Israel-Hamas war latest: UK sending Royal Navy ships and marines to ‘help prevent further escalation’

UK military assets, including Royal Navy vessels and a company of Royal Marines, are to be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, Downing Street has announced.

Maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft will begin flying in the region from Friday to track threats to regional stability, including monitoring activity such as the “transfer of weapons to terrorist groups”.

A Royal Navy task group will be moved to the eastern Mediterranean next week as a contingency measure to support humanitarian efforts.

The military package includes P8 aircraft, surveillance assets, two Royal Navy ships - RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus - three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines.

The British armed forces will be on stand-by to “deliver practical support to Israel and partners in the region, and offer deterrence and assurance”, No 10 said.

The UK government is also organising flights to get British nationals out of Israel as the war with Hamas rages.

The first flight was set to leave Tel Aviv later on Thursday, the Foreign Office said.

Earlier, Israel warned that Gaza will not be supplied with power, water or food until the hostages taken by Hamas are freed. Israel closed off supplies to Gaza on Saturday following the attack by Hamas militants.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “crush and destroy” the militant group.

It is estimated that the attacks in Israel have killed 1,300 people, while at least 1,300 have also died in Gaza.

Blinken says Hamas using civilians as human shield but he is working to address humanitarian crisis

17:52 , John Dunne

Antony Blinken has said Hamas is using civilians as human shields but the US is talking to Israel about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“Hamas continues to use civilians as human shields”, he said.

Around 1,400 have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched retaliatory air strikes.

Blinken says he’s spoken to Israeli officials about options to allow civilians safe passage who want to get out of Gaza.

Blinken: Hamas attack ‘Depravity in the most unimaginable way’

17:44 , John Dunne

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had seen images of children ‘riddled with bullets’ and young people who had been burned by Hamas attackers.

He told a press conference: “Images are worth a thousand words these are worth a million.” He likened the brutality to that of ISIS.

On the images he had seen they represented “depravity in the most unimaginable way”.

Six thousand bombs dropped on Gaza since Hamas attack says IDF

17:32 , John Dunne

Around 6,000 bombs have been dropped on the Gaza Strip by Israel since fighting began on Saturday, according to an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson.

Daniel Hagari posted the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, alongside a video showing a building exploding surrounded by smoke.

He said the explosives weighed up to 4,000 tonnes.

Rishi Sunak pledges £3m to Jewish community after Hamas attack

17:05 , John Dunne

Rishi Sunak has announced £3 million to protect schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings in the UK in response to Hamas’ attacks in Israel.

The Prime Minister said: “This is now the third deadliest terror attack in the world since 1970. The United Kingdom must and will continue to stand in solidarity with Israel.

“At moments like this, when the Jewish people are under attack in their homeland, Jewish people everywhere can feel less safe.

“That is why we must do everything in our power to protect Jewish people everywhere in our country. If anything is standing in the way of keeping the Jewish community safe, we will fix it. You have our complete backing.”

Palestinian president condemns killing of civilians ‘on both sides’

16:04 , Bill Mcloughlin

During a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the killing or abuse of civilians on both sides of the conflict.

“We reject the practices of killing civilians or abusing them on both sides because they contravene morals, religion and international law,” the official Palestinian news agency Wafa quoted Mr Abbas as saying.

“We renounce violence and adhere to international legitimacy, peaceful popular resistance and political action as a path to achieving our national goals.”

King Charles meets with Chief Rabbi

15:47 , Debasish Sarmah

The King has held talks with the Chief Rabbi at Buckingham Palace to discuss the horrors of events in Israel and how to support interfaith harmony in Britain in distressing and difficult times.

Charles welcomed Sir Ephraim Mirvis for a private audience in the London royal residence on Thursday afternoon as the Israel-Hamas conflict continued to gather pace.

The King personally expressed his deep care and concern for the Jewish community in the UK who are suffering grief, fear and anguish.

