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The Latest News from Gaza Middle East Crisis Raids Ease in West Bank but Paletinians Fear Israelis’ Return It has been weeks since Israeli military forces broke into Rifat al-Tebe’s cellphone shop in Tulkarm, breaking the door, smashing display cases and taking merchandise, he said. But Mr. al-Tebe says he has yet to fix anything other than installing a new door, fearful that his repairs would be swiftly undone if the Israeli military raids the area again. Civilians in the Palestinian city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank have for months endured destructive and deadly Israeli military raids targeting members of Palestinian armed groups. In the past few weeks alone, Israeli forces have come and gone multiple times — appearing to withdraw only to return hours or days later. That is leaving residents like Mr. al-Tebe unsure of whether to try anymore to rebuild. “We no longer have the will to continue working — we don’t know what to do, to work or to just sit,” he said. “We’re afraid they
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latest news about israel and gaza war: Number of hostages held in Gaza rises as foreign nationals arrive
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Biden calls for humanitarian ‘pause’ in Gaza but stops short on calling for ceasefire
03:06 , Shweta Sharma
US president Joe Biden said there is a need for a humanitarian “pause” in the Israel-Hamas war after he was interrupted by a protester calling for ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr Biden was speaking to a crowd of supporters in Minneapolis about his reasons for running for president in 2020 when a woman got up and yelled: “Mr President, if you care about Jewish people, as a rabbi, I need you to call for a cease-fire.”
“I think we need a pause,” Mr Biden said.
Mr Biden’s latest remark was a subtle departure for the president and top White House aides, who throughout the Mideast crisis have been steadfast in stating they will not dictate how the Israelis carry out their military operations in response to the 7 October attack by Hamas.
The White House has refused to call for a cease-fire but has signaled that the Israelis should consider humanitarian pauses to allow civilians to receive aid and for foreign nationals trapped on the strip to leave Gaza.
“This is incredibly complicated for the Israelis,” Mr Biden added. “It’s incredibly complicated for the Muslim world as well. ... I supported a two-state solution, I have from the very beginning.”
Reaction to M&S Christmas advert divides social media
10:42 , Holly Evans
A Christmas advert from Marks and Spencer’s has received backlash after it showed hats in the colours of the Palestinian flag burning in a fire.
Replying to the original post, one commenter wrote: “This is absolutely vile, you should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Another agreed: “Absolutely disgusting. Even if it was recorded in August you should have reshot this image or used technology to make changes. Shame on you!!!”
The outtake from the avdert has divided opinion (PA) (PA)
One user on X, formerly Twitter, said: “How come you have that much hate to deliver disguised as “Christmas celebration”?”
But other shoppers defended M&S and said the chain should not have had to apologise for the image.
One said: “Why are you apologising when it was recorded in August? If some stupid person thinks you have purposely just made it up since the 7th Oct then that’s down to them. Deary me..”
Another wrote: “Oh for heaven’s sake. I don’t often use the word snowflake but this is ridiculous. You’re apologising because people got ‘offended’ by a photo of Christmas hats in a fire grate?”
Marks and Spencer’s has apologised after posting an outtake from its Christmas advert that showed hats in the colours of the Palestinian flag burning in a fire, which has divided opinion on social media.
M&S said the intent was to “playfully show that some people don’t enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats” with the image posted to the retailer’s social media of festive red, green and silver paper hats burning in a fireplace.
The image was captioned: “This Christmas, do what you love… like saying no to paper hats” alongside “#LoveThismasNotThatmas.”
M&S said the outtake from the advert it shared on Instagram was recorded in August, months before Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7.
But some social media users claimed there was a similarity between the colours of the hats and the Palestinian flag, with one user describing the photo as “distasteful”.
UAE says it plans to treat 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza
10:17 , Holly Evans
The United Arab Emirates has said it plans to treat 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, without saying how they would leave the Israeli-besieged enclave for the Gulf state.
UAE state news agency WAM reported President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had directed hospitals to treat 1,000 Palestinian children “accompanied by their families”.
Qatar succeeded in brokering a deal to allow some people to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, with some 7,500 foreign passport holders expecting to leave over the course of about two weeks.
The Emirati foreign ministry has not provided further details on their plans to provide treatment and host the Palestinians.
Number of Hezbollah fighters killed rises
10:02 , Holly Evans
The number of Hezbollah fighters killed since 7 October has risen to 50, the group has said.
The Iran-backed militants last put the death toll at 47, following weeks of clashes with Israel across the Lebanese border. Rising tensions have resulted in over 20,000 fleeding south Leabonon and moving to the coastal border or inland.
Most of their fighters have been killed in drone strikes, but Hezbollah unveiled its first surface-to-air missile capability on Sunday.
An Israeli soldier operates a firearm in an armoured vehicle near Israel’s border with Lebanon (REUTERS)
German minister announces complete ban on Hamas activities
09:38 , Holly Evans
Germany will from Wednesday ban the activities of Hamas, already a designated terrorist organisation in the country, as well as pro-Palestinian group Samidoun, the interior minister announced on Thursday.
