Reuters reporting Israel's military spokesman saying that "thousands of reservists will be called up" in the wake of the earlier rocket attacks on #Israel #hamas#Gaza#IDF
#Israel hasn't yet commented on the number of captives
Fighting is still ongoing at the #Erez border crossing as well as at the #Zikim base - a training base belonging to the Israel Defense Forces. #hamas#Gaza#IDF
@fulelo No more cries for these #Gaza jihadists while #Israel will deal with them. The pictures are depressing and grim. Executed civilians, desecrated bodies of soldiers and ordinary people. They must pay the heavy price for all of this.
Updates and recap from the #BBCWorldService#news bulletin:
Security forces in southern #Israel have moved to a war footing to combat an unprecedented attack launched by the #Palestinian militant group, #Hamas Militants infiltrated Israel using motorbikes, paragliders and boats. Israeli Radio says 35 Israeli soldiers have been kidnapped.
#Israel 's emergency services say at least 22 people have been killed so far. #Israeli military vehicles have been attacked and some taken back over the border into #Gaza
In the town of #Sderot gunmen opened fire on residents. A hospital in #Beersheba (Soroka Medical Center) says it has received more than 80 wounded Israelis, with some in critical condition. #Gaza#Hamas
A barrage of rockets from #Gaza into #Israeli territory began just after dawn, with explosions on the streets of #Ashkelon and #TelAviv. #Israel 's PM Benjamin #Netanyahu said his country was at war, and that it would win. Israeli forces have carried out retaliatory #airstrikes in the #Gaza Strip.
#Hamas said their operation was a response to #Israeli violence against #Palestinians in the West Bank. The #Lebanese militant group, #Hezbollah which went to war with #Israel in 2006 has expressed its support for the Hamas operation. The #Palestinian militant faction Islamic #Jihad - which is active in the occupied West Bank - has also backed the incursion.
The US has condemned the violence and urged both sides to refrain from retaliating. Egypt, which usually mediates between #Israel and #Palestinian militants, has warned both sides of dire consequences to the current escalation. In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry called for exercising maximum restraint and the need to spare civilians. The EU and several European countries have also condemned the attack.
Update from #BBC 's Yolande Knell on the ongoing attack on #Israel :
At least 40 #Israelis are reported dead
People are calling into TV stations being under attack asking to be rescued; large explosions in #Gaza , casualties reported there too after people rushing out there to buy supplies;
Recap: 8 hours ago dozens of militants entered Israel - no confirmations on numbers yet; fear is the fighting could spread to West Bank - this might become a wider conflict;
This is not accurate journalism. The attacks in Israel go far beyond rockets being shot into Israel.
If you watch the reports from credible news sources in Israel, as well as first hand reports, innocent civilians are being kidnapped, people are being murdered, women are being raped, etc. in a coordinated multi-pronged attack.
Emergency services say the death toll in #Israel from a surprise attack by #Palestinian militant group #Hamas has increased to 70 - v Magen David Adom (MDAIs) they say 'hundreds are wounded seriously, moderately and lightly'.
@fulelo how many "hostages" does Israel have? They have a whole people under curfew, restrictions, essentially in confinement in their own land. Condemning that soon are you?
@fulelo I know the stats, just never hear condemnation from the BBC, plenty to say when Palestinians rise up, not much when israel strikes disproportionately on the l occupied territories. My toot is not a personal dig, its towards your organization. Peace.
V Haaretz:
985 people confirmed wounded in #hamas attack on #Israel
Fighting ongoing in southern communities of Be'eri, Re'im and #Sderot
Hostages held in Be'eri and #Ofakim
Opp leader Yair #Lapid says he is willing to form emergency govt with #Netanyahu
V Haaretz: #Israel 's Health Ministry said the 'number of #Israelis who were wounded and hospitalized reached 1,104 people, incl 17 in critical condition.
200 people seriously wounded, 226 people in moderate condition, 451 sustained minor wounds. In addition, 142 are currently undergoing medical evaluation.'
