Two-in-three killed in Israel's war on Gaza are women and children: officials

This live blog has now concluded. Join us again on Tuesday at 0700 GMT for the latest developments from the Gaza-Israel war. 

Israeli army says targeting Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

The Israeli military says it is "currently striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanon".

It did not provide additional details, but we’ll bring you more information as soon as we have it.

The IDF is currently striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/eZStS2hqrY

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 16, 2023

Calls mount to let aid into besieged Gaza

Aid agencies call for vital humanitarian supplies to be allowed into the Gaza Strip, warning time was running out to save millions of people as water supplies dried up and food and fuel stocks dwindled.

UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths is heading to the Middle East on Tuesday, in the latest effort of frantic diplomacy to prevent the crisis from worsening.

"We need access for aid," he said in a video statement.

The regional director of the World Health Organization, Ahmed Al-Mandhari, gave a stark warning about the situation, which he said was barrelling towards a "real catastrophe".

"There are 24 hours of water, electricity and fuel left" in Gaza, he told AFP in an interview in Cairo. If aid is not allowed in, doctors will have to "prepare death certificates for their patients", he added.

EU to launch humanitarian air corridor to Gaza

The European Union will launch a humanitarian air corridor to Gaza through Egypt with the first flights expected this week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said.

"Palestinians in Gaza are in need of humanitarian help and aid. That is why... we are launching an EU humanitarian air bridge to Gaza through Egypt. The first two flights will start this week," von der Leyen told a press conference in the Albanian capital Tirana, where she attended a regional Balkan summit.

The operation is consisting of "several flights to Egypt to bring lifesaving supplies to humanitarian organisations on the ground in Gaza", a statement from the Commission's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) department said.

The first two flights this week will be carrying humanitarian cargo from UNICEF including shelter items, medicines and hygiene kits, it said.

Canada says humanitarian access to Gaza is imperative - PM Trudeau

Canada is deeply concerned by the dire and worsening crisis in Gaza and wants a humanitarian corridor to be opened into the enclave, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said.

"It is imperative that this happen," Trudeau told the House of Commons lower chamber of parliament.

Hamas says Israeli threat of ground invasion 'doesn't scare us'

The threat of an Israeli ground invasion of the blockaded Gaza Strip "doesn't scare us and we are ready for it", Abu Obeideh, the spokesman of Hamas's military wing has said.

"The threat of the occupation (Israel) to launch a ground offensive against our people doesn't scare us and we are ready for it," Abu Obeideh said in a televised statement ahead of an expected Israeli invasion of the besieged Gaza Strip.

"We will release the foreign prisoners when conditions are ripe," Abu Obeideh said.

BBC apologises over 'misleading' coverage of pro-Palestine protests

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News has apologised after one of its presenters, Maryam Moshiri, described people taking part in marches in support of Palestine as backing Hamas.

Moshiri said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Earlier we reported on some of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the weekend.

"We spoke about 'several demonstrations across Britain during which people voiced their backing for Hamas'.

"We accept this was poorly phrased and was a misleading description of the demonstrations."

Turkey discusses with Hamas the release of civilian hostages

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with the leader of the Palestinian armed group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, on Monday, a Turkish foreign ministry source said.

Fidan and Haniyeh discussed the latest developments in the fighting between Israeli and Palestinian forces, as well as the release of civilian hostages held by Hamas, the source said

Blinken, Netanyahu sheltered in bunker amid air raid sirens in Tel Aviv

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister sheltered in a bunker for five minutes when air sirens went off in Tel Aviv during their meeting, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The two have since moved out and are continuing their discussions at the defence ministry's command centre, Miller said.

UNICEF warns children, families in Gaza have 'practically run out of water'

UNICEF, the UN's children's fund, warned that children and families in Gaza "have practically run out of water".

"They are now forced to use dirty water from wells, increasing risks of waterborne diseases," the organisation said, calling for a humanitarian pause "to ensure unhindered and safe access to children and families in Gaza".

