02 December 2023 , 20:25
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Israel stepped up its blitz on southern Gaza today as leader Benjamin Netanyahu pulled out of ceasefire talks with Hamas.
Palestinians in Khan Younis said it was the heaviest bombing the city had suffered since the start of the war. Israel warned civilians on Friday to evacuate certain parts of the south but many have told reporters they had nowhere else to flee.
The intense strikes, driving up the death toll, came after fragile negotiations hosted in Qatar broke down as Mr Netanyahu ordered his mediation team back to Israel. His office said talks were at a “dead end” as Hamas had failed to honour an agreement to release all its women and children hostages.
He also said Israel had spent the ceasefire preparing for “absolute victory” adding: “The day before yesterday, I instructed the IDF to resume the war with increasing intensity.” He claimed 400 Hamas targets had been “eliminated” since the ceasefire ended on Friday. The Hamas-controlled health ministry said today at least 193 people have been killed in the latest wave of Israeli attacks.
Israeli strikes in southern Gaza (AFP via Getty Images)It also claims the number of people killed in Gaza since the start of the war has surpassed 15,200, with 70% being women and children – although the accuracy of its figures has been disputed before. Meanwhile, Britain is to conduct special surveillance flights over Israel and Gaza as part of the hostage rescue efforts.
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The Ministry of Defence said the aircraft “will be unarmed, do not have a combat role, and will be tasked solely to locate hostages”. It added that “only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed on to the relevant authorities responsible.”
Today, pro-Palestine protesters gathered in London for an eighth consecutive weekend to oppose Israel’s bombing of Gaza. Police made a number of arrests, with one man detained for holding a placard with a racist message.
Protestors calling for a ceasefire in London (AFP via Getty Images)Meanwhile, at the COP 28 climate summit, US Vice President Kamala Harris warned Israel against a “besiegement of Gaza” and the “forced relocation of Palestinians”.
French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to clarify its goal of destroying Hamas, over fears it could result in “10 years of war”. He said that there must be a durable ceasefire in order to get urgently needed aid into Gaza.
Some aid trucks have been allowed to enter in the last 24 hours but officials have voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian situation.