THIS IS A LIVE BLOG, FOLLOW BELOW FOR UPDATES…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes early Sunday near Gaza’s largest hospital, which is packed with patients and tens of thousands of Palestinians seeking shelter, residents said.<\/p>\n Israel has said Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers have a command post under the hospital, without providing much evidence.<\/p>\n The strikes came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a \u201csecond stage\u201d in Israel’s war on Hamas, three weeks after Hamas launched a brutal incursion into Israel October. 7. Tanks and infantry pushed into Gaza over the weekend in what officials described as a widening ground offensive as Israel pounded the territory from air, land and sea.<\/p>\n The bombardment – described by Gaza residents as the most intense of the war – knocked out most communications in the territory late Friday, largely cutting off the besieged enclave\u2019s 2.3 million people from the world. Communications were restored to many people in Gaza early Sunday, according to local telecoms companies, Internet-access advocacy group NetBlocks.org and confirmation on the ground.<\/p>\n Residents said the latest airstrikes destroyed most of the roads leading to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, in the northern part of the besieged territory. Israel says most residents have heeded its orders to flee to the south, but hundreds of thousands remain in the north, in part because Israel has also bombarded targets in so-called safe zones.<\/p>\n Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said Israel could have “crossed the red lines” which, he says, may “force everyone to take action”.<\/p>\n Writing on X, the politician said: “Washington asks us to not do anything, but they keep giving widespread support to Israel. The US sent messages to the Axis of Resistance but received a clear response on the battlefield.”<\/p>\n Internet monitoring group NetBlock says some services are slowly being restored in Gaza.<\/p>\n While some journalists tweeted they were now able to access the web, reports the BBC.<\/p>\n Communication networks in the region went down on Friday, leaving it completely cut off from the outside world.<\/p>\n Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef, has slammed the group and its Western supporters.<\/p>\n Appearing on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored, Yousef, known as “the Green Prince”, appeared alongside a number of Palestinian guests to give their view on the conflict between Hamas and Israel. He said the conflict has “opened the gates of hell on the Palestinian people”.<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has claimed the death toll has now passed 8,000.<\/p>\n Israel has been bombing the Gaza region since Hamas launched a surprise attack on October 7. It saw 1,400 people die and over 200 more taken hostage.<\/p>\n The International Red Cross has called for an immediate ceasefire. The International Committee of the Red Cross, the guardian of the Geneva convention, has also called for a release of all hostages.<\/p>\n It said: “Two million civilians were trapped in Gaza with nowhere to flee amid massive bombardment and a military siege.”<\/p>\n It labelled the conflict a “catastrophic failing that the world must not tolerate”.<\/p>\n Israel has criticised an offer from Elon Musk to help restore communications for aid organisations in Gaza.<\/p>\n The owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, has offered to supply internationally recognised aid organisations working in Palestine access to his Starlink satellite network so they can continue to assist Gaza’s civilian population.<\/p>\n In response, Israel has threatened to cut ties with the company.<\/p>\n Posting on the billionaire’s social media platform, Israeli communications minister Shlomo Karhi said his country would “fight this” with “all means at its disposal”.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIsrael will use all means at its disposal to fight this.<\/p>\n “Hamas will use it for terrorist activities. There is no doubt about it, we know it, and musk knows it. Hamas is ISIS.<\/p>\n “Perhaps Musk would be willing to condition it with the release of our abducted babies, sons, daughters, elderly people. All of them!<\/p>\n “By then, my office will cut any ties with Starlink.\u201d<\/p>\n Israeli representatives have refused to confirm whether the country is behind a communications blackout in Gaza.<\/p>\n People living in the territory have been unable to communicate with others via phone, or inform the outside world.<\/p>\n Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari skirted the question when asked about the blackout earlier today.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWe do what we have to do to secure our forces for as long as we must, temporary or permanent, as much as we need to and we will not say anything further about that.\u201d<\/p>\n Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly issued a chilling threat while attending a pro-Palestine event in Istanbul.<\/p>\n A video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, purportedly showed the Turkish premier threatening to “come at any night unexpectedly\u201d to ecstatic reception from hundreds of thousands of people attending the Great Palestine meeting.<\/p>\n The footage, which was posted by Visegr\u00e1d 24 and is now circulating widely on the social media platform, purportedly showed the pro-Palestine crowd chanting \u201cTurkish military to Gaza\u201d in response.<\/p>\n News site Politics Today, which also translated the speech, reported his statement was part of a “motto”.<\/p>\n According to the site, he said: \u201cFrom now on, we will continue on our path with the motto that we may suddenly knock on your door one night.\u201d<\/p>\n Israel has recalled its diplomatic staff from Turkey following statements made by the country’s president.