Israel-Palestine at war: live updates as almost 1,000 confirmed dead overall, US says it will send aircraft carrier
Israel has declared a ‘state of war’ after Islamist militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack and fired thousands of rockets into the country early on Saturday (7 October).
Gunmen were confirmed to have “infiltrated” the country from several locations on the Gaza Strip - a territory claimed by Palestine located at the southern border of Israel.
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Hide AdHamas military commander Mohammad Deif claimed responsibility for the attack - claiming '5,000' rockets had been fired into Israel. In a rare public statement, he declared “enough is enough” and urged Palestinians everywhere to fight.
Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his citizens "we are at war" as he promised "the enemy will pay a price he has never known."
So far the death toll across both sides stands at about 1,100.
Follow below for the latest updates.
Israel latest as Hamas fighters ‘infiltrate’ country from Gaza Strip
Latest information from the Press Association
“Hundreds of terrorists” have been killed and dozens captured amid ongoing fighting with Hamas militants in Gaza and southern Israel, an Israeli military official has said.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari spoke to reporters on Sunday, more than 24 hours after the Palestinian militant group launched an unprecedented assault into Israel, killing hundreds of people and taking captives back into blockaded Gaza as the group launched thousands of rockets.
Israeli soldiers battled Hamas fighters in streets in the south of the country on Sunday and exchanged strikes with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group in the north.
The prospect of Hezbollah joining the fighting a day after the attack from Gaza raised the chances of a broader conflict.
Hamas fighters, backed by a volley of thousands of rockets, broke through barricades around Gaza early on Saturday to rampage through nearby communities in Israel.
They took captives back into the coastal enclave, including women, children and the elderly, while Israel’s retaliation strikes levelled buildings in Gaza.
Israeli media, citing rescue service officials, said at least 300 people were killed, including 26 soldiers.
At least 250 people were killed in Gaza and civilians paid a staggering cost for the violence on both sides.
Israeli PM message
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to defeat Hamas but tells the country that war ‘will take time’.
The Israeli ambassador to the UK speaks
She appeared on BBC Breakfast
Tzipi HotovelyIsrael is in a war that Hamas started yesterday. Calculated. Planned. Targeting Israelis, targeting civilians, targeting innocent children.
We saw Prime Minister Sunak, we saw President Biden yesterday, they’re supporting Israel’s right for self-defence, because we are in a reality that has become a nightmare.
We can’t do anything else … we need to protect our people.
This is a necessity war. (Israel) wasn’t expecting this to happen (but) we need to make sure the infrastructure of terrorism is 100 per cent destroyed.
Israeli statement
“Hundreds of terrorists” have been killed and dozens captured amid the Hamas incursion, an Israeli military official has said.
The situation looks like it may escalate
A Hamas spokesman says that the group is holding dozens of captive Israeli soldiers.
The death toll rises
Israeli medics say that the death toll has risen to 100 in Hamas’ surprise incursion.
The Press Association reports...
An Israeli airstrike has flattened a high-rise building in central Gaza City
Emergency UN meeting to be held after biggest attack on Israel in years
An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council will be convened following the biggest attack on Israel in years, Brazil’s foreign ministry has said
Brazil, which assumed the rotating presidency of the council this month, condemned the attacks by Hamas and expressed solidarity with the people of Israel - as it insisted the “resumption of peace negotiations is urgent.”
The statement said: “The Brazilian Government reiterates that there is no justification for resorting to violence, especially against civilians, and urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent an escalation of the situation.
“The mere management of the conflict is not a viable alternative for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian issue, and the resumption of peace negotiations is urgent.”
It comes after Israel confirmed that Hamas had taken civilians and soldiers hostage.
'Never any justification for terrorism' - US supports Israel
The US has condemned the attacks by Hamas on Israel saying "there is never any justification for terrorism".
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said: "We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel, and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks.
"We will remain in close contact with our Israeli partners. The United States supports Israel's right to defend itself."
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