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EU president says Egypt needs support to handle fleeing Gazans

European Council President Charles Michel will visit Egypt on Saturday and call for support for a country that may have to take in tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing war-torn Gaza, he said Thursday.

"Egypt needs support, so let's support Egypt," said Michel, who is in Washington to attend a summit with US President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday.

He added that he would meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during his weekend visit.

In addition, Michel will attend at al-Sisi's invitation a "conference on the current developments in the Middle East, Palestine and the Peace Process," said his spokesperson, Ecaterina Casinge.

Accompanying Michel to Egypt will be Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, Casinge said.

Biden says Hamas, Russia threats to "democracies"

President Joe Biden on Thursday said Hamas and Russia are both out to "annihilate democracies," in an impassioned speech to the nation from the Oval Office where he made the case for assistance to Ukraine and Israel as a vital US interest.

Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin "represent different threats but they share this in common: they both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy," Biden said in the prime-time speech, in reference to Israel - whose bombardment of Gaza since 7 October has killed close to 4,000 people - and Ukraine.

Fresh from a whirlwind trip to Israel this week, Biden wants to win over war-weary voters and hardline Republicans as he ramps up his 2024 reelection bid.

Read full article here.

China ready to liaise with Russia on Middle East crisis: state media

China is ready to maintain communication and coordination with Russia to cool down the Israel-Hamas war, its Middle East special envoy said after meeting with his Russian counterpart this week, Chinese state media reported.

China and Russia share the same position on the Palestinian issue, Zhai Jun was quoted saying after meeting with Russia's special representative for Middle East and African countries in Doha, Qatar on Thursday.

"The fundamental reason for the current situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is that the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people have not been guaranteed," Zhai said.

He said China is saddened by the number of civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis, and is ready to play a "positive role in the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks", as well as the "genuine implementation" of the two-state solution.

Zhai, who met with the Arab League representatives last Saturday and Israel's ambassador to China on Tuesday, has said that China has no "selfish" interests on the Palestinian issue.

Both envoys also exchanged views on Syria during meeting but did not elaborate.

Russia said on Thursday it was closely coordinating its policy in the Middle East and North Africa with China, for the Israel conflict as well as other crises in those regions.

Palestinians clash with Israeli forces in Shu'afat camp

Palestinians in the Shu'afat camp in east Jerusalem clashed with Israeli forces in the early hours of Friday.

Videos of the confrontations were shared on social media.

🚨 مواجهات عني�ة �ي مخيم شع�اط بالقدس.

— رؤى لدراسات الحرب (@Roaastudies)

Biden supplemental spending request to include $14 bln for Israel: source

U.S. President Joe Biden's supplemental spending request to Congress will include $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel, a source familiar with his plan told Reuters.

The supplemental spending request will also include $10 billion for humanitarian aid, $14 billion for border security and $7 billion for the Indo-Pacific region, the source said.

Half of the $60 billion Biden is requesting for Ukraine would go toward replacing and modernising U.S. weapons stocks, the source said.

"It is a smart investment that's going to pay dividends for American security for generations. (It'll) help us keep American troops out of harm's way. (It'll) help us build a world that is safer, more peaceful and more prosperous for our children and grandchildren," Biden said.

Price Israel will pay for its crimes will be 'painful': Hamas' spokesman

Spokesman for Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, said Israel would pay a very heavy price for the crimes it has committed in Gaza.

Abu Obaida threatened Israel that "the bill of reckoning will be harsh and painful."

Israel "today is at its worst in 75 years," he said during a televised speech, adding that "no force in the world will be able to eliminate our resistance and our strength."

He stressed that Hamas was still in control of matters on the ground and not losing, adding that it "knows when to strike, and is prepared for a long battle with the [Israeli] occupation."

(Al-Araby Al-Jadeed)

Israelis can now travel to US without visa: Israel embassy in Washington

The Israeli embassy in Washington announced on Thursday that Israeli passport holders will now be able to travel to the US visa free after being admitted into the American Visa Waiver Program.

