Live blog: Intensive phase of war in south Gaza 'will end soon' — Israel

Monday, January 15, 2024

1900 GMT — Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that the high-intensify ground operation in northern Gaza has ended and the intensive phase of Israel's war in southern Gaza will also end soon.

"In the south of Gaza [the intensive phase] will end soon," Gallant said, without giving an exact timeline.

Gallant said the army will carry out low-intensified operations in northern Gaza, adding that Israeli forces are working to locate the remaining Hamas sites in the area.

The Israeli invasion has uprooted 85 percent of Gaza's population amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60 percent of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

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1914 GMT — Hamas says two Israeli captives killed in bombardment on Gaza

Palestinian resistance group Hamas has released a new video announcing the death of two Israeli captives who were taken to Gaza on October 7.

The video showed a woman hostage named as Noa Argamani, 26, revealing that two men she was held captive with had been killed. It was not clear when the video was taken.

Hamas had released another video on Sunday showing Argamani along with two hostages who were seen alive.

The pair — widely named in the media as Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Itay Svirsky, 38 — were the same men announced as having been killed in Monday's video.

In a statement released with Monday's video, Hamas said the two men were killed in "the Zionist army's bombing".

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari rejected Hamas' claim the hostages were killed by Israeli bombardment, but admitted "We know that we hit targets near the location where they were held" and an investigation is under way.

1900 GMT — Greece reiterates deep concern over situation in Gaza

Greece has reiterated its deep concern over the situation in Gaza and the escalation in the Red Sea, again pushing for a two-state solution as a way to help end the conflict.

"Greece has consistently and consistently supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state, which will coexist peacefully with Israel, within the internationally recognized borders, based on the pre-1967 borderline and with East Jerusalem as its capital," Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said alongside his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Al Safadi in the Jordanian capital Amman, where he is paying an official visit.

Adding that Athens is increasingly concerned over the loss of civilian life and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and escalation in the West Bank, at the Lebanese-Israeli border, and the Red Sea as a spillover of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, he added: “Greece believes that it is time to start a serious discussion for the day after (the conflict), in order to be able to open a political prospect for peace in the region.”

1820 GMT — Palestinians will govern Gaza after war: Israel defence minister

Palestinians will govern Gaza after the war with Israel ends, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said.

"Palestinians live in Gaza and therefore Palestinians will govern it in the future. The future Gaza government must grow out of Gaza," Gallant said at a press conference.

"At the end of the war there won't be a military threat from Gaza. Hamas won't be able to rule and function as a military force in Gaza."

He said the future government would be a "civilian alternative" but insisted that Israeli forces would have the "freedom of operation" in a way aimed at protecting Israeli citizens.

1740 GMT — UN chief warns of escalating spillover of Israeli war on Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza, as the fighting between Israel and Hamas passed the 100-day milestone.

"We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. To ensure sufficient aid gets to where it is needed. To facilitate the release of the hostages. To tamp down the flames of wider war because the longer the conflict in Gaza continues, the greater the risk of escalation and miscalculation," Guterres said at a press briefing in New York.

With aid deliveries struggling to get through to a "traumatized people," Gaza now faces "the long shadow of starvation."

"Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," Guterres said.

The UN leader also warned about what he said was an escalating spillover of the conflict, including across the Lebanon-Israeli border. "This risks triggering a broader escalation... and profoundly affecting regional stability," he said.

1716 GMT — Israel’s Netanyahu ‘unfit’ to run Gaza war: opposition leader

The Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unfit to run the Gaza war, opposition leader Yair Lapid said.

"The State of Israel needs change now, and there is no possibility of waiting any longer," Lapid said on X.

"This government does not know how to manage a war, and it is pushing us into a deep economic crisis that hurts every citizen’s pocket and has landed us in The Hague,” he added.

South Africa has filed a lawsuit before the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza during its deadly military offensive. It also requested provisional measures from the court to protect the Palestinian people, including by calling upon Israel to immediately halt its military attacks.

