Israel-Hamas war Highlights: Lebanon must stay out of conflict, says France

The Pakistani government announced on Monday (Oct 14) that it would dispatch humanitarian aid to Gaza as the Israel-Hamas war rages on. "In view of the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza, the Government of Pakistan has decided to immediately dispatch humanitarian relief assistance to Gaza," an official statement said. Read more

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Monday that Lebanon should take all necessary measures to avert a war with Israel. "Lebanese officials have a responsibility... to do everything possible to prevent Lebanon from being dragged into a spiral," Foreign Minister Colonna said, adding that no group should take advantage of the situation. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that he would travel to Israel and Egypt this week in the wake of the deadly attack by Hamas militants.

"It is important to me to also express my solidarity with Israel very practically with my visit," he told reporters, while confirming a "later trip" to Egypt.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Monday (Oct 16) that his government would increase it humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people by a third, sending an extra $12 million. 

As per an official statement, the aid would provide "essential relief items and services, such as food, water and emergency shelter to meet needs on the ground." 

Addressing parliament, Prime Minister Sunak said, "An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding to which we must respond. We must support the Palestinian people because they are victims of Hamas too."

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, commonly known as the UNRWA, shared a post on X on Monday (Oct 16) accusing Hamas militants of stealing food and medical equipment from its premises in Gaza City. However, the UNRWA deleted the post. Read more

The Israeli army names another eight soldiers killed during the war, mostly along the Gaza border, bringing the total number of slain soldiers to 299. 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that at least six UK citizens have been killed since Hamas' attack on Israel over a week ago.

"The terrible nature of these attacks means it is proving difficult to identify many of the deceased but with a heavy heart I can inform the House that at least six British citizens were killed, a further ten are missing, some of whom are feared to be among the dead." 

He also said that the UK will increase its humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people by a third, sending an $ 12 million (10 million pounds). "An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding to which we must respond. We must support the Palestinian people because they are victims of Hamas too," Sunak told the parliament. 

At least 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and 10,859 others have been wounded, said the Palestinian health ministry. According to the ministry, 2,750 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, and another 58 in the West Bank.

A barrage of rockets fired from Gaza that had earlier prompted rocket sirens in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv has sent lawmakers and other attendants to bomb shelter and delaying the session, reported the Israeli media. 

It was also reported that Hamas has claimed responsibility and another rocket barrage was launched toward the area of Tel Aviv. So far, no casualties have been reported. 

The parliament session resumed after a 40-minute break forced by rockets fired towards Jerusalem. 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that they are carrying out artillery strikes in southern Lebanon after their troops came under fire at the border. 

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said there were no casualties on the Israeli side.

According to the Israeli defence ministry, some 100,000 Israelis may be internally displaced amid the ongoing war with Hamas, reported Times of Israel.

The number, as per ministry officials, includes those who have been fully evacuated from their homes, and those who are eligible "to rest and refresh themselves" in state-subsidized guesthouses temporarily.

This comes after at least 15,000 Israelis living in 25 communities up to four kilometers from Gaza were evacuated last week. 

During his speech to the Knesset, Netanyahu has said the world needed to unite to defeat Hamas. "This war is also your war," said the Israeli PM. 

"We are carrying out all the preparations for the war in the south and across the country," Netanyahu said adding that Israel would allow aid to reach Gaza, without giving a timeline of when that might happen. 

According to news agency AFP correspondents, rocket alert sirens blared Monday in Jerusalem and several blasts were heard in the city. While Reuters reported warning sirens are sounding in Tel Aviv again.

The Israeli army confirms alert in a post on X. 

The United Nations Security Council said it will discuss the Israel-Hamas war on Monday (Oct 16) as the crisis deepens with Israel preparing for a ground offensive in Gaza. The council said it will start deliberations at 6:00 pm (2200 GMT), according to news agency AFP. 

Currently there are two competing draft resolutions which are being discussed: First one proposed by Russia urging a ceasefire and delivery of humanitarian aid, but making no mention of the Palestinian militant group Hamas that attacked Israel. 

The other one is sponsored by Brazil, calling the Hamas attacks that triggered the war an act of terrorism.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Parliament (Knesset) some key points from his speech: 

Netanyahu calls for the whole world to stand against Hamas whom he referred to as a "terrorist organisation just like ISIS," adding "we must come together to crush Hamas.. and if we are not united on the front then this danger will continue."

He warns Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah "do not test our will...do not repeat the same mistake again.." This comes amid recent exchanges of fire between Israel and the militant group at the Lebanon border. 

Israeli PM says the country will allow aid to Gaza

"We are committed to bring back our brothers and sisters who are kidnapped by Hamas," said Netanyahu after the Israeli army confirmed that nearly 200 people are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Leaders in Qatar and Kuwait received invitations Monday for a summit in the Egyptian capital city of Cairo to be held on Saturday to "discuss developments and the future of the Palestinian cause and the peace process".

The state media in both countries announced the invitations a day after Cairo announced its intention to host "a regional and international summit on the future of the Palestinian cause", during a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The United Nations agency said that they received reports of supposed Hamas members stealing fuel and medical supplies from the agency's compound in Gaza city.

