Israel-Hamas War Highlights: Putin condoles loss of Israeli lives in phone call with Netanyahu

Biden holds calls with Israel's Netanyahu, Palestine's Abbas

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Third flight carrying 197 Indian nationals from Israel arrives in Delhi

4th flight carrying Indian nationals departs from Israel

Hamas has attempted to block Palestinians from evacuating the northern Gaza Strip, placing roadblocks on evacuation routes designated by the Israel Defense Forces, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said Saturday, The Jerusalem Post reports

The Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million people don’t have access to clean, running water and electricity after Israel cut off the essential services to the enclave as it intensifies its air attacks with an expected ground offensive looming, AP reports

Fourth flight under Operation Ajay, carrying 274 Indian nationals reaches Delhi Airport from Israel.

The Israel Defence Force's ground invasion into the Gaza Strip was reportedly planned to take place over the weekend, but was delayed by a few days due to cloudy weather, among other factors, The Jerusalem Post reports

Tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers are deploying at the border of Gaza reports The Spectator Index

62 per cent of Gazans supported Hamas maintaining a ceasefire with Israel

50 per cent agreed that “Hamas should stop calling for Israel’s destruction, and instead accept a permanent two-state solution based on the 1967 borders according to Washington Institute polling conducted in July 2023.

Pro-Palestinian rallies around the world

Meta deletes account of 'Quds News Network', the largest Palestinian news page on platform

Credit: X/@QudsNen

Gaza health ministry says 2,329 Palestinians killed since start of war, making it deadliest Gaza war for Palestinians, reports AP

A person holds a Palestinian flag as students demonstrate to express support for the people of Palestine in Rome.

Operation Ajay: Two flights bring back 471 Indians from Israel

Two flights from Tel Aviv carrying a total of 471 Indians landed in the national capital on Sunday morning. One flight was operated by Air India and another by SpiceJet. A total of four flights have been operated under Operation Ajay, which was launched by the government to facilitate the return of Indians who wish to come back from Israel, where an intense conflict is going on with militant group Hamas. (PTI)

US offers Americans in Israel evacuation by sea on Monday

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

Hezbollah's TV says missile fired at Israeli village from South Lebanon

Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV said on Sunday that a missile fired from South Lebanon targeted the Israeli village of Shtula.

The TV channel said on its Telegram page that a guided missile was used in the attack. (Reuters)

Drone footage shows damage left in southern Israeli city after Gaza rocket barrage

Israel's military repeats instruction for those in Gaza to evacuate towards the south, reports the Spectator Index

One killed, 3 wounded in cross-border Hezbollah attack on northern Israel

Lebanese Hezbollah fighters launched a missile at an Israeli northern border village on Sunday, killing one person and wounding three others, the militant group and Israeli medics said. The medics had initially said two people were wounded in the attack on Shtula, a farming community the abuts the border fence, opposite the Lebanese community of Ayta a-Shab. The Israeli military said it was striking in Lebanon in retaliation and it declared a zone within 4 km (2 miles) of the Lebanese border off-limits to public access.

Show solidarity with Palestinian people: Owaisi to PM Modi

Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show solidarity with the Palestinian people saying the Palestine issue is not just of Muslims alone, it is a humanitarian issue and it is a matter of all those who want justice.

Addressing a gathering here on Saturday night, the Hyderabad MP citing media reports said the "zaalim" Israeli government has bombarded Gaza with 6,000 bombs in the last six days and due to which over 1,500 Palestinian people including children and women were killed and several thousands are injured.

Pope Francis calls for humanitarian corridors to help those under siege in Gaza

Pope Francis on Sunday called for humanitarian corridors to help those under siege in Gaza and renewed his appeal for the release of hostages held by militant Islamist group Hamas.

"I strongly ask that the children, the sick, the elderly, women and all civilians do not become victims of the conflict," the Pope said during his weekly address to the crowds in St. Peter's square.

"Humanitarian right must be respected, above all in Gaza."

Egypt intensifies efforts to deliver aid to Gaza

Egypt is intensifying efforts with its international and regional partners to deliver aid to Gaza, according to a statement released by Egypt's presidency on Sunday.

Egypt said its national security was a red line and that it rejects any plan to displace Palestinians. Egypt is proposing hosting a summit that would cover recent developments involving the crisis in Gaza and the future of the Palestinian issue, the statement added.

