Israel-Hamas War HIGHLIGHTS: 'Responsibility Is On Me', Israel Security Chief On Hamas Attacks
Israel-Hamas War HIGHLIGHTS: Follow this space for all the live and latest updates on the Israel-Hamas war.
Background
Israel-Hamas War HIGHLIGHTS: Hello and welcome to the live blog on the Israel-Hamas War. Follow this space for all the live and latest updates. A week into the war and the...More
The White House said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed this morning “on the latest updates in the wake of Hamas’s abhorrent attack in Israel and the resulting conflict in Gaza,” CNN reported citing a statement.
White House chief of staff Jeff Zients joined the briefing, which was led by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and CIA Director Bill Burns, the White House said.
Israel's top domestic security official took responsibility Monday for the Hamas attacks that killed more than 1,400 people, according to the country's Army Radio station, CNN reported.
In his first comments since the attacks of October 7, Shin Bet chief Ronan Bar wrote in a statement, "Despite a series of actions we carried out, we weren’t able to create a sufficient warning that would allow the attack to be thwarted."
"The responsibility is on me," Bar said.
Shin Bet is Israel’s domestic security agency, tasked with combating terrorism.
Tel Aviv | Tal Heinrich, Spokesperson for Israeli PMO says, "The IDF continues to target those responsible for that massacre. Over the last few hours, the Israel Defence Forces carried out dozens of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. The targets included Hamas headquarters, mortar launching positions, and a number of terrorists at a military compound. The IDF also struck the command centre of Ali Qadhi, a commander in the Hamas commando forces who was killed in an Israeli strike two days ago. As the IDF Chief of Staff told our frontline troops, 'attack them everywhere, every commander, every operative'... Finally, Israel appreciates the unconditional and unwavering support of its allies. Prime Minister Netanyahu invited US President Joe Biden to Israel, and we hope to host the president soon. We are truly grateful for the support of the united front against the commons." (ANI)
The floor of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, was evacuated briefly on Monday after sirens sounded in Jerusalem warning of incoming rocket fire, CNN reported.
Israel Defense Forces tweets, "Sirens sounding in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns Iran and Hezbollah not to 'test us' in the north, reports AP
The Israeli government on Monday ordered the evacuation of 28 villages in northern Israel within two kilometers of the country's border with Lebanon, as per CNN.
“The implementation of the plan was approved by Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant," a joint statement by Israel’s Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces says, CNN reported. "A short while ago, the Northern Command updated the heads of the local authorities on the decision. The plan will be implemented by the heads of the local municipalities, the Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) of the Ministry of Defense."
Ahmed Abdul-Hadi, the representative of Hamas in Lebanon, on Monday said that the decision to launch the surprise Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel was made by Hamas leadership and not directed by Iran or any other outside party, but he said that in event of a ground invasion of Gaza, allied groups will intervene, AP reported.
The war in Gaza is “a Palestinian battle and the decision to enter it was a Palestinian decision” made by Hamas and its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al Qassam Brigades, “together with the Palestinian resistance factions,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press ahead of a conference convened by the group in Beirut.
Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister says the country’s politically paralysed government has been scrambling to ease tensions along its southern border with Israel and avoid dragging the tiny country into a new war, AP reported.
Najib Mikati has spoken by phone with top U.S. officials and heads of state and top diplomats from the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, and Italy.
“Lebanon is in the eye of the storm, and the region as a whole is in a difficult situation,” Mikati was quoted as saying in a statement from his office. The Lebanese government remains critical of Israel, but fears a new war could further devastate its battered economy and put the lives of its approximately 6.5 million people at risk.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The U.S. Department of State issued a statement in this regard informing:
"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken returned today to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The Secretary discussed his engagements with partners in the region and received an update on the situation on the ground. The Secretary underlined his firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas’ terrorism and reaffirmed U.S. determination to provide the Israeli government with what it needs to protect its citizens. The Secretary discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu the United States’ close coordination with the UN and regional partners to facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid to civilians. The Secretary also discussed our commitment to the safe and speedy release of those held hostage by Hamas."
Former Union minister and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and BSP MP Danish Ali reach Palestine Embassy
Dozens of unidentified bodies have been buried in mass graves in Gaza City, the head of the Hamas-controlled government media office said, as per CNN.
“Because dozens of other martyrs were incoming, children, babies, women, men, elders, we were inclined to perform our rightful and moral duty toward those martyrs to bury them. We have prepared a mass grave in the Emergency Grave to bury those who have not been identified,” Salama Marouf said in a video published on Sunday, as quoted by CNN.
US Secretary of State has returned for a second visit to Israel after touring six countries in the Middle East.
Israeli military says 199 people were abducted by Hamas militants in cross-border attacks, up from 155.
