Israel-Hamas war Top updates (Oct 15): Death toll in Israel and Gaza crosses 4,000

Admiral Daniel Hagari from the Israeli army said more than 600,000 Gazans had moved south following Israel's announcement last week, ahead of an expected ground offensive, that residents should evacuate Gaza City, reported Reuters. 

He said Israeli authorities had informed the families of 155 people held captive in Gaza, and said at least 289 Israeli soldiers were killed after Hamas launched its surprise attack over a week ago.

Global Affairs Canada Assistant Deputy Minister Julie Sunday, said that the number of Canadians killed in last week's attack by Hamas on Israel is now five. 

This comes a day after the family of 22-year-old Shir Georgy, who went missing after Hamas militants attacked a music festival near Kibbutz Re'im last Saturday, confirmed her death on Instagram. 

She was the fourth Israeli-Canadian victim of the Hamas' surprise attack on Israel over a week ago. 

French foreign minister Catherine Colonna speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv on Sunday said that death toll of French citizens from the Hamas attacks in Israel has risen to 19 while 13 others are still unaccounted for and may have been taken hostage. 

She also said that Israel has a right to defend itself, adding that it should respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians in doing so.

The Israeli military said Sunday it had confirmed 155 people were being held hostage by Hamas over a week after the Palestinian militant group launched a deadly attack on Israel. 

Families of "155 hostages" have been contacted by the authorities, said military spokesman Daniel Hagari, an update from an earlier figure confirming 126 hostages, reported AFP. 

Over 1,000 people are missing under the rubble of buildings that were destroyed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza, said the Palestinian civil defense team, as per Reuters. In a statement, the civil defense team said many others were pulled alive out of the rubble, 24 hours after buildings were struck. 

Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip have led to an "unprecedented human catastrophe" in the Palestinian territory, said the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees. 

This comes after Israel declared a "complete siege" on Gaza and had stopped water, electricity and food supply following Hamas' deadly attack on Israel. 

"Not one drop of water, not one grain of wheat, not a litre of fuel has been allowed in the Gaza Strip for the last eight days," Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of UNRWA, told reporters. 

However, Israel said that it has resumed the water supply to southern Gaza, on Sunday. 

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said its headquarters was struck by a rocket in the southern town of Naqoura, amid exchanges of fire on the border with Israel.

"Our headquarters in Naqoura was hit with a rocket and we are working to verify from where. Our peacekeepers were not in shelters at the time. Fortunately, no one was hurt," said the UNIFIL, in a statement. 

The death toll after Israeli bombardment in Gaza has surged to at least 2,670, said the Palestinian militant group's health ministry. It added, that around 9,600 people have also been injured as Israel continues its air campaign on targets in the Palestinian enclave. 

Meanwhile, Tal Heinrich spokeswoman for Netanyahu's office told reporters that the death toll in Israel has crossed 1,400 since Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel, over a week ago. 

According to Israeli officials, at least 3,418 people have been injured in the country. 

Israel resumed the water supply to southern Gaza said Israel's energy minister on Sunday as Israeli army has ordered more than one million people have evacuated the north of the Strip to escape a massive air assault.

"This will push the civilian population to the southern (part of the) Strip," said Katz in a statement. This comes a week after Israel had stopped supplying water to the entire territory as part of a "complete siege" on the Palestinian enclave.

In a joint statement, leaders of the 27-nation bloc, stressed "Israel's right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law in the face of such violent and indiscriminate attacks" by Hamas. 

"We reiterate the importance of the provision of urgent humanitarian aid and stand ready to continue supporting those civilians most in need in Gaza... ensuring that such assistance is not abused by terrorist organisations," the statement said. 

It added, that it is "crucial to prevent regional escalation" of the conflict.

Washington's top diplomat in Cairo said  Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt "will be open" for aid into the the Palestinian enclave amid bombardment by Israel. 

"We're putting in place with the United Nations, with Egypt, with Israel, with others, the mechanism by which to get the assistance and to get it to people who need it," said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Cairo.

Blinken also said that the United States had appointed an envoy, veteran former diplomat David Satterfield, to work on aid to Gaza.

In a joint statement, leaders of the Arab League and African Union voiced their concerns about Israel's planned ground invasion of Gaza and said that the move could "could lead to a genocide of unprecedented proportions". 

