Israel conducts 'large-scale strike' on Gaza as Blinken heads to region
Israel conducts 'large-scale strike' on Gaza as Blinken heads to region
Israel's military said it was conducting a "large-scale strike" on targets belonging to Hamas in Gaza on Thursday, but gave no details, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to the region to meet leaders on both sides of the conflict.
Israeli jets have pounded Gazan targets for days in retribution for a weekend attack by Hamas fighters who breached the border fence enclosing the enclave and rampaged through towns and villages, killing 1,200 people, injuring over 2,700, and taking scores of hostages, the Israeli military said.
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At around 4:30am on Thursday, Israel's military said it was conducting a "large-scale strike" on targets belonging to Hamas in Gaza. It did not provide details.
Hamas media said 15 Palestinians had been killed and several wounded in Israeli air strikes.
Eyewitnesses reported Israeli aircraft heavily bombarding Gaza city and Gazan authorities also reported an air strike on the Jabalia refuge camp in northern Gaza.
The death toll in Gaza has risen to 1,200, with around 5,600 wounded, Palestinian media reported earlier, citing Gaza's health ministry.
Gazans bombarded by Israel have no hope and no escape
Most of the 2.3 million people in the Gaza Strip have no electricity and no water. And, with hundreds of Israeli strikes raining down on their tiny enclave, they have nowhere to run.
The Palestinian territory, one of the most crowded places on Earth, has been under siege since Saturday in a near-constant bombardment that Gazan health officials say has killed more than 1,000 people. The blitz is retaliation for a devastating attack on Israel by Gaza's ruling group Hamas which the Israeli military says killed more than 1,200 people.
Gaza's sole power station, which had been working intermittently for days, cut out on Wednesday after running out of fuel. Without power, water can't be pumped into houses. At night there's nearly total darkness punctuated by fireballs and the pin-pricks of light from phones used as flashlights.
Biden warns Iran over Gaza; Israel forms emergency war cabinet
US President Joe Biden warned Iran against getting involved in Israel's conflict with Hamas amid fears of a wider regional conflict, while ongoing Israeli air strikes around the Gaza Strip drove hundreds of thousands from their homes.
Biden despatched his top diplomat, Antony Blinken, to the Middle East to show Washington's enduring support for Israel, seek to secure the release of captives, including Americans, and prevent a wider war from erupting.
Blinken will arrive on Thursday and will also visit Jordan, but will not visit the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where he ordinarily meets Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Speaking to a roundtable of Jewish community leaders in Washington, Biden said his deployment of military ships and aircraft closer to Israel should be seen as a signal to Iran, which backs Islamist groups Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
"We made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful," Biden said.
Iran president, Saudi crown prince speak for first time since ties restored
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Wednesday (11 October), in the first telephone call between the two leaders since a China-brokered deal between Tehran and Riyadh to resume ties.
The two leaders' call came as Israel carried out air strikes in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a deadly attack by Hamas in Israel.
Raisi and the Saudi crown prince discussed the "need to end war crimes against Palestine," Iranian state media said.
The Saudi crown prince, for his part, "affirmed that the Kingdom is making all possible efforts in communicating with all international and regional parties to stop the ongoing escalation," Saudi state news agency SPA said.
Gaza has been plunged into darkness as the lone power plant has ran out of fuel.
After Hamas's attack on Saturday, Israel imposed a siege of Gaza, cutting its supplies of electricity, fuel, food, goods and water.
Doctors have sent an "SOS" to the world, given that without electricity already-burdened hospitals would have to rely on emergency generators.
Meanwhile, a representative from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City told Aljazeera that Israeli authorities have targeted first responders assisting civilians, and appealed to the global community for assistance.
As Joe Biden pledged support for Israel and issued a warning to anyone seeking to take advantage of the situation, Israel vowed to escalate its attack with a ground offensive. It has called up an unprecedented 300,000 reservists, as Israeli airlines added flights to bring reservists back to the country.
With the war entering its fifth day, more than 1,055 Palestinians have been killed and 4,600 wounded in the crowded coastal enclave, with the Israeli death count climbing to 1,200 people, according to Al Jazeera.
Airspace intrusion into Israel from Lebanon: Military
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said there were reports of an intrusion into Israeli airspace from Lebanese territory.
British Airways suspends all flights to Tel Aviv
British Airways said the airline was suspending all flights to Tel Aviv.
