Israel-Palestine at war: live updates as almost 1,000 confirmed dead overall, US says it will send aircraft carrier

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Israel and Hamas appear to be headed to war once again after the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack from Gaza.

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).

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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.

Hamas 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

1,200 Israelis and 1,100 Palestinians killed

Both sides have provided an update on the number of people killed since Hamas launched its attack on Saturday (7 October).

1,200 Israelis have been confirmed dead - a sharp rise in the death toll previously provided.

A spokesperson from the IDF said the jump (up by 200) is “not because there is ongoing fighting,” but because “as the time has gone by we are discovering bodies of dead Israelis in the various communities that Hamas infiltrated and conducted their massacres”.

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that 1,100 Palestinians have died so far, with at least 30 killed by Tuesday's overnight air strikes on Gaza.

Sadly, both death tolls are only expected to rise.

Day 5: photos of the conflict

Warning: some readers may find the following images distressing.

An IDF Artillery solider covers his ears as a shell is fired towards Gaza on October 11, 2023 near Netivot, Israel. Credit: Getty ImagesAn IDF Artillery solider covers his ears as a shell is fired towards Gaza on October 11, 2023 near Netivot, Israel. Credit: Getty Images
An IDF Artillery solider covers his ears as a shell is fired towards Gaza on October 11, 2023 near Netivot, Israel. Credit: Getty Images | Getty Images
GRAPHIC CONTENT: A member of Israeli security walks past covered bodies of Israeli victims of the weekend’s infiltration by Palestinian militants at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza on October 11, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty ImagesGRAPHIC CONTENT: A member of Israeli security walks past covered bodies of Israeli victims of the weekend’s infiltration by Palestinian militants at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza on October 11, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty Images
GRAPHIC CONTENT: A member of Israeli security walks past covered bodies of Israeli victims of the weekend’s infiltration by Palestinian militants at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza on October 11, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty Images | AFP via Getty Images
Palestinians evacuate a neighbourhood in Gaza City during Israeli airstrikes on October 11, 2023. Credit: Palestinians evacuate a neighbourhood in Gaza City during Israeli airstrikes on October 11, 2023. Credit:
Palestinians evacuate a neighbourhood in Gaza City during Israeli airstrikes on October 11, 2023. Credit: | AFP via Getty Images
GRAPHIC CONTENT: Injured Palestinians wait for treatment at the overcrowded emergency ward of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike on October 11, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty ImagesGRAPHIC CONTENT: Injured Palestinians wait for treatment at the overcrowded emergency ward of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike on October 11, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty Images
GRAPHIC CONTENT: Injured Palestinians wait for treatment at the overcrowded emergency ward of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike on October 11, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty Images | AFP via Getty Images
A rocket explodes after landing in a field near houses on the edge of Sderot on October 11, 2023 in Sderot, Israel. Credit: Getty ImagesA rocket explodes after landing in a field near houses on the edge of Sderot on October 11, 2023 in Sderot, Israel. Credit: Getty Images
A rocket explodes after landing in a field near houses on the edge of Sderot on October 11, 2023 in Sderot, Israel. Credit: Getty Images | Getty Images
Israeli soldiers deploy at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza on October 11, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty ImagesIsraeli soldiers deploy at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza on October 11, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty Images
Israeli soldiers deploy at kibbutz Beeri near the border with Gaza on October 11, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty Images | AFP via Getty Images

Gaza's only power plant runs out of fuel

Gaza's only power plant has run out of fuel, the energy ministry said.

This means only generators are left to power the territory, but they also run on fuel that is currently in short supply.

It comes after Israel blocked water, food, electricity and fuel from entering Gaza, in response to the attack by Hamas.

Israel’s energy minister, Israel Katz, said: "For years we supplied Gaza with electricity, water and fuel.

"Instead of saying thank you, they sent thousands of human animals to slaughter, murder, rape and kidnap babies, women and the elderly.

That’s why we decided to stop the flow of water, electricity and fuel and now their local power station has collapsed and there is no electricity in Gaza."

Israel forms emergency government

Israel has formed an emergency unity government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to form a war cabinet with the former defence minister Benny Gantz, who is also the leader of the centrist opposition party.

A joint statement said they had done so to focus entirely on the conflict.

Jake Marlowe: British man confirmed dead in Israel

Jake Marlowe, 26, went missing after Hamas militants attacked a music festival near the village of Re’im on Saturday morning (8 October).

He was working there as a security guard.

Tragically, an Israeli Embassy spokesperson confirmed that the 26-year-old had died.

His parents said in a statement: "We are heartbroken to have to inform you of the the crushing news that our son Jake has been confirmed dead in southern Israel."

They said repatriation plans were being put in place, adding: "Please respect our privacy at this most devastating time."

Seventeen British nationals, including children, are feared dead or missing in Israel following Hamas' attack.