<\/p>\n President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told hundreds of thousands of attendees at a pro-Palestinian rally in Istanbul today that Hamas members are “freedom fighters”, not terrorists.<\/p>\n He also accused the nation of having committed war crimes, and a “massacre” on the people of Gaza.<\/p>\n He told the crowd: \u201cIsrael has been openly committing war crimes for 22 days, but the Western leaders cannot even call on Israel for a ceasefire, let alone react to it.”<\/p>\n He added: \u201cWe will tell the whole world that Israel is a war criminal. We are making preparations for this. We will declare Israel a war criminal.”<\/p>\n Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen has since confirmed that he recalled diplomatic staff from the nation following rumours to this effect last week.<\/p>\n The president’s move flies against his stated intentions for Turkey, which he wanted to play a mediating role in the conflict.<\/p>\n A UN High Commissioner has warned that Israel’s planned ground operation in Gaza could have “catastrophic” consequences, including many more civilian deaths.<\/p>\n Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human rights, urged both sides and people with influence to do everything they can to de-escalate the conflict.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cLast night\u2019s bombardment and ground operations in Gaza by Israeli forces were reportedly the most intensive yet, taking this terrible crisis to a new level of violence and pain.<\/p>\n “Compounding the misery and suffering of civilians, Israeli strikes on telecommunications installations and subsequent Internet shutdown have effectively left Gazans with no way of knowing what is happening across Gaza and cut them off from the outside world.”<\/p>\n A senior cabinet member has expressed their dismay after a British professor questioned a recent crackdown on Hamas sympathisers.<\/p>\n Michelle Donelan, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said she was “staggered” about questioning from Kate Sang, a Professor of Gender and Employment Studies at Heriot-Watt University.<\/p>\n In a letter, she said she was “outraged” by her statement that the UK’s crackdown on Hamas support was “disturbing”.<\/p>\n The minister said: “I am outraged by the post on X by Professor Kate Sang, who stated that the UK’s crackdown on Hamas support in the UK was ‘disturbing’.<\/p>\n “Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation. It is completely unacceptable for anyone to be expressing sympathy or support for them.<\/p>\n “I am staggered that this has occurred full stop, let alone that I have to write to you about it.”<\/p>\n Speaking at a press conference this evening, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war with Hamas in Gaza would be “long”.<\/p>\n He told journalists the country had embarked on its “second independence war”, while making several promises to the Israeli people.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThe war inside Gaza is going to be long. This is our second independence war.<\/p>\n “We\u2019re going to save our country. We\u2019re going to fight in the air, ground and we are going to fight and win.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the mission of my life\u2026in your name and the name of everybody.”<\/p>\n Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen has issued a statement detailing his decision to withdraw Israel’s representatives in Turkey.<\/p>\n He said the government plans to “conduct a reevaluation of the relations between Israel and Turkey”.<\/p>\n Posting on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Cohen said: \u201cGiven the grave statements coming from Turkey, I have ordered the return of diplomatic representatives there in order to conduct a reevaluation of the relations between Israel and Turkey.<\/p>\n Israel’s Prime Minister and his wife have met with representatives of families of people kidnapped by Hamas.<\/p>\n Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu and his wife Sara ensured the representatives his government would ensure the kidnapping victims were brought home.<\/p>\n Mr Netanyahu said: “This effort not only has not stopped, it continues and it continues even harder.”<\/p>\n He added: \u201cWe will exercise and exhaust every possibility to bring them home.\u201d<\/p>\n Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami has bragged that Hamas “have the combat advantage” over Israel, which he predicted will be “swallowed and buried” in the Gaza strip.<\/p>\n Salami made his remarks as Israel geared up for what is expected to be a full-scale invasion.<\/p>\n State-aligned news agency Tasnim quoted Salami as saying: “The Zionists are incapable of fighting against Hamas. The land is the strong point of Hamas”, adding that it would be “swallowed and buried”.<\/p>\n Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told thousands of people gathered for an event in Istanbul that Israel’s strikes on Gaza constitute war crimes.<\/p>\n Speaking from the Turkish capital, Mr Erdogan said the strikes had caused a “massacre\u201d, and branded western nations the \u201cmain culprit\u201d of what he said were crimes carried out by Israeli authorities.<\/p>\n He said: “Israel, we will declare you as a war criminal to the world.<\/p>\n “We are preparing for this and we will introduce Israel to the world as a war criminal.”<\/p>\n The situation in Gaza is now “catastrophic” a photographer working in the area has said.<\/p>\n Speaking to the BBC, Shehab Younis, a photographer in Gaza, said people have been unable to call ambulances for people wounded by airstrikes, with communications cut for 2.5 million residents.<\/p>\n One wounded man was taken for treatment in the back of a van after they were unable to receive assistance.<\/p>\n Mr Younis said: \u201cWhen there is bombardment of houses, the situation has becomes really very hard because of the lack of communications, of internet services.