The organisations have also called on the "the United Nations and the international community to stop a catastrophe unfolding in front of us, before it is too late".

This comes as Israel in the midst of preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza after Hamas' surprise attack last week which has killed more than 1,400 people in Israel. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that Washington's Arab allies do not want the Israel-Hamas war to spread.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday that Israel told him it has turned the water supply back on in southern Gaza.

"I have been in touch with my Israeli counterparts just within the last hour who reported to me that they have, in fact, turned the water pipe back on in southern Gaza," Sullivan told CNN.

The United States said on Sunday that it feared an escalation of war between Israel and Hamas and the prospect of Iran getting directly involved.

Speaking to CBS, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, "We can't rule out that Iran would choose to get directly engaged some way. We have to prepare for every possible contingency."

The United Nations (UN) said that an estimated one million people have been displaced in the first seven days of the conflict in Gaza. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted the first meeting of the emergency war government.

During the meeting, he said, "Hamas thought we would break; we will break Hamas.” 

“We are working around the clock as a team, with a united front,” he says. “Our unity conveys a clear message to the people, the enemy and to the world,” he says.

“I saw our wonderful warriors who are now on the front line. They know that the entire nation is behind them,” he says.

“They understand the magnitude of the task. They are ready to act at any moment, to exterminate the bloody monsters that rose up against us,” he says

Pope Francis called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Gaza and for the release of hostages taken by Hamas during an address at St. Peter's Square on Sunday.

“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.”

Pope Francis said he was following "with great sorrow the situation in Israel and Palestine."

"Please may there be no more blood spilled -- here or in any other place," he said. "Wars are always a defeat."

British foreign secretary James Cleverly has urged Israel to show "restraint" as it prepares to invade Gaza.

On Sunday, Cleverly urged the Israel Defence Forces to show “discipline” and avoid mass casualties, as it prepared to launch a ground attack a week after Hamas militants killed hundreds of Israeli civilians in terrorist attacks.

China said on Saturday (Oct 14) that Israel's actions in Gaza have gone beyond the scope of self-defence and that the Benjamin Netanyahu government must cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza. This remark was made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a call with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

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According to Times of Israel newspaper, a rocket alert siren has been sounded in the Gaza border town Re’im. There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari has said that Israeli military will operate “anywhere in the Middle East”, as the war with Hamas rages.

“We are always looking around us, in the entire Middle East,” Hagari says. “The IDF will operate anywhere in the Middle East to fulfill Israel’s security aims. We are highly prepared in all arenas,” he said.
 

The Israeli army said that it was striking inside Lebanon after anti-tank missiles were fired towards a border community.

"Following the anti-tank missile fire in the area of Shtula, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) struck the origin of the fire with artillery fire," the army said.

"Furthermore, additional anti-tank missile fire was carried out toward an IDF military post on the Lebanese border. In response, the IDF is currently striking in Lebanese territory."
 

The US embassy in Jerusalem has said that the US government is organising for a ship to take Americans out of Israel to Cyprus on Monday. The step has been taken in light of a possible ground invasion of Gaza by Israel.

The US ship will leave from Israeli port of Haifa ward a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, the ship will leave from the Israeli port of Haifa taking "US nationals and their immediate family members with a valid travel document", the US embassy said in a security alert.

Amid the crossfires between Israel and Lebanon, the IDF is “isolating the area” of up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the Lebanon border. It asked 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 said. 

Hezbollah confirmed its role in the anti-tank guided missile attacks along the northern border this morning. It said that it is in retaliation for recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. A civilian lost their life in a missile strike on the northern town of Shtula, prompting the IDF to respond with countermeasures against targets in Lebanon.
 

Key Hamas leader Billal Al Kedra, behind Kibbutz Nirim massacre, taken out by Israel

Israeli Army has said that it fired shells into Syria after air raid sirens were sounded in settlements on annexed Golan Heights.

"Following the initial report regarding sirens sounded in the communities of Avnei Eitan and Alma, IDF (Israeli) artillery is currently striking the origin of the shooting in Syria," an army statement said.