Rocket sirens in Tel Aviv and central Israel;
#IDF says it killed hundreds of Palestinian militants in southern border communities
Energy minister signs off disconnecting #Gaza #hamas
Direct hits and casualties reported in multiple locations, including Tel Aviv, Rishon Lezion,Yavne, Bat Yam, following the latest wave of rocket attack #Israel#hamas#Gaza
V Reuters, Guardian: #Israeli planes bombed the house of #Hamas#Gaza chief Yehya Al-Sinwar in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Hamas media said on Saturday, with no reports of casualties.
V Times of #Israel
Hamas-run health ministry says 232 people killed and 1,697 people wounded in the Gaza Strip. #KhanYounis
" #Israel has the right to defend itself and its people, full stop," #Biden said. "This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks, to seek an advantage. The world is watching" #hamas#Gaza
More and more #Israeli soc med (mainly telegram) accts are publishing photos of the missing and are filled with posts of people looking for their loved ones #Israel#Gaza#hamas
V Haaretz:
The centre for locating the #missing will 'operate in HaNegev 4, building 433 in #Israel 's Airport City complex near the Ben Gurion #airport .
Relatives searching for family members are advised to come there with the missing person's identification details, a photograph, and an item from which DNA can be extracted. Relatives who are in conflict zones are urged to report to the police hotline 105 by phone.' #hamas#Gaza
The #Israeli military says there are still eight "points of engagement" in its territory, a day after #Palestinian militants stormed into #Israel from #Gaza
These are #Sderot , #Zikim , #Yakhini , #KfarAza , #Be'eri , #Re'im, #Kissufim , #Sufa
A spokesman says Israel is "still at war... still completing efforts to take full control of Israeli territory and communities from #Hamas " #IDF
#Israel undoubtedly sees the potential for a war that could open up on multiple fronts. A worst-case scenario is that it could draw in the powerful #Lebanese militant group, #Hezbollah .
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has ordered a massive reinforcement of troops. As well as its intense air raids on #Gaza, it has indicated that it is planning a ground operation there .
V Times of Israel:
More than 400 #Palestinian militants have been killed in southern #Israel and the #Gaza Strip, and dozens more have been captured, according to #IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari
V Haaretz:
'The city of #Kiryat#Shmona, located near the #Israel - #Lebanon border, is advising its residents to evacuate themselves for several days. However, this is only a recommendation.' #hamas#Gaza
#Israel 's foreign ministry confirms to BBC two #Israeli tourists have been killed in #Egypt .
V #BBC 's Sebastian Usher, #MENA editor: incident took place at an archaeological site in #Alexandria , a #policeman said to have shot at the tourists
@fulelo
Bottom line: Israelis can go be tourists elsewhere.
Millions of people are being held hostage by Israel in various territories without access to documents to be able to travel in the first place. @glynmoody
'Social media was filled with horrifying videos of men, women and children being carried into the Strip, many of them appearing to have been abused. There were also videos published of dead Israelis taken, including soldiers.'
Lior Carmeli, a general in reserves, is to head the team.
V #BBC correspondent Rushdi Abualouf in #Gaza:
The Health Ministry in Gaza - which is run by #hamas - says 313 people have been killed in #Israeli air strikes
V Times of #Israel :
The security cabinet voted last night to put the country officially at war, and it can carry out “significant military activities,” the PM Office announces.
#Netanyahu had already said the country was at war.
The security cabinet decision gives the declaration legal standing in keeping with Basic Law: The Government, which in its Clause 40 says that the country cannot go to war without a government decision.
V Times of #Israel military corr, Mannie Fabian on how the attack unfolded:
First, #Hamas bombed #Israeli observation towers and weapons systems on the #Gaza border using drones.
Hundreds of rockets were fired at Israel, militants in paragliders flew over the border
Hamas approached the border fence, blew up holes in it and allowed hundreds to infiltrate into Israel, many of them in trucks and motorcycles.
Hamas also attempted to infiltrate via the sea, but Navy forces repelled the attack
The #Iranian president has spoken with the leader of #Palestinian militant groups #Hamas and Islamic Jihad ( #PIJ ) after the latest developments, state media in #Iran reports.
Details of Ebrahim #Raisi 's conversations with the two men were not disclosed.
Hamas is backed by Iran, which funds it and provides weapons and training.