“With Hamas, I have today completely banned the activities of a terrorist organisation whose aim is to destroy the state of Israel,” Nancy Faeser said in a statement.
Samidoun’s German wing will also be disbanded, it added. Faeser said the international network works under the guise of a solidarity group for prisoners to spread anti-Israel and antisemitic propaganda.
'Evidence of white phosphorous use' confirmed by Amnesty
09:23 , Holly Evans
The use of white phosphorous has been verified by Amnesty International in Gaza and Lebanon, its senior crisis adviser has told Sky News.
Donatella Rovera said that Amnesty has geolocated footage of shells carrying the chemical being deployed over Gaza and Lebanon, and had spoken to doctors who had treated nine people in Lebanon with injuries.
“The evidence is quite incontrovertible,” she said.
White phosphorus is a chemical that ignites on contact with oxygen, sticks to surfaces, is capable of reigniting and can penetrate skin and bone
Two British aid workers evacuated from Gaza
09:15 , Holly Evans
Rishi Sunak has thanked Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his efforts to get the first British nationals to leave through the Rafah border, the only gateway to Gaza not controlled by Israel.
Downing Street confirmed that two UK aid workers were among those to make it to Egypt, where Border Force officials are positioned to assist them.
The Foreign Office said it has agreed a list of British nationals that want to leave Gaza with Egyptian and Israeli authorities.
The UK has a Border Force team in Cairo, with consular officials in Arish, near Rafah, to provide support for Britons who leave Gaza.
Foreign nationals waiting to be allowed through the Rafah crossing (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Labour MPs who defy Sir Keir Starmer will not face action
09:04 , Holly Evans
Shadow cabinet minister Liz Kendall has suggested that Labour MPs who defy party leader Sir Keir Starmer by calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict will not face action.
The shadow work and pension secretary told Sky News the leadership will continue to listen and engage with critics of Sir Keir’s stance.
Asked if they will face disciplinary action, she said: “That’s not been the approach… that’s not the approach we’ve taken.
“Keir’s position is the right one, and I actually think, if you look across our party, our desire to end the killing, to make sure we get that aid in and the hostages out, and that long-term goal of a two-state solution, is something that we all agree on.”
Number of hostages held by Hamas confirmed by Israel
08:59 , Holly Evans
The number of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza has been confirmed as 242.
Efforts are ongoing to secure their release, with five hostages released thus far. Four of those were secured through negotiations with Qatar and Egypt, while a fifth was released after a ground raid by Israeli forces inside Gaza.
Unicef desribe scenes of ‘carnage’ coming from Jabaliya camp
08:42 , Holly Evans
Unicef has described “scenes of carnage” in their latest statement, after two rounds of Israeli airstrikes on a refugee cammp in Gaza killed at least 195 Palestinians.
They said: “These two attacks follow 25 days of ongoing bombardment that have reportedly resulted in more than 3,500 children killed – not including today’s deaths – and over 6,800 children reportedly injured. This would be over 400 children killed or injured per day, for 25 straight days. This cannot become the new normal.”
The scenes of carnage coming out of Jabaliya camp in the Gaza Strip following attacks yesterday and again today are horrific and appalling.
Many children are reportedly among the casualties.
Retrieving British nationals from Gaza is ‘top priority’, says cabinet minister
08:25 , Holly Evans
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are continuing to work on getting Britons out of Gaza, Cabinet minister Michelle Donelan said.
The Science Secretary told Sky News: “We’re not in full control of that border, as you know, so it is very difficult.
“But the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister have said multiple times it is our top priority to get those British nationals out as quickly as we possibly can.
“And I know that that is something that the Foreign Secretary has been actively working on with the Prime Minister.”
More Britons expected to leave Gaza through Rafah crossing
08:09 , Holly Evans
Cabinet minister Michelle Donelan said more Britons were expected to be able to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Around 200 British nationals are trapped in Gaza but Ms Donelan said “our focus is on getting them out”.
“The Foreign Office have said that some people have managed to get over that border and we are anticipating that there will be more coming,” the Science Secretary told GB News.
“I know that the Border Force stands ready and that our teams on the ground have been in touch with many individuals.
“There is a list of people that are British nationals – 200 I believe is the figure that I have – and our focus is on on getting them out as quickly as we possibly can.”
Crowds of people wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border (EPA)
Egypt to help evacuate ‘about 7,000’ foreigners and dual nationals from Gaza
07:58 , Holly Evans
Egypt’s foreign ministry has said it will help evacuate “about 7,000” foreigners and dual nationals from the Gaza Strip, according to news agency Agence France-Presse.
The country’s assistant foreign minister told diplomats that Egypt was preparing “to facilitate the reception and evacuation of foreign citizens from Gaza through the Rafah crossing”.
The official said the figure of “about 7,000” represents “more than 60” nationalities.
Estimated 1.4 million people currently displaced in Gaza
07:38 , Holly Evans
An estimated 1.4 million people are currently displaced in the Gaza strip, as the Rafah crossing opens to allow foreign nationals and injured Palestinians to leave.
The UNRWA, the main UN agency in Palestine, said 70 of its colleagues have been killed and another 22 injured since the conflict began on 7 October.