Their conversation is said to have covered the horrors of recent events in Israel, ways to support interfaith harmony in Britain in distressing and dangerous times, and the continued hope that a path to peace can be found internationally.

It comes a day after Charles’ condemnation of Hamas’ “barbaric acts of terrorism” in Israel attacks at the weekend, with the Palace saying the King is being actively updated on developments.

Israel military chief admits failure to prevent attacks

15:33 , Bill Mcloughlin

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff, general Herzi Halevi has said the army had not upheld the security of the country on Saturday following the attack.

“The IDF is responsible for the security of the country and its citizens,” he said “and on Saturday morning in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip, we did not handle it”.

He then added: “We will learn, we will investigate, but now is the time for war.”

Up to 447 children killed in Gaza

15:12 , Bill Mcloughlin

Up to 447 children have died in Gaza following Israeli airstrikes, officials have said.

Those 447 are part of the now 1,417 killed, the health ministry has said.

A further 6,268 people have been wounded since Saturday.

“The health system has begun to collapse,” the ministry said in a statement todayto the NBC.

“The number of injured people is greater than the hospitals' clinical capabilities, even after they were expanded and the injured were placed in the corridors.”

First UK flight out of Israel full - reports

14:56 , Bill Mcloughlin

The first UK flight out of Israel is full, an official has told the BBC.

It is unclear when the flight is due to leave but that it would be a chartered plane, the official added.

Both British Airways and easyJet have suspended flights to and from Israel but Israeli airline, El Al, is continuing to operate to the UK.

Pictured: Funeral for Israeli soldier

14:21 , Miriam Burrell

1,417 Palestinians killed in Gaza

14:14 , Miriam Burrell

The Palestinian death toll has risen to 1,417, the health ministry in Gaza has said in an update.

A total of 6,268 have been wounded in Israeli airstrikes since Saturday.

‘We did not meet the challenge of protecting Israel’, chief says

14:11 , Miriam Burrell

Israel’s military chief of staff has said the force did not meet the challenge of protecting Israel, following the surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday.

The military chief said: “We will learn, we will investigate, but now is the time for war.”

UK relatives of hostages taken by Hamas plead for their return

13:54 , Miriam Burrell

Earlier we mentioned Britons whose relatives are thought to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

At an emotional press conference they pleaded for the safe return of their loved ones. Below, London artist Sharone Lifschitz shares her grief.

Read our full story on this here.

Wembley Stadium arch will not be lit in the colours of Israel

13:31 , Bill Mcloughlin

The Wembley arch won’t be lit in the blue and white of the Israeli flag for the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy, the FA has said.

A statement from the FA read: “Our thoughts are with them, and their families and friends in England and Australia and with all the communities who are affected by this ongoing conflict. We stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering.“England and Australia players will wear black armbands during their match at Wembley Stadium and there will also be a period of silence held before kick off.”

Up to ‘18 Palestinians killed in airstrikes on refugee camp’

13:17 , Debasish Sarmah

Israeli airstrikes on a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip have killed 18 people, Hamas media has said.

Following the surprise attack by the militant group on Saturday, Israel has launched a wave of airstrikes on the enclave to hit Hamas fighters, but civilians have also been killed in the crossfire.

Israeli army targets Syrian airports - reports

13:12 , Bill Mcloughlin

Israel’s military launched airstrikes on airports in the cities of Damascus and Aleppo, Syrian state TV has said. Both airports are allegedly out of service following the airstrikes.

Local media channel Sham FM said Syrian air defences were launched in response but did not reveal if there had been any casualties.

Vulnerable Britons to be prioritised for flights leaving Israel

13:04 , Bill Mcloughlin

Following the news that UK nationals will leave Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday, the Government has said vulnerable nationals will be prioritised.

The Government said those eligible to leave would be contacted directly and British nationals should not go to airports unless they are called to.