Secretary of State Anthony #Blinken told CNN the #US government has received reports that several Americans have died in #Israel - and that officials are trying to verify those reports.
The US is "likely" to give details on new military assistance for Israel later today, he says. "Our first focus is to make sure Israel has what it needs."
A rally has taken place in #Beirut#Lebanon which saw people wave #Palestinian and #Hezbollah flags, followed Hezbollah’s limited artillery and missile strikes this morning on #Israeli positions.
When someone clicks on your link (containing
"ns_source=twitter", "ns_campaign=bbc_live", and the unique identifiers) it tells the BBC servers that the their (ethically bereft) marketing spend on the fascist-friendly Twitter/X platform is working. That is despite the fact the traffic is coming from your activity here.
Moreover, link tracking is antithetical to the non-commercial nature of Mastodon.
Please also consider editing the posts in this thread, replacing the link you've used with the one above. Unless, of course, your goal is to help fund the Elon Communication Putsch.
@Baseless_Fabric I take ALL my bbc links from the BBC app - whatever they put in it is what you see, would be good to parch it on to people in charge of it as not sure they are aware. As I say these links come from the bbc's very own apps live page
@Baseless_Fabric i will try and find out why (although absolutely no idea where to begin) once am done with my next project which will require around 20 hour long workdays for a bit, while posting on my days off here - ideally to bring some verified and sourced info onto masto feeds, not to drive traffic through twitter :-)
#BBC Yolande Knell reports from #Ashkelon:
'The hospital here has treated over 400 people injured in this huge assault: soldiers from military bases that were overrun, partygoers from a rave in the fields next to #Gaza , and locals injured when their homes were hit by #rockets
There are reminders that the fighting still continues with booms overhead as the Iron Dome missile defence system intercepts incoming rocket fire
On the hostages, v ToI:
WSJ cites #Egyptian officials saying that their negotiators “failed to convince the #Palestinian factions to release injured #Israeli captives.”
Earlier the newspaper reported that #Israel had reached out to #Cairo to request its intervention. #hamas#Gaza
V Haaretz: #Israeli PM office says #Netanyahu held discussions on Sunday with German Chancellor Olaf #Scholz , Ukrainian President Volodymyr #Zelensky , Italian Prime Minister Giorgia #Meloni , and British Prime Minister Rishi #Sunak
According to the statement, "the leaders expressed unwavering support for Israel's right to self-defense as needed." #hamas#Gaza
#BBC live page:
It's approaching midnight in #Israel , where the overall death toll following attacks from #Hamas militants has passed 600 - although some some reports say the number is even higher.
In the #Gaza Strip, more than 400 people have been killed in retaliatory #Israeli strikes.
Here's the latest top lines:
More than 250 bodies have been removed from the site of a music #festival in southern Israel which came under attack, according to search and rescue organisation Zaka
Latest #IDF update:
more than 700 #Israelis have been killed since Saturday morning and 2,150 have been injured.
According to the IDF, 3,284 rockets have been fired from the #Gaza Strip (Hamas says the number is more than 5,000) and Israel has struck 653 #Hamas targets.
In #Gaza , 413 people have been killed and 2,300 wounded in retaliatory air strikes from #Israel , according to the latest update from #Palestinian officials.
@fulelo Time for Israel to overcome their fear of civilian gun ownership? Clearly the billions spent on their military cannot protect them from this type of invasion.
They would have to sort out the thorny problem of the Israeli Arabs.
#Israeli forces are still fighting #Hamas gunmen at seven to eight sites in southern Israel close to the #Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces #IDF said in a briefing this morning.
These include Be’eri, an agrarian community, which was infiltrated by Hamas fighters overnight
In #Gaza, air strikes have displaced around 123,000 people, the UN says
Hospitals in Gaza are deluged and struggling under power cuts. The UN says Gaza's last power source - its only power plant - could run out of fuel in days
V BBC Poland correspondent, Adam Easton:
' #Poland has started evacuating its citizens from #Israel, with the first plane carrying around 120 people landing in #Warsaw early on Monday
Two more planes are expected to arrive later in the day.
