Israel-Hamas War Live: Israel has bombarded Gaza after the Hamas group attacked Israeli cities
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today landed in Tel Aviv and said that he "grieves" with Israel and stands with them against the "evil that is terrorism".
"I am in Israel, a nation in grief. I grieve with you and stand with you against the evil that is terrorism. Today, and always," he said in a tweet.
Earlier, US President Joe Biden said that Egypt has agreed to open the Rafah crossing into Gaza to allow a first batch of around 20 humanitarian aid trucks through. The shipment, however, would likely not cross until Friday as the road at the crossing needed repairs.
Israel has bombarded Gaza, where authorities say nearly 3,500 people have been killed, after the Hamas group attacked Israeli cities on October 7 and killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took nearly 200 hostages.
Here are the Highlights on the Israel-Hamas War:
Moody's Puts Israel's Credit Ratings On Review For DowngradeThe US ratings agency Moody's has put the Israeli government's A1 credit ratings on review for downgrade, citing the "unexpected and violent conflict between Israel and Hamas."
The severity of the conflict, sparked by the deadly attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, "raises the possibility of longer lasting and material credit impact," Moody's said in a statement Thursday.
More than 1,400 people were killed in the attack, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials.
German Announces 50 Million Euros' Aid For Gaza CiviliansGerman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced on Thursday 50 million euros in aid for civilians in the Gaza Strip, on the first stage of a mini-tour of the Middle East.
Germany was also preparing to send medical teams into the Gaza Strip, she added, her ministry said in a statement.
The aim of her tour, she said, was to express "unwavering solidarity" and to help ensure Palestinian access to aid.
She announced the aid package in Jordan, the first stage of her tour of the region, which will also take in Lebanon and Israel.
US Navy Intercepts 3 Missiles Fired From Yemen "Potentially" At Israel: PentagonA US Navy ship on Thursday shot down missiles and drones that had been fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen, possibly at Israel, the Pentagon said.
Three "land-attack cruise missiles and several drones" were intercepted by a destroyer, a spokesman told reporters. The attack had been conducted from Yemen and "potentially toward targets in Israel."
Saudi Leader Tells British PM Attacks On Gaza "Heinous"Saudi Arabia's crown prince said on Thursday that attacks on civilians in Gaza were "heinous" and warned of "dangerous repercussions" should the war between Israel and Hamas expand, state media reported.
Mohammed bin Salman, the Gulf kingdom's de facto ruler, made his comments during a meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who before visiting Riyadh met with Israeli leaders and pressed them to let more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Prince Mohammed "affirmed that the kingdom considers targeting civilians in Gaza a heinous crime and a brutal attack, stressing the necessity of working to provide protection for them," the official Saudi Press Agency reported.
Gaza War Death Toll Rises To 3,785: Hamas Health MinistryAt least 3,785 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel began bombarding the coastal enclave, the Hamas-controlled health ministry said Thursday.
Some 1,524 children and 1,000 women are among those killed in the relentless Israeli air strikes, the ministry said, adding another 12,493 people have been injured.
1200 Indians Brought Back From Israel So Far Under "Operation Ajay"Around 1200 Indians have been brought back from Israrl under "Operation Ajay" including 18 Nepali nationals so far, said Ministry of External Affairs today.
"1200 Indians have come back in five flights under operation Ajay, including 18 Nepali nationals...We are assessing the situation and as per the requirements we will plan further flights," said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
Israel Receives Armoured Vehicles From US Amid War With HamasThe Israel Ministry of Defense recently received a cargo plane from the United States, carrying the initial shipment of armored vehicles designated for use by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). They are being transferred to the IDF to replace vehicles damaged during the war.
Israel-Hamas War Updates: Thousands Protest In Algeria In Support Of PalestineThousands of people rallied across Algeria today in support of Palestinians. The rallies took place to denounce Israel's ongoing strikes in the Gaza Strip.
According to news agency AFP, the demonstartors shouted "the people and the army are with you, Palestine!" as they marched towards Martyrs' Square in Algiers, holding banners with slogans reading, "No to the murder of children, women and civilians."
Egypt-Gaza Border Crossing "Will Open Tomorrow": ReportAccording to news agency AFP, the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the war-torn Gaza Strip "will open tomorrow", state-linked television Al Qahera News reported Thursday, as calls for aid to reach besieged civilians mounted.