The World Health Organization warned that Gaza's water crisis makes a public health crisis "imminent, compounding a desperate situation for civilians".

The WHO added that the lives of more than 3,5000 inpatients at 35 hospitals are at immediate risk.

Biden meets security chiefs amid talk of Israel trip

US President Joe Biden has abruptly cancelled a domestic political trip to meet with his national security team Monday as he weighed an invitation to go to Israel.

The White House confirmed Benjamin Netanyahu had invited Biden but said there were no travel plans yet.

The timing of any visit would be highly sensitive, with Israel gearing up for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, currently under relentless air and artillery strikes that have killed at least 2,750 people, including over 1,000 children.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were "briefed by their national security team on the latest updates in the wake of Hamas's abhorrent attack in Israel and the resulting conflict in Gaza," the White House said.

This morning, @POTUS and @VP were briefed by their national security team on the latest updates in the wake of Hamas’s abhorrent attack in Israel and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/pthWb1R7kB

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 16, 2023

Colombia expels Israel envoy over Gaza war spat

Colombia has demanded that Israel's ambassador leave the South American country.

Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva said the envoy, Gali Dagan, should "at a minimum, apologize and leave" after criticising Petro's comparison of Israeli attacks on Gaza with the Nazi persecution of the Jews.

Leyva lashed out on social media at the "rudeness" of Israel's response to Petro, adding: "Shame."

Petro, in one post on X, formerly Twitter, accused Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of using language about the people of Gaza similar to what the "Nazis said of the Jews".

UN humanitarian chief heading to Middle East

Martin Griffiths, the UN's humanitarian chief, is heading to the Middle East this week amid a continuing push for humanitarian aid access to Gaza.

He will travel to Egypt on Tuesday for "a mission to last several days" and also plans to visit Israel, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

"We need access for aid," Griffiths said in a video statement.

We're living in the worst of times. pic.twitter.com/V1onMWCSka

— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) October 16, 2023

US progressive legislators introduce Congress resolution urging ceasefire

Progressive US lawmakers have introduced a resolution calling for an "immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine".

The measure – backed by more than a dozen Democratic House members, including Cori Bush, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar – is unlikely to pass, but it highlights growing calls in Washington for a ceasefire in Gaza.

We must do everything we can to save lives.@RepRashida, @RepAndreCarson, @RepSummerLee, @RepDeliaramirez, and I are introducing the #CeasefireNOW Resolution to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.

I urge my colleagues to join us. pic.twitter.com/DlZ2k365zL

— Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) October 16, 2023

"We must do everything in our power to end this ongoing violence," Congressman Jamaal Bowman, another co-sponsor of the resolution, said in a statement.

"Our actions should proceed on the basis of recognizing our shared humanity, including rejecting violence in all forms and pursuing an urgent ceasefire and de-escalation so we can save civilian lives."

UK announces £10 million humanitarian aid for Palestinians

The British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced £10 million in humanitarian aid funding for Palestinians, the UK has announced.

Speaking in parliament, Sunak said: "I’m proud that we are a longstanding and significant provider of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. And I can announce today that we are increasing our aid by a third, with an additional £10 million of support.

He added: An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding, to which we must respond. We must support the Palestinian people - because they’re victims of Hamas too.

One Palestinian shot dead in Jenin: health ministry

The Palestinian health ministry said Monday evening that a Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces near the Salem checkpoint in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank.

Over 50 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,100 wounded in the West Bank since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7.

Lebanon must stay out of Israel-Hamas war: French FM

Lebanese authorities should take all necessary measures to avert a war with Israel, France's foreign minister said in Beirut on Monday, following repeated exchanges of fire along the shared frontier.

"Lebanese officials have a responsibility... to do everything possible to prevent Lebanon from being dragged into a spiral," Catherine Colonna told a press conference, adding that, no group "should take advantage" of the situation.