Acc to the defence minister there were about 200 Polish tourists, including children on a school trip, waiting to leave Israel.' #hamas#Gaza
@LALegault@fulelo I think the two things can be true at the same time. That Hamas feel they have support, and have got long-term logistical support, and at the same time Iran was not operationally involved in this attack and doesn't want Israel to use it as a causes belli.
@Loukas@LALegault or that the US hasn't yet seen evidence ... which just states that, not necessarily that there was none - as more info is coming to light
BBC 's Barbara Plett-Usher, state dept corr #US sending an aircraft carrier with a deck of warplanes, accompanied by cruisers and destroyers – also extra military assistance such as munitions.
they want to prevent #Lebanon ’s #Hezbollah movement from joining the fight. It’s backed by #Iran, which also funds and arms #Hamas
Hamas leaders have said #Israel ’s normalization agreements with Arab states were among the factors that drove the attack
'Volunteers searching for bodies at the Supernova music #festival site - where at least 260 people were killed on Saturday - have had to suspend their search because they are “under fire” from militants.
Yossi #Landau , a commander in the #Zaka volunteer group, says his team of 25 have so far recovered 162 bodies from the site of the festival but “couldn’t get any further”.
“We work under fire, so had to evacuate that place,” Landau told the #BBC 's Today programme. #Israel#Gaza#hamas
This #Reuters report is full of new details on how the attack on #Israel was prepared https://www.arabnews.com/node/2387776/middle-east
' #Hamas constructed a mock Israeli settlement in #Gaza where they practiced a military landing and trained to storm it, the source close to Hamas said, adding they even made videos of the maneuvers.'
'a crucial part of the plan was to avoid leaks.' (Cont.)
'Many #Hamas leaders were unaware of the plans and, while training, the 1,000 fighters deployed in the assault had no inkling of the exact purpose of the exercises'
'The #Israeli security source said Israeli troops were below full strength in the south near #Gaza because some had been redeployed to the West Bank to protect Israeli settlers' https://www.arabnews.com/node/2387776/middle-east
#Israel 's Def Min Yoav Gallant says he has ordered a "complete #siege " on the #Gaza Strip: "No electricity, no food, no fuel."
As a reminder - #Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline, and restricts who and what goods are allowed in and out through its border crossings.
Similarly, #Egypt controls who passes in and out of its border with Gaza.
#Israel imposes complete closure of #WestBank - Reporting by Yousef Shomali, #BBC Jerusalem:
'Residents say that entrances to towns and cities have been shut off with iron gates, cement blocks and mounds of earth.
New military checkpoints have been set up.'
On Sunday, shops and businesses in the West Bank were shuttered as a general strike was called in response to Israel’s military action in #Gaza.
There were angry protests. Four #Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in Ramallah'
From BBC live page: #Lebanese political party and militant group #Hezbollah says it has not mounted an operation in #Israel after the #IDF killed at least two gunmen on the border with #Lebanon
The IDF stmt said it had killed "a number of armed suspects that infiltrated into Israeli territory from Lebanese territory", but didn't provide more details.
Hezbollah emerged with the help if Iran in the 1980s during the Israeli occupation of Lebanon.
V Reuters
The #European Commission said it was putting its full portfolio of development #aid to #Palestinian s, worth 691 million euros, under review and immediately suspending all payments.
"The scale of terror and brutality against #Israel and its people is a turning point," Oliver Varhelyi, the Commissioner for the #EU 's neighbourhood, said in a post on X. "There can be no business as usual."
V Haaretz
US Sec of State Blinken deleted a tweet where he called for a cease-fire – the 2nd such instance in the past several days when officials deleted tweets encouraging #Israeli restraint.
This follows a similar incident w the State Dept's Off. of #Palestinian Affairs, which originally said it "unequivocally condemned the attack of #Hamas terrorists and the loss of life that has incurred. We urge all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks. Terror and violence solve nothing."
US President Joe #Biden has confirmed at least 11 #Americans have been killed since the #Hamas attack on #Israel started on Saturday.
"Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed — many of whom made a second home in Israel," he said in a written statement from the White House.
The US defense dept would not go into specifics about the type of weaponry and defence support it is sending #Israel
A senior official said that aircraft had already taken off with #munitions and added that the #Pentagon is in constant contact with counterparts in Israel.
