New Delhi: More than 423,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations said, following heavy Israeli bombardments in retaliation for Hamas's attacks.
As of late Thursday, the number of displaced in Gaza rose by 84,444 people to reach 423,378, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in a statement sent on Friday.
The announcement came as Israel pounded the Gaza Strip in response to Saturday's surprise attack, the deadliest since the country's creation in 1948.
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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Meets Israeli Envoy To Discuss ConflictRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin met Israeli ambassador to Moscow Alexander Ben Zvi on Friday and discussed the current situation around the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the Russian foreign ministry said.
"In this regard, the current activities of the UN Security Council and its possible actions and moves were substantively reviewed, focusing on the urgent need to ensure the protection of civilians in both Israel and Palestine, to prevent catastrophic humanitarian consequences and the spread of the crisis to other countries in the region," the ministry said.
Addressing Humanitarian Crisis In Gaza A "Priority": BidenUS President Joe Biden said Friday that addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was a "priority."
"We can't lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas and Hamas's appalling attacks, and they're suffering as a result as well," Biden said during a speech in Philadelphia.
The US president reiterated his staunch support for Israel following Saturday's attack by Hamas militants, which he described as "pure evil."
More Than 600 Children Among 1,900 Killed In Gaza: Health MinistryIsraeli strikes on Gaza since Hamas's deadly cross-border attack have killed at least 1,900 people, including 614 children, the territory's health ministry said Friday.
Some 370 women were among those killed in the seven days of air strikes, the Hamas-run health ministry said. It added that 7,696 people have been wounded.
UN Chief Says "Even Wars Have Rules' As Israel-Hamas Conflict RagesUN chief Antonio Guterres appealed Friday for the protection of basic human rights as the Israel-Hamas conflict spiraled, stressing that "even wars have rules" and warning against using hostages as human shields.
"The situation in Gaza has reached a dangerous new low," Guterres said ahead of a Security Council meeting on the volatile situation.
"We need immediate humanitarian access throughout Gaza, so that we can get fuel, food and water to everyone in need," he said, adding that the blockaded enclave's health system was on the brink of collapse.
Netanyahu Says Israel's Gaza Onslaught "Just The Beginning"Prime Minister Banjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel's fierce bombardment of Gaza was "just the beginning" of his country's response to Hamas attacks that left 1,300 dead.
With tens of thousands of Israeli troops massed on the Gaza frontier, Netanyahu said in televised address: "Our enemies have only just started paying the price. I cannot reveal what will happen, but I am telling you this is just the beginning."
First Flight Evacuating US Citizens Takes Off From Israel: White HouseThe first flight specially chartered to evacuate American citizens has left Israel and is on its way to Europe, a White House spokesman said on Friday, without giving details of its destination.National Security Council spokesman John Kirby indicated that other flights would follow "for as long as there is demand from US citizens."
Antony Blinken Asks Israel To Spare Gaza CiviliansUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Friday on Israel to limit Palestinian civilian deaths as he worked to set up safe areas in the Gaza Strip, seeking to keep calm in the Arab world following a major Hamas attack.After a solidarity visit to Tel Aviv, Antony Blinken, on a six-nation tour of the Arab world, again defended Israel's right to respond but also stepped up the tone on protecting innocent Palestinians.
UN Chief Appeals For Israel To "Avert Humanitarian Catastrophe"
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed Friday for Israel to "avert a humanitarian catastrophe," after the Israeli army ordered more than one million people to evacuate north Gaza.
"The Secretary-General and his team have been working the phones. He's been in constant contact with Israeli authorities, urging them to avert a humanitarian catastrophe," spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
Indian Woman, Family In Gaza Wait For Passage Near Egypt Border
An Indian woman and her family living in Gaza have left their home and are waiting for safe passage near the coastal strip's southern border with Egypt after Israel ordered some 1.1 million Palestinians on Friday to evacuate northern Gaza and head to the southern part of the besieged territory.
"I left home early in the morning with my husband and daughter and had to undergo a difficult time to reach the southern side of Gaza near the border. The roads have all been destroyed in Israeli bombings, and even transport is a major issue," Lubna Nazir Shaboo, an Indian from Jammu & Kashmir living in Gaza, told PTI.
Read here Will Do "Everything In Our Power" To Free Captive Americans, Says Biden US President Joe Biden vowed in an interview broadcast Friday to do "everything in our power" to free Americans taken hostage by Hamas."They have to know that the president of the United States of America cares deeply about what's happened to them, deeply... And we're going to do everything in our power to get them home if we can find them," he said.