“Starting today, Thursday, October 19, eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can start applying for authorization to travel to the United States through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization,� the embassy said on its website.

Jordan says fears 'the worst is coming' in Gaza war

Jordan's foreign minister said on Thursday the country feared the worst was yet to come in the Israel-Hamas war, with no signs of success in efforts to de-escalate tensions.

In remarks at a press conference with his German counterpart, Ayman Safadi said the war would have "catastrophic repercussions" and urged "protecting the region from the danger of its expansion".

Read full article here.

EU's von der Leyen says risk of regional spillover from Israel-Hamas war is 'real'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday the risk of regional spillover from the Israel-Hamas war is "real."

Speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington, von der Leyen also said dialogue between Israel and its neighbors must continue.

"We have seen the Arab streets fill with rage all across the region. So the risk of a regional spillover is real," she said.

"Iran, Hamas' patron, only wants to fuel the fire of chaos. Russia, Iran's war-time customer, is watching carefully. Russia and Hamas are alike," the EU leader said.

Lebanese civilian killed amid exchange of fire on Israeli border

A Lebanese civilian was killed on Thursday near the border with Israel, Lebanese security sources and the U.N. peacekeeping force UNIFIL said, in an area of the border where Israeli forces and Lebanese group Hezbollah had a heavy exchange of fire.

"The Lebanese Armed Forces requested UNIFIL's assistance for seven individuals stranded near the Blue Line, close to Sheikh Abad's tomb, during a significant exchange of fire across the Blue Line," UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said.

He said UNIFIL contacted the Israeli army to request it cease fire in order to rescue the group. "Tragically, one person lost his life during this incident and the others were successfully rescued," Tenenti said.

A Lebanese security source said the Lebanese civilian was killed by Israeli fire and another person was wounded. The incident was around Hula, which lies in an area across the border from Manara, the source said.

لحظة سقوط أحد الصواريخ �ي موقع "العباد" التابع لجيش الإحتلال عند حدود بلدة

— Al Jadeed News (@ALJADEEDNEWS)

Carthage film festival cancelled in solidarity with Palestinians

The Tunisian government has announced the cancellation of the 34th Carthage Film Festival, Africa's oldest cinema showcase, in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Scheduled to take place from October 28 to November 4, the festival, which accepts entries only from Arab or African directors, is a major event in the Tunisian cultural calendar.

However, the culture ministry said in a statement it was cancelling the event "in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and considering the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip... following the brutal Zionist aggression".

Tunisia, which hosted the Palestine Liberation Organisation from 1982 to 1994, has long been a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause.

'I have nowhere to go': Palestinian survivor in church airstrike

A Christian Palestinian man made homeless after an Israeli strike on a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza Thursday night has gone viral.

"There is nowhere else for us to shelter, where shall we go? My house is gone, my house was bombed, where shall I go? Where shall we go? There is nowhere else for us to stay," he cries out from a hospital.

Gaza is still home to a tiny Christian minority.

تغطية صح�ية: "قص�ونا.. مضلش مكان نروح عليه".. صرخة �لسطيني مسيحي ناج من مجزرة الاحتلال �ي كنيسة الروم الأرثوذكس �ي غزة، والتي تضم مسيحيين ومسلمين نازحين.

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn)

Hamas says several dead and injured at Gaza church compound after Israel strike

Hama's interior ministry said several displaced people who had taken shelter at a church compound in the Gaza Strip have been killed and injured after an Israeli strike late Thursday.

The strike left a "large number of martyrs and injured" at the compound of a Greek Orthodox church, the ministry said.

Witnesses told AFP the strike appeared to have been aimed at a target close to the place of worship where many Gaza residents had taken refuge from Israeli bombardment.

The church is next to the Al-Ahli Al-Arab hospital where a strike two days ago, believed to be carried out by Israel, killed hundreds of people. The hospital is run by the Anglican church.