When asked if the US is worried they have used up ammunition supporting #Ukraine , the official said they are able to support the armed forces there as well as Israel.
@fulelo Wanna see something funny about our weapon to a human trafficking Mafia protected by literal Nazis?
"A video, the authenticity of which has yet to be verified, purports to show a #Hamas fighter thanking #Ukraine for the provision of small arms, ammunition, and hand grenades. More videos, taken during the actual assaults, show the Hamas fighters armed with a plethora of US-made weapons."
#BBC iv with #UNRWA rep (UN Relief and Works Agency for #Palestine#Refugees in the Near East): Juliet Touma says people in #Gaza are "terrified" and worried for their safety
Asked how much harder it will be to get aid into Gaza since a "complete siege" was ordered, she said "We worry that further tightening will make a situation that is already bad far far worse," adding 1.2 million people rely on the agency for food assistance - a significant number of those being women and children.
The death toll in #Gaza has risen to almost 690, a spokesman for the #Palestinian health ministry said. He added that an additional 3,700 people had been wounded.
Recap:
Benjamin #Netanyahu warned the country will use "enormous force" against #Hamas
Israel's defence minister ordered a "complete #siege" of the #Gaza Strip, cutting off food, fuel, electricity and water supplies
The armed wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam brigades, has announced it will "begin executing an #Israeli civilian captive in return for any new Israeli bombing of civilians houses without pre-warning"
Why did it take #Israel so long to deal with #Hamas 's attack from #Gaza ?
Analysis by BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67056987
'Defences seem to have been patchy - #Israeli security and defence forces had in recent months been more focused on the West Bank rather than Gaza, potentially leaving gaps.
Israel's military and intelligence capability has long been rated one of the best in the world. But they may also have underestimated the abilities of their opponents.'
Every #Jewish family in #UK affected by attack on #Israel , says chief rabbi
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67030722
"a traumatic and horrific time"; "many, many people showing their full solidarity with our Jewish community and people in Israel".
" #Antisemitism is a feature of life right around the globe, and we have just witnessed one of the most awful terrorist outrages in living memory, ever since the conclusion of World War Two."
#BBCNews - #Israelis , united in shock, rally behind war to punish #Hamas https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67056981
Jeremy Bowen reporting from southern #Israel
'Outside a military base on the highway that goes south to #Gaza hundreds of cars were parked along both hard shoulders and on the central reservation. They were left by reservists who had reported for duty. More were arriving.'
'More armed men have entered Israel through breaches in the wire that was designed by Israel to contain Hamas.'
(Cont.)
#Israelis are incredulous that their army is taking so long to regain control of the land and villages bordering #Gaza . One unit appealed on social media for drones, others have asked for sleeping bags and food.'
#Israel is still bitterly divided about Mr #Netanyahu , whose government's extreme right-wing agenda prompted months of protests. But citizens of all political persuasion are rallying behind their flag'
'As survivors and victims tell their stories, the desire deepens to punish #Hamas for the way its men went from house-to-house killing families and children in Israeli border communities. As we drive, callers phoning in to the radio are talking about parents who had calls from their terrified children at the rave in the desert where Hamas massacred hundreds of civilians.
They're haunted that parents heard the shots that killed their sons and daughters. ' #Israel#Gaza
'The scale of the bloodshed inflicted on #Israel by #Hamas is unprecedented. An organisation that planned its attack so carefully will have been aware that 'Israel's response would be ferocious'
Israel's war plans will be complicated by the presence of around 100 #hostages taken in the attack. But one cabinet minister, according to a cabinet leak reported in the #Israeli press, has said that should not hold them back."
'My phone pings. A post on the #BBC#Jerusalem office WhatsApp group says that a market in €Gaza has been hit and many killed as #Israel attacked what it said was a #Hamas target. The video of broken bodies feels like a harbinger of something even worse. '
Barack Obama:
"All Americans should be horrified and outraged by the brazen terrorist attacks on #Israel and the slaughter of innocent civilians."
"We grieve for those who died, pray for the safe return of those who’ve been held hostage, and stand squarely alongside our ally, Israel, as it dismantles #Hamas ."
"As we support Israel’s right to defend itself against terror, we must keep striving for a just and lasting peace for #Israelis and #Palestinians alike."