“This government is not fit to manage the war, and Netanyahu is not fit to run the country,” Lapid said.

The opposition leader said that his party is ready to vote in favour of an alternative government to be led by another prime minister.

Calls have grown for holding fresh elections in Israel amid criticism of Netanyahu over his failure to acknowledge responsibility for a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

1654 GMT — Yemen's Houthis say they will target US ships

The Yemeni Houthi movement will expand its targets to include U.S. ships, an official from the Iran-allied group told Al Jazeera.

Nasruldeen Amer, a spokesperson for the Houthis, said the United States was "on the verge of losing its maritime security".

1644 GMT — Italy offers Lebanon support to mediate with Israel

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered Lebanon her support to mediate between the country and Israel, her office said.

In a phone call with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati​​​​​​​, Meloni spoke about how to boost ongoing mediation efforts between Lebanon and Israel, underscoring Italy’s full commitment to work with all stakeholders involved.

“The Prime Minister reiterated that Italy is fully committed to Lebanon’s stability,” her office said in a statement.

The pair also agreed on the need to avoid any expansion of the conflict in Gaza, where the war has been going on for more than 100 days.

"The two leaders also agreed to keep on coordinating (decisions) on the evolution of the crisis," her office also said.

Lebanese group Hezbollah exchanged cross-border fire with Israeli forces on Monday in the latest sign of escalation along the border between Lebanon and Israel.

1503 GMT — Israel must know there are limits to right to self-defence: Ex-Austrian president

Israel must know there are limits to its right to self-defence, a former Austrian president said, referring to Tel Aviv's military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 24,000 Palestinians and reduced almost the entire enclave to rubble.

“Israel naturally has the right to defend itself after Hamas's gigantic and unforgivable crimes on Oct. 7, 2023, but there are also limits and international law that must be observed for the self-defence,” Heinz Fischer told the state-run Austria Press Agency.

"A Palestinian mother weeps for her killed child just as much as an Israeli mother weeps for hers. When I think about it, I think that the United Nations is right when it calls for compliance with international law and human rights. Especially when people, namely the civilian population, cannot flee Gaza," he added.

Fischer said Austria's voting against the UN resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in mid-December was a mistake.

1500 GMT — Missile strikes a US-owned vessel off Yemen

A missile fired from Yemen struck a US-owned ship in the Gulf of Aden, private security firms told The Associated Press.

Ambrey and Dryad Global identified the vessel as the Eagle Gibraltar, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier. The ship is owned by Eagle Bulk, a Stamford, Connecticut-based firm traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The firm did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Yemeni Houthi group says it attacked US-owned ship off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden with a number of naval rockets

1454 GMT — 3 Palestinian killed, 9 injured in Israeli military raid in occupied West Bank

Three Palestinians were killed and nine others injured in Israeli fire in the occupied West Bank, according to the Health Ministry.

A ministry statement said a 20-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman sustained injuries during the army's gunfire in the town of Dura, southwest of Hebron city, and later succumbed to their wounds.

Nine other people were injured in the raid, the statement said.

According to eyewitnesses, Israeli military forces conducted the raid in the town, leading to clashes with local residents.

The state-run Palestine Television station also reported that a member of the Palestinian security forces was killed by Israeli army fire at a military checkpoint east of Tulkarm city in the northern West Bank.

1415 GMT — 1 killed in car-ramming, stabbing incident in central Israel

An Israeli was killed in a car-ramming and stabbing incident in the central city of Ra'anana, according to local media.

A woman was injured and later succumbed to her wounds in the incident, according to Israeli Channel 12.

Israel's national ambulance service Magen David Adom said 18 people were injured in the incident, including three seriously.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper had earlier put the number of casualties in the incident at 19 before revising it to nine.

1404 GMT — Israel cabinet passes amended budget adding $15B for war

Israel's cabinet has passed an amended 2024 state budget adding $15B of extra spending, after three months of war with Palestinian group Hamas, the Finance Ministry said.

The extra funding includes money for defence and compensation for those impacted by the war, along with higher allocations for healthcare, police, welfare and education.

