The latest developments this morning as Israel claims Hamas commander who led assault killed
It has just passed midday in Israel and Gaza. Here’s an abridged recap of the latest headlines:
- Israeli troops are gathering near Gaza ahead of an anticipated ground offensive
- An evacuation window for the safe passage of civilians in the north of Gaza to the south will stay open for another 35 minutes before closing at 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT)
- Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office is telling British nationals in Gaza to prepare in case the Rafah border crossing into Egypt is opened. An aid convoy has been waiting for hours to enter Gaza at the crossing
- In other news, an Israeli civilian has been killed and two others wounded in northern Israel by a missile shot from Lebanon, Israeli emergency services say
- As tension at the Israel-Lebanon border rises, Hamas says three of its fighters infiltrated Israel through the border, and were later killed
- More than 1,300 people have been killed in Israel since last weekend, while the number of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza is 126
- More than 2,300 people have been killed in Israel’s bombing campaign of the Gaza Strip launched in the aftermath, Palestinian authorities say.
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Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes into Gaza continue – and the military has this morning claimed that the latest wave of strikes have killed Billal Al Kedra – the Nukhba commander of the forces in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis.
The Israelis say he was responsible for mass killings of Israelis at kibbutz Nirim, in southern Israel, last Saturday, after Hamas militants infiltrated Israel in a surprise attack.
Source: BBC