🔺 It's estimated that 1.4 million people are currently displaced in the📍#GazaStrip
Live: View of Gaza's Rafah border as crossing opens for second day
07:09 , Shweta Sharma
Israeli air force says ‘dozens’ of Hamas terrorists killed in raids
06:56 , Shweta Sharma
Israel’s air force has said in a statement that IDF fighters and armored forces were fired on with anti-tank weapons and grenades by Hamas in overnight operations.
But they neutralised “dozens” of Hamas fighters.
“The forces engaged in prolonged battles with the terrorists, assisted by brigade fire from artillery and tanks, while directing an aircraft to attack from the air and directing a missile ship to attack from the sea. At the end of the fighting, dozens of terrorists were killed,” the statement said.
במהלך הלילה נתקלו לוחמי צה"ל מחטיבת גולני וכוחות שריון בחוליות מחבלים שביצעו לעברם ירי נ"ט, הפעילו מטענים והשליכו רימונים. הכוחות ניהלו עם המחבלים קרבות ממושכים, בסיוע אש חטיבתית של כלי ארטילריה וטנקים, pic.twitter.com/Ix35g7F4uK
Scenes at the Rafah crossing as foreigners evacuate
06:45 , Shweta Sharma
Emotional and chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Rafah crossing border yesterday as hundreds arrived with their families to leave the conflict-torn Gaza Strip.
Ambulances with injured lined up at the border to cross into Egypt for better treatment as hospitals in Gaza are running out of supplies, fuel and water as the crisis mounts.
(EPA)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(EPA)
(AP)
(EPA)
Japan’s foreign minister to visit Israel to discuss ‘grave humanitarian situation in Gaza'
06:30 , Shweta Sharma
Japan’s foreign minister said she would meet Palestinian counterparts during a visit to Israel and Jordan, and would communicate Japan’s readiness to provide aid to the Palestinians.
The minister, Yoko Kamikawa, is also set to meet Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen during her two-day trip from Friday.
“I hope to discuss how to respond to the grave humanitarian situation in the Gaza region as well as directly communicate Japan’s readiness to continue providing aid,” Ms Kamikawa said of her meeting with her Palestinian counterparts.
She did not specify who she would meet from the Palestinian side.
Speaking to reporters before her departure, she acknowledged the Israeli strike on the Jabalia refugee camp and that many civilians had been killed in the attack.
“I understand the Israeli military has said the strike targeted Hamas operatives and relevant infrastructure,” she said. She did not comment further.
All 10 Japanese nationals and their eight Palestinian family members wishing to leave Gaza have evacuated to Egypt, Ms Kamikawa said, adding that the evacuees were in good health.
Twenty Australians leave Gaza through Rafah as 65 still remain
06:15 , Shweta Sharma
There were 20 Australians among the first group of foreign citizens to leave the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip and enter Eygpt via the Rafah border crossing, assistant minister for foreign affairs, Tim Watts, said.
Mr Watts said there were still 75 Australians trapped in Gaza and the government had urged them, using all available communication channels, to move toward the Rafah crossing as soon as possible.
“We are providing all possible support we can, communicating through all available channels,” Mr Watts told ABC television.
“It is not always perfect. This is a conflict zone.”
Mr Watts said the government was not planning for more assisted flights at the moment as there were enough commercial options available. Since the conflict began on 7 October, the Australian government has conducted several repatriation flights.
Mr Watts said he also “strongly encouraged” Australians in Lebanon to leave the country after deadly clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
“We can’t make any guarantees that Beirut airport will remain open if the conflict spreads to the south of Lebanon and departure options become much more complex and more difficult at that point,” he said.
“We don’t know what the situation is going to look like in the coming days and coming weeks.”
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong called for a pause in hostilities to allow supplies to enter Gaza, strongly criticising Hamas and calling on Israel to exercise restraint to minimise civilian casualties.
“Even in war there are rules,” Ms Wong told a news conference. “The international community will not accept ongoing civilian deaths.”
'Sounds of explosions' heard in vicinity of Al-Quds Hospital, says Red Crescent Society
06:00 , Shweta Sharma
Sounds of explosions and shelling continued to be heard in the vicinity of Al-Quds Hospital, the Red Crescent Society said.
Israeli warplanes conducted a series of raids in the vicinity of the Al-Quds Hospital at dawn, said the Palestinian news agency Wafa, citing the Palestinian non-profit.
The hospital in the Tal Al-Hawa neighbourhood south of Gaza City is affiliated with the Red Crescent.
It has more than 14,000 civilians who are either undergoing treatment or seeking shelter.
The Red Crescent Society has refused to evacuate the hospital amid warnings from the Israeli forces to evacuate it as they threatened to carry out raids there.
The society has called on the international community to intervene immediately to prevent possible mass casualties at the hospital.
(EPA)
Latest in Gaza as Israel continues ground operation
05:45 , Shweta Sharma
It is morning in Gaza following a night of continued intense bombardment and fighting on the strip as Israeli forces continued their ground operations.
Here are the latest developments since yesterday:
The Rafah border crossing opened yesterday for the first time to allow the evacuation of foreign nationals and injured dual nationality citizens who wanted to leave Gaza.
