because there are already structures in place, there is international law that is well established.”

Ms Donelan also blamed Hamas for civilian deaths in Israel’s offensive. She said Hamas has been using the Palestinian people as “human shields”, adding: “It is very difficult to get to Hamas without hurting innocent civilians”.

The minister also told the BBC that it was “very difficult to target Hamas … without hurting innocent civilians.” Asked if she accepted more civilians will die in the offensive on Gaza, Ms Donelan said: “It is very, very difficult because of what Hamas are doing … We want those losses to be minimised.”

Israel will allow more aid in coming days

09:51 , Holly Evans

Israel would allow a dramatic increase in aid to Gaza in the coming days, an official said on Sunday, calling on Palestinian civilians to head to what he described as a “humanitarian” zone in the south of the territory.

“In the coming week we were planning to increase dramatically the amount of assistance” headed for Gaza from Egypt, said Colonel Elad Goren of Cogat, the Israeli Defence Ministry agency that coordinates with the Palestinians.

“We have mrked a humanitarian zone in the southern Gaza Strip in the Khan Younis area ... we still recommend that the civilian population that evacuated will go to this zone,” he told media during an online briefing.

Goren did not say whether the humanitarian zone was new or an existing area.

Israel has told Gazans to evacuate south immediately (AP)

People in Gaza asking 'Where do we want to be when we die?' says Lib Dem MP

09:43 , Holly Evans

Layla Moran – the senior Liberal Democrat MP who has relatives in Gaza – has accused of Tory cabinet minister Michelle Donelan of “deeply offensive” remarks about civilians in the Palestinian territory.

Ms Moran condemned Ms Donelan for saying Hamas was stopping people from leaving their homes as requested. “That is not what is happening. I find it deeply offensive to suggest that Hamas is giving my family any kind of marching orders. They can’t move … Nowhere in Gaza is safe.”

The Lib Dem spokesperson told the BBC: “The conversation now in Gaza has changed. No longer are people saying, ‘Where do we go to be safe’. The question they are now asking, ‘Where do we want to be when we die?’”

BBC host Victoria Derbyshire said: “Oh my God.” Ms Moran said the government was “failing” by supporting Israel’s response to the Hamas terror attack. She called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” and support for “political space for talks that will eventually lead to ceasefire”.

Palestinian man shot dead in the West Bank

09:33 , Holly Evans

A Jewish settler shot dead a Palestinian man harvesting olives near the West Bank city of Nablus, the man’s uncle said Sunday.

This brings the number of Palestinians reported killed by settlers to seven since Hamas’s bloody incursion into Israel three weeks ago.

Tayseer Mahmoud said his nephew, Bilal Saleh, was working in the grove in the village of Sawiya with his wife and their four children on Saturday when a group of settlers attacked them.

Saleh, concerned about the safety of his children, tried to leave the area, but a settler shot him in the chest, Mahmoud said. Mahmoud said he didn’t witness the confrontation but was close by and reached the scene within minutes of the shooting. Saleh died before he could be taken for medical care, he said.

Family of Scotland’s first minister are alive but out of clean drinking water

09:21 , Holly Evans

Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, has said his parents-in-law, who have been trapped in Gaza, are alive but have run out of clean drinking water.

In a social media post, he called for the UN resolution to be implemented and for aid to be allowed into the besieged enclave.

Israel orders hospital to evacuate ‘immediately’, says aid group

09:04 , Holly Evans

A humanitarian group working in Gaza says it has received “serious threats” from Israeli forces to evacuate al Quds hospital.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society claimed the hospital was going to be “bombarded” in a post on X.

Since this morning, there have been raids occurring 50 metres from the facility, the PRCS said.

He has only said that there would be time to ask tough questions, including of himself, after the war.

Israel’s military spokesperson, asked about Netanyahu’s comments during a daily briefing with reporters, declined to respond, saying: “We are now at war, focused on the war.”

Netanyahu’s post had said: “At no time and no stage was a warning given to Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding war intentions of Hamas. On the contrary, all security officials, including the head of army intelligence and the head of the Shin Bet, estimated that Hamas was deterred and interested in an arrangement.”

Thousands broke into aid warehouses to take wheat and hygiene supplies

08:45 , Holly Evans

Thousands of people broke into several UNRWA warehouses and distribution centres in the middle and southern areas of the Gaza Strip, taking wheat flour and other basic survival items like hygiene supplies. One of the warehouses, in Deir al-Balah, is where UNRWA stores supplies from the humanitarian convoys coming from Egypt.

“This is a worrying sign that civil order is starting to break down after three weeks of war and a tight siege on Gaza. People are scared, frustrated and desperate.

“Tensions and fear are made worse by the cuts in the phones and internet communication lines. They feel that they are on their own, cut off from their families inside Gaza and the rest of the world,” said Thomas White, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the Gaza Strip.

The UNRWA described public services as “crumbling” under the pressure of Israeli evacuation orders telling Palestinians to move from the north to the south of the territory.

“The needs of the communities are immense, if only for basic survival, while the aid we receive is meager and inconsistent,” said Mr White

Relief as connectivity returns to Gaza

08:26 , Holly Evans

Connectivity is slowly returning to Gaza after it was knocked out on Friday evening, leaving over two million people without internet or phone usage while Israel intensified their aerial bombardments.

Internet monitoring service NetBlocks posted network data on X - formerly known as Twitter - showing that internet connectivity was being restored on Sunday.