It is understood the commercial flights will cost £300 per ticket.

Blinken: Anyone who wants peace and justice must condemn Hamas

12:31 , Bill Mcloughlin

Continuing, the Secretary of State said Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people.

He added: “Hamas has only one agenda - to destroy Israel and to murder Jews.”

Mr Blinken did add, however, that there must be precautions taken to make sure civilians are not killed.

‘We will always be at your side,’ says Anthony Blinken

12:22 , Bill Mcloughlin

Speak at the press conference, the Secretary of State said that the US “will always be at Israel’s side”.

Mr Blinken added that Washington will “replenish Israel’s iron dome” defence system and that further US military support is on the way.

He added that Washington will reaffirm its “crystal clear warning” to any country or state actor planning to attack Israel that the US will be steadfast in its defence of its ally.

Anthony Blinken and Benjamin Netanyahu speak at press conference

12:15 , Debasish Sarmah

US Secretary of State and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are speaking at a joint press conference in Tel Aviv as the conflict continues.

Speaking first, Mr Netanyahu thanked the US for its support following the attack from Hamas Militants.

He attacked those who celebrated the “glorification of evil” following the reports of atrocities committed by militants. He then said that Hamas will be “crushed” as he called the militant group the “enemy of civilisation”.

British-Israelis issue appeal after loved ones taken hostage

12:09 , Bill Mcloughlin

Speaking from London, Noam Sagi, 53, and Sharon Lifschitz, 52, have spoken after their parents were taken hostage by Hamas militants.

“I shouldn’t sit here today. I should have been on the way to Heathrow to pick up my mum who’s coming to celebrate her 75th birthday here today in London,” Mr Sagi said at a press conference. “I’m here because of pure evil.”

Commenting on the situation of her 85-year-old mother and 83-year-old father were taken hostage from the Nir Oz Kibbutz on Saturday, Ms Lifschitz said: “My mum was taken out... she was disconnected from her oxygen, loaded onto a motorbike.”

She added: “My father spent his life working for peace. I am his daughter. I ask for peace. We now need to act together to fight that hatred with love. They are not part of this war.”

Israeli man tells of horror as he survives Supernova festival massacre to find his cousin had been killed

11:50 , Bill Mcloughlin

A man managed to escape the massacre at a music festival by Hamas only to find out his cousin had not made it.

The two Israelis were among the estimated thousands who attended the Supernova event where organisers promised a “journey of unity and love”.

Ofek Mishal, 24, told the Standard how he, his friends and his 23-year-old cousin Amit Magnezi were “dancing and laughing” before the music suddenly stopped on Saturday morning.

“At the start, we thought it was the IDF, but then they started to shoot at us,” Ofek said. “The policeman I was with moved about one metre away from me and then he was dead.”

Read our story here.

Up to ‘100 reservists’ have travelled to Israel from UK

11:46 , Bill Mcloughlin

At least 100 “reservists and active duty soldiers” are understood to have travelled from the UK to Israel to serve in the Israel Defence Forces, the Israeli Embassy in the UK has said.

Rishi Sunak holds call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

11:28 , Bill Mcloughlin

Rishi Sunak spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Thursday, to acknowledge the challenging security situation at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, the Prime Minister’s office said.

A No10 spokesperson said: “A Number 10 spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi this morning, following the terrorist atrocity carried out by Hamas in Israel.

“He expressed his condolences for the Egyptians who have lost their lives, along with so many others.

“The Prime Minister said that terrorism is an evil which must be confronted, wherever we find it. It was also important that the conflict did not spread further. He noted the importance of Egypt’s historic role in the region, including in seeking de-escalation.

“The Prime Minister acknowledged the challenging security situation at the Rafah border crossing. He offered the UK’s support to try to manage this situation and keep the route open for humanitarian and consular reasons, including for British nationals. The leaders agreed to remain in contact as the situation develops.”