Iran warns 'no one can guarantee' control of situation if Israel invades Gaza

Thousands stage largest anti-Israeli march in Morocco since normalisation

Thousands marched in Rabat on Sunday in support of Palestinians under siege in Gaza, in the biggest anti-Israeli protest since the 2020 normalisation of diplomatic relations.

At the march, organised by Islamists and leftist groups, protesters chanted: "Palestine is resisting" and "All against normalisation" as they burned an Israeli flag.

Meta deletes page of Quds News Network, the largest Palestinian news page on the platform

Israel defence minister says no interest in waging war in the north

Israeli Defence Minister said on Sunday that Israel has no interest in waging war on its northern front, and that if the Lebanese group Hezbollah restrains itself, Israel would respect the situation along the border as it is today.

Biden to push Israel, Ukraine aid package over $2 billion this week

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that a new weapons package for Israel and Ukraine will be significantly higher than $2 billion.

Palestinians queue as they wait to fill cans with fuel, amid shortages of fuel, as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues

2 Israeli security officers of Indian-origin killed in Hamas attack

At least two Israeli women security officers of Indian origin were killed in the unprecedented attack carried out by the Palestinian militant group Hamas earlier this month, official sources and people from the community confirmed on Sunday.

Lieutenant Or Moses, 22, a commander in the Home Front Command, from Ashdod and Inspector Kim Dokraker, a Border Police officer in the police’s Central District, were killed in the attack on October 7, official sources confirmed.

Hamas armed wing says it fired 20 rockets from Lebanon on Israeli settlements

Hamas' armed wing, Al Qassam Brigades, said on Sunday it fired 20 rockets from Lebanon on two Israeli settlements.

Separately, Lebanon's Hezbollah also said it had targeted barracks in Israel's Hanita with guided missiles and said it had inflicted casualties on "the enemy ranks"

Over 1,400 killed in Hamas attacks on Israel, says PM's office

Israeli soldiers gather on and around a tank near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip

Israel confirms resuming water supply to southern Gaza

Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks rises to 2,450: Gaza health ministry

At least 2,450 Palestinians have been killed and 9,200 wounded since Israel launched its attack on the Gaza strip on the ninth day of conflict, the enclave's health ministry said on Sunday. 

SpiceJet to operate its second flight to Tel Aviv under Operation Ajay

SpiceJet on Sunday said it will be operating its second flight from the national capital to Tel Aviv on Sunday.

It will be the second flight to be operated by SpiceJet under Operation Ajay to bring back Indians from Israel where tensions are high in the wake of the conflict with the militant group Hamas.

A view shows rockets being launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel, as seen from Israel's border in southern Israel

Credit: Reuters Photo

Peacekeeping force UNIFIL says headquarters in south Lebanon hit by a rocket

United Nations peacekeeping force UNIFIL said on Sunday its headquarters in south Lebanon had been hit by a rocket.

"Our headquarters in Naqoura was hit with a rocket and we are working to verify from where. Our peacekeepers were not in shelters at the time. Fortunately, no one was hurt," UNIFIL said in a statement.

Israel confirms Hamas holding 155 hostages, reports AFP

The Israeli military said Sunday it had confirmed 155 people were being held hostage by Hamas since the Palestinian militant group staged its deadly attack last week.

Israel can fight on two or more fronts, military says

Israel is prepared to fight a war on two or more fronts, its chief military spokesman said on Sunday, adding that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement was escalating tensions on the Lebanon border to hinder Israel's offensive in Gaza.

France's Macron warns Iran against Israel-Hamas escalation

French President Emmanuel Macron. Credit: Reuters Photo

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi "against any escalation or extension of the conflict" between Israel and Hamas, the Elysee presidential palace announced Sunday.

UN chief warns hostages, Gaza aid access should not be 'bargaining chips'

The Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is reportedly set to open at 9 am on Monday for foreign nationals heading out of Gaza and humanitarian aid into the Strip, reports Jerusalem Post

Illinois man killed Muslim boy, 6, in hate crime motivated by Israeli-Hamas war, police say, as per media reports

Syria to resume air traffic in Aleppo airport following Israeli attack

US President Biden warns Israel not to occupy Gaza

US President Joe Biden.

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Flares were launched by the IDF near the town of Metula on the border with Lebanon earlier this morning

US President Biden says Americans 'must come together and reject Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred' after 6 year old American-Palestinian child killed (The Spectator Index)

5-hour ceasefire to allow foreigners to exit and humanitarian aid to enter Gaza via Egypt border (The Spectator Index)

The lengths Hamas is willing to go in order to commit war crimes are visible even from outer space.