Palestinian PM Accuses Israel Of "Genocide" In Gaza
Palestinian prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh on Friday accused Israel of committing "genocide" in its war against Hamas militants in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
"Our people in Gaza are going through genocide, and Gaza has become a disaster area," Mohammed Shtayyeh told a press conference in Ramallah.
With power supplies cut and food and water in the Palestinian enclave running short after a week of retaliatory air strikes and a full Israeli blockade, the UN said Gaza's civilians were in an impossible situation.
"Death is better than leaving," said Mohammad, 20, standing in the street outside a building reduced to rubble in an Israeli air strike two days ago near the centre of Gaza.
"I was born here, and I will die here, leaving is a stigma."
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Hamas Attack Does Not Justify Gaza's Destruction: Red CrossThe massive Hamas attack on Israel cannot justify the "limitless destruction" of the Gaza Strip, the Red Cross said Friday, as it called for pauses in the fighting.Its statement came as Israel's army on Friday warned residents in north Gaza to flee south ahead of an expected ground offensive.
Israel's siege of Gaza is in response to the weekend attack by Hamas, whose gunmen launched the deadliest ever attack on Israel.
"Nothing can justify the horrific attacks Israel suffered last weekend," said a statement from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Israel Denies Deploying White Phosphorus Bombs In Gaza, Lebanon
Israel denied
accusations from rights groups that it had deployed the incendiary weapon white phosphorus in its war against Hamas militants in the densely populated Gaza Strip, after the Islamists' deadly attack at the weekend.
"We deny those allegations, we have not made use of white phosphorus, not in Gaza and not in Lebanon," an Israeli military spokesman said.
Israel has been pounding Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in recent days, after the Palestinian militants stormed across its border at the weekend, killing more than 1,200 people.
Gazans Moving South In Large Numbers, Says Israel Army Colonel Lerner, IDF Spokesperson tells NDTV reporters that Gazans are moving south in large numbers and the responsibility to move those who are unable to physically move, lies with Hamas.
White House Says Gaza City Evacuation Is A "Tall Order"The Israeli army's call for more than one million people to evacuate north Gaza is a "tall order," the White House said Friday, adding that the United States understands Israel is trying to give civilians "fair warning."
"We understand what they're trying to do. They're trying to move civilians out of harm's way," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN.
White House Says Gaza City Evacuation Is A "Tall Order"The Israeli army's call for more than one million people to evacuate north Gaza is a "tall order," the White House said Friday, adding that the United States understands Israel is trying to give civilians "fair warning."
"We understand what they're trying to do. They're trying to move civilians out of harm's way," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN.
Israel Supports "Safe Areas" For Gaza Civilians: US OfficialIsrael supports setting up "safe areas" for civilians in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected major offensive, a senior US official said on Friday.
The United States and Israel discussed "the need to establish some safe areas where civilians could relocate, be safe from Israel's legitimate security operations", said the official, a day after talks in Tel Aviv.
"We have been engaged with the ICRC (Red Cross), with the UN relief agencies, to work through the details on what that might look like."
Gaza Death Count Surges To 1,799 Including 583 ChildrenThe Gaza death count after a week of ferocious fighting beween Hamas and Israel rose to 1,799 including 583 children, the health ministry said.
The ministry reported in a statement the "martyrdom of 1,799 citizens including 583 children and 351 women", adding that more than 7,000 people have been wounded.
"Limited Stock Of Medicines": 'Doctors Without Borders' Official To NDTV Over 300 doctors and healthcare workers of the international humanitarian group 'Doctors Without Borders' are involved in treating the wounded residents of Gaza. The situation on the ground is catastrophic and unprecedented.
"Health Services should not be targetted in Gaza. International humanitarian laws must be respected. We are treating critical patients suffering from burn injuries and trauma. They need post-surgical care. How can they be evacuated? We used three weeks worth of medical stock in just three days because of the large number of injured patients who needed urgent medical care" Farhat Mantoo the Executive Director of Doctors Without Borders said.
Farhat Mantoo also expressed concern about the safety of the on ground healthcare workers.
Hamas' Secret Tunnels: Israel's Tall Challenge In Ground Offensive PlanAs Israel gears up for an all-out ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, one of the biggest challenges they face is Hamas' extensive tunnel network under Gaza. Several experts have warned that in a ground offensive, Israel will lose its firepower edge and will have to fight the enemy on its terrain.
The densely-populated area with a network of tunnels is a key aspect of Israel's tall security challenge.
