The Bottom Line
- The war between Israel and Hamas is in its 28th day on Friday. In Israel, more than 1,400 people have been killed since October 7. Hamas' health ministry announced yesterday that more than 9,000 people had been killed since the same date, although these figures could not be verified.
- The Israeli army announced yesterday that it had "completed the encirclement of Gaza City," a week after the start of its ground operation in the Palestinian territory. Hamas' military wing warned Israel that Gaza would be its "curse."
- The Israeli military also said yesterday that it had carried out a "broad strike" against Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah in response to several attacks from Lebanon earlier in the day. Hezbollah, for its part, claimed to have attacked "19 Israeli military positions and sites" simultaneously. Its leader is due to deliver a speech later today, the first since the start of the war.
- Egypt's Health Ministry announced that 21 wounded Palestinians were evacuated yesterday and "344 foreigners, including 72 children," also passed through the Rafah border crossing. They are in addition to the more than 300 foreigners and dual nationals evacuated the day before.
06:36
Palestinian people 'at grave risk of genocide', UN says
UN experts, including the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, said Thursday that the Palestinian people "are at grave risk of genocide" in a joint statement issued in Geneva. "We remain convinced that the Palestinian people are at grave risk of genocide," they wrote.
06:28
Antony Blinken expected in the Middle East
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected in Israel on Friday, calling for "concrete measures" to spare civilians. This is his second tour of the Middle East since 7 October. "We're going to talk about concrete steps that can and should be taken to minimize the harm to the men, women and children of Gaza," Blinken said before leaving Washington.
06:20
Israel says it is encircling Gaza City
After a week of fierce fighting in the north of the territory, Israeli soldiers have "completed the encirclement of Gaza City," where the "center of the Hamas terrorist organization" is located, army spokesman Daniel Hagari said.
"We are in the middle of the (military) campaign, our successes are impressive," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday during a visit to a military base near Tel Aviv. The leader acknowledged, however, that the operation was "difficult" and that Israel was suffering "painful losses." The army has reported 332 soldiers killed since October 7.
06:11
Hezbollah leader to deliver speech today
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday delivers his first speech since the start of the war between Palestinian Hamas and Israel, which is expected to determine whether his powerful party will engage Lebanon fully in the conflict.
REUTERS/Aziz Taher/File Photo
Hezbollah announced its solidarity with its Palestinian ally in the October 7 attack by Hamas on October <> and claimed regular fire against Israeli military positions in border areas from southern Lebanon. On Thursday, the organization intensified its operations.
06:00
Hello
Welcome to this live stream dedicated to the war between Israel and Hamas. The conflict enters its 28th day on Friday.