The army said it retaliated after shots were fired from Syria. These set off sirens in two towns in Golan Heights.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office has said that he held a phone call with US President Joe Biden. This is his fifth call to the US president since the start of the war. Netanyahu's office said that he thanked Biden for USA's steadfast support. The two leaders have agreed to to continue their dialogue.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raise Hamas issue with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Blinken called for more pressure on the militant group. Blinken met Mohammed bin Salman for nearly an hour and said that the meeting was 'very productive'.

Blinken "highlighted the United States' unwavering focus on halting terrorist attacks by Hamas, securing the release of all hostages and preventing the conflict from spreading," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
 

WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibbal is in Isarel bringing you the latest updates surrounding the ongoing conflict.

Military equipment s being rushed to southern part of Israel where Gaza Strip is the main focal point of the Israel-Hamas war.

Hostages are believed to be held underground in Gaza, according to the Israeli Defense Forces. The complex network of tunnels in the region makes it challenging to rescue the 150-200 individuals who were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. Fighting in such a densely populated urban area is exceptionally difficult for any modern military.

The European Commission has pledged to triple its current humanitarian aid for Gaza, allocating 75 million euros ($78.8 million). They will collaborate with United Nations agencies to ensure the aid reaches those who require it.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a conversation with Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal bin Farhan, stated that Israel's actions in Gaza have exceeded the bounds of self-defense. Wang called on the Israeli government to halt its collective punishment of the Gaza population. He emphasised the need for all parties to avoid escalating the situation and to swiftly return to the negotiation table.

Progressive legislators are calling on President Biden to underscore that Israel's reaction to the recent Hamas attack must prioritise civilian protection and adhere to international laws. In a letter signed by 55 lawmakers and addressed to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, they express concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza amid Israel's response to the Hamas attack. The lawmakers stress that Israel's right to self-defense should consider the millions of innocent Gaza civilians victimised by Hamas and the repercussions of their campaign of terror.

With morgues in Gaza struggling to accommodate the surge in casualties from Israeli air raids, bodies are being stored in ice cream trucks and refrigerated food vehicles.

An Israeli army spokesperson has reiterated the call for Palestinians residing in northern Gaza, home to approximately 1.1 million people, to relocate to the southern areas. Jonathan Conricus, the Israeli army spokesperson, posted a video message on social media at 7 a.m. local time on Sunday, directing his message to the residents of northern Gaza, including Gaza City. He emphasised the anticipation of significant military operations in the region and urged civilians to evacuate for their own safety. Conricus also rejected the accusation that Israel was responsible for an attack on a convoy of civilians heading south on Saturday (Oct 14), which resulted in reported casualties, suggesting that it may have been an unintended incident.

• The US deploys a second aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean in a strong display of support for Israel.
• Israeli forces continue to launch missile strikes from jet fighters and artillery shell attacks from land and sea on the Gaza Strip.
• Residents in Gaza are fleeing to the southern region as Israel increases warnings of an imminent ground invasion and orders 1.1 million people to evacuate northern Gaza.
• Israel's military is gearing up for a comprehensive offensive that involves air, land, and sea operations in Gaza.
• Israeli air raids, including attacks on medical facilities and a pharmaceutical warehouse, target Gaza's southern city of Khan Younis.
• The toll from Israeli air attacks on Gaza over the past week reaches more than 2,215 Palestinians killed and 8,714 wounded, including over 700 Palestinian children.
• In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces have killed more than 50 Palestinians within a few days.
• In Israel, over 1,300 casualties have been reported, with more than 3,400 wounded since the recent Hamas attack last weekend.
• US President Joe Biden faced a pro-Palestinian protester's interruption during a Gala event in Washington, DC.
• Demonstrations supporting Gaza have taken place in numerous cities worldwide.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, reportedly met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh of the Palestinian Islamist group in Doha, Qatar, as disclosed by Al Jazeera TV on Saturday (Oct 14).

Israel's canine unit, Oketz, was pivotal in rescuing 200 Israelis and neutralising 10 Hamas terrorists at Kibbutz Be'eri. However, in a separate mission at Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a dog named Nauru revealed terrorists' positions but tragically lost its life during the operation. The Oketz unit's commander emphasised unity and determination in the mission to confront terrorists in the Gaza Strip. These highly trained dogs serve various roles, including attack, search and rescue, explosive detection, and weapon location, highlighting their commitment to Israel's security.