Read here "No To Occupation!": Thousands Protest Across Middle East Against IsraelThousands of protesters poured onto the streets of several Middle East capitals Friday in support of Palestinians amid Israeli air strikes on Gaza in reprisal for a surprise Hamas attack.
"No to the occupation! No to America!" chanted demonstrators gathered in central Baghdad after Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr called for a protest "in support of Gaza" and against Israel, an AFP journalist reported.
"This rally is aimed at condemning what is happening in occupied Palestine, the bloodletting and the violation of rights," said Abu Kayan, an organiser of the protest.
Hezbollah Says "Fully Prepared" To Join Hamas In War Against Israel
"We are fully prepared, and when the time comes for action, we will take it," Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem told a pro-Palestinian rally in Beirut's southern suburbs.
Israel Death Count In war With Hamas Crosses 1,300: ArmyMore than 1,300 people have been killed in Israel since Hamas militants unleashed a massive attack from the blockaded Gaza Strip, the army said Friday, raising an earlier toll by 100.
Over 3,200 other people had been wounded, the Israeli army said on X, formerly Twitter, while families of 120 hostages have been contacted since attack at dawn on Saturday that spiralled into all-out war.
Hamas Tells Gaza Residents To Stay Home As Israel Ground Offensive LoomsMosques called on residents of the Gaza Strip not to leave their homes after Israel's military told all civilians, more than 1 million people, to relocate south ahead of an expected ground invasion that risks high casualties.
Israel Drops Flyers On Gaza Warning Residents To Flee "Immediately"
The Israeli military on Friday dropped flyers on Gaza warning residents to flee "immediately" to the south, AFP correspondents in the Palestinian territory said.
"Evacuate your homes immediately and go south of Wadi Gaza," read flyers dropped by drones and seen by AFP.
A map featured on the flyers showed an arrow pointing south across a line in the central Gaza Strip.
Thousands Of Iraqis Rally In Support Of Palestinians
Thousands of Iraqis poured onto the streets of Baghdad Friday in support of Palestinians amid Israeli air strikes on Gaza in reprisal for a deadly Hamas attack, state television said.
"No to the occupation! No to America!" chanted the demonstrators, who had gathered in Tahrir Square after Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr called for a demonstration "in support of Gaza" and against Israel, an AFP journalist reported.
Israel Used White Phosphorous In Gaza, Lebanon: Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch on Thursday accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions in its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, saying the use of such weapons puts civilians at risk of serious and long-term injury.
Asked for comment on the allegations, Israel's military said it was "currently not aware of the use of weapons containing white phosphorous in Gaza." It did not provide comment on the rights watchdog's allegations of their use in Lebanon.
NDTV Exclusive: "Why Were We Born Here?" Gaza Weeps As Israel Bombs
The site on which Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood stands was in ancient times known as Maiuma, which was given the status of a city by a royal decree from Constantine the Great. After thriving for thousands of years, Rimal was on Thursday reduced to rubble after four days of relentless Israeli airstrikes.
Israel Says It Has Called On Gaza City Residents To Evacuate
Israel's army called Friday for all Gaza City residents to evacuate their homes and head south of the territory "for their safety".
"The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) calls for the evacuation of all civilians of Gaza City from their homes southwards for their own safety and protection and move to the area south of the Wadi Gaza as shown on the map," the army said in a statement.
27 Americans Killed By Hamas, US To Evacuate Citizens From Israel: White House
At least 27 American citizens have died and 14 remain unaccounted for as a result of unfolding violence in Israel and the US will arrange charter flights to evacuate its citizens from the strife-torn Jewish state, the White House has announced.
Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out a barrage of air strikes in Southern Israel on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in response launched multiple attacks targeting Hamas' key infrastructure. So far, over 2,000 people have been killed in Israel and the Gaza Strip in the biggest escalation in decades between the two sides.
India is one of the first countries to evacuate its citizens from Israel.
israel Mourns Its Fallen Soldiers
UN Urges Israel To Call Off Gaza Evacuation Order
The United Nations was informed that Israel had ordered 1.1 million residents of northern Gaza to relocate to the south of the territory within 24 hours, a UN spokesperson told AFP Thursday, calling for the order to be rescinded on humanitarian grounds.
"The United Nations strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general told AFP.
"A Moment For Moral Clarity": Antony Blinken's Appeal
UN Appeals For $294 Million For "Urgent Needs" In Gaza
The United Nations on Thursday issued an emergency appeal for $294 million to address "the most urgent needs" in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
The funds would be used to help more than 1.2 million people, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, stressing that aid groups do not have "the resources required to adequately respond to the full range of needs of vulnerable Palestinians."