In the Middle East, the war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas has been raging for the seventh day in a row since the surprise attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement. Follow the latest developments in real time.
7:14 am | ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR | Israel’s order for Palestinians to move into the southern Gaza Strip “is a crime,” says the head of the Arab League
7:10 am | Hezbollah was “preparing” to intervene against Israel in due course
Hezbollah is “fully ready” to intervene against Israel in due course, the number two of the pro-Iranian formation assured on Friday in front of hundreds of its supporters who demonstrated in support of the Palestinians.
“Hezbollah tracks the enemy’s movements. We are well prepared and will take action at the right time,” warned Sheikh Naïm Qassem.
AFP
7am | Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly is on her way to Tel Aviv
6:56 am | War against Hamas: More than 1,300 people killed in Israel
More than 1,300 people have been killed in Israel since the bloody attack from Gaza by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7, the Israeli army said on Friday in a new, upwardly revised figure.
More than 3,200 people were also injured, while the families of 120 hostages had been contacted following the Hamas attack, the army added. According to the Israeli government, more than 150 Israelis, foreigners and dual nationals, are being held by the Palestinian Islamist movement.
AFP
5:10 am | At least 258 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the Hamas attack
At least 258 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the bloody attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas against Israel on October 7, the Israeli army said on Friday.
“The bereaved families of 258 soldiers have been officially informed,” army spokesman Daniel Hagari said at a press conference. An earlier report said 169 soldiers were killed.
AFP
4:52 am | Hundreds of rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel
According to an AFP journalist, hundreds of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Friday, as the Israeli army continues to shell Gaza in response to the bloody attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas last Saturday.
4:45am | Iran: Thousands of people on the streets of Tehran to support the Palestinians
Thousands of Iranians demonstrated in Tehran on Friday to show their support for Palestinians on the seventh day of a bloody war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas
AFP
4:32 am | Blinken is trying to put pressure on Hamas
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a tour of the Arab world on Friday aimed at putting pressure on Hamas as Israel prepares a likely offensive in the Gaza Strip in response to the Islamist movement’s attack.
AFP
4:31am | Hamas rejects evacuation of northern Gaza Strip
Hamas rejected the Israeli army’s evacuation of the northern Gaza Strip, home to 1.1 million people, on Friday, the Islamist movement said in a statement.
AFP
4:28 | Gaza: 13 hostages “including foreigners” killed in Israeli strikes
Thirteen Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the past 24 hours, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement said on Friday.
AFP
3:59 am | Gaza: Iran’s diplomatic chief consults with Hezbollah
Hezbollah’s leader discussed with Iran’s foreign minister, who was visiting Lebanon, “the positions that need to be taken in the face of the war between Israel and Hamas,” the pro-Iranian group said on Friday.
AFP
00:34 | Israel calls for the evacuation of Gaza City within 24 hours
The Israeli army on Friday ordered the evacuation of “all civilians from Gaza” south of the Palestinian enclave on the seventh day of the war between Israel and Hamas.
AFP