وزارة الداخلية بغزة: مـ جزرة جديدة يرتكبها الاحتلال بحق مئات النازحين داخل كنيسة الروم الآرثوذكس بمدينة ، ووقوع أعداد كبيرة من الشهـ داء والـ جرحى...

— مصدر مسؤول (@fouadkhreiss)

Saudi Arabia considers targeting Gaza civilians 'a heinous crime', crown prince tells British PM

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that the kingdom considered targeting civilians in Gaza "a heinous crime and a brutal attack," the Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Thursday.

Mohammed bin Salman met with Sunak in Riyadh. The British premier was in Israel before travelling to the kingdom.

US veto on Israel-Hamas war at UN to have 'monstruous consequences': Russia

The US veto on a UN Security Council resolution calling for a "humanitarian pause" in the Israel-Hamas war will have "monstruous consequences," Russia said on Thursday.

"In the context of a standoff that is deepening and risks spilling over the borders of the Middle East region and taking on a confessional dimension, the consequences of such a step are monstruous," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

More than 300 are arrested in a Capitol Hill protest urging a cease-fire in Gaza war

More than 300 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating and three people were charged with assaulting police after protesters descended on Capitol Hill to call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

Hundreds of demonstrators from Jewish advocacy groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now, poured into a congressional office building on Wednesday. They wore shirts that read "Jews say cease fire now" and they chanted "let Gaza live" and "not in my name" before they were detained by Capitol Police.

Just as we demand an end to genocide in Gaza, we must put the same effort into dismantling the systems of Zionism, apartheid, and colonialism that brought us to this moment.

— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive)

Demonstrations are not allowed inside Capitol buildings, and police said they warned the crowd gathered in the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building to stop before they began making the arrests.

The 305 people arrested for illegally demonstrating were subsequently released and those charged with assault were held in custody pending an appearance before a judge.

A few liberal members of Congress have been pushing for a resolution in the latest Hamas-Israel war, saying that Israeli bombardment of civilians in Gaza is leading to a humanitarian crisis.

The protesters were never in the U.S. Capitol, as some falsely stated on social media.

Hamas official says group has enough Israeli soldiers to negotiate Palestinian prisoners' release

Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal said on Thursday that the group has a number of Israeli soldiers, held as hostages, which are enough to negotiate releasing all the Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

Meshaal, who heads Hamas' diaspora office, made the remarks during an exclusive interview to Al Arabiya TV.

Earlier, Mashaal said Hamas's Israeli captives include high-ranking officers from the Gaza Division.

Pro-Palestinian rally draws thousands in Paris as protest ban lifted

Thousands gathered for a pro-Palestinian protest in the heart of Paris on Thursday, after authorities lifted a ban put in place immediately after the Hamas attack on Israel.

A Paris court on Thursday had suspended a ban that had been put on the protest in Place de la Republique in central Paris.

Thousands had already gathered for the rally, which started off peacefully, but later saw clashes with police, who used pepper spray to disperse the crowd, according to AFP journalists at the scene.

🇫🇷🇵🇸 Massive pro Palestine rally in France

— Mohamed Qarni (@MQarniii)

18 killed in Israeli strikes on Jabalia camp: interior ministry

At least 18 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, the enclave’s interior ministry said.

16 Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza war: union

Sixteen Palestinian journalists have been killed in the war in Gaza since Israel began bombarding the coastal enclave, the Palestinian journalists' union said Thursday.

Dozens of other journalists have been wounded in the conflict since it erupted on October 7.

Israeli ambassador to Turkey leaves the country: NTV

Israel's ambassador to Ankara, Irit Lillian, has left Turkey along with other Israeli diplomats, Turkish broadcaster NTV and other media said on Thursday.

The Israeli embassy declined to comment on the reports

Earlier this week, Israel's National Security Council issued a warning against travel to Turkey, citing fears that Israelis would be targeted by those angry at the conflict in Gaza.