A humanitarian team of the UN waits on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing in the anticipation of opening of the border to deliver aid supplies to Gaza, according to CNN. Meanwhile director of Egyptian Red Crescent in North Sinai, Khaled Zaid tells Anadolu that relief aid trucks started moving from Arish towards Rafah crossing while the border still remains shut.
Israel's Prime Minister's office has denied any ceasefire after some media reports suggested a truce between the US, Israel, and Egypt to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza through the Rafah border.
Israeli Defence Ministry and defence forces have announced to implement a plan to evacuate residents of northern Israel who live in the area up to 2 kilometers from the Lebanese border to state-funded guesthouses.
Large crowds gather at the Rafah Crossing in anticipation to cross from Gaza into Egypt through Sinai Peninsula, reports Al Jazeera.
The World Health Organisation says four hospitals in northern Gaza are no longer able to function "as a result of damage and targeting" while 21 of them have received instructions from Israeli forces to evacuate. "Forced evacuation of hospitals may amount to a violation of International Humanitarian Law," says WHO.
Around 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are not able to access basic health services out of which 5,522 will give birth in the next month, says the United Nations.
“Imagine going through that process in those final stages and your last trimester before giving birth, with possible complications, without clothing, without hygiene, support and not sure about what the next day, next hour, next minute will bring for themselves and for their unborn child,” United Nations Population Fund representative for Palestine, Dominic Allen, told CNN.
An Israeli army officer has been killed by anti-tank fire on Lebanese border, reports Yedioth Ahronoth.
Fuel reserves are likely to run out within next 24 hours in hospitals in Gaza, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned Sunday.
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations on Sunday said the country "has no interest" in occupying Gaza but will do "whatever is needed" to eliminate Hamas.
As per Al Jazeera, at least one Palestinian was killed after the latest Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank’s city of Jericho early on Monday.
The lone crossing point between Egypt and Gaza, the Rafah crossing will be open for "a few hours" on Monday and will be shut off again in the late afternoon, reports ABC News.
In an interview clip published Sunday morning, President Joe Biden stated that the US can help Israel and Ukraine while preserving "our overall international defence."
After meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt "will be open" on Sunday.
Israel Defence Forces stated in an update on Sunday that fighter planes had attacked Hezbollah military installations in Lebanon.
Earlier, the IDF stated that it was reacting to fire from Lebanon.
Additional US attack aircraft have landed in the Middle East as part of a strategy to strengthen America's defence posture in the area, according to US Air Combat Command, CNN reported.
According to a US official, the deployment of more A-10 Warthog attack aircraft, as well as other US fighter jets, is meant to discourage any Iranian aggression or an escalation of the battle beyond Israel's borders.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, the death toll in Gaza has risen to 2,450 individuals, with 9,200 injured.
President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas may be placing a call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming week, even as New Delhi has made it clear that India continues to remain firm on its stand that there should be peace talks, and that there should be a separate state for Palestine, multiple sources told ABP LIVE.
According to US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Israel has restored water services to southern Gaza, CNN reported.
According to the White House, Hamas has been preventing Americans from leaving Gaza via the Rafah border into Egypt, despite Cairo's agreement to allow US nationals to enter the country.
“We have told President Sisi to open the border to let Americans out,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan informed CNN. “The situation there at the crossing is actually more complicated.”
The UN World Food Programme said it has assisted more than 500,000 displaced people in Gaza, but it is running out on supplies and cannot ensure the safety of its employees, CNN reported.
According to the World Food Programme, the suspension of Gaza's power plant prompted bakeries and businesses to shutter. Every bakery contacted by the World Food Programme reported a lack of wheat flour, power, or water.
“We’ve been able to assist 520k in Gaza so far but we’re running out of supplies, can’t get anything in or out, and can’t guarantee the safety of our staff,” Cindy McCain, executive director of the WFP, said in a statement.
During a speech in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Francis called for the development of humanitarian corridors in Gaza as well as the release of hostages held by Hamas, CNN reported.
“I'm thinking of the many people who are suffering, the young people and the elderly and I renew my appeal for the release of the prisoners,” the Pope said. “And please respect the humanitarian situation in Gaza to guarantee humanitarian corridors to help and assist the entire population.”
Hezbollah stated in a statement that it launched missiles against Israel on Sunday morning in response to Israeli raids on Friday that killed a Reuters journalist and two elderly civilians.
An Israel Defence Forces spokesperson rejected that the Israeli force assaulted a group of civilians fleeing south from northern Gaza, CNN reported.
The Israel Defense Forces says it is “isolating the area” of up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the Lebanon border, instructing civilians not to enter. “The IDF stresses that entering the area is strictly prohibited and asks the public to be vigilant and not enter the area,” the IDF says.