<\/p>\n \u201cAll this is negativity impacting a large number of medical facilities and public service buildings when there are bombings in their areas.”<\/p>\n Israel is systematically taking Gaza “slice by slice” in what is “a very large military operation”, says BBC international correspondent Jeremy Bowen.<\/p>\n Writing for the BBC’s website as Israel stepped up its military campaign today, Mr Bowen said: “I think what they may be doing…is clearing areas of Gaza slice by slice. I have felt from the tone of comments from the Israeli army that their emphasis was that they would continue pushing, and that this was about “payback”.<\/p>\n “I think you could call this a very extended raid, or a ground offensive. It is certainly a very large military operation.”<\/p>\n He warned: “Israel’s push on the ground is certain also to be killing Palestinian civilians.<\/p>\n “The more Palestinians they kill the greater the outrage elsewhere in the Middle East, in countries friendly to Israel as well as its enemies.”<\/p>\n Israel’s attacks on Hamas will be the end of the terrorist group and its grip on Gaza, a peace negotiator who is in contact with the fighters told Daily Express US.<\/p>\n The Israeli Defence Force ramped up its bombardment in Gaza on Friday night while also expanding its ground operations in the enclave.<\/p>\n The attacks come as part of Israel’s plan to “destroy Hamas” and take out their military infrastructure.<\/p>\n Gershon Baskin, the director of the International Communities Organisation who negotiated the release of a hostage from Hamas in 2011, believes this Israeli assault is different from those that have come in the past.<\/p>\n Oxfam is among those calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East.<\/p>\n A spokeswoman for the charity, which has launched a petition on its website, said: “Gaza is facing total communication blackout as on ground and air offensive intensifies.<\/p>\n “Oxfam is deeply concerned about the situation, especially the total loss of communication with Gaza.<\/p>\n “We demand a ceasefire now to protect innocent lives.”<\/p>\n Police are on standby as today\u2019s UK-wide pro-Palestine protests got underway, with one commander saying warning participants anyone calling for \u201cjihad\u201d against Israel will be arrested.<\/p>\n Thousands are taking to the streets today as Israel steps up its offensive on Gaza.<\/p>\n Police expect about 100,000 people to join the demonstration in London organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, with other rallies organised elsewhere in the UK – including in Manchester and Glasgow.<\/p>\n Kyle Gordon, who is leading the force’s command team, told a press briefing yesterday: “If somebody is calling for jihad specifically against Israel the officers will intervene, gather the information, report it back into us and we’ll be working with colleagues (from counter-terrorism) in relation to what the best course of action is.”<\/p>\n Dozens of children have left teddy bears outside the gates of the Foreign Office in a bid to pressure the Government to withdraw military support for Israel.<\/p>\n Each soft toy represents a Palestinian child killed during the war with Hamas, organisers said.<\/p>\n Mother of three Annie Dowd, 40, who helped arrange the London protest, said: \u201cWe\u2019re a group of parents absolutely horrified by what we\u2019re seeing every day.<\/p>\n \u201cWe came together literally 48 hours ago and asked other parents to join us and for their children to bring teddy bears to commemorate those who are dying in Gaza with the complicity of our own government.”<\/p>\n Dozens of children have left teddy bears outside the gates of the Foreign Office in a bid to pressure the Government to withdraw military support for Israel.<\/span><\/p>\n A total of 150 underground Hamas targets in Gaza overnight, according to the Israel Defence Forces.<\/p>\n Clips released by the IDF on Saturday morning showed columns of tanks crossing a flat and open sandy area of Gaza, shooing at built up areas in the distance.<\/p>\n Gloating about the terror attacks of October 7, which he called “exceptional, unexpected and surprising\u201d, Salami said what he called the “insane reaction” from Israel and its allies proved they had “lost their mental balance”.<\/p>\n He continued: “Today, Israel is the scene of unrests and terrible nightmares. The European officials go there every day to give them artificial respiration and think how to make up for that heavy defeat.”<\/p>\n Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami has bragged that Hamas “have the combat advantage” over Israel<\/p>\n Salami made his remarks as Israel geared up for what is expected to be a full-scale invasion of Gaza.<\/p>\n State-aligned news agency Tasnim quoted Salami as saying: “The Zionists are incapable of fighting against Hamas. The land is the strong point of Hamas.\u201d<\/p>\n The son of a 75-year-old kidnapped by Hamas said he is suffering “psychological torture” and accused Palestinian protesters in the UK of “celebrating his pain”.<\/p>\n Noam Sagi, 51, said his mother Ada Sagi was grabbed from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. She is among the 220 hostages held by Hamas.<\/p>\n Mr Sagi addressed a vigil at JW3 (Jewish Community Centre) in North London.<\/p>\n The vigil included a table of 220 empty seats each with the name and face of a hostage.<\/p>\n The Israeli military released grainy images today of tank columns moving slowly in open areas of Gaza and said warplanes bombed dozens of Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers.<\/p>\n The first visual confirmation of the presence of ground troops and the heavy bombardment of underground targets were a new sign that Israel is moving closer to an all-out invasion of Gaza.<\/p>\n In recent days, ground troops have staged brief nightly incursions before returning to Israel.