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 14 Version 15
Israel Gaza conflict: Deaths mount in Gaza as UN meeting begins Israel Gaza conflict: Deaths mount in Gaza as UN meeting begins
(about 1 hour 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
Forty-two people have died in the latest Israeli air strikes on Gaza, as the conflict with Palestinian militants entered its seventh day.Forty-two people have died in the latest Israeli air strikes on Gaza, as the conflict with Palestinian militants entered its seventh day.
Gaza health officials said 16 women and 10 children were among the dead.Gaza health officials said 16 women and 10 children were among the dead.
Israel's military said it had been targeting leaders and infrastructure linked to Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza.Israel's military said it had been targeting leaders and infrastructure linked to Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza.
Hamas launched a new barrage of rockets towards southern Israel on Sunday afternoon.Hamas launched a new barrage of rockets towards southern Israel on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, a UN Security Council meeting has begun, with international mediators hoping to broker a ceasefire.Meanwhile, a UN Security Council meeting has begun, with international mediators hoping to broker a ceasefire.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the meeting by describing the violence as "utterly appalling" and said the fighting must stop immediately.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the meeting by describing the violence as "utterly appalling" and said the fighting must stop immediately.
Follow live updatesFollow live updates
The Israel-Palestinian conflict explained
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.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.Ten people, including two children, have been killed by militant attacks on Israel, Israeli officials say.
The Israel-Palestinian conflict explained Rockets launched by Hamas have hit Ashkelon, southern Israel
Thousands protest in London over Gaza violence 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 began firing rockets after warning Israel to withdraw from the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes.
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.
How heavy were the latest bombardments?How heavy were the latest 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. The Israeli air strikes - the deadliest attack in the conflict so far - hit a busy street just after midnight on Sunday.
Both residences had, it said, "served as military infrastructure" for Hamas. Palestinian rescue workers have been working through the rubble of at least three destroyed buildings, pulling out bodies and searching for survivors.
This young girl was rescued from rubble in Gaza City on Sunday
"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," said the BBC's Rushdi Abualouf in Gaza.
"The building in which I live in [the] western part of the city shook like an earthquake," he wrote on Twitter. "A hysterical state of chaos, children and women in the building that houses more than 200 people screaming."
Israel's military said it struck the homes of both Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and his brother Muhammad Sinwar, whom it described as head of logistics and manpower for the movement.
Yahya Sinwar pictured in Gaza City in 2019Yahya Sinwar pictured in Gaza City in 2019
Both residences had, it said, "served as military infrastructure" for Hamas.
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. It was unlikely they were at home at the time of the strikes, according to the Associated Press news agency.
"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." 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 reports of casualties.
This young girl was rescued from rubble in Gaza City on Sunday Israelis clean up a rocket-damaged synagogue in Ashkelon
A whole building was reduced to rubble by overnight air strikes in Gaza City The country's Iron Dome defence system has intercepted many of them.
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. The Israeli military said it had seen the highest ever concentration of rocket attacks on its territory during the past week.
Israel said the militants had launched 3,000 rockets in the past week, which it described as unprecedented. How likely is a ceasefire?
People in Sderot in Israel rushed to bomb shelters after sirens sounded on Sunday By Paul Adams, BBC diplomatic correspondent
Israeli self-propelled artillery opened fire in the direction of Gaza on Sunday Is Israel's military operation in Gaza, dubbed "Guardian of the Walls", nearing its conclusion?
Some 120 rockets had been launched overnight but there were no reports of serious injuries. Not obviously. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks are continuing with "full force" and will "take time".
What are the prospects for a ceasefire? In a news conference on Sunday, he admitted there were "pressures" but thanked US President Joe Biden, in particular, for his support.
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. Mr Biden's envoy, Hady Amr, has been in Israel since Friday, discussing the crisis with Israeli officials.
On Saturday, the Israeli military blew up a tower block in Gaza City used by international media after issuing warnings to evacuate it. Unusually, at the end of a week that has also seen an alarming spate of intercommunal violence in mixed Jewish-Arab cities, he also met Israeli Arab leaders.
Since the US, like Israel and many other countries, regards Hamas as a terrorist organisation, Mr Amr will not be meeting one of the two warring parties.
Any messages for Hamas will have to go through traditional interlocutors, such as Egypt or Qatar.
Local reports suggest Hamas has been offering some kind of ceasefire for several days, only to be rebuffed by Israel, which clearly wants to inflict as much damage as it can on the militants before the fighting is finally brought to a close.
These episodes follow a familiar pattern: Israel presses home its undoubted military advantage until the international outcry over civilian casualties, and a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, demand that the operation end.
In Israel's estimation, we have not reached that point yet.
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.
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.
Mr Biden told both leaders he remained committed to finding a two-state solution to the conflict.
A 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.
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).
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?"
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 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