Israel expanding armed civilian response groups to cities

Israeli police announced Monday it would begin arming civilians to serve as first responders in cities nationwide, as the war on Hamas in Gaza entered its tenth day.

Police commissioner Kobi Shabtai and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir "decided on expanding the first responder units operating under police auspices to all of the cities," a joint statement said.

The "347 new units" would be manned by "13,200 police volunteers, who will be enlisted and receive a rifle and protective gear".

Besides the new units, Ben Gvir's office was working to relax the criteria for pistol licences so people with basic military training who live or work in conflict zones would be able to carry a gun.

Denmark moves navy frigate to Mediterranean due Israel-Hamas war

Denmark has decided to send a navy frigate to join NATO's naval force in the eastern Mediterranean to prepare for possible evacuations in case the war between Israel and Hamas escalates, the Danish ministry of defence said on Monday.

"The security situation in the Middle East is currently unpredictable. Therefore, the government has decided to move the frigate Niels Juel to the eastern Mediterranean," Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in a statement.

"If the situation in the Middle East develops and further evacuation efforts are needed, we are now closer and can react faster," he said

The frigate will not sail east of Cyprus, which has a maritime border with Israel, while deployed in NATO's naval force, the ministry said.

The frigate Niels Juel is usually deployed as part of NATO's 'Standing Maritime Group One' in the North Atlantic.

Canada advises leaving Lebanon over 'volatile' situation in region

Canadians in Lebanon should consider leaving while commercial flights remain available, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on social media on Monday.

"As the crisis in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel continues to unfold, the security situation in the region is becoming increasingly volatile," Joly said in a post on X.

"Canadians in Lebanon should consider leaving while commercial flights remain available," Joly said.

US military selected 2,000 troops for potential Israel deployment: WSJ

The US military has selected around 2,000 troops which could potentially be deployed in Israel to support it in its war against Hamas, the Wall Street Journal said Thursday.

It was quoting defence officials in Washington.

"The troops are tasked with missions like advising and medical support, the officials said, and they are from across the U.S. armed services," WSJ reported, adding that these troops "aren't intended" to serve in combat role.

The publication added that the troops were currently stationed both inside and outside the Middle East, adding that the Pentagon has signalled its preparedness to support Israel should it launch a ground offensive in Gaza.

Iran warns 'time running out' for political solution in Gaza war

Iran on Monday said time was running short to reach a political solution in the Israel-Gaza conflict, warning of the "possibility of expanding the scope of war and conflict to other fronts".

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday held phone calls with his Russian and Turkish counterparts, during which he "warned against the continuation of crimes by the Zionist regime", the president's political deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi, said on X, formerly Twitter.

During his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Raisi warned of a "possibility of expanding the scope of war and conflict to other fronts".

"If this happens, it will be more difficult to control the situation," Raisi said, according to state news agency IRNA.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian meanwhile "stressed that time is running out for political solutions" to the conflict, according to a post on X.

He added that he told his counterparts in Malaysia, Pakistan and Tunisia that the "probable spread of war to other fronts is approaching an inevitable stage".

During his call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Raisi said "minutes" would be "vital" in stopping what he described as "the brutal attacks" of Israel on Gaza, the IRNA state news agency reported.

Raisi also expressed Iran's readiness to send humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel bombs Rafah border crossing

Israel bombed the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt again on Thursday, after targeting the border point at least three times last week.

Egypt's Al Qahera News shared what it said was exclusive footage showing the moment an explosion happened at the crossing, which remains closed.

🚨عاجل عبر قناة القاهرة"

مشاهد لضرب الكيان معبر رفح من الجانب الفلسطيني
pic.twitter.com/YwaRdN0bi7

— اوبزيرفر | (@B667i) October 16, 2023

Israelis want Netanyahu and his coalition out and taken to trial as war on Gaza rages

Many Israelis are demanding the "outser" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of the 7 October attacks that emanated from the Gaza Strip. 

Across the political spectrum, including the right and centre, Israelis agree on one matter: what has transpired is a result of a failure by the Israeli government. Some are even calling to put Netanyahu on trial. 