Earlier, a British Airways flight from London to Tel Aviv had been diverted back to Heathrow, due to security concerns.
UK foreign secretary scrambles for safety as raid sirens sound
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was seen running into a building in Israel as a siren sounded in a video posted on X by the Israeli foreign ministry.
The siren warned of incoming Hamas rocket attack and went off during his visit to Ofakim in southern Israel.
Agreement on emergency government reached: Israeli media
Israeli media outlets reported that an agreement has been reached between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leader of the National Unity party, Benny Gantz, over the formation of an "emergency government of national unity".
Gaza's sole power plant now out of service
The sole power plant in Gaza Strip is now out of service due to a lack of fuel, the energy authority said.
On Monday, Israel said it would impose a "total siege" on the besieged enclave, banning food, water and fuel from coming in.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrives in Israel
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has arrived in Israel, according to the British government.
He "will be meeting survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to outline UK support for Israel's right to defend itself," a spokesperson said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Israel
The first shipment of US weapons arrived in Israel, and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken is heading there to to meet with senior Israeli leaders.
Blinken is set to arrive in Israel on Thursday, where he will discuss military needs and hostage negotiations.
Hamas fires rockets towards southern Israel
A new barrage of rockets has been fired towards southern Israel.
Images show flames next to residential buildings in Ashkelon.
The armed wing of Hamas, the al-Qassam Brigades, claimed the attack.
Israel threatened humanitarian convoy from Egypt
Health officials told Al Jazeera that Israel is blocking the entry of medical supplies into Gaza. They said a humanitarian convoy from Egypt, carrying medical supplies, was threatened with an Israeli air raid on Tuesday.
Israel army says it attacked Hezbollah observation post
The Israeli army said one of its aircraft attacked a Hezbollah observation post and its artillery shelled the area from where a shooting was detected.
Number killed in Gaza rises to 1,055: Health ministry
Palestinian health ministry said, 1,055 people have been killed and more than 5,100 others injured since Israel's retaliatory air strikes began on Saturday.
The Ministry of Health said earlier nearly 60% of the injured people in Gaza were women and children.
Watch how Israel was created?
Earlier this year, Israel celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding. But how exactly was that country born on land that was already called Palestine?
Watch the explainer by Al Jazeera below...
Hamas says it 'does not target children'
The armed group Hamas has said it "does not target children", adding that Western media should be accurate and "not blindly side with the Zionist narrative, which is full of lies and slander".
In a statement, it said the resistance and Al-Qassam Brigades targeted the "Zionist military and security system".
"We … categorically affirm the falsehood of the fabricated allegations promoted by some Western media outlets, which unprofessionally adopt the Zionist narrative full of lies and slander against our Palestinian people and their resistance, the latest of which was the claim of killing children, beheading them, and targeting civilians."
Israel attacks areas in Lebanon in response to missile
Israeli shelling hit southern Lebanese towns on Wednesday in response to a fresh rocket attack by powerful armed group Hezbollah, as cross-border violence extended into a fourth day.
Israeli Air Force attacks Islamic University in Gaza
The Israeli Air Force in a post on X, has confirmed that part of the Islamic University in Gaza City had been destroyed by Israeli air strikes.
The IAF says they attacked the university because it "serves as a major training centre for Hamas engineers," and is "an important centre of political and military power" .
It also says Hamas used the site to produce weapons.
'Power plant in Gaza to shut down completely within hours'
The Government Media Office has just issued this statement saying the power plant in Gaza is going to shut down completely within hours due to the depletion of fuel.
"The Gaza Strip is facing an imminent humanitarian catastrophe, with the power plant shutting down completely within hours due to the depletion of fuel. This threatens to plunge the Strip into complete darkness and make it impossible to continue providing all basic life services, all of which depend on electricity, and it will not be possible to operate them partially with generators in light of the prevention of fuel supplies from Rafah Gate.
"This catastrophic situation creates a humanitarian crisis for all residents of the Gaza Strip, which is further exacerbated by the occupation's continued aggression and destruction of entire residential neighbourhoods with hundreds of tons of explosives, and the bombing of citizens' homes over their heads, in what can be described as the dirtiest crime of collective punishment against defenceless civilians in modern history."
Israeli forces sharing 'doctored' video: Monitor
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has shared a "doctored" video showing a "deeply disturbing potential war crime".