1219 GMT — Iran seeks diplomatic end to Israeli war on Gaza

The United States cannot call for restraint while supporting Israel's war in Gaza, Iran's foreign minister said, while calling for a diplomatic solution to the war in the enclave.

Hossein Amirabdollahian, in a televised joint press conference with his Indian counterpart in Tehran, called on US officials "not to tie the security and national interests of the US to the fate of Israel's prime minister who is falling".

1208 GMT — Israeli civilian mistakenly killed by army fire at Gaza border: Report

An Israeli civilian was mistakenly killed by army forces after crossing the border with Gaza, Israeli media outlet Haaretz has reported.

The newspaper said the incident took place on Oct. 23, two weeks after Israeli attacks on Gaza.

It cited that a 29-year-old Israeli, who was identified as Aviahu Mori, left his home and crossed the Gaza border on foot for half a kilometre before he was hit by Israeli army fire.

His family reported his absence to the police four days after his disappearance.

Mori "bypassed the military forces in the Nahal Oz (settlement), crossed the (border) fence and walked unhindered for a distance of about half a kilometre into Gaza," Haaretz said.

“When he decided to retreat and approach the fence, he was mistakenly identified as a terrorist and killed in a drone strike,” it added.

Multiple reports emerged of the killing of Israeli hostages and soldiers by army fire in Gaza.

1141 GMT — Hezbollah, Israel trade fire across Lebanon border amid escalation

Lebanese group Hezbollah exchanged cross-border fire with Israeli forces in the latest sign of escalation along the border between Lebanon and Israel.

Hezbollah said in a statement that it had targeted with missiles a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Metula barracks, resulting in direct hits.

Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes on Lebanese towns near the border, including Adaisseh, Alma Al Shaab, and Jebbayn, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.

Artillery shelling also targeted El Hamames Hill and Marjayoun Plain in southern Lebanon.

There were no reports yet of casualties.

1131 GMT — 25 university students among 55 Palestinians detained by Israeli army in West Bank raids

The Israeli army detained 55 more Palestinians, including 25 Al Najah National University students, in overnight raids across the occupied West Bank, prisoners' rights groups said.

The Israeli military detained 25 students from the Al-Najah National University in Nablus on Sunday night, while other arrests were made in Hebron, Ramallah, Jerusalem, Jenin, and Tubas, the Palestinian Prisoners Club and the Commission of Detainees Affairs said in a joint statement.

Israeli soldiers beat and abused Palestinians during the arrests, as well as damaged their homes and other property, the statement said.

A woman from Hebron, two children, and former prisoners are among those detained, it added.

The latest arrest brings the total number of Palestinian detainees in the West Bank to 5,930 since Oct. 7, the statement said.

1130 GMT — UN agencies call for ‘'aster, safer' aid access to Gaza via more routes

Three major UN agencies involved in relief works in Gaza have called for faster and safer aid access to the besieged enclave via more supply routes.

In a joint statement, UNICEF, the World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said: “As the risk of famine grows, and more people are exposed to deadly disease outbreaks, a fundamental step change in the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza is urgently needed.”

The agencies warned that the shortage of food, clean water, and medical assistance is particularly "severe" in the northern areas. They said the UN, international aid agencies and non-governmental organisations have so far managed to deliver limited humanitarian assistance.

"People in Gaza risk dying of hunger just miles from trucks filled with food," said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

"Every hour lost puts countless lives at risk. We can keep famine at bay but only if we can deliver sufficient supplies and have safe access to everyone in need, wherever they are,” McCain added.

The UN agencies also reiterated the call for a humanitarian ceasefire "to enable this vitally important roll-out of a massive, multi-agency humanitarian operation."

1054 GMT — UN tells Israel access to northern port critical for Gaza aid

Three United Nations agencies have called on Israel to allow access to the port of Ashdod, north of Gaza, for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid.

Bringing food and supplies to the besieged population of Gaza, which is increasingly at risk of famine, also depends on the opening of new entry routes into the territory, the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a joint statement.