Gazans break into aid centres taking flour, supplies, UN says

08:09 , Holly Evans

Thousands of Gaza residents broke into warehouses and distribution centres of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) grabbing flour and “basic survival items”, the organisation said on Sunday.

“This is a worrying sign that civil order is starting to break down after three weeks of war and a tight siege on Gaza,” UNRWA said in a statement.

Aid supplies to Gaza have been choked since Israel began bombarding the Palestinian enclave in response to a deadly attack by its ruling militant group Hamas.

Latest pictures from Gaza

07:59 , Holly Evans

The Israeli army has intensified its strikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip despite calls for de-escalation (AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinians check the damage at the site of Israeli strikes on houses (REUTERS)

People sit amid the rubble of a building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar warns of ‘catastrophic repercussions’ of Israel invasion on the Middle East

07:31 , Holly Evans

Qatar’s foreign ministry has warned that Israel’s bombardment and incursion into Gaza will have “catastrophic repercussions” on the stability of the region.

“The State of Qatar expresses its deep concern over the Israeli ground incursion into Gaza Strip, and considers it a dangerous development that will have devastating security and humanitarian effects in the Strip, especially on the safety of civilians and hostages,” a statement read.

“It also warns of the catastrophic repercussions on the security and stability of the region.”

The foreign ministry said the incursion constituted a “flagrant violation” of the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly calling for an immediate humanitarian truce.

Ministers review extremism label as police arrest protesters for ‘hate crimes’

07:30 , Shweta Sharma

Ministers are reviewing the definition of extremism in a move that could reportedly allow councils and police forces to cut off funding to charities and religious groups found to have aired hateful views.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove is understood to have ordered officials to draw up a new official definition of extremism in a move designed to counter hate, including antisemitism.

It comes after nine people were arrested in central London during a mainly peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration on Saturday, with at least 100,000 protesters calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Ministers review extremism label as police arrest protesters for ‘hate crimes’

Israeli military tells Reuters and AFP it cannot guarantee safety of journalists in Gaza

07:08 , Shweta Sharma

In a letter to Reuters and AFP, the Israeli military said it cannot assure the safety of journalists present in the Gaza Strip after media agencies sought assurances.

“The IDF is targeting all Hamas military activity throughout Gaza,” the IDF letter said, adding that Hamas deliberately put military operations “in the vicinity of journalists and civilians”.

The IDF also noted that its high-intensity strikes on Hamas targets could cause damage to surrounding buildings and that Hamas rockets could also misfire and kill people inside Gaza.

“Under these circumstances, we cannot guarantee your employees’ safety, and strongly urge you to take all necessary measures for their safety,” the IDF letter concluded.

Reuters and AFP said they were very concerned about the safety of journalists in Gaza.

“The situation on the ground is dire, and the IDF’s unwillingness to give assurances about the safety of our staff threatens their ability to deliver the news about this conflict without fear of being injured or killed,” Reuters said in a statement in response to receiving the Israel military letter.

Israel enters ‘second stage’ of war in Gaza with troops and tanks – alongside ‘unprecedented’ bombardment

07:00 , Shweta Sharma

Israel has entered the “second stage” of its war on Hamas, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, with an extended ground operation inside Gaza involving tanks and troops. That is backed up by the heaviest aerial bombardment the besieged Strip has faced since the retaliatory airstrikes began.

The Israeli leader said that this will be a “long and difficult” conflict but that the military “will not withdraw”.

“We are only at the beginning. The battle within the Gaza Strip will be difficult and long; this is our second war of independence,” he added.

Israel enters ‘second stage’ of war in Gaza with troops and tanks

Israel strikes near Gaza's largest hospital after accusing Hamas of using it as a base

06:45 , Shweta Sharma

Israeli warplanes struck areas close to Gaza’s largest hospital early morning today as it remains crowded with patients and tens of thousands of Palestinians seeking shelter.

Israel has said Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers have a command post under the hospital, without providing much evidence.

Residents said the latest airstrikes destroyed most of the roads leading to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which is part of the northern half of the besieged territory, which Israel has told people to evacuate.

“Reaching the hospital has become increasingly difficult,” Mahmoud al-Sawah, who is sheltering in the hospital, said over the phone. “It seems they want to cut off the area.”

Another Gaza City resident, Abdallah Sayed, said the Israeli bombing over the past two days was “the most violent and intense” since the war started.

Egypt says 'Israeli obstacles' impeding aid delivery to Gaza

06:30 , Shweta Sharma

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday “Israeli obstacles” including truck inspection procedures were impeding the prompt delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Palestinian enclave.

“The trucks must be inspected at the Israeli Nitzana crossing before they head to the Rafah crossing on a journey that takes a distance of 100 km (62 miles) before they actually enter the Rafah crossing, which causes obstacles that significantly delay the arrival of aid,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

The Rafah crossing, which is controlled by Egypt and does not border Israel, has become the main point of aid delivery since Israel imposed a siege on Gaza in retaliation for an attack by Hamas militants from the coastal strip on Oct. 7.

Before the conflict, about 500 trucks a day were crossing into Gaza, but in recent days, an average of only 12 trucks a day have entered, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday.

A border source said that trip results in a 16-hour delay and was the reason why the number of trucks never again reached a high of 20 achieved on the first day deliveries were restarted.

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