It also urged Israeli citizens in Turkey to leave as soon as possible. Following the warning, Israeli airlines arranged flights from Istanbul late on Wednesday for Israelis who want to leave Turkey.

Turkish protesters have staged many anti-Israel demonstrations and Turkey has declared three days of mourning following a blast that killed large numbers of Palestinians at a Gaza hospital.

US to send back two Iron Dome systems to Israel

The Pentagon plans to send the two Iron Dome missile defense systems it had previously purchased from Israel back to that country to defend itself against inbound missiles, a US official and a congressional aide said.

The Department of Defense told members of Congress at a briefing on Wednesday it planned to lease the Iron Dome systems back to Israel, the US official and the congressional aide told Reuters. In this type of a financial arrangement, the ownership remains with the buyer.

The transfer back to Israel could come within days, the congressional aide said.

The US has provided its ally Israel with millions of dollars worth of weaponry and military support throughout the years.

Demonstrators gathered in largest Jewish protest in solidarity with Palestine in US history 

Jewish demonstrators, led by a coalition of progressive Jewish groups, marched to the US Capitol urging the US to pressure Israel for an immediate ceasefire.

Thousands of demonstrators, led by a coalition of progressive Jewish groups, marched to the US Capitol on Wednesday to demand the US pressure Israel for an immediate ceasefire in its war on Gaza.

It was the largest Jewish protest in solidarity with Palestinians in US history 👇

— °®Âþµº (@The_NewArab)

Anti-normalisation protests continue in Morocco as Israeli diplomats leave

Moroccans called for an end to Israeli normalisation as demonstrators rallied across the country in support of Gaza.

Moroccans also protested outside the US consulate in Casablanca calling out "US complicity" in Israel's war on the besieged enclave.

Read more from TNA's North Africa correspondent, Basma El Atti.

US, UK warn against travel to Lebanon

The US and British embassies in Beirut on Thursday advised citizens to leave Lebanon while flights "remain available" as border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah intensify over Israel's war with Hamas.

Both countries had already warned citizens against travel to Lebanon.

"We recommend that US citizens in Lebanon make appropriate arrangements to leave the country; commercial options currently remain available," a US embassy statement said.

A similar warning was issued by the British embassy which said: "If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available."

"British nationals should exercise caution and avoid areas where demonstrations may be held," it added.

On Tuesday, the US State Department raised its travel advisory for Lebanon from level three to four -- the highest level available.

It authorised non-essential embassy personnel and their families to leave their embassy citing the unpredictable security situation due to the Israel-Hamas war.

Many Arab and Western countries have already encouraged their nationals to avoid travel to Lebanon or leave, with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday urging its citizens to leave Lebanon "immediately" and Kuwait also warning against travelling there.

France, Germany, Canada and Australia have also warned against travel to Lebanon, while Spain has advised against non-essential travel.

Egypt's Rafah crossing to open on Friday: state media

The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the war-torn Gaza Strip "will open tomorrow", state-linked television Al Qahera News reported on 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 on Thursday, after US President Joe Biden struck a deal with Egypt and Israel to allow relief into Gaza, under withering bombardment by Israel.

The crossing is the only route into or out of Gaza not controlled by Israel, who has relentlessly bombarded and blockaded the enclave since October 7.

Morocco national carrier cancels flights to and from Tel Aviv

Moroccan state-owned airline Royal Air Maroc (RAM) said on Thursday it would cancel flights from October 19 to 30 to and from Tel Aviv "due to the current situation in Israel", according to a statement posted on social media platform X.

Morocco and Israel controversially normalised ties in 2020, amid the US-brokered Abraham Accords, but has condemned Israeli aggression on Gaza.

(Reuters and °®Âþµº Staff)

MTV EMAs cancelled amid Israel-Gaza war

Next month's MTV Europe Music Awards in Paris have been cancelled, organisers said on Thursday, citing "the volatility of world events" amid the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza.