Read the full article here.

Hezbollah bombs Israeli sites, Israel shells south Lebanon

Hezbollah targeted five Israeli military sites on Thursday, the group said in a statement.

It said the sites targeted were in northern Israel's Misgav Am, Khirbat Al-Manara, Haramoun, Risha, and Ramya, adding that it resulted in a "confirmed [number of] casualties."

Israeli tanks in response shelled several Lebanese border villages, including Dhayra, which it has constantly targeted since October 7.

24 hours left for aid to enter Gaza before 'catastrophe': WHO

The World Health Organization on Monday warned there were only "24 hours of water, electricity and fuel left" in the Gaza Strip before "a real catastrophe" sets in.

WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al-Mandhari said the bombarded, besieged territory must be allowed to receive convoys of aid, currently stuck at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

If assistance does not arrive, doctors will have to "prepare death certificates for their patients", he told AFP.

UN Security Council to discuss Israel-Hamas war

The UN Security Council said it will discuss the Israel-Hamas war Monday, as the crisis deepens with Israel gearing up for a ground offensive in Gaza.

The council said it will start deliberations at 6:00 pm (2200 GMT).

Diplomats say two competing draft resolutions are being discussed: one from Russia urging a ceasefire and delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, but making no mention of Hamas, and one sponsored by Brazil, calling the Hamas attacks on October 7 that triggered the war an act of terrorism.

The UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees has warned that the Gaza Strip faces an "unprecedented human catastrophe" if supply of water and other vital supplies is not restored by the Israeli authorities.

Russia's draft resolution calls for "unimpeded" humanitarian aid and "an immediate" ceasefire.

This is what Majed Bamya, a UN representative for Palestine, had to say to the UN General Assembly this week in the wake of the recent escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip 👇 pic.twitter.com/poe2PPPWpd

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) October 11, 2023

The Brazilian version differs by stating that it "unequivocally rejects and condemns the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas" and the taking of hostages by the Palestinian militant group.

However, it also "strongly urges" provision of essential goods to Palestinian civilians and urges "humanitarian pauses" to let in humanitarian aid workers.

The United States is insisting that the council condemn the Hamas attacks as terrorism, diplomats say.

To be adopted, a resolution needs at least nine votes on the 15-member body, and cannot be vetoed by any of the five permanent members - the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia.

Diplomats said the talks were tough going, as the Israeli-Palestinian crisis regularly divides the council.

U.S. authorises departure of non-emergency govt personnel from Jerusalem embassy

The U.S. State Department said on Saturday that it has authorised the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem and the U.S. Branch Office Tel Aviv "due to the unpredictable security situation in Israel".

Rocket lands in Jerusalem during Knesset session

A rocket fired by Hamas has landed in Jerusalem, wounding at least one person and cutting short a Knesset session.

The New Arab's Jerusalem correspondent had said earlier that sirens were sounded in the city and then a loud bang was heard.

A video shared online showed Knesset members leaving the room when the sirens went off. Another video shows smoke billowing from the area where the missile landed - in Beit Shemesh, west Jerusalem, according to Alaraby TV.

#عاجل يسرائيل هيوم:
إخلاء الكنيست بعد إطلاق صواريخ قبل قليل نحو القدس وتل أبيب pic.twitter.com/SJMoGulFcM

— مؤمن مقداد (@MumenMeqdad) October 16, 2023

عاجل :

صواريخ المقاومة الفلسطينية تسقط على مبنى لمستوطنين في مدينة القدس المحتلة.pic.twitter.com/DeWQ37RMNu

— Screen Mix (@ScreenMix) October 16, 2023

Hamas said it fired a barrage of rockets in response to Israel's indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza.

It also fired rockets towards Tel Aviv, but it was not clear if any of them landed in the city.

Missile attacks on Jerusalem have been rare since the current war erupted on October 7.