596 foreign nationals will leave today after more than 300 left Gaza a day earlier, including British citizens.
Us president Joe Biden has called for a humanitarian “pause” on Israel’s military campaign but he did not call for a ceasefire after he was interrupted mid-speech by a protester demanding ceasefire.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken is departing today for Israel for his second visit to meet prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. He will voice solidarity over the Hamas attack but also reassert the need to minimise Palestinian civilian casualties
Israel said its two days of strikes killed two Hamas military leaders in Jabalia, Gaza’s biggest refugee camp. It was Israel’s most controversial airstrike in Gaza during the ground operations as number of civilians have died.
At least 195 Palestinians were killed in the Jabalia refugee camp strike, with 120 missing under the rubble and at least 777 people wounded, the Gaza health ministry said.
Watch: Dozens of dual passport holders leave Gaza for Egypt through Rafah crossing
05:30 , Shweta Sharma
British teacher trapped in Gaza urges government to act before it is ‘too late’
Schoolteacher Zaynab Wandawi, 29, from Manchester, is among those stranded and has urged the government to “not delay” in helping, in a social media post shared by her family.
Biden calls for humanitarian ‘pause’ in Gaza but stops short on calling for ceasefire
03:06 , Shweta Sharma
US president Joe Biden said there is a need for a humanitarian “pause” in the Israel-Hamas war after he was interrupted by a protester calling for ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr Biden was speaking to a crowd of supporters in Minneapolis about his reasons for running for president in 2020 when a woman got up and yelled: “Mr President, if you care about Jewish people, as a rabbi, I need you to call for a cease-fire.”
“I think we need a pause,” Mr Biden said.
Mr Biden’s latest remark was a subtle departure for the president and top White House aides, who throughout the Mideast crisis have been steadfast in stating they will not dictate how the Israelis carry out their military operations in response to the 7 October attack by Hamas.
The White House has refused to call for a cease-fire but has signaled that the Israelis should consider humanitarian pauses to allow civilians to receive aid and for foreign nationals trapped on the strip to leave Gaza.
“This is incredibly complicated for the Israelis,” Mr Biden added. “It’s incredibly complicated for the Muslim world as well. ... I supported a two-state solution, I have from the very beginning.”
Reaction to M&S Christmas advert divides social media
10:42 , Holly Evans
A Christmas advert from Marks and Spencer’s has received backlash after it showed hats in the colours of the Palestinian flag burning in a fire.
Replying to the original post, one commenter wrote: “This is absolutely vile, you should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Another agreed: “Absolutely disgusting. Even if it was recorded in August you should have reshot this image or used technology to make changes. Shame on you!!!”
The outtake from the avdert has divided opinion (PA) (PA)
One user on X, formerly Twitter, said: “How come you have that much hate to deliver disguised as “Christmas celebration”?”
But other shoppers defended M&S and said the chain should not have had to apologise for the image.
One said: “Why are you apologising when it was recorded in August? If some stupid person thinks you have purposely just made it up since the 7th Oct then that’s down to them. Deary me..”
Another wrote: “Oh for heaven’s sake. I don’t often use the word snowflake but this is ridiculous. You’re apologising because people got ‘offended’ by a photo of Christmas hats in a fire grate?”
Marks and Spencer’s has apologised after posting an outtake from its Christmas advert that showed hats in the colours of the Palestinian flag burning in a fire, which has divided opinion on social media.
M&S said the intent was to “playfully show that some people don’t enjoy wearing paper Christmas hats” with the image posted to the retailer’s social media of festive red, green and silver paper hats burning in a fireplace.
The image was captioned: “This Christmas, do what you love… like saying no to paper hats” alongside “#LoveThismasNotThatmas.”
M&S said the outtake from the advert it shared on Instagram was recorded in August, months before Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7.
But some social media users claimed there was a similarity between the colours of the hats and the Palestinian flag, with one user describing the photo as “distasteful”.
UAE says it plans to treat 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza
10:17 , Holly Evans
The United Arab Emirates has said it plans to treat 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, without saying how they would leave the Israeli-besieged enclave for the Gulf state.
UAE state news agency WAM reported President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had directed hospitals to treat 1,000 Palestinian children “accompanied by their families”.
Qatar succeeded in brokering a deal to allow some people to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, with some 7,500 foreign passport holders expecting to leave over the course of about two weeks.
The Emirati foreign ministry has not provided further details on their plans to provide treatment and host the Palestinians.
Number of Hezbollah fighters killed rises
10:02 , Holly Evans
The number of Hezbollah fighters killed since 7 October has risen to 50, the group has said.
The Iran-backed militants last put the death toll at 47, following weeks of clashes with Israel across the Lebanese border. Rising tensions have resulted in over 20,000 fleeding south Leabonon and moving to the coastal border or inland.
Most of their fighters have been killed in drone strikes, but Hezbollah unveiled its first surface-to-air missile capability on Sunday.
An Israeli soldier operates a firearm in an armoured vehicle near Israel’s border with Lebanon (REUTERS)
German minister announces complete ban on Hamas activities
09:38 , Holly Evans
Germany will from Wednesday ban the activities of Hamas, already a designated terrorist organisation in the country, as well as pro-Palestinian group Samidoun, the interior minister announced on Thursday.