In order to prevent further attacks, the IDF will see to the removal of Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure and weapon manufacturers in Gaza

Brazilians taking to the streets to show their support of Israel in "The March Against Terrorism"

The Israeli-Hamas war has sharpened focus on geopolitical risks for financial markets, as investors wait to see if the conflict draws in other countries with the potential to drive up oil prices and deal a fresh blow to the world economy (Reuters)

Israel's military says six thousand rockets have been fired at Israel since the start of the war (The Spectator Index)

President of the European Commission says the EU is 'tripling humanitarian aid for Palestinians in need'. (The Spectator Index)

Israeli security forces have stormed properties in Nablus, Hebron and Bethlehem in the West Bank and arrested dozens of people (The Spectator Index)

US President Biden issues statement on Plainfield Township boy killed in anti-Muslim attack

President Joe Biden issued a statement late Sunday night on the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Plainfield Township boy who was killed in an anti-Muslim attack, saying in part, "This horrific act of hate has no place in America." (NBC Chicago)

Nikki Haley slams Islamic countries for closing their doors on civilians from Gaza

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has slammed Islamic countries for not opening their gates for civilians from Gaza who are seeking to flee their homes in the face of an imminent ground invasion from Israel.

She also hit out at former US president Barack Obama, as well as incumbent President Joe Biden over the Iranian nuclear deal and accused Tehran of strengthening Hamas and Hezbollah.

'We should care about the Palestinian citizens, especially the innocent ones, because they didn't ask for this. But where are the Arab countries? Where are they? Where is Qatar? Where is Lebanon? Where is Jordan? Where is Egypt? Do you know we give Egypt over a billion dollars a year? Why aren't they opening the gates? Why aren't they taking the Palestinians?' Haley told on Sunday. (Reuters)

Warning of 'grave' errors, powerful donors push universities on Hamas

Kenneth Griffin has donated more than half a billion dollars to Harvard University, committing $300 million this year alone. Last Monday, with his alma mater convulsed after a coalition of student groups blamed Israel for Hamas’ attack that had left more than 1,000 people dead, Griffin, who earned his billions on Wall Street, placed a call to the head of the university’s board. (The New York Times)

A group of people in Puducherry staged a protest in support of Palestine yesterday

So far IDF and Shin Bet have managed to track down and eliminate at least 6 Senior Hamas commanders and officials

Israeli military announces killing of two Hamas military commanders

via Spectator Index

Palestinian killed in Israeli raid at refugee camp in Jericho, the West Bank

via Spectator Index

Israel's representative at the UN says the country has no intention of occupying Gaza, however seeks to eliminate Hamas

via Spectator Index

Negev Bedouin fear getting caught in crossfire of Israel's war with Hamas (AFP)

US Secretary of State Blinken says 'Hamas does not care if Palestinians suffer'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Egypt-Gaza border crossing opens amid 5-hour ceasefire

via Spectator Index

Over a hundred trucks carrying aid to Gaza are waiting to enter the enclave via its border crossing with Egypt

via Al Arabiya

Joint Ministry of Defense and IDF announcement:

Germany Chancellor Scholz to visit Israel tomorrow, reports Spectator Index

Palestinian Health Ministry says 2,750 people have now been killed in Gaza

Israel denies reports that it has agreed to a ceasefire plan in Gaza

Israeli soldiers walk, in the aftermath of a mass infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Beeri in southern Israel.

Israel's military says at least 291 soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks

Israel's military says Palestinian militants are holding 199 hostages

The Israeli military says Hamas and other Palestinian militants are holding 199 hostages in Gaza, higher than previous estimates.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman, said on Monday that the families have been notified.
He did not specify whether that number includes foreigners, or say who is holding them. Most are believed to be held by the Hamas militant group, which rules Gaza, reports AP

Israel's military says Iran instructed Hezbollah to carry out Sunday's attacks at the Lebanon-Israel border

Israel killed 11 Palestinian journalists in Gaza since October 7, says Palestinian Journalists Syndicate

via Reuters

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Tel Aviv, Monday Oct. 16, 2023, from Jordan.

WHO rushes medical supplies to Beirut amid fears of Hezbollah entering conflict

Reports AP

UN aid chief heads for Middle East to negotiate Gaza aid talks

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said on Monday he would be travelling to the Middle East to support negotiations on getting aid into the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Griffiths said his office was in "deep discussions" with Israel, Egypt and others.