The awards ceremony, scheduled to be broadcast live and at which the likes of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Bad Bunny and BTS member Jungkook were among nominees, was due to be held on November 5 at Paris Nord Villepinte.

"Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life," a spokesperson said in a statement.

"The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music. As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning. We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November of 2024."

Over 1,500 children killed by Israel in Gaza war

The Palestinian Health Ministry said that 1,524 children have been killed by Israeli strikes on the besieged Gaza Strip, which has witnessed Israeli bombardment for the 13th consecutive day on Thursday.

At least 1,000 women have been killed by Israel's assault.

Among those killed includes 44 health workers, with many key medical buildings ceasing to function as a consequence of Israeli strikes.

The current overall death toll stands at 3,785, the ministry said.

UN Secretary General calls for 'immediate humanitarian ceasefire' in Gaza

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Thursday for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

"Gaza needs aid at scale and on a sustained basis," Guterres said during a press conference in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

He urged Israel to give the besieged enclave unrestricted access for aid, as called on Hamas to release the hostages it seized on October 7, when it carried out the unprecedented cross-border attack [Getty]

Death toll surges in West Bank, nine Palestinians killed

Israeli troops killed nine Palestinians in multiple clashes across the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry said, as the death toll mounts in the territory while Israel's war rages in Gaza.

At least 75 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank since the Gaza conflict erupted on October 7, according to ministry figures.

The latest deaths were seven people killed during an Israeli attack on Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the ministry said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its medics treated 25 people in Nur Shams, the majority for gunshot wounds.

"Ambulances are being detained by occupying forces with injured people inside," the organisation said in a statement.

Lebanon's Hezbollah says fires rockets at Israeli position

Lebanese group Hezbollah said it fired rockets at an Israeli position in the village of Manara on Thursday and drew an Israeli artillery barrage in response, the latest exchange in the worst escalation in violence on the border in 17 years.

The Iran-backed group says 13 of its fighters have been killed so far in the cross-border exchanges that have flared since Oct. 7, when Palestinian group Hamas attacked southern Israel and Israeli forces launched a counteroffensive on Gaza.

Hezbollah, which fought a war with Israel in 2006, said its fighters had hit the Israeli position in Manara with guided missiles. It also said its fighters had attacked four other Israeli positions on Thursday.

The Israeli military earlier reported fighters in Lebanon had fired at least two anti-armour missiles into Israel, striking the border village of Manara without causing casualties.

Hezbollah has said it was fully ready to contribute to the conflict with Israel. But sources familiar with its thinking say its attacks on the boarder have been designed to keep Israeli forces busy without opening a major new front.

(Reuters)

WHO urges Israel to allow fuel into Gaza Strip

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday urged Israel to allow fuel to be taken into the Gaza Strip, alongside the first deliveries of water, food and medicine.

"We welcome Israel's announcement yesterday that it will not block the entry of water, food and medicines into Gaza from Egypt. Fuel is also needed for hospital generators, ambulances and desalination plants -- and we urge Israel to add fuel to the life-saving supplies allowed to enter Gaza,"

US general meets Egypt's Sisi in push for aid to Gaza

The top US general overseeing American troops in the Middle East made an unannounced trip to Egypt for talks on Thursday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi that focused on the Israel-Hamas war and how to get aid to the Gaza Strip.

A statement from Sisi's office said the talks with US Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, head of US Central Command, included in particular "the developments in the Gaza Strip".

"The president outlined Egypt's efforts for de-escalation, stressing the importance of the international community's concerted efforts to contain the crisis and stop its escalation in dangerous directions," the statement said.

The meeting in Cairo, where Kurilla also met Egypt's Defence Minister Mohamed Zaki, came as Washington and Egypt have been pushing for a deal with Israel to get aid deliveries to Gaza.