The use of Ashdod, located some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of the Gaza border, is "critically needed by aid agencies", they said while calling for a "fundamental step change in the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza".

Allowing humanitarian agencies to use that port "would enable significantly larger quantities of aid to be shipped in and then trucked directly to the badly affected northern regions of Gaza, which few convoys have managed to reach", they said.

1054 GMT — Gaza mayor flays Israel's bombing of municipal machinery

The Israeli army has destroyed about 70 percent of the Gaza Municipality's heavy and medium machinery since the outbreak of the war on October 7, City Mayor Yahya Al Sarraj said.

The army destroyed more than 90 out of 130 vehicles in a deliberate bombardment of the municipality at a time when it already had a severe shortage of vehicles, Al Sarraj told Anadolu Agency.

And the residents' pain and suffering were exacerbated by a fuel shortage, with the city receiving the much-needed commodity for the last time on October 31, he added.

0955 GMT — Gaza in much worse condition than 1945 Berlin: Chilean president

Gaza is now in a much worse condition than Berlin was in 1945, Chilean President Gabriel Boric has said.

Visiting Guatemala to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Bernardo Arevalo, Boric told reporters that a cease-fire was an urgent need of time.

“Gaza is in a much worse condition than Berlin was in 1945,” he said, referring to the Fall of Berlin post-World War II. “Almost all houses have been destroyed and 1.5 million people do not have any place to sleep, they are running out of food.”

“The solution to the problem between Israel and Palestine lies in the political dialogue,” he further said, adding: “Two-state solution based on mutual borders will end this problem.”

0904 GMT — Israeli War Cabinet minister calls for deal to bring hostages home

Israel’s War Cabinet Minister Gadi Eisenkot has said Israeli authorities must stop deceiving themselves and reach an agreement to bring back hostages held in Gaza.

“The hostages are running out of time and every day that passes exposes their lives to danger. This is a critical time to make courageous decisions,” the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth cited him as saying during a War Cabinet meeting on Saturday evening.

While Eisenkot and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz support reaching a hostage deal with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Galant oppose it, according to the newspaper.

0902 GMT — Israeli attacks kill 'over 24,000' Palestinians in Gaza

At least 24,100 people have been killed in Gaza in more than three months of Israel's brutal war on the enclave, according to the Palestinian health ministry in the enclave.

A ministry statement said the toll includes 132 fatalities over the past 24 hours, while scores remain trapped under the rubble and 60,834 people have been wounded since October 7.

0643 GMT — Hamas military wing sends message to families of Israeli prisoners

Hamas military wing al Qassam Brigades have addressed the families of Israelis held hostage by the movement in Gaza following the October 7 attacks.

Al Qassam shared a video featuring some of the hostages sending messages to the Israeli government, demanding an end to the war and their return to their families.

The video ended with the Qassam Brigades stating: "Wait for us... we will inform you of their fate tomorrow. Your government is lying."

The resistance group said Sunday that the fate of many hostages held by the group is unknown amid a deadly Israeli offensive on Gaza.

“Many of the hostages may have likely been killed, while the rest are in imminent danger every hour,” Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for Qassam Brigades, said in a recorded speech marking 100 days since Israel launched its onslaught on Gaza.

0638 GMT — UN agency accuses Israel of obstructing aid delivery into Gaza Strip

Israel has been obstructing the entry of humanitarian aid into besieged Gaza, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Egypt has not closed the Rafah border crossing since the outbreak of the war on October 7, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told Egyptian news channel Al Qahira Wal Nas on Sunday.

The world is witnessing the killing of innocent Palestinians by the Israeli killing machine, which did not spare any human, stone, or even animals, he added.

0613 GMT — Over 60 Palestinians killed in overnight Israeli strikes on Gaza

More than 60 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes across the territory overnight, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza.

The ministry said dozens of people were also wounded in "intense" Israeli strikes and artillery bombardments across Gaza.

The strikes hit the southern cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah, as well as areas around Gaza City, the media office said.