Hundreds of trucks full of supplies were still waiting on the Egyptian side of the border Thursday, after US President Joe Biden struck a deal with Egypt and Israel to allow relief into Gaza, under withering bombardment by Israel.
Egypt's President, Jordan's King Condemn "Collective Punishment" Of Gazans
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II condemned the "collective punishment" of Palestinians in Gaza as they met in Cairo for talks on the Israel-Hamas war, said news agency AFP.
"Shared Our Deep Concern...": PM Modi Speaks To Palestinian PresidentPrime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas to convey his condolences about the loss of lives after the bombing of Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Hundreds of people have died at the hospital on Monday, triggering protests across the Arab world and a string of denials from Israel, which has been blamed for the rocket attack.
"Spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority H.E. Mahmoud Abbas. Conveyed my condolences at the loss of civilian lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. Shared our deep concern at the terrorism, violence and deteriorating security situation in the region. Reiterated India's long-standing principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue," PM Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Israel-Hamas War Update: 7 Palestinians Killed In West Bank By Israel Army Today
7 Palestinians have been killed across West Bank by Israeli forces today in multiple incidents today, said the Palestinian Health Ministry. According to the ministry, at least 73 Palestinians have been killed in West Bank by Israeli forces since Israel-Gaza war erupted on October 7.
"Situation In Gaza Difficult For Any Evacuation": Centre On Israel-Gaza WarThere are four Indians in Gaza and the situation is not conducive for an evacuation at the moment, the Ministry of External Affairs said, adding that they will be repatriated at the first opportunity.
"The situation in Gaza is difficult for any evacuation but if we get a chance, we will get them out," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
"One of them is in the West Bank," he said.
Read more. "Absolutely Support Israel's Right To Defend Itself": UK PM Rishi Sunak In IsraelBritish Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is in Israel today for a two-day visit to the Middle East, said that he "absolutely" supports Israel's "right to defend itself and to go after Hamas".
His visit to Israel follows that of US President Joe Biden as world leaders step up efforts to prevent the conflict with Hamas from spilling into the wider region following the unprecedented attack by its operatives on Israel on October 7.
Mr Sunak, addressing a joint conference with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said, "I know you are taking every precaution to not harm civilians, unlike the Hamas. Thank you for the evacuation of British citizens."
Read more. Israel-Hamas War: Palestinians In Gaza-Strip Await Arrival Of Aid TrucksPalestinians in war-torn Gaza strip are waiting for the aid trucks to arrive after Joe Biden struck a deal with Egypt and Israel.
According to news agency AFP, over 100 aid trucks have been queued for days on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, the only entry or exit point to Gaza not controlled by Israel.
"Parent’s Worst Nightmare": Rishi Sunak Meets Israeli FamiliesUK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Israel today and met the family members of the hostages taken by the Hamas group.
"To have a child taken from you is a parent's worst nightmare. This morning I heard from families going through this unbearable agony. Working with our partners, we're determined to secure the release of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists," he said in a tweet.
Egypt Repairing Roads At Gaza Crossing Ahead Of Aid DeliveryMachinery to repair roads has been sent through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip in preparation for the delivery of some of the aid stockpiled in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Reuters reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel would not block aid for civilians entering Gaza from Egypt, as long as those supplies do not reach Hamas.
Joe Biden To Address US On Israel Today
US President Joe Biden will today give rare Oval Office speech to try to get Americans behind the defense of Israel. He will address the nation less than 24 hours after returning from a high-stakes solidarity trip to Israel after the deadly October 7 Hamas attack.
Egypt "Did Not Close" Gaza Crossing To Aid: President Abdel Fattah El-SisiPresident Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has said that Egypt "did not close" the only border crossing with Gaza not under Israel's control, blaming Israeli bombardments for it not operating.
"Developments on the ground and the repeated bombings by Israel of the Palestinian side of the crossing have prevented operations," he told reporters.
China Seeking Quick End To Israel-Hamas Conflict: Xi JinpingChina wants the Israel-Hamas war to be stopped as soon as possible, President Xi Jinping was quoted by Chinese state media as saying today.
Xi also said a ceasefire was "imperative" as soon as possible to prevent the conflict from expanding, or spiraling out of control, the state media said.
"I Grieve With You": Rishi Sunak After Landing In IsraelUK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today landed in Tel Aviv and said that he "grieves" with Israel and stands with them against the "evil that is terrorism".