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

A view of trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians, as they wait for the re-opening of the Rafah border crossing to enter Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the city of Al-Arish, Sinai peninsula, Egypt, October 16, 2023.

Indian Opposition leaders meet Palestinian ambassador Adnan Abu Alhaija in Delhi

Amid the raging Israel-Hamas war, a group of opposition leaders, including MP Danish Ali and former parliamentarians Mani Shankar Aiyar and KC Tyagi, visited the Palestine Embassy here on Monday to express solidarity with Palestinians.

Besides BSP's Ali, Congress' Aiyar and JD(U)'s Tyagi, CPI (ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and Samajwadi Party MP Javed Ali Khan were also among those leaders who visited the embassy.

Bhattacharya said they were at the Embassy to express solidarity with the people of Palestine in the wake of the war on Gaza and the humanitarian crisis.

Another 'Fauda' actor dons uniform for reserve duty

Actor Tsahi Halevi joins 'Fauda' lead Lior Raz.

via Jerusalem Post

Fauda series cast.

Iran says Hamas ready to release hostages if Gaza bombardment stops

Hamas, which receives backing from Tehran, has not yet confirmed that it is ready to negotiate such a proposal.

via Associated Press

Arab League chief demands end to Israel's bombardment of, and all military operations in, Gaza

Reports AFP

Rescue workers search for casualties at a site of a house destroyed by Israeli strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 16, 2023.

Biden postpones Colorado trip to focus on national security, White House says

US President Joe Biden postponed a trip to a wind tower plant in Colorado on Monday to stay at the White House for national security meetings, the White House said as the United States works to contain the Israel-Hamas conflict.

US President Joe Biden.

Gaza border remains closed for aid and safe passage for foreigners

A view of trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians, as they wait for the re-opening of the Rafah border crossing to enter Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the city of Al-Arish, Sinai peninsula, Egypt, October 16, 2023.

Half of Israel's hotel rooms filled with Gaza war evacuees

Half of Israeli hotel rooms are being used to house families evacuated from communities near the Gaza Strip, where an Oct. 7 rampage by Hamas gunmen triggered a cross-border war, the head of the Israel Hotel Association said on Monday.

Israel has 56,000 hotel rooms and 28,000 are being provided to evacuees with the state footing the bill, said association chief executive Yael Danieli.

Press conference held by the families of people who are missing or were abducted from Israel, following a deadly infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, asking for a humanitarian corridor for the transfer of medicine and humanitarian aid for captives who require life-saving medical treatment, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 14, 2023.

Over a million Palestinians flee Gaza homes ahead of expected Israeli ground invasion

Reports Associated Press

A man sits in the rubble as Palestinians search for casualties at a site of a house destroyed by Israeli strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 16, 2023.

Ship evacuating US nationals leaves Israel for Cyprus

Reports AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns Iran and Hezbollah not to 'test us' in the north

Reports Associated Press

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

With competing draft resolutions underway, UN Security Council to discuss Israel-Hamas war later today

Reports AFP

Lebanon's Hezbollah says it targeted 5 Israeli positions

Lebanon's Hezbollah said it targeted five Israeli positions in northern Israel on Monday, as a security source in Lebanon and Hezbollah's al-Manar television reported Israeli shelling into northern Lebanon.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli frontier for days, in violence touched off by the war between Israel and the Iran-backed Palestinian group Hamas

UK PM Rishi Sunak confirms six British nationals killed in Israel, further 10 missing

Sunak also called on Israel to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Knesset session resumes after 40-minute break forced by Hamas rocket fire

via Times of Israel

The UK will increase humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people by a third, Sunak announces

Reports Associated Press

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the country can 'absolutely' afford another war

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Israel's Shin Bet chief admits intelligence failure, says, 'We failed to provide a sufficient warning to thwart attack, responsibility falls on me'

IDF says it has killed Khan Younis head of Hamas intelligence

Report Times of Israel & Jerusalem Post

Egypt, France Foreign Ministers urge aid to Gaza through Rafah crossing

Reports Associated Press

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Catherine Colonna and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry leave after a news conference, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at the headquarters of Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Cairo, Egypt, October 16, 2023.

Death toll in Gaza rises to over 2,800, per enclave's Health Ministry

Israeli strikes on Gaza.

Putin condoles loss of Israeli lives in phone call with Netanyahu

Putin, in a phone conversation with Netanyahu, expressed condolences to families and friends of Israelis killed in the country's ongoing war with Hamas.

Report Russian news agencies