The Israel Defense Forces says troops have arrested 330 wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, including 190 affiliated with Hamas, since fighting began last Saturday in southern Israel.
The Israeli military has denied claims by the Hamas terror group, reported by international media outlets, that Israel struck convoys of Palestinians evacuating from the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
“This is a false report,” the IDF’s top spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says in a press conference.
The Hezbollah terror group claims responsibility for anti-tank guided missile attacks on the northern border this morning, saying they came in response to recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon, reports Times of Israel.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is running out of reserve stock inside Gaza and is so far unable to get more food into the enclave, according to Corinne Fleischer, a regional director with the United Nations humanitarian organization, reports CNN.
Fleischer said the WFP has enough supplies to feed 1.3 million people for two weeks piled up on the border, ready to go, but that the group cannot yet safely enter Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces said in a message to residents of northern Gaza that an evacuation corridor is in place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
"Residents of Gaza City and northern Gaza, in the past days, we've urged you to relocate to the southern area for your safety. We want to inform you that the IDF will not carry out any operations along this route from 10 AM to 1 PM. During this window, please take the opportunity to move southward from northern Gaza," a post on X by IDF read.
"Your safety and that of your families matters. Please follow our instructions and head southward. Be assured, Hamas leaders have already ensured their safety and that of their families," it further said.
An Israel Defense Forces spokesman said that the top priority in the military operation is to rescue the hostages, who are “most likely” being held underground.
Noting the “elaborate network of tunnels” in the Gaza Strip, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus tells CNN that the 150-200 people kidnapped by Hamas terrorists are “most likely held underground in various locations.”
The US embassy in Israel says US nationals, and their immediate family members, will be able to evacuate from Haifa via sea for Cyprus on Monday, October 16.
“Boarding begins at 08:00am [5am GMT]. US citizens must arrive at Haifa port passenger terminal no later than 09:00am local time,” read a statement from the embassy.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says his meeting in Riyadh with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was “very productive”.
The Palestinian Water Authority has warned that water supplies in Gaza are running very low because of the destruction of generating capacity, reported CNN.
It said that before the conflict began, 262,000 cubic meters of water were being drawn from wells daily. Now that figure is 14,000 cubic metres, and there is an urgent need for fuel to provide more water, it said.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say they attacked “over a hundred military targets” in various parts of Gaza overnight Saturday, including Hamas headquarters and military compounds, dozens of launchers, anti-tank posts and observation posts.
Israeli air raids have killed at least 2,329 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded 9,714 others, according to the territory’s health ministry, reports Al Jazeera.
It said that some 300 people were killed and 800 injured in Gaza in the 24-hour period to early Sunday.
The Israel Defense Forces says it has killed another commander in Hamas’s commando forces, who led the murderous attacks on the southern communities of Nirim and Nir Oz last weekend.
Israel’s actions in Gaza have gone “beyond the scope of self-defence” and the Israeli government must “cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza,” China’s foreign minister Wang Yi says, reports Times of Israel.
Israeli airstrikes targeted the airport of Syria’s government-held city of Aleppo late Saturday, putting it out of order, the country’s defense ministry claimed, hours after rockets were fired at Israel from Syria and days after a similar strike hit Aleppo and Damascus airports.
“At approximately 11:35 p.m… the Israeli enemy carried out an airstrike from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea… targeting Aleppo International Airport, causing material damage to the airport and putting it out of service,” the ministry said in a statement.
Operation Ajay: Fourth flight with 274 passengers onboard touches down in New Delhi.
The first evacuation flight for Ukrainian citizens left Israel on Saturday, according to Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A total of 207 Ukrainian nationals, including 63 children, left Tel Aviv for Bucharest, CNN reported.
The World Health Organization says forcing thousands of hospital patients to evacuate to already overflowing hospitals in the southern Gaza Strip may be “a death sentence.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has met in Doha with Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh, according to Iran’s state-run media.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the phone with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, with both expressing concern over the situation in Israel and Gaza, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Chinese envoy Zhai Jun will visit the Middle East this coming week to push for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and push for peace talks, state broadcaster CCTV reports, as per Times of Israel.
United States Air Forces Central on Saturday announced the deployment of F-15E fighter jets and A-10 ground-attack jets to the Middle East region. The Air Force said that deployment will "bolster the US posture and enhance air operations throughout the Middle East."
Russia has called the United Nations Security Council to vote Monday on a draft resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict that calls for a humanitarian ceasefire and condemns violence against civilians and all acts of terrorism.
Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said on Saturday no changes had been made to the text since it was given to the 15-member body on Friday and that he expected the vote to be scheduled for 3pm local time (19:00 GMT) on Monday, reports Al Jazeera.