Ship evacuating US nationals leaves Israel for Cyprus: AFP

A ship evacuating US nationals from Israel left for Cyprus from the Israeli port of Haifa Monday, an AFP correspondent reported, as war raged between Israel and Hamas.

With Israel now moving towards a ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave, the US embassy had on Sunday urged its "citizens and their immediate family members with a valid travel document" to depart from Haifa on Monday.

The cruise ship is expected to reach the southern port city of Limassol on Tuesday morning, Cypriot foreign ministry spokesperson Theodoros Gotsis told local media.

Gotsis said although the sea route was organised for American citizens by the US embassy in Nicosia in cooperation with Cypriot authorities, there could be other foreign nationals on board.

It was not immediately clear how many passengers had boarded the ship at Haifa.

Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Monday that "Cyprus has received 26 requests from 26 different countries to act as an evacuation hub, and the government is responding to the best of its ability".

More than 1,030 children killed in Gaza: DFC

More than 1,030 Palestinian children - or about one child every 15 minutes - have been killed in Israel's bombardment of Gaza since the war with Hamas erupted on 7 October, according to the civil society organisation Defense For Children.

This accounts for more than a third of the total death toll, currently over 2,800.

GAZA UPDATE: More than 1,030 Palestinian children in Gaza have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7, or about one child every 15 minutes, and more than one-third of the total death toll.

— Defense for Children (@DCIPalestine) October 16, 2023

Israel releasing detained soldiers to fight in war

The Israeli army is releasing soldiers who were serving jailtime and is considering on releasing more to join its ranks and participate in the war on Gaza, The New Arab’s sister site has reported.

(Al-Araby Al-Jadeed)

Biden cancels Colorado visit, fuelling Israel trip speculation

US President Joe Biden has cancelled plans for a trip Monday to Colorado, the White House said, fueling speculation that he will go to Israel in a show of support as it continues to assault the Gaza strip. 

Biden will instead stay in Washington to attend national security meetings, the White House said in a short statement, as several media outlets report he might travel to Israel later this week.

Putin to speak to Netanyahu, Sisi, Abbas later today, has already held talks with Assad and Iranian president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be speaking later on Monday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, an aide said.

Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov was also quoted by Russian agencies as saying that Putin had already spoken to his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi earlier on Monday.

Qatar emir receives invite from Egypt president to attend summit on Palestine

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to participate in a summit in Cairo "to discuss developments in the Palestine issue and the future of the peace process, reports said."

The summit is scheduled to be held on October 21.

Lebanese army says dismantled rocket launchers in south Lebanon

The Lebanese army said in a statement Thursday that it dismantled a number of missiles and their launchers before they were fired.

"On 10/16/2023, after a survey and inspection of the border areas, an army unit found 20 missile launchers, 4 of which carried missiles prepared for launching in the outskirts of the towns of Qlayleh and Chaaitiyeh, and the specialised units worked to dismantle them," the statement said.

Israel has traded cross-border fire with Hezbollah and Palestinian groups in southern Lebanon since October 7.  Dozens of rockets have been fired into northern Israel, as Israeli shelling has caused damage to homes and killed a number of militants and civilians, including one journalist.

Malaysia does not agree with Western pressure to condemn Hamas: PM

Malaysia does not agree with Western pressure to condemn Palestinian militant group Hamas, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday, amid widespread outrage over this month's deadly attack on southern Israel.

Western and European countries have repeatedly asked Malaysia to condemn Hamas in meetings, Anwar said, without providing details.

"I said that we, as a policy, have a relationship with Hamas from before and this will continue," Anwar told parliament.

"As such, we don't agree with their pressuring attitude, as Hamas too won in Gaza freely through elections and Gazans chose them to lead."

Gaza hospitals struggling to cope with air strikes, blockade

As Gaza residents brace for an Israeli ground offensive, after days of intense air strikes and a blockade, in response to the attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, health ministry official Ashraf Al-Qidra wonders how hospitals will cope.