By Sebastian Usher, #BBC Arab Affairs Editor:
'Reports have emerged from #Qatari officials that the Gulf state - which has long provided vital financial support for #Gaza and also hosts some of the #Hamas leadership - has tried to initiate talks that could secure the release of some of the #hostages
Both #Israel and #Hamas have denied reports of a possible prisoner exchange.'
Good morning from London, posts to follow from where i left yesterday, so you don’t miss any major news on #Israel#Gaza#hamas
Leaders of UK, US, France, Italy and Germany released a stmt last night which voices "unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism".
"Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities. This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage"
(Cont.)
"All of us recognize the legitimate aspirations of the #Palestinian people, and support equal measures of justice and freedom for #Israelis and Palestinians alike."
"But make no mistake: #Hamas does not represent those aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed."
At a prayer for peace at a N. London synagogue a representative of the Magen David Adom (the Israeli medical emergency service - #MDAIs ) spoke about how senior paramedics had been killed and the service, which is entirely privately funded, was in desperate need of everything from bandages and blood test kits to breathing equipment and flak jackets. #Israel#hamas#Gaza
What next? Analysis by #BBC diplomatic corr Paul Adams:
For all the unprecedented horror surrounding the start of this episode, events now may start to follow a pattern familiar from previous #Gaza “wars”. #Israel knows that a wave of international sympathy and goodwill gives its military a window of opportunity to conduct extensive military operations inside Gaza.
One former govt official told me Israel will have “at least two weeks” (cont.)
'before calls for restraint from #Washington (the only power that matters here) will become hard to resist.
If #Israel is determined to deal a decisive blow to #Hamas , this will inevitably involve a massive ground operation, at which point civilian casualties – already high – are likely to soar.
Complicating matters enormously is the fate of at least 100 Israeli #hostages – soldiers and civilians - now being held in #Gaza .'
Member of the House Foreign Affairs Comm., California Congressman Brad #Sherman has told #BBC News: “You can’t just pretend this didn’t happen and just leave them with the sophisticated military power that they’ve demonstrated. You’ve got to disarm #Hamas "
He says Hamas might have felt obliged to launch an #attack out of the fear that #Saudi Arabia would reach a peace deal with #Israel
“You have to defeat Hamas,” he added. “You cannot reform Hamas.”
V Reuters
the #Rafah border crossing between #Gaza and #Egypt had been closed - and then reopened but for humanitarian cases only. #Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-#Sisi and #Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman #MBS - talking in a phone call - have said the "voice of reason" should prevail in the conflict between #Israel and #Hamas.
An Egyptian presidency spokesman said that they agreed the ongoing escalation threatens the region's stability.
@fulelo It seems like a terrible thing to do. What if neighboring countries had refused entry to Ukrainian or Sudanese refugees fleeing war? I heard someone (not a BBC reporter, as of course, you know) on Newsday, claiming that it was bombed. But that would also be awful.
V Unicef: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-executive-director-catherine-russell-deteriorating-situation
the #humanitarian situation in the conflict zone is "rapidly detereorating", and aid workers need to have safe passage.
Exec dir Catherine Russell: “I remind all parties that in this war, as in all wars, it is children who suffer first and suffer most; “I am also deeply concerned about measures to block electricity and prevent food, fuel and water from entering Gaza; called for the "immediate and safe release of any children being held hostage in Gaza"
V Reuters
PA leader to visit Moscow:
"An agreement has been reached that Mr Abbas will come here to Moscow," Abdel Hafiz, Palestinian envoy to Moscow is reported as saying. "We are awaiting an official statement from the Kremlin... about when the visit will take place,"
The #BBC has been hearing from Doron #Kempel, former deputy chief of the #SayeretMatkal - #Israel 's elite commando unit:
"The challenge is how to know enough about where the #hostages are and how to time the assault such that you can at one time break into wherever they’re being held and save as many of them as possible."
#Palestinian health officials say at least 15 people were killed in an #Israeli attack in the densely populated Jabalia refugee camp in the north of the #Gaza Strip.
#BBC Arabic filmed some of the destruction left by the airstrike.