<\/p>\n It was not immediately clear when the images released Saturday were taken and whether the tanks would eventually move deeper into Gaza.<\/p>\n James Cleverly has told the BBC calls for a ceasefire \u201caren\u2019t going to help the situation\u201d.<\/p>\n The Foreign Secretary said: “Of course we want to see Israel safe, peaceful and secure.”<\/p>\n However, he warned there was nothing to suggest Hamas would either accept or abide by a ceasefire.<\/p>\n Refusing to say whether there was a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Mr Cleverly pointed the finger at Hamas, saying: \u201cWe want to alleviate that suffering.<\/p>\n Mr also warned protesters in the UK today to be mindful of “misinformation and manipulation”, and told them to be wary of a \u201csmall minority\u201d who have more “negative aims\u201d.<\/p>\n Furious builders confronted a man allegedly tearing down posters picturing Israelis kidnapped during Hamas terror attacks.<\/p>\n In the viral video, which surfaced on X, the two men square up as the man who helped put up the posters of Israeli victims vents his fury.<\/p>\n Stepping toward the man accused of taking down the signs, he says: “I\u2019m not f****** Jewish, he\u2019s not Jewish,” before pointing to another man and saying: “I don\u2019t know if he is or not. It doesn\u2019t f****** matter.”<\/p>\n He continued: “This is New York City, You don\u2019t have a f****** right to touch that s***. This is a free country.”<\/p>\n Humza Yousaf said he is \u201cpraying his family survive the night\u201d as Gaza came under heavy bombardment, with Israel preparing for a full-scale ground invasion.<\/p>\n Scotland’s First Minister said he has so far been unable to contact his wife’s mother and her husband after communications were cut off as bombing of the Gaza Strip intensified.<\/p>\n Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged travelled to the region prior the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and have been trapped since Israel’s retaliation.<\/p>\n The First Minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Gaza is under intense bombing. Telecommunications have been cut off.<\/p>\n “We can’t get through to our family who have been trapped in this war zone for almost three weeks.<\/p>\n In a series of precision airstrikes, Israeli fighter jets have successfully eliminated Asem Abu Rakaba, the head of Hamas’s Aerial Array, a pivotal figure involved in the planning of the October 7 attack, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).<\/p>\n Israel said the targeted operation, carried out in coordination with the Israel Security Agency (ISA), has dealt a significant blow to Hamas’s aerial capabilities.<\/p>\n Asem Abu Rakaba was tasked with overseeing and managing a range of Hamas’s aerial assets, including UAVs, drones, paragliders, aerial detection, and aerial defence systems, the IDF confirmed in a joint statement with the ISA.<\/p>\n The statement released by the IDF and ISA reads: “He took part in planning the massacre in the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip on 7 October.<\/p>\n “He directed the terrorists who infiltrated Israel on paragliders and was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts.”<\/p>\n Hundreds of protesters filled the main concourse of New York City\u2019s famed Grand Central Terminal during the evening rush hour Friday, chanting slogans and unfurling banners demanding a cease-fire as Israel intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n Wearing black T-shirts saying \u201cJews say cease-fire now\u201d and \u201cNot in our name,\u201d at least 200 of the demonstrators were detained by New York Police Department officers and led out of the train station, their hands zip-tied behind their backs. The NYPD said the protesters were taken briefly into custody, issued summonses and released, and that a more exact number of detentions would be available Saturday morning.<\/p>\n Some protesters hoisted banners as they scaled the stone ledges in front of leaderboards listing departure times. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority asked commuters to use Penn Station as an alternative. After the sit-in was broken up by police, the remaining protesters spilled into the streets outside.<\/p>\n Advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace said on social media: \u201cHundreds of Jews and friends are taking over Grand Central Station in a historic sit-in calling for a ceasefire.”<\/p>\n Senior police officers believe Iranian agents are creating unrest in Britain by stoking Gaza protests.<\/p>\n It comes as officers prepare for a fresh round of demonstrations this weekend. According to The Times, counterterrorism officers have said that Tehran is attempting to heighten tensions at rallies over Israel’s bombing of Gaza.<\/p>\n They believe it will increase hostile-state activity in the UK. It is thought to be directly linked to the Iranian regime, with campaigns including online disinformation and Iranian operatives physically attending protests.<\/p>\n It comes as the Israeli military said ground forces will be “expanding operations” in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected full-scale ground invasion. Mobile an internet services have reportedly been cut off in Gaza.<\/p>\n The United Nations says airstrikes destroying bakeries in Gaza is contributing to a “catastrophic” food shortage in the area.<\/p>\n A fifth of bakeries supported by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have been bombed. It is now warning that a lack of fuel could lead to a food shortage.<\/p>\n The UNRWA says 10 bakeries that it supplies with flour have been hit. The agency has been providing supplies to the bakers to help keep the soaring cost of bread down, reports the Guardian.<\/p>\n Bread is said to be desparately sought after in Gaza, having become a main food source for those living in shelters. There said long queues at the bakers with more than 600,000 people in temporary accommodation.