Doctors have been scrambling to help a rising number of patients, including children injured in the air strikes, in overcrowded hospitals that are running short on medicines and fuel due to the blockade. Only the most acute cases are getting surgery because there are not enough resources, doctors say.

Read the full article here.

Israel says 291 soldiers killed

The Israeli army said 291 of its soldiers had so far been killed since the war with Hamas erupted on 7 October.

The total death toll in Israel surpassed 1,400.

Egypt to investigate website over 'Palestinian displacement' news

Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation has referred the the news website Mada Masr for investigation over publishing "false news," claiming that the country would allow the displacement of Gaza's Palestinians in North Sinai.

France's Macron warns Iran against Israel-Gaza escalation

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi "against any escalation or extension of the conflict" between Israel and Hamas, the Elysee presidential palace announced Sunday.

Macron particularly cautioned against any overflow of the conflict into Lebanon, during a phone call with the Iranian president.

Read the full article here.

Qatar flying aid to Gaza

Qatar announced it was sending a humanitarian aid flight to Arish in Egypt to be sent to Gaza.

The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza remains closed.

أمير #قطر الشيخ #تميم_بن_حمد_آل_ثاني يوجه بإرسال مساعدات طبية وغذائية عاجلة إلى قطاع #غزة ..
وأقلعت طائرة قطرية متجهة إلى مدينة العريش في #مصر تمهيدا لنقل المساعدات إلى #غزة ..
تأتي هذه المساعدات في إطار مساندة دولة #قطر للشعب الفلسطيني الشقيق ودعمها الكامل له خلال الظروف… pic.twitter.com/FIbislYVPx

— جابر الحرمي (@jaberalharmi) October 16, 2023

Turkish, Russian ministers discuss Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Turkish source

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday discussed Israeli attacks on Gaza and the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in a call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said.

The source provided no further information.

Turkey has said it was ready to mediate the conflict and that it was in contact with Hamas on the release of civilians being held hostage by the group. It has also sent humanitarian aid to Gaza, which is currently held in Egypt while borders are closed.

Hamas says Gaza residents drinking 'unhealthy water' due to Israel siege

Israel has not resumed water supplies for Gaza, spokesman of the Hamas-run interior ministry Eyad Al-Bozom said on Monday.

"The residents drink unhealthy water, posing a serious health crisis threatens the lives of the citizens," he added.

Our latest on the situation in the📍#GazaStrip ⬇️

🔺For the fifth consecutive day #Gaza has had no electricity.

🔺People have severely limited access to clean drinking water - serious concerns over the spread of waterborne diseases.https://t.co/pA9v3H6bDQ pic.twitter.com/6WeOqFVEux

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) October 16, 2023

But an aide to the Israeli energy minister said Monday that water was being resupplied at the Bnei-Sahila area in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the strip.

This could not immediately be verified.

No infiltration of Israeli settlement on Lebanese border, Kan radio says

Israel's Kan radio sounded the all-clear on Monday, saying there was no armed infiltration of a northern city on the Lebanese border after earlier reporting that residents had been ordered to hole up indoors due to suspicions an attack was under way.

Israeli authorities had no immediate comment on either report regarding Metulla, which abuts the border fence opposite the Lebanese town of Kfarkela.

6 civil defence team members killed in Israeli airstrike

The Palestinian Civil Defence in the Gaza Strip said at least six of its members died in an Israeli airstrike Wednesday night.

Several others were wounded.

#عاجـــــــــــــل...." استهدافات لطواقم الدفاع المدني" #طوفان_الأقصى #غزة_الآن #فلسطين pic.twitter.com/Fh5ByRMbm6

— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) October 15, 2023

Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in Aqbat Jabr camp

One Palestinian man was killed and others were wounded during clashes with Israeli forces in the Aqbat Jabr camp in the occupied West Bank.

The clashes broke out when Israeli forces raided the camp at dawn on Thursday.

The Palestinian shot dead was identified as Mouin Damo, a former prisoner.