Gaza death toll rises

11:08 , Bill Mcloughlin

Up to 1,354 people have been killed and a further 6,049 wounded following Israeli airstrikes, Gaza officials have said.

Israel risks walking into a trap, says former head of MI6

11:02 , Bill Mcloughlin

More from the former head of the MI6, Sir Alex Younger who was speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today Podcast.

Sir Alex has said that Israel risks walking into a “trap” if it launches a full-scale ground invasion of Gaza.

An Israeli military spokesman told reporters on Thursday that forces “are preparing for a ground manoeuvre if decided”, but that the political leadership has not yet ordered one.

Sir Alex said: “I absolutely understand and endorse Israel‘s right to defend themselves in these circumstances and indeed to restore the credibility of those defences so that sense of psychological safety can be restored to the people.

“I also think, by the way, Hamas will be taken aback by the extent of their success. I don’t believe that they thought they would break through this far and fast and 100 hostages I suspect has gone wildly beyond anything they thought they might achieve.

“But here’s the thing, you shouldn’t do what your enemy wants you to do and it’s really obvious now that Hamas are essentially laying a trap for Israel and will be well pleased if Israel commits itself to an open-ended, full-scale ground invasion of Gaza.

“Because of the scale and intensity of conflict that that would entail and the loss of innocent life that would inevitably follow, and the radicalisation that would engender and the extent to which it would put Israel‘s allies and partners in the region in an impossible position.

“These are all things that Hamas wants. This isn’t about actions, it’s about reactions.

“Israel is going to have to do strikes into Gaza to demonstrate its intent to assuage the expectations of the Israeli people but there is not, fundamentally, at the end of this a military solution to this problem.

“You cannot kill all the terrorists without creating more terrorists. And military operations of this kind very, very rarely succeed outside some kind of political strategy.

“And these are hard things to say because their blood is up, they are utterly enraged, this is said with the intention to support.”

Sadiq Khan stresses need for humanitarian aid for Gaza civilians

10:38 , Bill Mcloughlin

Sadiq Khan has sent a letter to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, stressing the need for humanitarian access for civilians in Gaza.

Acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself, the Mayor said that any response “must be proportionate, adhere to international law, and take all steps to avoid the death and suffering of innocent Palestinians”.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of innocent life in Gaza that has already taken place as a result of Israel’s military response, and I am calling on the UK government to urgently work with international partners to secure humanitarian access and support to and from Gaza,” he added.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is already of great concern, and we must recognise the implications of it deteriorating further. I urge the British government to join calls for humanitarian access to and from Gaza, which would allow essential supplies and humanitarian aid to reach those who desperately need it.”

Two Palestinians killed in the West Bank

10:29 , Bill Mcloughlin

Israeli settlers killed two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Witnesses said that the father and son were shot when settlers opened fire at the funeral of four Palestinians who were killed by armed settlers and Israeli soldiers in the village of Qusra, near the northern city of Nablus, on Wednesday.

Hamas holding at least 97 people hostage, says Israel

10:11 , Bill Mcloughlin

Israel’s military spokesperson has said the country has been able to identify 97 people taken hostage by Hamas. Earlier Israel had claimed up to 150 people had been taken into Gaza by militants.

Hamas has said that the hostages have been hidden in and “safe places” in Gaza and has threatened to kill them if civilian homes are bombed.

Israel's El Al to fly on Jewish Sabbath to bring back army reservists

09:49 , Bill Mcloughlin

Israel‘s El Al Airlines said it will operate flights this Saturday from the United States and Asia to bring back reservists to serve in the war with Hamas, breaking a 40-year policy of not flying on the Jewish Sabbath.

El Al has not flown on the Sabbath since 1982 but it received permission from rabbis who said that preservation of life overrides other religious laws.

The airline said it would will operate two flights on Boeing 787 aircraft from New York and Bangkok to collect reservists who received military call-up orders.