"The IDF posted a doctored video alleging eliminating combatants. But their own footage shows said individuals unarmed, raising their hands up & kneeling down to surrender before IDF soldiers execute them from the back," the monitor said on X.
UN agency for Gaza has food and water supplies for 12 days
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees tells Al Jazeera it has less than two weeks' supply of food and water to assist the more than 180,000 people who have sought refuge in their schools in Gaza.
"We've got supplies for 12 days for food and water. Roads are blocked, we don't have telephone lines, we have had networks hit by air strikes. It is really difficult for us to know what's happening," Jennifer Austin, deputy director of the agency, said.
"We are relying on our staff, who are themselves refugees, who are going out to provide a service. It is really unprecedented situation we are facing."
17 British nationals dead or missing in Israel - BBC
Seventeen British nationals including children are dead or missing in Israel after attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas, the BBC reported on Wednesday, citing an official source.
Entire Gaza neighbourhood levelled to the ground
The entire neighbourhood of al-Karama has been levelled to the ground. Eight 12-storey towers were bombed and destroyed. People were targeted while inside their homes.
Residents of the neighbourhood have been appealing to the civil defence and Red Cross for assistance. No help has reached them.
People at the scene report hearing individuals trapped under the rubble and calling for help.
Watch: How Israel made Gaza the world's biggest prison
Often described as the world's biggest prison, most of the world only pays attention to Gaza when it is firing rockets at Israel.
It's a tiny territory with no control of its own borders or airspace. Most of its residents are refugees from just across the fence with Israel who have almost no chance of ever leaving.
Watch a video explainer by Al Jazeera
Int'l community should maintain aid to Palestinians, Norway
The international community should continue to provide financial aid to the Palestinian people and institutions, Norway's Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt told Reuters on Wednesday.
"As chair of the international donor group (to the Palestinians) AHLC, Norway encourages the international community to continue its financial assistance to the Palestinian people," Huitfeldt said in a statement.
Several countries, including Sweden and Denmark, have said they will halt or are considering whether to halt, aid to Palestinian territories following the surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend.
To Read More on Israel-Hamas War
First plane with US munitions arrives in Israel
The first US plane carrying a load of munitions for the Israeli armed forces arrived in the country in the early hours of Wednesday, the press service of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said.
"The first plane, loaded with US munitions, has landed in Israel. The plane with advanced ammunition landed at the at the Nevatim Airbase this night. The munitions are intended for carrying out significant strikes and preparing for additional scenarios," the IDF press service said in a statement.
The Israeli military thanked the US for its support.
"Our common enemies know that cooperation between our armies is strong as never and is key factor in regional security and stability," the statement says.
Israeli military says 300,000 troops now deployed near Gaza
Some 300,000 Israeli soldiers are now stationed near the Gaza Strip, Israel's military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said.
"What we are doing in these areas close to the Gaza Strip, is that we have deployed – actually we have sent – our infantry, armoured soldiers, our artillery corps and many other soldiers from the reserves – 300,000 in numbers – in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza Strip, getting ready to execute the mission… that we have been given by the Israeli government," he said in a video posted to X.
Health ministry in Gaza: Israel deliberately targeting medical staff
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has accused Israel of "deliberately targeting" Palestinian medical staff, shortly after an Israeli strike hit another ambulance, killing two people and injuring two paramedics.
"Medical teams work in dangerous conditions, and we call on international bodies to take effective steps to protect them," a health ministry spokesman was quoted by Al Jazeera Arabic as saying.
In 2014, an Amnesty International report concluded that six health care workers were killed in deliberate attacks in several areas of Gaza, despite the vehicles being clearly marked as ambulances.
Electric company in Gaza 'running out of fuel': Authorities
The company supplying electricity to Gaza could shut down "within hours" as "it is running out of fuel", authorities in the besieged Palestinian enclave, which is home to more than 2 million people, said in a statement.
Gaza has experienced widespread power interruption due to relentless bombardment by Israeli forces since the weekend attacks by Hamas and hospitals and shelters in the enclave have already been forced to operate without power.
Thousands join pro-Israel rally in New York
Thousands of people gathered on Tuesday for a show of solidarity with Israel in New York, the city with the largest number of Jews in the world outside of the Jewish state.