“With Hamas, I have today completely banned the activities of a terrorist organisation whose aim is to destroy the state of Israel,” Nancy Faeser said in a statement.
Samidoun’s German wing will also be disbanded, it added. Faeser said the international network works under the guise of a solidarity group for prisoners to spread anti-Israel and antisemitic propaganda.
'Evidence of white phosphorous use' confirmed by Amnesty
09:23 , Holly Evans
The use of white phosphorous has been verified by Amnesty International in Gaza and Lebanon, its senior crisis adviser has told Sky News.
Donatella Rovera said that Amnesty has geolocated footage of shells carrying the chemical being deployed over Gaza and Lebanon, and had spoken to doctors who had treated nine people in Lebanon with injuries.
“The evidence is quite incontrovertible,” she said.
White phosphorus is a chemical that ignites on contact with oxygen, sticks to surfaces, is capable of reigniting and can penetrate skin and bone
Two British aid workers evacuated from Gaza
09:15 , Holly Evans
Rishi Sunak has thanked Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his efforts to get the first British nationals to leave through the Rafah border, the only gateway to Gaza not controlled by Israel.
Downing Street confirmed that two UK aid workers were among those to make it to Egypt, where Border Force officials are positioned to assist them.
The Foreign Office said it has agreed a list of British nationals that want to leave Gaza with Egyptian and Israeli authorities.
The UK has a Border Force team in Cairo, with consular officials in Arish, near Rafah, to provide support for Britons who leave Gaza.
Foreign nationals waiting to be allowed through the Rafah crossing (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Labour MPs who defy Sir Keir Starmer will not face action
09:04 , Holly Evans
Shadow cabinet minister Liz Kendall has suggested that Labour MPs who defy party leader Sir Keir Starmer by calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict will not face action.
The shadow work and pension secretary told Sky News the leadership will continue to listen and engage with critics of Sir Keir’s stance.
Asked if they will face disciplinary action, she said: “That’s not been the approach… that’s not the approach we’ve taken.
“Keir’s position is the right one, and I actually think, if you look across our party, our desire to end the killing, to make sure we get that aid in and the hostages out, and that long-term goal of a two-state solution, is something that we all agree on.”
Number of hostages held by Hamas confirmed by Israel
08:59 , Holly Evans
The number of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza has been confirmed as 242.
Efforts are ongoing to secure their release, with five hostages released thus far. Four of those were secured through negotiations with Qatar and Egypt, while a fifth was released after a ground raid by Israeli forces inside Gaza.
Unicef desribe scenes of ‘carnage’ coming from Jabaliya camp
08:42 , Holly Evans
Unicef has described “scenes of carnage” in their latest statement, after two rounds of Israeli airstrikes on a refugee cammp in Gaza killed at least 195 Palestinians.
They said: “These two attacks follow 25 days of ongoing bombardment that have reportedly resulted in more than 3,500 children killed – not including today’s deaths – and over 6,800 children reportedly injured. This would be over 400 children killed or injured per day, for 25 straight days. This cannot become the new normal.”
The scenes of carnage coming out of Jabaliya camp in the Gaza Strip following attacks yesterday and again today are horrific and appalling.
Many children are reportedly among the casualties.
Retrieving British nationals from Gaza is ‘top priority’, says cabinet minister
08:25 , Holly Evans
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are continuing to work on getting Britons out of Gaza, Cabinet minister Michelle Donelan said.
The Science Secretary told Sky News: “We’re not in full control of that border, as you know, so it is very difficult.
“But the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister have said multiple times it is our top priority to get those British nationals out as quickly as we possibly can.
“And I know that that is something that the Foreign Secretary has been actively working on with the Prime Minister.”
More Britons expected to leave Gaza through Rafah crossing
08:09 , Holly Evans
Cabinet minister Michelle Donelan said more Britons were expected to be able to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Around 200 British nationals are trapped in Gaza but Ms Donelan said “our focus is on getting them out”.
“The Foreign Office have said that some people have managed to get over that border and we are anticipating that there will be more coming,” the Science Secretary told GB News.
“I know that the Border Force stands ready and that our teams on the ground have been in touch with many individuals.
“There is a list of people that are British nationals – 200 I believe is the figure that I have – and our focus is on on getting them out as quickly as we possibly can.”
Crowds of people wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border (EPA)
Egypt to help evacuate ‘about 7,000’ foreigners and dual nationals from Gaza
07:58 , Holly Evans
Egypt’s foreign ministry has said it will help evacuate “about 7,000” foreigners and dual nationals from the Gaza Strip, according to news agency Agence France-Presse.
The country’s assistant foreign minister told diplomats that Egypt was preparing “to facilitate the reception and evacuation of foreign citizens from Gaza through the Rafah crossing”.
The official said the figure of “about 7,000” represents “more than 60” nationalities.
Estimated 1.4 million people currently displaced in Gaza
07:38 , Holly Evans
An estimated 1.4 million people are currently displaced in the Gaza strip, as the Rafah crossing opens to allow foreign nationals and injured Palestinians to leave.