The flights will be free of charge for soldiers and paid for by El Al and by large financial institutions in the United States, El Al said.

‘Hitler graffiti’ among 50 reported anti-Semitic incidents in London since Hamas attack

09:39 , Bill Mcloughlin

There have been 50 anti-Semitic incidents in London since Hamas attacked Isreal at the weekend, according to a Jewish charity.

The reported incidents range from physical and verbal abuse to the daubing of graffiti, including one with the image of Hitler, on walls.

In total across the UK there have been 89 cases of anti-Semitic behaviour reported to the Community Security Trust, which logs the alleged crimes.

The figures cover the four days from the attack by Hamas on southern Israel on Saturday to Tuesday.

Read our story here.

Bodies of civilians killed by Hamas show ‘signs of torture,’ says Israel’s President

09:29 , Bill Mcloughlin

Bodies of civilians killed by Hamas militants show “signs of torture”, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has claimed.

Speaking at a media briefing, Mr Herzog said the injuries were unlike “anything they’d ever seen”.

He went on to claim that a family of five who were found tied together, had been shot and burned.

“I was wondering what they prayed before they were all shot together,” he said.

Germany to halt all aid to Palestinian Territories

09:17 , Bill Mcloughlin

Germany will suspend all development aid to the Palestinian Territories pending the completion of a review to ensure it best serves regional peace and Israel’s security, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said.

“Our yardstick will be whether and how these projects best serve peace in the region and the security of Israel,” he said. “Until that review is complete we will not make available any new development cooperation resources.”

He added: “Sadly, we can foresee the suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza strip likely growing further - but that too is the fault of Hamas and its attack on Israel.”

EasyJet unsure as to when flights will resume to Israel

09:10 , Bill Mcloughlin

EasyJet hopes to resume flights to and from Israel “as soon as possible” but “cannot say” when it will happen, chief executive Johan Lundgren said.

The airline suspended its Tel Aviv operations after Hamas’s attack on Saturday.

Flights have been suspended until at least October 17.

In the UK, easyJet usually serves Gatwick, Luton and Manchester airports from Israel.

Mr Lundgren said the carrier will “continue to evaluate this on a daily basis”.

He added: “We are making our decisions (based) on a multiple number of sources. We are engaging with probably 10 or 12 different authorities, government authorities, security experts, alongside the expertise that we have within ourselves.

“We are making then a weighted decision on what it would take for us to start up again. We want to start up again. We believe it’s an important route to have in place.

“But for now, when we have weighed up all the information that we have, we have decided to continue to suspend the operation.”

British-Israeli soldier heads to conflict zone after friends go missing

09:00 , Bill Mcloughlin

Moriah Mencer, a former Israel Defence Forces soldier, has said that she is heading to Israel after some of her friends were reported missing.

Ms Mencer said in a video filmed from Heathrow: “We’ve rushed back to Israel because our friends are in very unfortunate situations.

“Some of my friends are missing. I’ve just found out that one of my friends has been murdered in her home two days ago. So we got the first flight we could.”

Duke and Duchess of Sussex issue statement on conflict

08:51 , Bill Mcloughlin

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they “stand against all acts of terrorism and brutality”, in a statement on the couple’s Archewell website said.

“We are supporting our partners and organisations on the frontlines in Israel to provide the urgent aid needed, and to help all innocent victims of this unconscionable level of human suffering,” the statement added.

Families of UK diplomats in Israel to return to the UK

08:47 , Bill Mcloughlin

The UK Foreign Office has said that the families of British diplomats working in Israel will return to the UK as a “precautionary measure”.

“We are temporarily drawing down embassy dependants as a precautionary measure and in line with our travel advice, which advises against all but essential travel to Israel,” it says.

“Our embassy remains fully staffed and continues to provide consular services to those who require assistance.”

