This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-57131272

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Israel Gaza conflict: Air strike targets Hamas leader Israel Gaza conflict: Deaths mount in Gaza as UN meeting begins
(32 minutes later)
Excavators worked to clear rubble in Gaza City after the new air strikesExcavators worked to clear rubble in Gaza City after the new air strikes
The Israeli military says it has bombed the home of the political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in a wave of air strikes on the Gaza Strip. Forty-two people have died in the latest Israeli air strikes on Gaza, as the conflict with Palestinian militants entered its seventh day.
It released video of an exploding bomb which it said had hit the home of Yahya Sinwar, the group's overall leader in the territory. Gaza health officials said 16 women and 10 children were among the dead.
Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed at least 33 people early on Sunday, officials there said. Israel's military said it had been targeting leaders and infrastructure linked to Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza.
Militants fired rockets at Israel, with a new barrage on Sunday afternoon. Hamas launched a new barrage of rockets towards southern Israel on Sunday afternoon.
Live updates Meanwhile, a UN Security Council meeting has begun, with international mediators hoping to broker a ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "continue to respond forcefully" to rocket attacks. Israel has recorded nearly 3,000 rocket launches from Gaza since Monday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the meeting by describing the violence as "utterly appalling" and said the fighting must stop immediately.
A UN Security Council meeting is set to take place later on Sunday and the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation is holding virtual emergency talks. Follow live updates
Since it began on Monday at least 188 people have been killed in Gaza, including 55 children and 33 women, with 1,230 injured, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Israel says dozens of militants are among the dead.
Ten people, including two children, have been killed by militant attacks on Israel, Israeli officials say.
The Israel-Palestinian conflict explainedThe Israel-Palestinian conflict explained
Thousands protest in London over Gaza violenceThousands protest in London over Gaza violence
US President Joe Biden phoned Mr Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to express concern about the situation on Saturday. The flare-up of violence over the last week came after weeks of increasing Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem, which culminated in clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews. Hamas - the Palestinian militant group that runs Gaza - began firing rockets after warning Israel to withdraw from the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes.
Since the fighting began on Monday at least 181 people have been killed in Gaza, including 52 children and 31 women, with 1,225 injured, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Israel says dozens of militants are among the dead. How heavy were the latest bombardments?
Ten people, including two children, have been killed by militant attacks on Israel, Israeli officials say.
The flare-up of violence over the last six days came after weeks of increasing Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem, which culminated in clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews. Hamas - the Palestinian militant group that runs Gaza - began firing rockets after warning Israel to withdraw from the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes.
How heavy were the overnight bombardments?
Israel's military said it had struck the homes of both Yahya Sinwar and his brother Muhammad Sinwar, whom it described as head of logistics and manpower for Hamas.Israel's military said it had struck the homes of both Yahya Sinwar and his brother Muhammad Sinwar, whom it described as head of logistics and manpower for Hamas.
Both residences had, it said, "served as military infrastructure" for Hamas.Both residences had, it said, "served as military infrastructure" for Hamas.
Yahya Sinwar pictured in Gaza City in 2019Yahya Sinwar pictured in Gaza City in 2019
Local sources confirmed to media that the Hamas leader's home in the Gaza town of Khan Younis had been bombed. There were no immediate reports about the fate of the two brothers.Local sources confirmed to media that the Hamas leader's home in the Gaza town of Khan Younis had been bombed. There were no immediate reports about the fate of the two brothers.
Multiple air strikes rocked Gaza City during the night, with dozens of people reported missing under the rubble of homes, said the BBC's Rushdi Abualouf in Gaza.Multiple air strikes rocked Gaza City during the night, with dozens of people reported missing under the rubble of homes, said the BBC's Rushdi Abualouf in Gaza.
"I have never covered air strikes with such intensity, explosions are everywhere in Gaza, there are difficulties in communicating with officials to find out where the strikes are," he said on Twitter."I have never covered air strikes with such intensity, explosions are everywhere in Gaza, there are difficulties in communicating with officials to find out where the strikes are," he said on Twitter.
Mothers fear for their childrenMothers fear for their children
What is Hamas?What is Hamas?
How Israel's Iron Dome missile shield worksHow Israel's Iron Dome missile shield works
"The building in which I live in [the] western part of the city shook like an earthquake," he said. "A hysterical state of chaos, children and women in the building that houses more than 200 people screaming.""The building in which I live in [the] western part of the city shook like an earthquake," he said. "A hysterical state of chaos, children and women in the building that houses more than 200 people screaming."
This young girl was rescued from rubble in Gaza City on SundayThis young girl was rescued from rubble in Gaza City on Sunday
A whole building was reduced to rubble by overnight air strikes in Gaza CityA whole building was reduced to rubble by overnight air strikes in Gaza City
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, 33 people were killed and 50 injured in Gaza overnight, with eight children and 12 women among the dead.