Residents of the camp, next to Jericho, came out in protest of the ongoing Israeli raids and killings of Palestinians.

تغطية صحفية: "مسيرة غاضبة في مدينة أريحا بعد ارتقاء الأسير المحرر معين دامو برصاص قوات الاحتلال خلال اقتحام مخيم عقبة جبر". pic.twitter.com/mio9yZNlgV

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) October 16, 2023

Biden says Israeli occupation of Gaza would be 'big mistake'

Any move by Israel to occupy the Gaza Strip again would be a "big mistake," US President Joe Biden said in an interview released on Sunday, as Israeli troops prepared for a ground invasion.

Asked by CBS news program 60 Minutes if he would support any occupation of Gaza by the American ally, Biden replied: "I think it'd be a big mistake."

Hamas "don't represent all the Palestinian people," he continued.

But invading and "taking out the extremists" is a "necessary requirement," he added.

Read the full article here.

Several Moroccan football players risk theirs careers in solidarity with Gaza

Several Moroccan football players have voiced solidarity with Gaza over social media, which makes them once again a target for Western media's criticism.

Noussair Mazraoui, Atlas Lion's player and Bayern Munich defender, shared a video on his Instagram story where he wished "victory" to the Palestinians facing a new Israeli war.

Read the full article here.

Israel evacuates communities along Lebanon border amid Gaza assault

Israel's army said Monday it was evacuating residents living along its northern border with Lebanon amid rising tensions there 10 days into its war with Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The move affects thousands of people living in 28 communities.

Read the full article here.

Israel killed 11 Palestinian journalists in Gaza since Oct 7

Israel has killed 11 Palestinian journalists in air strikes in Gaza since Oct. 7, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said on Monday.

Another Lebanese journalist was also killed on Saturday 14 October on the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Reuters journalist Issam Abdullah, 37, was killed when Israeli forces targeted a group of reporters who were covering the border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.

Other journalists from Agence France Press and Al Jazeera were also injured. At least one of the wounded journalists was seriously injured and is undergoing surgery for her injuries.

Hamas fires rockets at Tel Aviv

Hamas' armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades said Thursday they fired rockets at Tel Aviv in response to Israel's "massacre of civilians" in Gaza.

It was not clear if any of the rockets landed on the city or were intercepted.

Arab League chief demands end to Gaza military operations

The Arab League chief on Monday called for an immediate end to military operations in the Gaza Strip and for aid to be allowed into to the impoverished Palestinian enclave.

"We demand the immediate end of military operations and the opening of safe corridors to bring aid to the population," Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said during a meeting with Arab justice ministers in Baghdad.

Egypt's FM: Israel has not allowed Rafah crossing to open from Gaza

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday that the Israeli government had yet to take a stance that allowed the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to open.

Egypt has aimed since the conflict broke out to keep the Rafah crossing operational, Shoukry said, calling the situation faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza "dangerous".

Israel says 199 hostages being held in Gaza

Israeli military says 199 hostages being held in Gaza, higher than previous estimates.

Gaza ministry warns of humanitarian, environmental disaster because of corpses

Gaza's interior ministry has warned of a humanitarian and environmental disaster in the territory as around 1,000 bodies remain buried underneath the rubble, caused by Israeli airstrikes.

Gaza's health sector has reached full capacity and is on the verge of collapse amid Israel's siege which has left the enclave without electricity, fuel and water.

Fuel trucks appear to be leaving Gaza for Egypt-Israel border nexus

Several UN-flagged trucks were leaving the southern Gaza Strip on Monday in the direction of a meeting point of the Palestinian enclave's borders with Israel and Egypt, a Reuters TV staffer said.

The trucks initially appeared to be en route to the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border, but their course later appeared to take them in the direction of Kerem Shalom, an Israeli border crossing close to the Egyptian frontier.

#BREAKING Fuel trucks flying the UN flag possibly entering Gaza from Egypt. pic.twitter.com/rsYwk7VhzW

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 16, 2023