From a #BBC iv of Raphael Poch, spox for #Israel 's national #volunteer emergency #medical services United #Hatzalah :
"We're going home to home in the towns where people are told not to leave or exit their houses because it's too dangerous, bringing them food and water and medical supplies. We're doing everything we can."
Analysis by #BBC security corr Frank Gardner:
'There is an assumption in some quarters that the threat to #Israel from #Hamas can somehow be eliminated once and for all with a full-scale invasion on the ground.
History would suggest this is unlikely to be the silver bullet some are hoping for.
When Israel invaded #Gaza in 2014, more than 2,000 #Palestinians were killed, with each funeral generating ever more radicalised young men.'
(Cont.)
#BBC 's Anna Foster reporting from #Ashkelon - ' #Israel says it has retaken control of the border fence with #Gaza , and managed to block off the holes that #Hamas militants tore in it. But talking to people here yesterday, there are concerns that the fence is not the only way through.
On Saturday morning members of #Hamas infiltrated by sea and with paragliders. Even though those methods would be difficult to use again, the possibility of entering via #tunnels is still an issue.'
(Cont.)
'It’s hard for #Israeli forces to pinpoint where those underground routes are. Rumours spread here yesterday that an infiltrator had entered a nearby kibbutz through a #tunnel .
We don’t know whether that’s true. But stories like that show you the nervousness, concern and fear here that not all #Hamas militants who’ve entered southern Israel have yet been caught.'
#IDF spokesman Richard Hecht says the military is "building infrastructure for future operations" and that 35 battalions are deployed at the border with #Gaza .
A battalion is generally made up of hundreds of troops.
#Israel is expected to launch a major ground operation in Gaza, in response to Saturday's deadly attacks.
Last night, PM Benjamin #Netanyahu said the #airstrikes on Gaza were "just the beginning".
V #UNRWA
Mass displacement across #Gaza , reaching over 187,518 ( #OCHA figures)
Nearly 137,500 internally displaced people (IDPs) are sheltering in 83 UNRWA schools in all areas of the Gaza Strip. the conditions are difficult, with some shelters overcrowded, and with limited availability of potable water. Not all 83 schools are DES (designated emergency shelters) hence not prepared to receive IDPs. https://www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/unrwa-situation-report-3-situation-gaza-strip
#BBC#Gaza corr Rushdi Abualouf:
"There were terrifying sounds of explosions, blasts in the sky, and a barrage of smoke and flames through the night.
I live in a residential building with about 20 families. The kids were screaming throughout the night.
In 20 years of covering this area, last night was the toughest I have witnessed.
This morning I managed to get out. I was driving through rubble everywhere.
Buildings are collapsing in the street and entire neighbourhoods have been flattened."
V Times of Israel:
Israel Defense Force Spokesperson Richard Hecht says 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants have been found in Israeli territory and no Hamas fighters have crossed into Israel since Monday night, although infiltrations could still be possible. #IDF#Israel#hamas#Gaza
V Haaretz:
Opp lawmaker MK Gideon Sa'ar says the formation of an emergency govt hinges on #Netanyahu . "We haven't asked for anything except one thing - for us to gave the option to affect the decision-making process of the war" #Knesset#Israel#Gaza#hamas
The United Nations #UN#humanitarian relief agency has called for an immediate release of all #hostages in the conflict. Its chief, Martin Griffiths said:
'The laws of war must be upheld. Those held captive must be treated humanely. Hostages must be released without delay." #Israel#Gaza#hamas
'The US was described as co-ordinating the process. It doesn’t include the Islamic Jihad group #PIJ which has reportedly seized about 30 #hostages
Both #Israel and #Hamas have publicly denied any #hostage negotiations are taking place. But a diplomatic source said the talks were gathering pace.
It's unfolding in a highly fluid situation fraught with risk. One source said he was hopeful but admitted neither side was ready for mediation on any of the wider issues as this war worsens.'
The health ministry in #Gaza says in its latest Facebook post that 900 #Palestinians have now been killed during #Israel 's recent airstrikes - with around half of these women and children. It says 4,500 others have been injured.
In the separate #WestBank, 21 #Palestinians have been killed and dozens have been injured.