Since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, New York -- home to nearly two million Jews and hundreds of thousands of Muslims -- has been the scene of tense demonstrations of support for the Palestinian cause or to defend Jews and Israel.
"New York stands in solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community, We stand together to protect every one of you. We will continue to protect you." New York state Governor Kathy Hochul told the crowd.
US in talks about safe passage for Gaza civilians: WH
The US is talking with Israel and Egypt about the idea of a safe passage for Gaza civilians as Israel strikes the enclave after a deadly Hamas attack over the weekend, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday.
"We are focused on this question, there are consultations going on," Sullivan told reporters at the White House.
"But the details of that are something that are being discussed among the operational agencies and I don't want to share too much of that publicly at this time," Sullivan said.
"Quiet" on Israel's border with Lebanon, Syria: Israel
The Israeli military has reported "quiet" on Israel's border with Syria and said "there are no attacks and active combat events" on the frontier with Lebanon.
Jonathan Conricus, a spokesman for the military, added that Israel has deployed tens of thousands of additional units, including infantry, special forces and artillery corps to the border with Lebanon to counter any attacks from Lebanon's Hezbollah group.
Conricus's comments came after a salvo of rockets was fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel and more shells launched from Syrian territory landed in open areas in Israel on Tuesday.
Palestinians start their morning with smell of gunpowder
The Israeli bombardment hasn't stopped since the evening, with thousands of families seen fleeing their homes.
"This is torture. Sound of bombing are getting closer and louder. The smell of gunpowder is everywhere and the dust fills the air. What a morning in Gaza," Al Jazeera correspondent Maram Humaid wrote on X.
The last few hours in Israel and Gaza
Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets have struck more than 200 targets in the Al-Furqan neighbourhood in Gaza, believed to be the hotspot from where Hamas devises and executes their attacks. The Israel Defense Forces say this is the third counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours.
The overall death toll has climbed to 2,100 according to a BBC report, with the death toll in Israel rising to 1,200 while officials in Gaza say 900 people have died.
Survivors in both Gaza and Israel describe the scale of devastation as something they have never experienced in the decades of conflict between both sides. In Israel, people have described the Hamas attack as a "massacre of civilians". In Gaza, a humanitarian worker told the BBC's Newshour programme that there is "nowhere safe" for people to go.
To Read More on Israel-Hamas War
Over 260,000 Gazans displaced in Israeli airstrikes: UN
More than 260,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Gaza as the Israeli military continues to bombard the Palestinian enclave, the UN said.
This reresents the "highest number of people displaced since the 50-day escalation of hostilities in 2014", it said in an update on Tuesday night. The number is expected to rise further.
The Gaza Strip is home to about 2.3 million people and has one of the highest population densities in the world.
Confrontations reported in Occupied East Jerusalem
Al Jazeera is getting reports of confrontations between young Palestinians and Israeli police in the Occupied East Jerusalem's Shuafat neighbourhood.
A video clip obtained by Al Jazeera Arabic showed traces of possible gunfire exchange amid sounds of repeated gunfire.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Canada to evacuate citizens from Israel
Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly says her government is planning to "begin the assisted departure of Canadians from Tel Aviv in the coming days".
Aircraft from the Canadian Armed Forces will be deployed for the operation, she said.
Putin blames US policy failures for Israel-Hamas war
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued his first comments on the latest Israel-Hamas war, describing it as a result of failed US foreign policy.
Speaking at the start of his talks with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, Putin said on Tuesday that "many will agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of the US policies in the Middle East".
The US, he said, has "tried to monopolise the settlement, but, regrettably hasn't bothered to search for compromises that would be acceptable to both parties and, just the opposite, sought to enforce their own view of how it should be done, exerting pressure on both parties".
Putin said the US has failed "to take vital interests of the Palestinian people into account", ignoring UN General Assembly resolutions envisaging the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Sweden halts development aid to Palestinians
Sweden has temporarily halted development aid to Palestinian territories following a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend, Development Minister Johan Forssell told a news conference on Tuesday.
"We have a new situation after the 7th of October," Forssell told reporters. "Our decision today is that Sweden will ... pause development aid to Palestine until further notice."
Neighbouring Denmark announced earlier on Tuesday that it would pause its aid.
Disclaimer: The news in the thread was sourced from BBC, Al Jazeera, Reuters and other international news sites.