<\/p>\n Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to take to the streets of Britain on Saturday as Israel steps up its offensive on Gaza.<\/p>\n Police expect about 100,000 people to join a demonstration in London demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, with other rallies organised elsewhere in the UK – including in Manchester and Glasgow.<\/p>\n The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has soared past 7,300, more than 60 percent of them minors and women, according to the territory\u2019s Health Ministry.<\/p>\n A blockade on Gaza has meant dwindling supplies, and the UN warned that its aid operation helping hundreds of thousands of people was \u201ccrumbling\u201d amid near-depleted fuel.<\/p>\n More than 1,400 people were slain in Israel during Hamas\u2019 October 7 attack, according to the Israeli government, and at least 229 hostages were taken into Gaza. Among those killed were at least 310 soldiers, according to the military.<\/p>\n Palestinian militants have fired thousands of rockets into Israel.<\/p>\n The overall number of deaths far exceeds the combined toll of all four previous, estimated at around 4,000.<\/p>\n The Hamas media centre reported heavy night time clashes with Israeli forces at several places, including what it said was an Israeli incursion east of the refugee camp of Bureij in the central Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n Asked about the report, the Israeli military reiterated early this morning that it had been carrying out targeted raids and expanding strikes with the aim of \u201cpreparing the ground for future stages of the operation”.<\/p>\n Israel has amassed hundreds of thousands of troops along the border ahead of an expected ground offensive.<\/p>\n Since mid-week, the military has reported nightly hours-long raids by ground forces into Gaza, saying troops struck Hamas targets with the aim of preparing the battlefield.<\/p>\n Palestinians were thrown into isolation, huddling in homes and shelters with food and water supplies running out. Attempts to reach Gaza residents by phone were largely unsuccessful early Saturday.<\/p>\n Relatives outside Gaza panicked after their messaging chats with families inside suddenly went dead and calls stopped going through.<\/p>\n Wafaa Abdul Rahman, director of a feminist organization based in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said she hadn’t heard for hours from family in central Gaza. \u201cWe\u2019ve been seeing these horrible things and massacres when it\u2019s live on TV, so now what will happen when there\u2019s a total blackout?\u201d she said, referring to scenes of families that have been crushed in homes by airstrikes over the past weeks.<\/p>\n Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said ground forces were \u201cexpanding their activity\u201d Friday evening in Gaza and \u201cacting with great force … to achieve the objectives of the war.\u201d Israel says its strikes target Hamas fighters and infrastructure and that the militants operate from among civilians, putting them in danger.<\/p>\n Israel stepped up its bombardment of targets in the Gaza Strip overnight in advance of a widely anticipated full invasion.<\/p>\n The Israeli military said it was expanding ground operations in the territory, where it has vowed to crush the ruling Hamas militant group after its terror attack southern Israel three weeks ago, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 people.<\/p>\n Explosions from continuous airstrikes lit up the sky over Gaza City for hours after nightfall Friday.<\/p>\n Palestinian telecom provider, Paltel, said the bombardment caused \u201ccomplete disruption\u201d of internet, cellular and landline services.<\/p>\n The cutoff meant that casualties from strikes and details of ground incursions could not immediately be known. Some satellite phones continued to function.<\/p>\n Its forces knocked out communications and creating a near-blackout of information by largely cutting off the besieged enclave’s 2.3 million people from contact with the outside world<\/p>\n Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has become the latest high-profile figure to criticise the BBC for refusing to call Hamas terrorists amid its conflict with Israel.<\/p>\n It comes after a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7 has resulted in growing conflict in the region. Now, Badenoch has told the Daily Telegraph a \u201cfalse equivalence\u201d has been made by the Beeb in \u201can attempt to be impartial\u201d.<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n These images show explosions caused by airstrikes in Gaza overnight.<\/p>\n The military wing of Hamas says it is “ready to confront” Israel with “full force” after claiming the forces clashed on the ground in Gaza.<\/p>\n In a statement, the group said: “The Al-Qassam brigades and all the Palestinian resistance forces are completely ready to confront [Israel\u2019s] aggression with full force and frustrate its incursions.<\/p>\n \u201cNetanyahu and his defeated army will not be able to achieve any military victory.”<\/p>\n Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to take to the streets of Britain on Saturday as Israel steps up its offensive on Gaza, reports the PA news agency.<\/p>\n Police expect about 100,000 people to join a demonstration in London demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, with other rallies organised elsewhere in the UK \u2013 including in Manchester and Glasgow.<\/p>\n The United States has reportedly told American citizens to leave Lebanon “due to the unpredictable security situation”.<\/p>\n Exchanges between Israel and the Lebanese Shia Muslim militia Hezbollah has said to escalated throughout the day, reports the BBC.<\/p>\n In its post on X, the US state department adds: “There is no guarantee the US government will evacuate private US citizens and their family members in a crisis situation.”