Sisi's office said delivering aid in a "sustainable manner" was a top priority given deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

(Reuters)

Israeli social media accounts spreads disinformation justifying Gaza war

Since Israel's war on Gaza began on October 7, several accounts on social media affiliated with Israel have disseminated disinformation and propaganda in a bid to discourage sympathy with Gazans, as well as justify their killing at the hands of the Israeli army.

°®Âþµº's partners at fact-checking outlet Misbar found that several videos and images posted on Israeli social media regarding the war, were in fact of events unrelated to Gaza.

One example include a particular 18-second segment of a video shared by the Israeli army a video on October 12. The army presented an excerpt alleging that Hamas was firing rockets at Israel from a densely populated neighborhood in the Gaza Strip, suggesting that Palestinians were being used as human shields.

The video’s caption reads: "THIS is what the world needs to know about the civilians in Gaza."

THIS is what the world needs to know about the civilians in Gaza:

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF)

Ofir Gendelman, the Arabic spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, used the same video to justify Israel's deadly assault during the May 2021 assault on Gaza. This video has been used by pro-Israel accounts since May 2021 to legitimise their continued military assault in Gaza, Misbar said.

Misbar identified the video as old, with origins dating back to December 22, 2019. The video's caption specifies that the footage was actually shot in Maarrat al-Numan, a city situated in northeastern Syria.

On October 16, "Social Impact Israel," shared an image purporting to feature a Muslim woman in a hijab shaking hands with a woman wearing a waistcoat adorned with the Israeli flag, implying that Muslims are "in favour" of supporting Israel's war.
The post’s caption reads, "Jews, Christians, Druze, Muslims, minorities and immigrants from all over the world stand united together in this fight."

The image, however, was taken in Morocco of a rescue worker from Israel, in the aftermath of the September 8 earthquake,

Turkey, Egypt foreign ministers discuss Israel-Gaza war

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday discussed Israel's war on Gaza, including Tel Aviv's indiscriminate bombing of the besieged enclave, with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said.

The source provided no further information about the call.

Turkey has sent humanitarian aid aimed for besieged Gazans, which has been held up in Egypt with the border being closed due to the fighting. Cairo is also due to host a summit of leaders at the weekend to discuss the conflict.

(Reuters)

Arab sports stars express support for Gaza

Ons Jabeur, arguably Tunisia's biggest sports star, has expressed solidarity with Palestinians as Israel continues its brutal war on Gaza for the 13th consecutive day.

The two-time Wimbledon finalist took to her Instagram account to share several posts regarding the deadly strike on Gaza's Al-Ahli hospital, which killed clos to 500 people.

Last week, the Tunisian player shared a lengthy statement calling what Palestinians are currently enduring "indescribable."

Meanwhile, Egyptian football star and Liverpool player Mohamed Salah took to X urging humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza, calling on world leaders to prevent "further slaughter" in the battered enclave.

Salah said there had been "too much violence" and "too much heartbreak and brutality" in video posted on the social networking site formerly known as Twitter.

Israeli army kills four Palestinians in Tulkarm refugee camp

Four Palestinians were killed this afternoon during an Israeli army assault on Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm in the north of the West Bank, according to the Ministry of Health, as cited by the official Palestinian Wafa agency.

The Israeli army started early this morning a large-scale military assault on the Nur Shams refugee camp and neighboring areas, where one person was shot and killed shortly after the assault began.

No UEFA matches to be played in Israel 'until further notice'

No matches organised by UEFA will be played in Israel "until further notice" due to the "current safety and security situation" in the country, European football's governing body said in a statement on Thursday.

"After a thorough evaluation of the current safety and security situation in the whole territory of Israel, the UEFA executive committee decided that no UEFA competition matches shall be played in Israel until further notice," the statement said.

'We want you to win': Rishi Sunak says in Israel

UK Premier Rishi Sunak landed in Israel on Thursday in a show of solidarity with its ally amid Israel's indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza, which has now entered its 13th day.

"Above all, I'm here to express my solidarity with the Israeli people. You have suffered an unspeakable, horrific act of terrorism and I want you to know that the United Kingdom and I stand with you," Sunak told Israeli reporters after landing.