British Airways cancels flights to Israel

British Airways has suspended flights to and from Israel due to safety concerns.

One BA flight had nearly reached Tel Aviv but turned back and returned to London.

A Hamas spokesman has said the militant group will kill an Israeli civilian hostage any time Israel targets civilians in Gaza without warning.

Israel steps up response

Israel’s defence minister has ordered a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip, with no electricity, food or fuel.

No immediate action against Hamas

The United Nations Security Council opted for no immediate action after an emergency meeting over the growing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The United States had called on all 15 members to strongly condemn “heinous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas” which has seen Israel declare war on the Palestinian organisation.

US deputy ambassador Robert Wood said “a good number of countries” had condemned the Hamas attack, telling reporters they could probably figure out one of those which had not.

He said Hamas must end its “violent terrorist activity against the Israeli people” and said there will be a time to restart talks on a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“The time right now is we’ve got to deal with the hostage taking, the violence that is going on that’s being perpetrated by Hamas,” he said. “We’ve got to deal with first things first.”

Sporting events postponed

UEFA has postponed all matches scheduled to take place in Israel over the next two weeks.

War has left at least 700 people dead, a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades.

Israel were set to face Switzerland on Thursday in European Championship qualifying Group I but the match at Tel Aviv’s Bloomfield Stadium will not take place.

The nation’s European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Estonia and Germany on October 12 and 17 respectively have also been postponed.

And European football’s governing body has also called a halt to an Under-17 mini-tournament involving Israel, Belgium, Gibraltar and Wales, due to run from Wednesday until October 17.

UEFA said: “UEFA will continue to closely monitor the situation and will remain in contact with all teams involved before making decisions on new dates and on potential changes to other upcoming fixtures.

“UEFA will take the coming days to assess whether Israel can take part in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Kosovo in Prishtina.”

123,000 people have been displaced

The United Nations says the number of displaced people in Gaza has risen to more than 123,000 as a result of the fighting between Israel’s military and Hamas.

By late Sunday, retaliatory Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas attacks had destroyed 159 housing units across Gaza and severely damaged 1,210 others, according to the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said a school sheltering more than 225 people took a direct hit.

Several Israeli media outlets, citing rescue service officials, said at least 700 people have been killed in Israel, including 44 soldiers.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 413 people, including 78 children and 41 women, were killed in the territory. An Israeli official said security forces had killed 400 militants and captured dozens more ahead of intensified bombardments on Monday.

Around 2,000 people have been wounded on each side.

The US will send an aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, a US official says

Here's the background to the conflict, as explained by Imogen Howse

A man passes the scene where a rocket fired from Gaza strip hit a building on October 7, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Amir Levy/Getty Images.A man passes the scene where a rocket fired from Gaza strip hit a building on October 7, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Amir Levy/Getty Images.
A man passes the scene where a rocket fired from Gaza strip hit a building on October 7, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Amir Levy/Getty Images. | Getty Images

Several years ago Jeremy Corbyn took back support he once expressed for Hamas - here Imogen Howse explains what he has said today about the situation

Jeremy Corbyn has sparked controversy with his response to Hamas’ attack on Israel. Credit: Getty ImagesJeremy Corbyn has sparked controversy with his response to Hamas’ attack on Israel. Credit: Getty Images
Jeremy Corbyn has sparked controversy with his response to Hamas’ attack on Israel. Credit: Getty Images | Getty Images

Lammy describes Hamas as 'terrorists'

David Lammy said he would not “mince my words” in describing Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

The shadow foreign secretary told a conference fringe event that Labour remains committed to a two-state solution.

“Hamas are seeking to undermine that. They are seeking to break that, they are approaching this with rockets and with terrorism.”

Asked whether Hamas should be described as terrorists, Mr Lammy said to applause: “I’m a parliamentarian. I hope one day to have the privilege of being foreign secretary. I don’t mince my words. I’m a lawyer by training. It’s a proscribed terrorist organisation.”

A 20-year-old British man serving in the Israeli army has been killed in an attack by Hamas militants, his family have said.

Nathanel Young was serving with the Israeli Defence Services when he was killed on the Gaza border on Saturday.

His death comes after 26-year-old Jake Marlow, who went to the same London school at Mr Young, was reported missing while providing security at a music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, close to the Gaza border.

Gaby Shalev, from London, posted on Facebook: “We’re heartbroken to share that our little brother Nathanel Young was tragically killed on the Gaza Border yesterday.”

The former pupil at JFS Jewish school in Kenton, north London, had been living in the Bayit Shel Benji lone-soldier house in Raanana, according to the Jewish News.

The Foreign Office has been approached for confirmation of his death.

The death toll rises on the Israeli side

Israeli media outlets have said the death toll from Hamas’ wide-scale incursion has risen to 600.

Whatever your affiliations, your background, your politics, your views on the Arab-Israeli conflict, now is surely not the time for flag-waving - on either side