Read the full report here.

China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Plans Visit Amid Israel-Gaza Crisis," reports CGTN. Zhai Jun, the country's special envoy, expressed his intention to bolster cooperation with all stakeholders to pursue a ceasefire, protect civilians, de-escalate the situation, and promote peace talks during his visit.

Approximately 35,000 people have sought shelter in Gaza City's largest hospital, Shifa Hospital, in anticipation of an impending Israeli ground offensive. The hospital's general director, Mohammad Abu Selim, verified the substantial crowds within the building and its surrounding courtyard. Dr Medhat Abbas, an official from the Health Ministry told AP that people view it as their sole safe haven following the destruction of their homes and forced displacement, with Gaza City now resembling a scene of severe devastation. The Israeli military had previously instructed over a million Gaza residents to move to the south for their safety on October 13.

US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday that Washington was working with the United Nations and Middle Eastern countries "to ensure innocent civilians have access to water, food, and medical care." "President Biden affirmed his support for all efforts to protect civilians," the White House said in a statement about the phone call between the leaders.
 

Displaced Gazans took shelter in a UN school in Khan Younis on Saturday (October 14) after Israel vowed to annihilate Hamas for the attack a week ago, in which its fighters killed 1,300 Israelis, and seized scores of hostages. 

European Council chief Charles Michel called a video-summit of EU leaders for the upcoming week to discuss the Israel-Hamas war.

"It is of utmost importance that the European Council, in line with the Treaties and our values, sets our common position and establishes a clear unified course of action that reflects the complexity of the unfolding situation," he said in a statement. 
 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Saudi Arabia late on Saturday (October 14) after a brief trip the United Arab Emirates amid a seven-nation regional tour aimed at preventing the the war between Israel and Hamas from spiraling into a broader conflict. 

Many wrecked cars are scattered throughout the grounds of Kibbutz Beeri, with many homes reduced to ruins.

"We must be sure that they won't be capable of doing that in the next at least hundred years," says Colonel Golan Vach, commander of the Israeli army's national rescue unit. 

Dozens of armoured vehicles are positioned near Kibbutz Beeri, in southern Israel, as Israel masses its troops around the Gaza Strip before an expected ground offensive against Hamas commanders. 

Rockets launched from the Gaza Strip in the latest barrage cause damage in the southern city of Ashkelon and the central city of Bat Yam. The Fire and Rescue Services says it is scanning the scene of a rocket impact between two homes. Footage from Bat Yam shows damage to a wall near stores in the central city. There are no reports of injuries.
 

Two German air force planes will fly to Israel with materials and bring back German citizens who want to leave the country, a spokesperson for the defence ministry said on Saturday, adding the planes were not part of a military evacuation.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi on Saturday (October 14) during a regional visit aimed at preventing the Israel-Hamas conflict from widening.

The stop in Abu Dhabi was part of Blinken's seven-country Middle-East tour. The US official has also sought China's cooperation in preventing the conflict from widening into a bigger war during a phone call with his Chinese counterpart.
 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's national security adviser reportedly said on Saturday (October 14) that Israel received no concrete warning, including from Egypt, of the Oct 7 onslaught by Hamas from Gaza. 

Families in Israel, whose members have been detained by Hamas in Gaza for a week, are calling on the International Committee of the Red Cross to help facilitate the delivery of essential medications to their prisoned relatives. 
 

At the invitation of Saudi Arabia, an urgent ministerial meeting of the Executive Committee of the OIC to discuss the military escalation and the threat to defenseless civilians in Gaza is scheduled for Wednesday (Oct 18) in Jeddah. 

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called on Palestinians to resist any displacement, whether it be within the Gaza Strip or outside the besieged territory towards Egypt. This appeal comes in response to Israeli airstrikes and evacuation directives.
 

Photographs released by the Israeli military depict air strikes on what they claim to be Hamas facilities within the Gaza Strip. Israel carried out a new wave of aerial assaults on northern Gaza on Saturday (Oct 15), exactly one week after the deadliest assault in its history.

Israel is pressing Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip to move south and evacuate the region in anticipation of an imminent ground offensive against Hamas leadership.