No water or power for Gaza until hostages freed, says Israel

08:31 , Bill Mcloughlin

Israel's Energy Minister Israel Katz says the siege on Gaza will not end until the hostages captured by Hamas are freed.

Officials in Gaza have warned that civilians will soon be without power or water after Israel closed off supplies on Saturday.

In a social media post, Mr Katz said: “Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home.”

Anthony Blinken arrives in Israel

08:25 , Bill Mcloughlin

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has arrived in Israel.

As part of his short visit, Mr Blinken will meet with senior Israeli officials and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

During meetings, Mr Blinken is expected to discuss the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas, some of whom are believed to be American.

Israeli death toll rises to ‘at least 1,300'

08:18 , Bill Mcloughlin

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, has updated the number of Israelis killed since the conflict began.

The number has now reached 1,300, up from the 1,200 previously reported.

Scottish first minister’s wife says her family is trapped in Gaza

08:15 , Bill Mcloughlin

Nadia el Nakla, the wife of Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf, has said her parents have been stuck in Gaza since the conflict broke out.

Elizabeth and Maged el Nakla, who live in Dundee, had travelled to Gaza last week to see a relative just days before Hamas militants attacked Israel.

The first minister’s wife has since said that her parents are “terrified” and had tried to escape on Tuesday before the border between Egypt and Gaza was bombed.

Speaking to the BBC, she said: “They are caught up in a war situation. My mother says there is continual bombardment from land, sea and air. They are terrified, absolutely terrified, about what is to come and what is happening right now as we speak.”

Health Secretary joins calls for Wembley arch to be lit up in support of Israel

08:02 , Bill Mcloughlin

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has joined calls for the Wembley arch to be lit up in blue and white to support Israel when England plays Australia on Friday.

Asked about the idea on Sky News, Mr Barclay said: “I think we should make clear our strong support for Israel. We stand with Israel, and I think we've seen that with Parliament, we've seen it with Number 10. I think it would be fitting to show that with Wembley as well.”

Asked what sympathy he has with the people of Gaza this morning, he said: “The UK does have sympathy. That's why we contribute about 10 per cent of the aid that is distributed in the region through the United Nations.

“It's why the Foreign Secretary was in Israel yesterday talking to counterparts about the importance of minimising civilian casualties.”

“Israel has a right to defend itself but also to deter future attacks from Gaza. So Hamas are responsible for what we're seeing in Gaza, but of course everyone has a responsibility in terms of minimising civilian casualties,” he added.

“We agree that international law, international rules of war should be adhered to. And those are the sort of conversations I'm sure the Foreign Secretary was having in Israel in yesterday. But we should also be very clear it is Israel that has been attacked here.”

Latest death toll figures from Gaza

07:54 , Bill Mcloughlin

Over 1,200 people have been killed and 5,339 injured in Gaza since Israel launched air strikes last Saturday, the Palestinian Health Ministry has said this morning.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees says more than 338,000 people have been displaced.

Irish-Israeli citizen among those killed in Hamas music festival attack

07:33 , Josh Salisbury

Irish-Israeli citizen Kim Damti, 22, has been confirmed as one of hundreds killed in a “senseless and barbaric” attack by Hamas militants at a music festival in the Israeli desert.

Ms Damti had been among thousands of young people who attended the Supernova festival near the Gaza border on Saturday where at least 260 people were killed during a surprise sunrise attack by Hamas gunmen.

Irish President Michael D Higgins said he heard the news of Ms Damti’s death with the “greatest sadness”.

“The circumstances in which her life was taken, having travelled as she did to attend a music festival, are truly appalling,” he said.

Read more here.

Cabinet minister ‘concerned’ BBC does not describe Hamas as terrorist organisation

07:29 , Josh Salisbury

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he is “concerned” that the BBC is not calling Hamas a terrorist organisation.

He told Times Radio: “Yes, I am concerned because Hamas are terrorists. One can see quite clearly the terrorist atrocities that Hamas have perpetrated.

