Israel preparing for ‘coordinated offensive’ in Gaza Strip – as Iran pledges cooperation with Hamas

Israel is preparing to launch a “coordinated offensive” on the Gaza Strip, after the deadline given to Palestinians to move south to escape passed.

Up to 1.1 million people on the sliver of land were offered safe passage south of the Gaza Wadi river by Israel’s Defence Forces until 4pm local time on Saturday (2pm BST), ahead of what is expected to be an all-out offensive by land, sea and air.

But the UN warned the forced evacuation will have devastating humanitarian consequences, with hospital patients and others unable to leave.

Medical officials say an estimated 35,000 have crammed into the grounds of Gaza City’s main hospital, hoping for refuge.

Israel-Hamas war live: Israel preparing attack by air, land and sea

Earlier on Saturday, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited troops preparing to enter the Gaza Strip, telling them: “The next stage is coming.”

The Hamas militant group stormed the border last weekend, killing hundreds of Israelis in their homes – as well as 260 others at a music festival.

The group also took Israelis hostage.

Thousands have been killed on both sides since last Saturday’s attack.

The preparations come as Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar on Saturday.

The pair “agreed to continue cooperation” to achieve the group’s “goals”, a statement from Hamas said.

It added Iran praised the attack as a “historic victory” that had dealt a setback to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.

US outlet Axios reported Iran sent a message to Israel via the United Nations, stressing that it does not want further escalation in the conflict, but will intervene if the Israeli operation in Gaza continues.

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As Gazans move south – airstrikes continue over the territory

As families in cars, lorries and donkey carts packed with their possessions headed south from Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes continued in the besieged territory.

Hamas said 70 people, mostly women and children, had been killed in an attack on a fleeing convoy.

Sky News has seen footage that appears to show the truck both before and in the aftermath of the strike.

It was not immediately clear who the target of the airstrikes was, or whether militants were among the passengers.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said its troops conducted raids into Gaza to battle insurgents and hunt for more than 120 civilians kidnapped in last weekend’s shock assault by militants on southern Israel.

It is the first time Israel has stated ground troops have been operating inside the strip.

Israeli media reported remains of people who had gone missing in last week’s attack had been found during the IDF raids.

On Saturday, US President Joe Biden called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, while reiterating “unwavering” support for Israel, discussed international coordination to ensure innocent civilians have access to water, food and medical care.

Mr Biden also spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who stressed the urgent need to allow urgent humanitarian aid corridors in Gaza.

In New York, Russia asked the UN Security Council to vote on Monday on a draft resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict
that calls for a humanitarian ceasefire and condemns violence against civilians and all acts of terrorism.

Protests prompt arrests in London as politicians express support for Israel

In the UK, arrests were made at a pro-Palestinian rally in London as thousands of people marched through the streets.

There had been previous warnings made to those who attended that anyone showing support for Hamas faced being detained.

Hamas is a proscribed terror group in the UK.

Both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have condemned Hamas, a week after its attack on Israel.

Speaking on Saturday evening, Mr Sunak defended Israel’s right to defend itself, saying: “We stand with Israel, not just today, not just tomorrow, but always.”

“And I stand with you, the British Jewish community, not just today, not just tomorrow, but always.

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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer added: “In the days that have followed, we have heard horrific stories of the murder and mutilation of men, women and children, along with the horror of hostage-taking.”

He called for hostages to be released and said he stands by the Jewish community.

British citizens on the Gaza Strip are being encouraged by the government to follow advice from Israel and move southwards, with hopes the Rafah crossing could open to allow those displaced in the region to head into Egypt.

Four repatriation flights organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have left Tel Aviv for those wanting to leave Israel, with the government now advising against all travel there.