Sunak said that Britain would stand by Israel in "its darkest hour" as he welcomed an Israeli decision to allow some aid into Gaza and claim Israel was doing all it could to limit civilian deaths.

"We will stand with your people and we also want you to win."

Sunak's comments come as the death toll in Gaza has risen to 3,500 with Israel continuing its strikes on hospitals, residential buildings and other key infrastructure.

(Reuters and °®Âþµº Staff)

Turkey says 700 people awaiting evacuation from Gaza

Some 700 people, including Turkish, Palestinian, and northern Cypriot citizens, have applied to Turkey to be evacuated from Gaza, Deputy Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz said on Thursday.

Speaking in parliament's foreign affairs commission, Yildiz said 322 Turkish citizens, 104 citizens of northern Cyprus and 214 Palestinian relatives of Turkish nationals were waiting to be evacuated.

He added another 55 Turkish civil servants, including state media and health ministry personnel, were among those waiting.

During a visit to Egypt at the weekend, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had said there were around 300 Turkish citizens in Gaza and around 30 of them had been evacuated since Israel's war on Gaza begun on October 7.

(Reuters)

Toddlers among those killed in deadly Israeli strike in Khan Younis

At least nine people were killed, including seven children after a missile struck the home of the al-Bakri family in Khan Younis on Wednesday, according to the official Palestinian Wafa agency.

Some family members are reportedly still under the rubble.

The head of a hospital in Gaza, Yousef al-Akkad, pleaded Israel to stop bombing the besieged enclave following a strike that killed the infants and their family members, according to Al Jazeera.

Akkad, the director of European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis, said: "Look at these children. Who is killing these children?," as he stood behind the toddlers' bloodies bodies.

"Free world, where are you regrading these massacres committed against this bereaved and oppressed people?", he expressed.

Death toll in Gaza increases to 3,785: Health Ministry

At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed and 12,493 wounded in Israel's fiercest bombardment of the Gaza Strip since October 7, the health ministry in Gaza said on Thursday.

Of the total death toll, 1,524 were children and 1,000 were women, ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qudra told a press conference.

Al-Qudra added that 44 health workers had been killed in Gaza while four hospitals were out of service and 14 basic healthcare services had stopped functioning.

"There are no medicine stocks in any of the hospitals in Gaza," Al-Qudra added, calling on the international community to expedite the delivery of aid to Gaza.

(Reuters)

Tunisian journalists quit roles in Western media over Gaza coverage

A number of Tunisian journalists working in Western media have resigned in from their jobs in protests of their coverage of Israel's war on Gaza.

Among those who resigned is BBC's North Africa correspondent, Bassem Bounneni.

Read more from our North Africa correspondent, Basme El Atti.

Israeli strike kills senior Hamas leader, family members

An Israeli strike has killed the head of the Hamas-led national security forces, Jehad Mheisen, and members of his family in their house, a Hamas-aligned news agency said on Thursday.

(Reuters)

Palestinian singer Dalal Abu Amneh released from Israeli prison

Palestinian singer Dalal Abu Amneh was released from prison in Israel, following her arrest over a Gaza solidarity post earlier this week.

Abu Amneh was arrested for "incitement" by Israeli police after she shared a post on Facebook featuring the Palestinian flag and the caption "There is no victor but God."

Israel released the Palestinian singer and research doctor provided that she remains under house arrest for five days at her mother's home in Nazareth, and that she refrains from making Gaza-related posts for 45 days, according to °®Âþµº's sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

The singer said she was "subjected to insults in prison", as well as being psychologically exhausted, and not eating for two days.

Following her release, Abu Amneh said: "After spending two nights in solitary confinement unjustly and slanderously... I am free. Free as I was and free as I will always and forever remain."

Doctors in Gaza resort to using vinegar to treat wounds

Doctors in Gaza are using vinegar to treat bacterial wound infections amid medicine and medical equipment shortages in the Strip subject to heavy Israeli bombardment.

Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British-Palestinian doctor currently tending to patients in Gaza, posted an image on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption: "Vinegar from the corner shop to treat pseuodomonas bacterial wound infections. Its come to that."

Vinegar from the corner shop to treat pseuodomonas bacterial wound infections. Its come to that.

— Ghassan Abu Sitta (@GhassanAbuSitt1)

First female member of Hamas political bureau killed in Israeli strike

Jamila al-Shanti, the first female member of Hamas' political bureau, was killed on Wednesday night in an Israeli air strike as Tel Aviv continued to bombard the Gaza Strip for the 13th consecutive day.

Al-Shanti, 68, was the most senior woman among Hamas deputies following her election in 2006.

The Palestinians Legislative Council issued a statement which read: "Al-Shanti spent a life full of giving, effort, and sacrifice for the sake of advancing the Palestinian cause, and she had a major and notable role in parliamentary, academic, political, advocacy, and educational work."

Al-Shanti is the third member of the Hamas political bureau to be killed since the start of Israel's war on Gaza, after the leaders Zakaria Abu Muammar and Jawad Abu Shamala.

Israeli troops kill three Palestinians, including two teenagers, in West Bank

Three Palestinians, including two teenagers, were killed by Israeli forces in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank early on Thursday, Palestinian official news agency WAFA said.

Israeli troops killed 14-year-old Ahmed Munir Saduq by a bullet wound in the head in a refugee camp south of Bethlehem, and 16-year-old Taha Mahameed, who succumbed to his wounds after being shot in the town of Tulkarm, the news agency added.

Israeli forces stormed the village of Budrus, west of Ramallah, shooting dead a young man, Jibril Awad, and wounding another.

Israeli forces, who carry out near-daily raids in the West Bank, have shot and killed dozens of Palestinians in the occupied territory following the outbreak of the war in Gaza.

Aid trucks wait at Egypt border for Gaza following deal

Thousands of tonnes of aid bound for Gaza remained on the Egyptian side of the border on Thursday, after US President Joe Biden struck a deal with Egypt and Israel to allow relief in.

Biden said Wednesday that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had agreed to "let up to 20 trucks through to begin with" to the heavily-bombarded Gaza Strip, starting Friday, giving authorities time to repair roads.

An eyewitness told AFP that "150 trucks have been waiting at Rafah" - the only passage in and out of Gaza not controlled by Israel - in addition to those in the nearby Egyptian city of El Arish, where planes full of relief supplies have been arriving.

Humanitarian workers at the border again warned that the aid must be allowed in as soon as possible, as perishable supplies had already begun to spoil.

Israel  placed  a complete siege on the long-blockaded Palestinian enclave, cutting off water, food and fuel as it demanded those kidnapped by Hamas to be released.

Scores of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes as bombardment increases

Israeli air strikes killed dozens of Palestinians early on Thursday across various areas of the Gaza Strip.

Local sources reported that Israeli forces launched several missiles on citizens’ homes in Rafah, killing more than 30 people from the Barika, Hassouna, and Dhair families, the Palestinian Wafa agency said.

The strikes injured dozens of others who were transferred to the Ishlheid Abu Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital.

Another Palestinian was killed and 21 others were wounded in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to Mukhaimar family, west of Khan Yunis.

The sources added that dozens of Palestinians were killed following the Israeli bombing of several separate homes in northern Gaza, where occupation aircraft launched a series of strikes on the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip, targeting Al-Madhoun family’s home.

Rishi Sunak in state visit to Israel

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak landed in Israel on Wednesday, as Israeli strikes continue to rain on Gaza, where the death toll has reached at least 3,478 people, according to the the enclave's Health Ministry.

Sunak will meet Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog before travelling on to other regional capitals.

The UK premier's visit comes as a strike largely blamed on Israel hit the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, killing close to 500 people in a devastating incident provoking anger across the Arab World.