The UNRWA, the main UN agency in Palestine, said 70 of its colleagues have been killed and another 22 injured since the conflict began on 7 October.
🔺 It's estimated that 1.4 million people are currently displaced in the📍#GazaStrip
Live: View of Gaza's Rafah border as crossing opens for second day
07:09 , Shweta Sharma
Israeli air force says ‘dozens’ of Hamas terrorists killed in raids
06:56 , Shweta Sharma
Israel’s air force has said in a statement that IDF fighters and armored forces were fired on with anti-tank weapons and grenades by Hamas in overnight operations.
But they neutralised “dozens” of Hamas fighters.
“The forces engaged in prolonged battles with the terrorists, assisted by brigade fire from artillery and tanks, while directing an aircraft to attack from the air and directing a missile ship to attack from the sea. At the end of the fighting, dozens of terrorists were killed,” the statement said.
במהלך הלילה נתקלו לוחמי צה"ל מחטיבת גולני וכוחות שריון בחוליות מחבלים שביצעו לעברם ירי נ"ט, הפעילו מטענים והשליכו רימונים. הכוחות ניהלו עם המחבלים קרבות ממושכים, בסיוע אש חטיבתית של כלי ארטילריה וטנקים, pic.twitter.com/Ix35g7F4uK
Scenes at the Rafah crossing as foreigners evacuate
06:45 , Shweta Sharma
Emotional and chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Rafah crossing border yesterday as hundreds arrived with their families to leave the conflict-torn Gaza Strip.
Ambulances with injured lined up at the border to cross into Egypt for better treatment as hospitals in Gaza are running out of supplies, fuel and water as the crisis mounts.
(EPA)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(EPA)
(AP)
(EPA)
Japan’s foreign minister to visit Israel to discuss ‘grave humanitarian situation in Gaza'
06:30 , Shweta Sharma
Japan’s foreign minister said she would meet Palestinian counterparts during a visit to Israel and Jordan, and would communicate Japan’s readiness to provide aid to the Palestinians.
The minister, Yoko Kamikawa, is also set to meet Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen during her two-day trip from Friday.
“I hope to discuss how to respond to the grave humanitarian situation in the Gaza region as well as directly communicate Japan’s readiness to continue providing aid,” Ms Kamikawa said of her meeting with her Palestinian counterparts.
She did not specify who she would meet from the Palestinian side.
Speaking to reporters before her departure, she acknowledged the Israeli strike on the Jabalia refugee camp and that many civilians had been killed in the attack.
“I understand the Israeli military has said the strike targeted Hamas operatives and relevant infrastructure,” she said. She did not comment further.
All 10 Japanese nationals and their eight Palestinian family members wishing to leave Gaza have evacuated to Egypt, Ms Kamikawa said, adding that the evacuees were in good health.
Twenty Australians leave Gaza through Rafah as 65 still remain
06:15 , Shweta Sharma
There were 20 Australians among the first group of foreign citizens to leave the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip and enter Eygpt via the Rafah border crossing, assistant minister for foreign affairs, Tim Watts, said.
Mr Watts said there were still 75 Australians trapped in Gaza and the government had urged them, using all available communication channels, to move toward the Rafah crossing as soon as possible.
“We are providing all possible support we can, communicating through all available channels,” Mr Watts told ABC television.
“It is not always perfect. This is a conflict zone.”
Mr Watts said the government was not planning for more assisted flights at the moment as there were enough commercial options available. Since the conflict began on 7 October, the Australian government has conducted several repatriation flights.
Mr Watts said he also “strongly encouraged” Australians in Lebanon to leave the country after deadly clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
“We can’t make any guarantees that Beirut airport will remain open if the conflict spreads to the south of Lebanon and departure options become much more complex and more difficult at that point,” he said.
“We don’t know what the situation is going to look like in the coming days and coming weeks.”
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong called for a pause in hostilities to allow supplies to enter Gaza, strongly criticising Hamas and calling on Israel to exercise restraint to minimise civilian casualties.
“Even in war there are rules,” Ms Wong told a news conference. “The international community will not accept ongoing civilian deaths.”
'Sounds of explosions' heard in vicinity of Al-Quds Hospital, says Red Crescent Society
06:00 , Shweta Sharma
Sounds of explosions and shelling continued to be heard in the vicinity of Al-Quds Hospital, the Red Crescent Society said.
Israeli warplanes conducted a series of raids in the vicinity of the Al-Quds Hospital at dawn, said the Palestinian news agency Wafa, citing the Palestinian non-profit.
The hospital in the Tal Al-Hawa neighbourhood south of Gaza City is affiliated with the Red Crescent.
It has more than 14,000 civilians who are either undergoing treatment or seeking shelter.
The Red Crescent Society has refused to evacuate the hospital amid warnings from the Israeli forces to evacuate it as they threatened to carry out raids there.
The society has called on the international community to intervene immediately to prevent possible mass casualties at the hospital.
(EPA)
Latest in Gaza as Israel continues ground operation
05:45 , Shweta Sharma
It is morning in Gaza following a night of continued intense bombardment and fighting on the strip as Israeli forces continued their ground operations.