The forces that have arrived include the US #Navy aircraft carrier #USS Gerald R Ford - with its eight squadrons of attack and support aircraft - as well as a guided-missile cruiser and guided-missile destroyers. #Israel#Gaza#hamas
@fulelo#israel#palastine#israelhamaswar No one wants this, but Hamas clearly think it’s a price worth paying. Launching 5000 missiles into a neighbouring country, massacring Israeli civilians, and breaking into a Kibbutz to murder babies and behead boys is obviously their main priority.
The innocent civilians in Gaza clearly mean nothing to Hamas. They’re expendable. To Hamas, all life is expendable.
I’m with Israel. Terrorists like Hamas must never be allowed to win.
@fulelo nobody thinks it's a silver bullet other than extremists bent on violence.
Personally if I was the PM, I would promote the narrative that the Hamas is the enemy of both the Palestinians and the Israelis, and try to get cooperation to do this surgically.
"But make no mistake: #Hamas does not represent those aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed." - But regretfully so does the Israeli State.
And, it's the State of Israeli that has the power to give the Palestinians the homeland they rightly deserve. And Israel had this power for decades. But the desires of the Israeli settlers reign supreme.
@btrinen@fulelo
There will be mistakes made about targets - an extreme example is the 1999 US bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. Smaller is misidentification, or confusion because naturally Hamas are hiding.
Weapons will hit in unintended locations - dust & smoke affect laser guided weapons. Pilots/crew make mistakes, weapons malfunction.
The legal/rights issue is policy, effort & expected relative harm vs military benefit. I fear Saturday's attacks may have moved Israel's harm/benefit calculation eg to say a dead Hamas fighter is worth multiple dead civilians.
Horrible situation & it's guaranteed that not all locations hit will be actual militant sites, but that is not automatically a war crime.
Sounds like both the al-Qassam brigades and Yoav Gallant are reserving their prison cells in The Hague. Gallant under War Crimes 8.2.(b)(xxv) [1].
The most urgent thing for the international community to do now is increase funds for and politically support the ICC so that war criminals at least have arrest warrants issued in the ongoing investigation [2], even if they remain fugitives. This should be top of the news.
I heard earlier on Sky News that #Egypt normally charges #Palestinians a fee to enter (which is incredible as it is), and not only has Egypt not waved this fee while people are attempting to flee for their lives, but they have now increased it. #pricegouging during a massive war being waged on all Palestinians.
I have no words for that, other than this is a crime against humanity.
@fulelo My theory is this whole mess is BRICS opening up another conflict to dilute resources from Ukraine.
I have zero proof, but Russian hackers attacking Israel sure feels awfully suss.
@fulelo
Lol! Islamic Republic officials are such truth tellers! In Shiism Taqiyah is dissimulation (a religious obligation to lie) It has gotten Iran off the hook for 44 years
@fulelo So far, we’re counting numbers. Which by itself is terrifying. Thank you for your concern.
And it’s not just that. The competing narratives of pro-Hamas vs pro-Israel are turning people into enemies, friends against each other.
I really hope we can get a turn back to international co-operation here. This conflict has been on a death spiral for a long time, and it seems just left to themselves they are going to just keep digging deeper at each other’s throats. 🙁
@fulelo Wasn’t it Netanyahu who declared that this was a war? Seems reasonable for #Hamas to take prisoners of war in that case. Why must you describe them as hostages?
@qkslvrwolf@fulelo the attacks have taken place near Gaza, not the West Bank, so they're only 'settlers' if you don't consider Israel to be a legitimate state. And that still wouldn't justify attacks on civilians.
@fulelo why no one talks about how russia Iran and other terrorist groups are supporting palestinian radicals?
Israel will answer and civilians will suffer for sure.
@fulelo thanks for the update. But I'm confused about something. If this is war, aren't they captured, not kidnapped? Not following closely so I'm probably missing something
@guacamayan controversy about how to call them as some.of them are civilians kidnapped from their home and some of them are soldiers who are captured - Hamas called them POWs which wouldn't stand ...
The Middle East is a powder keg...and war means more, like a terrorist attack, and it doesn't always end like it did in June 1967, or on Yom Kippur 1973, I see massive support from Asia and Arabia and their satellites
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