In a statement on X, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said they "received reports that yesterday a group of people with trucks purporting to be from the Ministry of Health of the de facto authorities in Gaza (Hamas), removed fuel and medical equipment from the Agency’s compound."

They also said that they have not has access to the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City after they were forced to evacuate on Friday (Oct 13) night and since then the agency has has "no access to the compound and no additional details about the removal of the assets."

UNRWA "fuel & other types of material are kept for strictly humanitarian purposes - any other use is strongly condemned."

Iranian foreign ministry said that the Palestinian militant group may be ready to release the nearly 200 hostages it is holding if Israel stops its campaign of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. However, Hamas has not acknowledged making such an offer. 

Hamas officials "stated that they are ready to take necessary measures to release the citizens and civilians held by resistance groups, but their point was that such measures require preparations that are impossible under daily bombardment by the Zionists against various parts of Gaza," said the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani during a press conference in Tehran.

He added, "We heard from the resistance (Hamas) that they have no problem to continue resisting. They said the resistance holds military capability to continue resisting in the field for a long time." 

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 wages war against Hamas.

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 this week.

White House says US officials are hoping Gaza-Egypt border crossing "can be opened for a period of hours later today".

The border between Egypt and Gaza is still closed, despite earlier reports that it was about to reopen to foreign nationals, reports BBC.

There are reportedl;y thousands of people stuck at the Rafah crossing, waiting to be let through.

Rafah is on the border between Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and Hamas-governed Gaza and is the only crossing into the territory not controlled by Israel.

The fate of convoy trucks carrying humanitarian aid at the Gaza border with Egypt and evacuation of foreign citizens via the Rafah crossing hangs in balance after both Israel and Hamas denied reports of a temporary ceasefire on Monday (Oct 16). This comes after a Reuters report citing Egyptian sources said a temporary truce was struck but Israel and Hamas have said no deal was in place.

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Iran has said that the United States is already heavily involved in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and must be held to account, reports Reuters news agency.

Asked if Tehran would engage if the US weighed in, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said, "Iran considers that the United States is already militarily involved in the conflict between Israel and Palestinians."

"The crimes of the Zionist regime are carried out with the support of the United States and Washington must be held accountable," he added at a news conference.

United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths would be travelling to the Middle East to support negotiations on getting aid into the besiged Gaza Strip.

In a statement on Monday (Oct 16) Griffiths said his office was in "deep discussions" with Israel, Egypt and other actors.

"I shall be going myself tomorrow to the region to try to help in the negotiations, to try to bear witness and to express solidarity with the extraordinary courage of the many thousands of aid workers who have stayed the course and who are still there helping the people in Gaza and in the West Bank," he said in a statement.

Israeli Defence Force says 199 Israeli hostages held in Gaza, higher than previous count.

 "We have updated the families of 199 hostages," military spokesman Daniel Hagari told a media briefing, revising up an earlier number of 155 captives.

He did not specify whether that number includes foreigners, or say who is holding them. Most are believed to be held by the Hamas militant group which rules Gaza.

Israel has denied that a truce has been formed in order to let humanitarian aid pass through Gaza.

"There is currently no truce and humanitarian aid in Gaza in exchange for getting foreigners out," a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

More than 1,000 Palestinians are trapped under the rubble in Gaza, Eyad Al-Bozom, spokesman for the Hamas Interior Ministry said on Monday in a statement, warning of a humanitarian and environmental crisis.

The United States is offering Americans in Israel and their immediate relatives' evacuation by sea from northern Haifa to Cyprus, reported Reuters citing a US embassy spokesperson said.

The United States is already heavily involved in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and must be held to account, alleges Iran.

Addressing a news conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said: "Iran considers that the United States is already militarily involved in the conflict between Israel and Palestinians."

"The crimes of the Zionist regime are carried out with the support of the United States and Washington must be held accountable," he added.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has returned to Israel for talks about the conflict with Hamas following a tour of six Arab countries, reports AFP.

The top US diplomat, who was in Israel on Thursday on a solidarity visit, landed in Tel Aviv and is once again expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

The Israeli military has accused Iran of ordering attacks by Hezbollah at the Lebanon-Israel border on Sunday (Oct 15th). During a press briefing, Israel's chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari alleged that "Hezbollah carried out a number of shooting attacks in order to distract from our war efforts in the south (Gaza), under Iranian instruction and with (Iranian) support."

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Hamas Interior Ministry has warned that more than 1,000 Palestinians are still trapped under the rubble in Gaza, Eyad Al-Bozom. This, as per the Hamas spokesperson, can lead to a humanitarian and environmental crisis.

As per the latest data from the Gaza health ministry, the death toll from Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip has risen to around 2,750. Additionally, some 9,700 people have been injured due to Israel's withering air campaign on targets in the Palestinian coastal enclave, revealed the Hamas-controlled ministry.

Israel refuted reports of agreeing to cease fire in southern Gaza for opening the Rafah border crossing to open and transfering aid into Gaza Strip.