Here are the latest developments since yesterday:
The Rafah border crossing opened yesterday for the first time to allow the evacuation of foreign nationals and injured dual nationality citizens who wanted to leave Gaza.
596 foreign nationals will leave today after more than 300 left Gaza a day earlier, including British citizens.
Us president Joe Biden has called for a humanitarian “pause” on Israel’s military campaign but he did not call for a ceasefire after he was interrupted mid-speech by a protester demanding ceasefire.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken is departing today for Israel for his second visit to meet prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. He will voice solidarity over the Hamas attack but also reassert the need to minimise Palestinian civilian casualties
Israel said its two days of strikes killed two Hamas military leaders in Jabalia, Gaza’s biggest refugee camp. It was Israel’s most controversial airstrike in Gaza during the ground operations as number of civilians have died.
At least 195 Palestinians were killed in the Jabalia refugee camp strike, with 120 missing under the rubble and at least 777 people wounded, the Gaza health ministry said.
Watch: Dozens of dual passport holders leave Gaza for Egypt through Rafah crossing
05:30 , Shweta Sharma
British teacher trapped in Gaza urges government to act before it is ‘too late’
Schoolteacher Zaynab Wandawi, 29, from Manchester, is among those stranded and has urged the government to “not delay” in helping, in a social media post shared by her family.
IDF says one soldier killed in Gaza a day after 15 casualities
04:47 , Shweta Sharma
The Israeli military said one soldier was killed in Gaza yesterday after 15 fatalities a day before as forces launched the ground operation in the enclave.
Israel’s Defence Forces said a soldier from the 7007th Infantry Battalion has been killed in northern Gaza in fighting with Hamas.
The death brings the total casualties of Israeli forces to 17 since the army launched ground invasion of Gaza.
Second list of 596 foreign national to leave Gaza released
04:31 , Shweta Sharma
Around 596 foreign and dual nationals from 15 countries will leave Gaza through Rafah crossing into Egypt today as the border will open for the second time today,
The Gaza Borders and Crossings Authority has released a list, that includes 400 American citizens.
The ministry said the people on the list would need to arrive at the crossing at 7am.
The list of foreign and dual nationals included people from the following countries:
Azerbaijan, 8
Belgium, 50
Bahrain, 6
Chad, 2
Croatia, 23
Greece, 24
Hungary, 20
Italy/United Nations, 4
North Macedonia, 4
Mexico, 2
Netherlands, 20
South Korea, 5
Sri Lanka, 17
Switzerland, 11
United States, 400
Antony Blinken to visit Israel for second time
03:55 , Shweta Sharma
US secretary of state Antony Blinken is departing today for Israel for his second visit to meet prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials.
During his meeting tomorrow, he will voice solidarity over the Hamas attack but also reassert the need to minimise Palestinian civilian casualties, his spokesperson said.
Mr Blinken will also stop in Jordan, one of a handful of Arab states to have normalised relations with Israel. But yesterday, Jordan withdrew its ambassador from Tel Aviv until Israel ends its assault on Gaza.
In Jordan, Mr Blinken will underscore the importance of protecting civilian lives and reiterate a US commitment to ensure Palestinians are not forcibly displaced from Gaza, a growing concern of the Arab world, the spokesman said.
He will pursue talks led by Egypt and Qatar on securing the release of all of the hostages held by Hamas.
IDF says two Hamas leaders killed in Jabalia refugee camp strike as death toll rises to 195
03:46 , Shweta Sharma
Israel said its two days of strikes killed two Hamas military leaders in Jabalia, Gaza’s biggest refugee camp.
Israeli defence forces said the group had command centres and other “terror infrastructure under, around and within civilian buildings, intentionally endangering Gazan civilians”.
At least 195 Palestinians were killed in the most controversial Israeli airstrikes on the refugee camp, Gaza’s Hamas-run media office said.
Around 120 remain missing under the rubble and at least 777 people were wounded, it said in a statement.
UN human rights officials said strikes on the camp could be a “war crime”.
“Given the high number of civilian casualties and the scale of destruction following Israeli air strikes on Jabalia refugee camp, we have serious concerns that these are disproportionate attacks that could amount to war crimes,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on X.
Israel says ‘no damage’ after Hezbollah claims drowning drones
03:38 , Shweta Sharma
Israel‘s military said its aircraft suffered “no damage” as it confirmed a missile launch by Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Hezbollah yesterday said it shot down an Israeli drone over south Lebanon with a surface-to-air missile just after midnight over two villages on the Lebanese side of the frontier.
“It crashed and fell instantly,” it said.
The Israeli military said that a surface-to-air missile was launched from Lebanon toward one of its drones.
“In response, the (military) struck the terrorist cell that fired the missile and the launch site,” the military said in a statement, without saying who was behind the firing.
“There was no damage to the (drone),” the statement said.
Watch: Reporter challenges IDF official over civilian bomb deaths
Rafah crossing to reopen today to evacuate foreign nationals
03:16 , Shweta Sharma
More foreign nationals and injured Gazans are expected to leave the besieged Gaza Strip today as the Rafah crossing will open again.
