Live Updates: Israeli 'precise' strike kills more than 100 Palestinians in Gaza shelter

Saturday, August 10, 2024

06:00 GMT — Israeli 'precise' strike kills more than 100 Palestinians in Gaza shelter

The Israeli army has admitted responsibility for a strike that killed at least 100 people in a school housing displaced Palestinians in Gaza City, calling it a "precise strike."

Ismail Al-Thawabta, director general of the Gaza government media office, told AFP that the strike "resulted in more than 100 martyrs and dozens of injuries, most of which are in severe and critical condition".

The government media office said that the school was housing about 250 women and children, about half of them women and children.

05:32 GMT — US Central Command says it destroys Houthi missile, vessel in Yemen

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it " destroyed" a Houthi missile launcher and an uncrewed surface vessel in Yemen.

"Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed two Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles over the Red Sea," it wrote on X.

The weapons presented a "clear and imminent threat" to US and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region, said CENTCOM. "

04:40 GMT — Israel bombs school in Gaza, killing at least 100 displaced Palestinians

Israel has killed more than 100 Palestinians and wounded dozens in a strike on a school in Gaza City, according to official WAFA news agency.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA said Israeli military struck the school hosting displaced Palestinians.

"Forty martyrs and dozens wounded after the Israeli bombing of the Al-Tabai'een school in the Al-Sahaba area in Gaza City," civil defence agency spokesman Mahmoud Basal said earlier in a post on Telegram.

04:22 GMT — US troops come under drone attack in Syria

US troops in Syria have been attacked by a drone, a US official told the Reuters news agency, though there were no injuries according to initial reports.

"Initial reports do not indicate any injuries; however, medical evaluations are ongoing. We are currently conducting a damage assessment," the official added, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The US has a significant military presence in the Middle East, with approximately 45,000 personnel, numerous bases, and formidable air and naval fleets, heightening concerns of a potential regional conflict.

04:26 GMT — US tells Israel escalation 'in no party's interest'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in a phone call that the escalation of tensions in the Middle East was "in no party's interest" while also stressing the need for a Gaza ceasefire, the State Department said.

"The Secretary reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and discussed how escalation is in no party's interest," the State Department said in a statement.

Blinken stressed the "urgent need to reach a ceasefire in Gaza" that could release hostages held in the enclave and "create the conditions for broader regional stability," the State Department added.

04:17 GMT — European countries welcome efforts of 'mediators' of Gaza truce

European countries, including major powers such as France and Italy, have expressed support for joint efforts by Qatar, Egypt and the US to reach a ceasefire in besieged Gaza.

"The war in Gaza must stop," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote X. "This must be clear to everyone."

On the Italian side, the Prime Minister's Office published a statement that said, "Italy supports the efforts of the US, Egypt and Qatar to reach an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2735."

03:50 GMT — Israel kills two more Palestinian journalists in Gaza

Israel has killed two more journalists in southern Gaza, a media group said.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate mourned Tamim Muammar and Abdullah al-Susi and said they were killed in separate raids in Khan Younis.

It said Muammar worked for Palestine Voice Radio while al-Susi was employed with Al-Aqsa Channel.

03:25 GMT — Biden bankrolls Bibi's war on Gaza with new $3.5B allocation

Biden administration is set to provide Israel's Netanyahu regime with $3.5 billion to spend on US weapons and military equipment, releasing the money months after it was appropriated by the US Congress, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The US State Department notified lawmakers that the government intended to release billions of dollars worth of "foreign military financing: to Israel, CNN reported, adding that the money comes from the $14.1 billion supplemental funding bill for Israel passed in April.

Israeli hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [also known as Bibi] shares a strong relationship with US President Joe Biden, who identifies himself as a Zionist, and is accused of being complicit in genocide of Palestinians in besieged Gaza.

03:00 GMT — Israeli media publish footage of army drone strike on unarmed Palestinians

Israeli media have published a video of a drone strike that killed a group of unarmed Palestinian civilians in besieged Gaza.

Published by broadcaster Channel 14, the video showed the Israeli army targeting Palestinian civilians as they were returning to inspect their homes.

The civilians in the video are clearly seen to have no weapons on them as they were struck by the Israeli drone.

02:29 GMT — Saudi Arabia welcomes mediators inviting Hamas and Israel to resume talks

Saudi Arabia has welcomed the US, Egypt and Qatar, inviting Israel and Hamas to resume Gaza ceasefire negotiations on August 15, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The kingdom affirmed its full support to the mediators' efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and urgently address the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, the ministry said.

02:00 GMT — White House blasts Israeli minister's criticism of possible ceasefire

The White House has blasted Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, calling his criticism of a Gaza ceasefire proposal "absurd" and accusing him of endangering the lives of Israeli captives.

"We've seen some statements from some quarters in Israel over recent days attacking the deal. I just want to underscore how long this is, not only in substance, but also jeopardising the lives of the hostages, and running cattle to Israel's own national security interests," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

"Some critics, like Mr. Smotrich, for example, have claimed that the hostage deals surrendered to Hamas, or that hostages should not be exchanged for (Palestinian) prisoners. Mr. Smotrich, which essentially suggests that the war ought to go on indefinitely without pause and with the lives of the hostages of no real concern at all," he added.

For our live updates from Friday, August 9, 2024, click here.