“The Government is very clear that Hamas are a terrorist organisation and people should be clear in the (language) that they use.”

The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, is among those who have criticised the broadcaster who have declined to use the term to describe Hamas, a move followed by other major broadcasters such as Channel 4.

However, the BBC’s World Affairs Editor John Simpson said the term was not being used because of the BBC’s commitment to impartiality.

“We regularly point out that the British and other governments have condemned Hamas as a terrorist organisation ... the key point is that we don't say it in our voice,” he said.

Israeli army ‘preparing for ground invasion of Gaza'

07:23 , Josh Salisbury

The Israeli military says it is preparing for a possible ground operation in Gaza but says Israeli leaders have not yet decided on one.

Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told reporters Thursday that forces “are preparing for a ground maneuver if decided."

A ground invasion is widely expected among Israel’s allies, which has raised fears of the humanitarian impact on civilians in the densely-populated strip.

Israel's unity government is under intense pressure from the public to topple Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007. That would likely require formally reoccupying Gaza, at least temporarily.

UK Cabinet minister says ‘Israel must be able to defend itself'

07:15 , Josh Salisbury

Israel must be able to defend itself, rescue hostages and deter future attacks by Hamas, a UK Cabinet minister has said, writes political editor Nicholas Cecil.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay gave unequivocal backing to Israel to defend itself against the “appalling terrorist atrocities” which left hundreds of its citizens dead.

As Israel hits back, the Cabinet minister said civilians casualties should be minimised but avoided questions on whether aid convoys should be allowed into Gaza.

Mr Barclay told GB News: “Israel needs to be able to defend itself from these attacks, to rescue the hostages that have been taken and to deter future attacks of the sort that we have seen.”

He argued: “It’s Hamas that is putting the civilian population at risk, it’s Hamas that is co-locating its military operations in civilians areas, it’s Hamas that has launched the terrorist attacks on Israel and it’s Hamas that has taken hostages back into Gaza.

“So responsibility sits with the terrorist organisation Hamas for what is happening.”

Asked if Britain would support Israel with weapons if as expected it launches a ground offensive into Gaza, he added: “We stand with Israel and we are fully supportive of them and the Foreign Secretary is in Israel discussing that support.”

Former MI6 head: ‘Failure of imagination’ stopped Israel preventing attack

07:14 , Josh Salisbury

Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, has said Israel's failure to pre-empt Hamas' attack stemmed from a “failure of imagination".

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Podcast, Sir Alex said he believed there were two main reasons why Israel's intelligence community had no knowledge of the impending attack.

“The first is, the really big failures that are labelled as intelligence failures... are in fact failures of imagination," he said. “9/11 classically was that. The assumption was not that we were vulnerable to anything in terms of this type of attack. The assumption was that it essentially wasn't possible.

“Absolutely, in this case, the received assumption, demonstrated through (Israel's) actions, particularly the deployment of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces), make it really clear that the received assumption was that the threat from Hamas in Gaza was quiescent.

“And it is my assumption, therefore... that there will have been data breaking through which probably could have been interpreted differently and certainly would be, with hindsight, but people were just not looking at it in that way."

Key developments overnight

07:11 , Josh Salisbury

Good morning. Overnight, several key developments in the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict are:

• The death toll in both Israel and Gaza has surpassed 1,000 in both Israel and the Gaza Strip. In Israel, more than 1,200 people have been killed, while at least 1,100 people, including 326 children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip.

• Joe Biden has called Hamas’s Saturday attack a “campaign of pure cruelty…against the Jewish people,” and said it was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Israel in a show of Washington’s support. Before departing, Mr Blinken said the US stands "resolutely" with Israel and added: “Not since ISIS have we seen this depravity.”

• More than 260,000 people in the Gaza Strip have been displaced by Israeli airstrikes, as calls grow for a humanitarian corridor, according to the United Nations. Some 2.3 million people live in the strip.