"I am in Israel, a nation in grief. I grieve with you and stand with you against the evil that is terrorism. Today, and always," he tweeted.
Nestle "Temporarily" Shuts Down A Production Plant In IsraelNestle said it has "temporarily shut down" of one of its production plants in Israel as a "precaution", becoming the first consumer products giant to announce a response to the conflict there.
"Our focus is on keeping our colleagues and employees safe. I have no comment on the development of the business," Nestle Chief Executive Mark Schneider said on an earnings call with journalists. "We've taken necessary precautions."
Rishi Sunak Arrives In IsraelUK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak landed in Tel Aviv today, a Reuters witness said, beginning a visit in which he plans to offer condolences to Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu over the Hamas attack and discuss the Gaza war.
Russia Sends 27 Tonnes Of Humanitarian Aid To GazaRussia today sent 27 tonnes of humanitarian aid for civilians in the Gaza Strip to be transported from Egypt, Moscow's emergency situations ministry said.
"A special plane has taken off from the airport at Ramenskoye near Moscow for El-Arish, in Egypt. The Russian humanitarian aid will be handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent to be sent to the Gaza Strip," deputy minister Ilya Denisov said in a statement.
Israel Refutes Claim Of Civilian Deaths In Gaza Hospital ExplosionIsrael Defence Force (IDF) today refuted claims made by the Palestinian side that Israel was behind the bomb explosion at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza. In a video briefing, IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus reiterated the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that the Islamic Jihad was behind the explosion at the Hospital and said that the preliminary analysis suggests that the "rocket" exploded in the car parking and seems like no one was killed in the incident.
"We can see that this area is quite black, this appears that there was a large fire. This is really the centre of where the rocket impacted, the impact point of the rocket. What I see here is about 15 cars that were affected by the rocket that fell, I see remains of fire, what I don't see are bodies," he said.
Israel Allows Potato Farmers Near Gaza Border To Get Back To WorkIn order to allow for the continuation of agricultural work in the south of Israel, as well as to prevent future harm to the farmers in the areas surrounding Gaza, Israel's Ministry of Agriculture has allowed the sowing of potatoes in the Lev HaNegev fields, located about 15 kilometers from the border with Gaza.
The Ministry of Agriculture notes that at this stage, according to the army's instructions, there is no agricultural activity at a distance of up to 7 km from the border with Gaza and the ministry is assisting the farmers in locating alternative areas for sowing to ensure continuity functional for the supply of fresh agricultural produce.
Israel Shares "12 Hour Operational Recap"The Israeli Defense Forces today shared "12 hour operational recap" and said that nine launches crossed from Lebanon into Israel.
They also claimed that several anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon toward Israel, and that they responded by "striking Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure" using tank fire.
Xi Says Will Work With Egypt To Inject "More "Certainty, Stability" In Middle EastChinese President Xi Jinping told Egypt's prime minister today that Beijing hoped to work with his country to bring "more stability" to the Middle East, state media reported, as the Israel-Hamas conflict cast a shadow over the region.
"China is willing to enhance cooperation with Egypt... and inject more certainty and stability into the region and the world," he told Mostafa Madbouli at a meeting in Beijing.
"China and Egypt are good friends who share the same goals and trust each other, and good partners who work hand-in-hand for development and common prosperity", state broadcaster CCTV reported Xi as saying.
"At present, the international and regional situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the world is experiencing rapid changes not seen for a century," Xi added.
Three Palestinians Killed By Israeli Forces In West Bank: ReportThree Palestinians, including two teenagers, were killed by Israeli forces in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank today, Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.
Israeli forces stormed the village of Budrus, west of Ramallah, shooting dead a young man, Gebriel Awad, and wounding another, the WAFA said.
Gaza blast stirs protests across Middle East and in Washington
Protesters staged anti-Israel rallies around the Middle East on Wednesday, some of them turning violent, to voice rage at an explosion that killed hundreds of Palestinians at a hospital in the deadliest incident inside Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.
UK PM Rishi Sunak To Visit Israel Today
Hours after Joe Biden's visit to Israel, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that he too will visit Tel Aviv and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sunak will share his condolences for the loss of life in Israel and Gaza as a result of the October 7 attack on Israel by Gaza-based Palestinian Hamas gunmen, his office said, and warn against further escalation of conflict in the region.