<\/p>\n Human Rights Watch has claimed there is a “near-total telecoms blackout” in Gaza. It has warned this could cover “mass attrocities”.<\/p>\n “This information blackout risks providing cover for mass atrocities and contributing to impunity for human rights violations,” senior technology and human rights researcher Deborah Brown said in a statement posted online.<\/p>\n The Committee to Protect Journalists has also stressed a need for communication channels in the region. It says at least 29 journalists have died while covering the conflict since October 7.<\/p>\n The military division of Hamas has reportedly claimed it is clashing with Israeli forces in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n The BBC says the claims are yet to be verified and Israel has not confirmed what the “expansion” of its ground operation involves.<\/p>\n But Hamas claims “violent engagements” are taking place near Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, and Bureij in the centre.<\/p>\n Foreign Secretary James Cleverley says he supports Israel’s right to self-defence. It comes as he acknowledged the nation expanding its military operation in Gaza.<\/p>\n Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “The UK\u2019s top priority remains the safety of British nationals in Gaza and the region.<\/p>\n “We support Israel\u2019s right to self-defence, in line with IHL [international humanitarian law], and continue to push for the protection of Palestinian civilians.”<\/p>\n An Israeli military official told the New York Times troops had entered the Gaza Strip. But declined to say if it was the start of a long-expected ground invasion.<\/p>\n “Our troops and tanks are inside the Gaza Strip. They\u2019re shooting and they\u2019re operating,” Maj Nir Dinar told the newspaper, adding: \u201cBut our troops and tanks were inside Gaza yesterday as well.”<\/p>\n Israel said it had launched “targeted raids” on Gaza over the past two nights.<\/p>\n The Executive Director of Unicef says they have lost contact with their staff in Gaza.<\/p>\n Writing on X (formerly Twitter) Catherin Russell said: “We have lost touch with our colleagues in Gaza. I\u2019m extremely concerned about their safety and another night of unspeakable horror for 1 million children in #Gaza.<\/p>\n “All humanitarians and the children and families they serve MUST be protected.”<\/p>\n Hamas’ military wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, has said they have closed with the Israeli military in Northern Gaza.They said they had “violent engagements” near Beit Hanoun and Bureij in the centre of Gaza.<\/p>\n Photos show the war between Israel and Hamas intensifying. Images show rockets being fired from Gaza on October 27 and flares from Israel’s army.<\/p>\n Over 250 British lawyers have called for the UK to support a ceasefire in Gaza.<\/p>\n The Guardian reported that the lawyers have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, and Defence Secretary Grant Schapps.<\/p>\n Geoffrey Bindman KC said: “This is an important alert from many members of the legal community that serious breaches of international humanitarian law are now occurring in Gaza and that the UK government is legally obliged to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law in all circumstances.<\/p>\n “This means the UK government must use its influence both to prevent and to bring to an end violations of that law by Israel as well as Hamas.”<\/p>\n The IDF has said it cannot guarantee the safety of journalists in Gaza.<\/p>\n They reportedly made this statement in a letter to Reuters and Agence France Presse. Reuters reported that the letter said: “The IDF is targeting all Hamas military activity throughout Gaza.” They added that the letter said Hamas had put military operations “in the vicinity of journalists and civilians”.<\/p>\n They reported that the letter concluded: “Under these circumstances, we cannot guarantee your employees’ safety, and strongly urge you to take all necessary measures for their safety.”<\/p>\n Following the letter, Reuters said: “The situation on the ground is dire, and the IDF\u2019s unwillingness to give assurances about the safety of our staff threatens their ability to deliver the news about this conflict without fear of being injured or killed.”<\/p>\n An Al Jazeera reporter has reportedly been cut off from his producers in Gaza.<\/p>\n Journalist Tareq Abu Azzoum said he wasn’t able to tell whether his producers could hear him. He said: “If you can hear us, send out that message to the world – that we are isolated in Gaza.<\/p>\n “We don’t have any phone signal, we don’t have any internet connection, we had difficulties even contacting our relatives in different parts of the territory.<\/p>\n “What the Gaza Strip is witnessing right now is massive deterioration. We are talking about more than 2.3 million Palestinians now isolated from the world.<\/p>\n “They are unable to communicate with their relatives or with each other. What the Gaza Strip is witnessing right now is massive deterioration.<\/p>\n “We are talking about more than 2.3 million Palestinians now isolated from the world. They are unable to communicate with their relatives or with each other.”<\/p>\n The UN General Assembly has voted in favour of an immediate truce in Gaza.<\/p>\n The resolution, which was put forward by Jordon on behalf of the Arab group, has condemned all acts of violence against both Israeli and Palestinian civilians.<\/p>\n 120 countries voted in favour, 14 voted against, and 45 abstained from the vote.<\/p>\n General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding.<\/p>\n Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has said he can’t get through to family in Gaza. Writing on social media, he said: “Gaza is under intense bombing. Telecommunications have been cut.<\/p>\n “We can’t get through to our family who have been trapped in this war zone for almost three weeks.