It said two hospitals, a girls' school and "dozens" of homes were among the targets.

0336 GMT — Australian foreign minister calls for 'sustainable ceasefire'

Australia's foreign minister has called for a "sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza as she left for a Middle East tour that includes a visit to the occupied West Bank and meetings with the families of Israeli hostages.

Penny Wong said she would use the visits to Jordan, Israel, the occupied West Bank and the United Arab Emirates to advocate for a pathway out of the current conflict and a lasting peace in the form of a two-state solution.

Australia would also use its voice to push for more humanitarian assistance, greater protection of civilians and a de-escalation of regional tensions, she added.

0311 GMT — US says it shot down anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi-controlled areas

US fighter aircraft have shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired from Houthi areas of Yemen toward a US destroyer operating in the Southern Red Sea, the US military said.

The midair interception is the latest incident in the Red Sea where the Houthis have been attacking international shipping in what they say is a campaign to support Palestinians under siege from Israeli forces in Gaza.

It follows a series of American and British airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen that have drawn threats of a "strong" response from the Iranian-backed militia.

There were no injuries or damage reported in the latest incident, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which released the news in a statement posted on the social media platform X.

0100 GMT — International Union of Muslim Scholars forms delegation for Gaza mission

The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) announced that it has assembled a delegation which will enter Gaza through Egypt as Israel continues its military onslaught on the enclave.

Ali Muhyiddin al Qaradaghi, the Secretary-General of the Qatar-based IUMS, said in a statement on X that the delegation will enter Gaza through Egypt's Rafah border crossing.

He said IUMS has asked for support from Egypt and Sheikh Ahmed al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar University, to facilitate their journey.

Al Qaradaghi said he conveyed the request to Egypt to travel to Gaza a month ago, expressing his eagerness to be the first to register for the trip, emphasising not just to Rafah but directly to Gaza.

0030 GMT — WHO director-general 'marks 100th day of tragedy' in Gaza

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described Gaza situation as a "tragedy" reiterating his call for a ceasefire.

Emphasising that there is a "major humanitarian crisis" in Gaza following the attacks, Ghebreyesus said on X: "Today we mark 100 days of a tragedy."

"More than 24,000 Gazans killed — 70% women and children; more injured, many grievously," he said.

0000 GMT — China calls for larger-scale peace conference on Gaza war

China Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the war in Gaza continues to escalate and China is calling for a larger-scale, more authoritative and effective international peace conference and a concrete timetable to implement a two-state solution.

Wang made the comments to reporters after talks with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, sharing his views on the Israeli aggression in Gaza, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.

Separately, Wang also held talks with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States where the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the conflict, reaching several points on helping to solve the crisis.

2316 GMT — Israeli footballer excluded from Turkish football club squad over gesture flouting 'national values'

Israeli football player Sagiv Jehezkel has been excluded from the squad of Antalyaspor over a gesture that went against "national values," the Turkish football club announced.

Jehezkel expressed solidarity with Israel by raising his bandaged hand after scoring a goal against Trabzonspor, referencing to the attack carried out by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7 and the 100 days that have since passed.

"Sagiv Jehezkel, following his goal in the 68th minute during the match against Trabzonspor, has been deemed to have acted against our country's national values by sharing an inscription on his wrist.

In response, the board of directors has decided to exclude him from the squad," Antalyaspor said in a statement.

Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on X that a judicial investigation has been launched against Jehezkel.

2350 GMT — Hamas urges Germany to reverse decision to support Israel in ICJ genocide case

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas urged Germany to reconsider its decision to back Tel Aviv before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague in the Netherlands in the genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel.

The statement was made by Hamas leader Izzat al Rashq two days after the German government announced that it would intervene as a third party in the case, arguing that Israel has not violated the Genocide Convention during its war on Gaza since October 7.

“We call on Germany to stop all forms of support for the Zionist crimes and to reject and criminalize the genocide being committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” he said in a statement.

For our live updates from Sunday, January 14, click here.