“At the moment there is no ceasefire for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and the exit of foreigners,” read a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau’s office.

Another “safe corridor” was announced by Israel in Gaza as it appealed the civilians to move from north to the south of the territory amid its preparation to concentrate its military activities in the north. 

The Israel Defense Forces said it would “refrain from targeting a designated axis” between 8 am and midday local time on Monday “to allow safe evacuation from north Gaza to the area south of Wadi Gaza and Khan Yunis.”

No confirmation from Egypt has been receieved by Hamas about the expected opening of the Rafah border crossing, said the Palestinian militant group, in a statement.

“Until this moment, we have not received any contacts or confirmations from the Egyptian authorities regarding the intention to open the Rafah crossing today. All the information being circulated in this regard is attributed to Israeli media outlets," stated Salama Marouf, head of the government media office.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that there is no truce in southern Gaza, reported Reuters. 

"There is currently no truce and humanitarian aid in Gaza in exchange for getting foreigners out," a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said. 

Earlier, it was stated that Egypt-US-Israel brokered deal will allow brief opening of Rafah crossing so that humanitarian aid could reach Gaza, and few dual-national Palestinians could exit into Egypt.

In the live footage, huge number of people along with families and children can be seen gathering at Rafah crossing, as its opening remains unclear.

A plan has been activated by Israel for evacuation of residents within 2 km (1.2 miles) of Lebanon, said the military. 

The step has been taken by there was exchanges of fire with Hezbollah along with the conflict in southern Israel with Hamas.

The Israel Defence Forces and the ministry of defence, in a statement, said that Defence Secretary Yoav Gallant had approved the plan, and included the evacuation of 28 settlements. The residents will be shifted to state-subsidised guest houses.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that they have stocked food, water, medical supplies and fuel in Egypt, Jordan, the West Bank & Israel.

The comments were made by Guterres ahead of anticipated opening of Rafah crossing, which is likely to allow flow of aid into Gaza from Egypt. 

"The UN has stocks available of food, water, medical supplies & fuel in Egypt, Jordan, the West Bank & Israel. They can be dispatched within hours. To ensure delivery, our staff need to be able to bring these supplies into and throughout Gaza safely, and without impediment," Guterres said on X. 

Head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency Philippe Lazzarini said that the world has “lost its humanity”. He had called the press conference in East Jerusalem so as to “raise the alarm” that his colleagues are not able to provide any humanitarian assistance in Gaza. 

"Gaza is being strangled and it seems that the world right now has lost its humanity. If we look at the issue of water – we all know water is life - Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life," Lazzarini said. 

"Soon, I believe, with this there will be no food or medicine either. There is not one drop of water, not one grain of wheat, not a litre of fuel that has been allowed into the Gaza Strip for the last eight days," he added.

Lazzarini stated an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” was unfolding and warned that “no place is safe in Gaza”.

Crude oil maintained a price level exceeding $90 per barrel, while stock markets experienced a decline, and the US dollar, considered a safe haven, remained strong on Monday. This heightened financial unease is a response to the escalating violence in Gaza, with concerns that the conflict could extend beyond Israel and Hamas to impact the broader region. Israel's currency, the shekel, reached its lowest point in over eight years following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's commitment to "eradicate Hamas" in response to the October 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,300 individuals, marking the worst assault on civilians in Israel's history.

Gaza's hospitals face a dire situation as fuel reserves are expected to last only 24 hours. The ongoing war, with Israel preparing for a broad campaign against Hamas, has resulted in high casualties. International efforts aim to prevent a broader regional crisis. Hospitals are overwhelmed, water supplies are dwindling, and civilian evacuations are underway.

Read the full report here.

The US State Department has released a cautionary statement regarding the expected reopening of the Rafah crossing in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, indicating that conditions at the border point are expected to be uncertain and subject to change. The statement, published on X, mentioned that it is unclear how long Egypt will keep the crossing operational. It advised individuals to consider relocating closer to the Rafah border crossing if they determine it to be safe, as there may be minimal advance notice of the crossing's opening, and it could have limited availability.

President Joe Biden is in the early stages of considering a trip to Israel in the coming days, although no definite plans have been made, as stated by a senior administration official on Sunday.

Such a visit would serve as a powerful demonstration of the United States' support for Israel following the October 7 attack by Hamas. The administration has already pledged military assistance, deploying US aircraft carriers to the region, and providing aid. Officials have indicated their intention to request more than $2 billion in aid from Congress for both Israel and Ukraine.

The official, who is unable to publicly discuss internal deliberations regarding potential presidential travel, spoke to The Associated Press anonymously.

In the midst of the continued conflict involving Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared on Monday that the extremist organization's readiness to engage in acts of war crimes is discernible even from outer space. The IDF used satellite imagery, posted on X, to illustrate the transformation of the Israeli landscape before and after the attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7.

Fifth special flight under operation Ajay, carrying evacuated citizens from war-torn Israel, left from Tel Aviv for India earlier on Monday (Oct 16).