<\/p>\n “We can only pray they survive the night. How many more children have to die before the world says enough?”<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has said they will be running out of fuel in the next few hours. Speaking to the BBC, Nebal Farsakh said: “We are extremely worried about our colleagues who are working on the ground amid this continuous bombardment.<\/p>\n “We will be running out of fuel in the coming hours. We will be unable to provide emergency medical services service in Gaza and not have fuel to run the ambulances.”<\/p>\n The Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) says they have lost contact with staff in Gaza.<\/p>\n Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “We have lost touch with our staff in Gaza, with health facilities, health workers and the rest of our humanitarian partners on the ground.<\/p>\n “This siege makes me gravely concerned for their safety and the immediate health risks of vulnerable patients. We urge immediate protection of all civilians and full humanitarian access.”<\/p>\n The UK’s FCDO has issued an update about the situation in Gaza.<\/p>\n In a statement on social media, they said: “#TheOccupiedPalestianTerritories As of 27 Oct, Israeli Defence Forces have significantly expanded operations.<\/p>\n “You should be aware of a potential increase in rocket attacks and other incidents of violence across Israel\/the West Bank.”<\/p>\n The UN Secretary-general Antonio Gueterres has called for a ceasefire. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), he said: “I repeat my call for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Middle East, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of life-saving supplies at the scale needed.<\/p>\n “Everyone must assume their responsibilities. This is a moment of truth. History will judge us all.”<\/p>\n The Head of the Palestine Mission to the UK has lost contact with his family. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Husam Zomlot said: “I have been trying to reach my family in Gaza for hours with no success.<\/p>\n “All telecommunications and internet have been cut, while Israeli strikes is literally destroying Gaza from air land and sea.<\/p>\n “How many more innocent people: children, parents and grandparents will be murdered before the world steps in?”<\/p>\n Organisations have said they are losing contact with their colleagues in Gaza.<\/p>\n In a statement, Action Aid said: “We have lost contact with our colleagues”.<\/p>\n They said: “We are gravely concerned for their safety and that of all the people of Gaza as signs grow of a major land escalation following almost three weeks of bombardment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe urgently call for the restoration of communication channels, as this is not only a matter of principle but also one of practical necessity.”<\/p>\n The BBC’s Tom Bateman said he couldn’t get hold of people in Gaza.<\/p>\n Hamas has reportedly fired rockets at three Israeli cities. The BBC reported that their military wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, is firing on Sderot, Ashdod and Ashkelon.<\/p>\n Rockets reportedly struck Ashkelon earlier today but were not intercepted by Israel.<\/p>\n Iran’s Foreign Minister has issued a terrifying warning over the bombing of Gaza.Speaking to the UN, Hossein Amir-Abollahian said Americans would “not be spared from this fire”.He said: “I say frankly to the American statesmen, who are now managing the genocide in Palestine, that we do not welcome (an) expansion of the war in the region. But if the genocide in Gaza continues, they will not be spared from this fire.”<\/p>\n As Israel’s ground invasion of Northern Gaza begins, Hamas, in a statement, said: “We call on the Arab and Muslim countries and the international community to take responsibility and act immediately to stop the crimes and series of massacres against our people.”<\/p>\n Rocket sirens, indicating incoming missiles fired from Gaza, have gone off in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon and in Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement: “Misery is growing by the minute. Without a fundamental change, the people of Gaza will face an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering….I repeat my call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of life-saving supplies.”<\/p>\n IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said: “The Air Force is striking underground targets very significantly. We are prepared to defend in all arenas. We are acting in order to protect the security interests of the State of Israel.”<\/p>\n Hagari also said ground forces will “expand” their operations tonight. He said the IDF will maintain its strikes on Gaza City and the adjacent regions in northern Gaza. He reiterated the call for Palestinians to relocate to the southern part of the Strip.<\/p>\n Intensified bombardment in the Gaza Strip has caused a collapse in internet and phone services.<\/p>\n The Red Crescent expressed concern over losing contact with its operations center and medical teams, raising fears that ambulance services might become inaccessible. Other humanitarian organizations also reported difficulties in reaching their staff on the ground.<\/p>\n The Palestine Telecommunications Company, Paltel, officially declared a total disruption of communication and internet services due to the ongoing bombardment.<\/p>\n Fox News journalist Trey Yingst says “nonstop” airstrikes are hammering northern Gaza.<\/p>\n He wrote on X: “Massive airstrikes across northern Gaza. Nonstop. The heaviest I\u2019ve seen since the war started.”<\/p>\n Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog.<\/p>\n We’ll be bringing you all the latest on the anticipated ground offensive by Israel on the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n Please send tips to alex.shipman@reachplc.com and jacob.kessler@reachplc.com.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Gaza-attack-5036978.jpg?r=1698563756877\")
