Live Updates: Israel intensifies attacks on Gaza after truce collapse

Saturday, December 2, 2023

05:00 GMT - Israel continues bombardment of Gaza

Renewed bombardment of Gaza stretched into a second day on Saturday after talks to extend a week-old truce with Hamas collapsed and mediators said Israeli bombardments were complicating attempts to again pause hostilities.

Eastern areas of Khan Younis in southern Gaza came under intense bombardment, with columns of smoke rising into the sky, Reuters journalists in the city said.

Gaza health officials said Israeli air strikes had killed 184 people, wounded at least 589 others and hit more than 20 houses.

Residents took to the road with belongings heaped up in carts, searching for shelter further west.

04:00 GMT - Israel informs Arab states it wants buffer zone in post-war Gaza

Israel has informed several Arab states that it wants to carve out a buffer zone on the Palestinian side of Gaza's fence as part of proposals for the enclave after war ends, Egyptian and regional sources said.

According to three regional sources, Israel related its plans to its neighbours Egypt and Jordan, along with the United Arab Emirates, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020.

They also said that Saudi Arabia, which does not have ties with Israel and which halted a US-mediated normalisation process after the Gaza war flared on October 7, had been informed. The sources did not say how the information reached Riyadh, which officially does not have direct communication channels with Israel.

02:31 GMT - Gaza’s civilian population cannot be allowed to suffer further: Irish foreign minister

Ireland's foreign minister reiterated his call for a "durable humanitarian ceasefire" and full respect for international humanitarian law.

Micheal Martin said resuming fighting is a "disappointment,” as he condemned Hamas’ actions and the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

"The pause in the conflict in recent days was highly valuable," he said in a statement.

Noting that dozens of hostages have been released during the humanitarian pause, Martin said it also brought "a significant improvement" in access to vital humanitarian aid.

"It is important to stress the catastrophic impact Israel’s military action is having on children and the most vulnerable civilians in Gaza," said Martin.

He stressed that Gaza’s civilian population "cannot be allowed to suffer further."

For our live updates from Friday (December 1), click here.