Shortly after noon, rockets were launched by militants in Gaza against Ashkelon, Ashdod, Netivot and other parts of central and southern Israel, according to Israeli media. There were no immediate reports of casualties.Shortly after noon, rockets were launched by militants in Gaza against Ashkelon, Ashdod, Netivot and other parts of central and southern Israel, according to Israeli media. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Israel said the militants had launched 3,000 rockets in the past week, which it described as unprecedented.
People in Sderot in Israel rushed to bomb shelters after sirens sounded on SundayPeople in Sderot in Israel rushed to bomb shelters after sirens sounded on Sunday
Israeli self-propelled artillery opened fire in the direction of Gaza on SundayIsraeli self-propelled artillery opened fire in the direction of Gaza on Sunday
Some 120 rockets had been launched overnight but there were no reports of serious injuries.Some 120 rockets had been launched overnight but there were no reports of serious injuries.
What are the prospects for a ceasefire?What are the prospects for a ceasefire?
Blaming the militants for the conflict. Mr Netanyahu said strikes would continue for "as long as necessary" and everything possible was being done to limit civilian casualties.Blaming the militants for the conflict. Mr Netanyahu said strikes would continue for "as long as necessary" and everything possible was being done to limit civilian casualties.
On Saturday, the Israeli military blew up a tower block in Gaza City used by international media after issuing warnings to evacuate it.On Saturday, the Israeli military blew up a tower block in Gaza City used by international media after issuing warnings to evacuate it.
A Gaza tower block housing news outlets was destroyed in an Israeli strike on SaturdayA Gaza tower block housing news outlets was destroyed in an Israeli strike on Saturday
President Biden told Mr Netanyahu he continued to support Israel's right to defend itself. He expressed concern over deaths on both sides and called for journalists to be protected.President Biden told Mr Netanyahu he continued to support Israel's right to defend itself. He expressed concern over deaths on both sides and called for journalists to be protected.
Speaking to President Abbas, the US leader said he was committed to "strengthening the US-Palestinian partnership". He also said the Hamas rocket fire into Israel had to stop.Speaking to President Abbas, the US leader said he was committed to "strengthening the US-Palestinian partnership". He also said the Hamas rocket fire into Israel had to stop.
President Abbas, who is based in the occupied West Bank, has little power in Gaza but the US will not speak to Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist organisation.President Abbas, who is based in the occupied West Bank, has little power in Gaza but the US will not speak to Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist organisation.
Mr Biden told both leaders he remained committed to finding a two-state solution to the conflict.Mr Biden told both leaders he remained committed to finding a two-state solution to the conflict.
A major foreign policy headache for BidenA major foreign policy headache for Biden
US envoy Hady Amr is having talks with top Israeli officials including Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on Sunday.US envoy Hady Amr is having talks with top Israeli officials including Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on Sunday.
Ahead of the Security Council meeting, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reminded all sides "that any indiscriminate targeting of civilian and media structures violates international law and must be avoided at all costs".Ahead of the Security Council meeting, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reminded all sides "that any indiscriminate targeting of civilian and media structures violates international law and must be avoided at all costs".
EU foreign ministers are to discuss the conflict in video talks on Tuesday. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged Israel and the Palestinians to resume talks.EU foreign ministers are to discuss the conflict in video talks on Tuesday. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged Israel and the Palestinians to resume talks.
"What is needed now is: 1. an end to the rocket attacks, 2. an end to the violence and 3. a return to talks... on a two-state solution," he tweeted (in German)."What is needed now is: 1. an end to the rocket attacks, 2. an end to the violence and 3. a return to talks... on a two-state solution," he tweeted (in German).
Pope Francis urged the warring sides to "end the clamour of weapons and to take the path of peace".Pope Francis urged the warring sides to "end the clamour of weapons and to take the path of peace".
"Many innocent people have died, amongst them there are also children," he said in a weekly address to the Catholic faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square. "This is terrible. Unacceptable. Their death is a sign that [people] don't want to build a future but destroy it... I wonder where hatred and revenge will lead?""Many innocent people have died, amongst them there are also children," he said in a weekly address to the Catholic faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square. "This is terrible. Unacceptable. Their death is a sign that [people] don't want to build a future but destroy it... I wonder where hatred and revenge will lead?"
Pro-Palestinian protests were held across the world on Saturday, from Europe to the Americas. In central Paris, police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse an illegal demonstration while in London, nine police officers were hurt during clashes with protesters outside the Israeli embassy.Pro-Palestinian protests were held across the world on Saturday, from Europe to the Americas. In central Paris, police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse an illegal demonstration while in London, nine police officers were hurt during clashes with protesters outside the Israeli embassy.
Thousands protest in London over Gaza violenceThousands protest in London over Gaza violence
Are you in Israel or Gaza and affected by the fighting? Please share your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Israel or Gaza and affected by the fighting? Please share your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSayTweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policyPlease read our terms & conditions and privacy policy