<\/p>\nKEY EVENTS<\/h4>\n
Israel ‘strikes targets near Gaza’s largest hospital’<\/h3>\n
Israel could ‘force’ other nations to ‘take action’<\/h3>\n
Internet reportedly being restored in Gaza<\/h3>\n
Hamas founder’s son claims Gaza does not want ‘Palestinian state’<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5038037.jpg?1698547370306\")
<\/p>\nClaims death toll in Gaza passes 8,000<\/h3>\n
International Red Cross calls for ceasefire<\/h3>\n
Israel communications minister threatens to cut ties with Musk over Starlink offer<\/h3>\n
Israel refuses to confirm whether it instrumented Gaza communications blackout<\/h3>\n
Erdogan issues chilling threat from pro-Palestine meeting<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5037850.jpg?1698524314029\")
<\/p>\nIsrael recalls diplomatic staff from Turkey<\/h3>\n
Israeli ground operation could have ‘catastrophic’ consequences – UN High Commissioner<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5037749.jpg?1698518730579\")
<\/p>\nOutraged minister ‘staggered’ by questioning of UK position on Hamas sympathy<\/h3>\n
Netanyahu warns war with Hamas ‘to be long’ as Israel ‘fights for second independence’<\/h3>\n
Israel’s orders for representatives in Turkey<\/h3>\n
Netanyahu meets with families of kidnapping victims<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5037687.jpg?1698514568299\")
<\/p>\nIranian Revolutionary Guards commander brags Hamas has ‘combat advantage’ over Israel<\/h3>\n
Turkish president blames west for Gaza ‘massacre’ in Istanbul speech<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5037568.jpg?1698508310935\")
<\/p>\nSituation ‘catastrophic’ in Gaza<\/h3>\n
Israel taking Gaza ‘slice by slice’, says Jeremy Bowen<\/h3>\n
Hamas warned ‘this is your end’ as Israeli strikes will totally annihilate terrorists<\/h3>\n
Oxfam demands ceasefire in Gaza<\/h3>\n
Pro-Palestine protesters gather across UK as ‘attendees face arrest for calling for jihad’<\/h3>\n
Kids bring their teddy bears to protest outside the Foreign Office<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5037197.jpg?1698487957935\")
<\/p>\nIDF ‘has hit 150 underground Hamas targets’<\/h3>\n
Salami gloats at October 7 terror attack<\/h3>\n
IRGC chief claims Israel ‘is incapable of fighting against Hamas’<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5037167.jpg?1698486112055\")
<\/p>\nSon of kidnapped Briton says he is ‘tortured’ by pro-Palestine protests<\/h3>\n
Israel releases pictures confirming ground offensive<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5037041.jpg?1698480870134\")
<\/p>\nCleverly rejects calls for a ceasefire<\/h3>\n
Furious builders confront man ripping down posters<\/h3>\n
Humza Yousaf ‘can’t get through to family in Gaza’ as he prays they ‘survive the night’<\/h3>\n
Hamas top air force chief killed by Israel Defence Force in precision strike<\/h3>\n
Protesters pack New York’s Grand Central Terminal<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5036984.jpg?1698478146919\")
<\/p>\nPolice warn Iranian operatives are hi-jacking pro-Palestinian protests<\/h3>\n
Airstrikes destroying bakeries in Gaza adding to ‘catastrophic’ food shortage<\/h3>\n
Multiple protests scheduled across UK<\/h3>\n
Sixty percent of Gaza victims women and children, health ministry claims<\/h3>\n
Hamas claims heavy late-night clashes with Israeli forces<\/h3>\n
Israel ‘expanding activity and acting with great force’<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5036940.jpg?1698474048044\")
<\/p>\nHuge assault imminent as blackouts plunge Gaza into darkness<\/h3>\n
Kemi Badenoch hits out at BBC for refusing to call Hamas terrorists<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5036934.jpg?1698469142671\")
<\/p>\nPictures from Gaza<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5036923.jpg?1698465070867\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5036925.jpg?1698465128677\")
<\/p>\nHamas ready<\/h3>\n
Pro-Palestine rally expected to attract thousands<\/h3>\n
US nationals told to leave Lebanon<\/h3>\n
‘Near-total telecoms blackout’ in Gaza<\/h3>\n
Reports Hamas is clashing with Israel<\/h3>\n
James Cleverley supports Israel’s right to self-defence<\/h3>\n
Israel says it has entered Gaza Strip<\/h3>\n
Unicef has lost touch with staff in Gaza<\/h3>\n
Hamas clashes with Israel in Northern Gaza<\/h3>\n
Photos show Israel-Hamas war intensifying<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5036802.jpg?1698441372655\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5036804.jpg?1698441410986\")
<\/p>\nOver 250 British lawyers call on UK to support ceasefire in Gaza<\/h3>\n
IDF says it cannot guarantee the safety of journalists in Gaza<\/h3>\n
Al Jazeera reporter stationed in Gaza cut off from producers<\/h3>\n
UN General Assembly has voted in favour of immediate truce<\/h3>\n
Humza Yousaf can’t get through to family in Gaza<\/h3>\n
Palestine Red Crescent Society warns they are running out of fuel<\/h3>\n
World Health Organisation loses contact with staff in Gaza<\/h3>\n
FCDO issues update on Gaza<\/h3>\n
UN secretary general Antonio Gueterres calls for ceasefire<\/h3>\n
Head of Palestine Mission ot the UK loses contact with family<\/h3>\n
Organisations losing contact with colleagues in Gaza<\/h3>\n
Hamas fires rockets at three Israeli cities<\/h3>\n
‘You won’t be spared from the fire’: Iran issues terrifying warning over Gaza bombing<\/h3>\n
Hamas: World must “act immediately”<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5036624.jpg?r=1698432001578\")
<\/p>\nRocket sirens go off in the south of Israel<\/h3>\n
United Nations: risk in Gaza of \u2018avalanche of human suffering\u2019<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5036623.jpg?r=1698432000837\")
<\/p>\nIDF Spokesman: Israel will target “underground targets very significantly”<\/h3>\n
Internet and phone services mostly cut off in Gaza<\/h3>\n
‘Massive airstrikes across northern Gaza’<\/h3>\n
Welcome to our live blog<\/h3>\n
\n