At least 320 foreign citizens on an initial list of 500, as well as dozens of severely injured Gazans, crossed into Egypt yesterday under a deal among Israel, Egypt and Hamas.
Passport holders from Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States were in the evacuation.
A diplomatic source said some 7,500 foreign passport holders would leave Gaza over about two weeks.
In pictures: Life in Gaza refugee camp
03:00 , Jane Dalton
Palestinian children at a UN-provided tent camp in Khan Younis (AP)
Palestinians displaced by the bombardment sit by a fire (AP)
(AP)
Why the Rafah crossing is vital
02:00 , Jane Dalton
What you need to know about this critical linchpin for humanitarian aid:
Pope Francis has said on a two-state solution is needed for Israel and Palestine, and called for a special status for Jerusalem.
Francis also said he hoped a regional escalation could be avoided.
“(Those are) two peoples who have to live together. With that wise solution, two states. The Oslo accords, two well-defined states and Jerusalem with a special status,” he said in an interview with Italy’s RAI broadcaster.
In 1993, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat shook hands on the Oslo Accords establishing limited Palestinian autonomy.
US President Bill Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Arafat took part in the Camp David summit in 2000, but failed to reach a final peace deal.
“The war in the Holy Land frightens me,” Francis said. “How will these people end this story?”
An escalation, he said, “would mean the end of so many things and so many lives”.
(EPA)
Don’t act on ‘rage and revenge’ as US did after 9/11, warns Bernie Sanders
01:00 , Jane Dalton
Former US presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has warned the Israeli government: “Rage and revenge do not make useful policy...
“Killing innocent Palestinian women and children in Gaza will not bring back to life the innocent Israeli women and children killed by Hamas.”
Sunak thanks Egyptian president
00:30 , Jane Dalton
Rishi Sunak has thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for opening the Rafah crossing as they held talks about Gaza and the wider Middle East.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “He welcomed the opening of the Rafah crossing today for the first British and other nationals and injured Palestinians to leave Gaza. The Prime Minister thanked president Sisi for his efforts and said the UK would continue to work closely with Egypt and Israel to ensure all British citizens can leave Gaza safely.
“The leaders talked about urgent work to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the Prime Minister updated on plans for a second UK aid flight to support the work of the Egyptian Red Crescent.
“He said ensuring life-saving aid and medical treatment reaches civilians by all available routes is a top priority and the UK stands ready to provide further support.
“The Prime Minister and President Sisi also discussed diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, prevent escalation in the wider Middle East and achieve long-term peace and prosperity for the Palestinian people.”
Palestinian-American family says 42 relatives killed in one day
Israel-Palestine war: In Jordan, young protesters want to ‘liberate Palestine’ On Wednesday night, two kilometres away from the Israeli embassy in the Jordanian capital, Ali Abu Musameh held a sign that reads, “Paradise is closer than Sinai.” Ali, 26, and young protesters like him say they are ready to die defending the Palestinians from the Israeli occupation. They would like the Jordanian government to open the borders with Palestine and "allow them to fight there". It was the day after the Israeli bombardment of al-Ahli hospital in Gaza that killed at least 471 displaced Palestinian civilians and patients. Israel denied responsibility, claiming a rocket belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad failed to launch properly and hit the hospital. Jordan's King Abdullah II, however, blamed Israel and described the incident as a "massacre" and "war crime". The Jordanian government declared three days of mourning for those killed in the hospital s
Israel-Palestine latest news: Up to 10 British hostages taken by Hamas Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said that it is not “unreasonable” to estimate that up to 10 civilians were taken hostage by Hamas in last week’s bloody assault on Israel. Speaking on Sky News this morning, Clevery added: “It is in Israel’s interest to avoid civilian casualties and Palestinian casualties because Hamas clearly wants to turn this into a wider Arab-Israeli war or indeed a war between the Muslim world and the wider world.” The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,329 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting erupted, already making it the deadliest of the five Gaza wars. “I have received regular commitments from the Israeli leadership, both military and civilian, that they are all conscious that the people of Palestinian are being used by Hamas,” he said. “They recognise that and they’re very conscious of their responsibilities.” A spokesman for the Israeli army told CNN that the top priority in th
Israel Latest: Gaza Air Strikes to Intensify Before ‘Next Stage (Bloomberg) -- Israel said it will step up aerial strikes over Gaza in preparation for the “next stage” of its military operation, likely a ground invasion. https://uzairtalk.blogspot.com/2023/10/israel-palestine-war-in-jordan-young.html i latest-news- Food and medical supplies began crossing into Gaza from Egypt for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war erupted two weeks ago, addressing a key demand of US, European and Arab leaders as the humanitarian situation in the besieged territory worsens. Dozens of leaders and senior officials from the Middle East, Europe and Africa converged on Cairo, searching for ways to prevent the Israel-Hamas war becoming a wider conflict — and airing mostly entrenched viewpoints. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said he’d agreed with US President Joe Biden that the Rafah crossing should be open “sustainably.” (All time stamps are Israeli time) Israeli Army to Step Up Air Strikes i
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