GAZA UPDATES: Iran asks Israel to stop before ‘it’s too late’

*Warns Tel Aviv risks “a huge earthquake” of resistance

Iran has warned Israel to immediately halt its “war crimes” against Gaza or it could face “a huge earthquake” of resista3nce.

More than 320 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours, including many women and children killed in Israeli air raids on convoys fleeing Gaza City, according to health officials.

Thousands in London rally in solidarity with Palestinians

Thousands of individuals gathered in London and various UK cities to participate in pro-Palestinian protests.

Protesters making their way through the center of the British capital were closely monitored by an extensive police contingent consisting of over 1,000 officers.

Comparable demonstrations occurred in Manchester in the north of England, Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and other urban centers.

Israel officials indicate more time for Gaza people to flee

Government officials indicate more time will be given for Palestinian civilians to leave the north of Gaza ahead of an expected full-scale ground offensive.

Military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Lerner did not say there is a deadline to leave north Gaza, but told a news briefing: “We have extended once again because we realised that there is a huge amount of people that need to get out. We are continuing to encourage the population in the north of the Gaza Strip and Gaza City to go south and get out of harm’s way.”

Foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat told the briefing that Israel is not demanding Palestinians leave Gaza – but just to get out of the north.

“We gave them [civilians] the time to do so and we will continue to give civilians time to leave the places that we think Hamas is using for its terrorist infrastructure,” Haiat said.

Iran FM meets Hamas’ chief Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has met with the leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh in the Qatari capital Doha, according to Al Jazeera Arabic.

Qatar has taken on the role of regional mediator with the West in recent years.

Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Doha on Saturday after meeting allies on trips to Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, including with the chief of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah.

Earlier in Beirut, Amir-Abdollahian discussed the situation in Gaza and the region with the top Hamas official in exile, Saleh Arouri, and the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, Ziad Nakhaleh, according to Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV.

Israel faces the threat of a separate confrontation on its northern border with Lebanon and artillery exchanges have taken place with Hezbollah in recent days.

Biden pledged continued support for Israel in Netanyahu call: White House

The White House has released their read out of Biden’s call with Israeli’s Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Abbas.

Biden reiterated “unwavering US support for Israel” during the call with Netanyahu, as well as “US coordination with the United Nations, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and others in the region to ensure innocent civilians have access to water, food, and medical care”, according to the White House.

The read out did not specifically reference Gaza, but added: Biden “affirmed his support for all efforts to protect civilians”.

In the call with Abbas, Biden “condemned Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel and reiterated that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination”, the White House said.

At least 724 children killed by Israel in Gaza: Rights group

At least 724 children were killed by Israeli shelling and air strikes in Gaza, Defence for Children International-Palestine has said.

In the last 24 hours, seven Palestinian children – all boys – were killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank.

‘Call of duty’: Medical staff refuse to abandon Al Awda Hospital

In addition to working around the clock to treat all the wounded, medical workers at the Al Awda Hospital have opened its doors to those fleeing the destruction and looking for what they hope is a safe place to shelter.

Many people are afraid to heed Israel’s demand they head south because convoys of evacuating people have been hit, and everyone in the hospital – doctors, patients, medics – is afraid if they try to leave they will be killed on the road.

And so they huddle together, sleep deprived and running dangerously low on food and water.

“We decided not to leave,” said Dr Nisreen al-Shorafa. “[We] have no way to know if we’re going to be bombed or not. We are absolutely right to heed the call of duty. As doctors, as nurses, all of us need to unite at times like this.”

At least 724 children were killed by Israeli shelling and air strikes in Gaza, Defence for Children International-Palestine has said.

In the last 24 hours, seven Palestinian children – all boys – were killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank.

Fire continues to be exchanged along Israel-Lebanon border

The 120km (80-mile) border has been witnessing significant activities over the past few days. Today, there were attacks in Shebaa Farms that Lebanon regards as Lebanese territories.

Hezbollah just published a few minutes ago a video showing direct hits on several Israeli military positions and in Shebaa Farms. However, Israeli retaliation on the area led to civilian casualties. There were two people killed as reported.

Also earlier today, there was a drone attack by Israel on a group of fighters who were trying to infiltrate the border towards Israel. There are reports also of a suspicious aerial infiltration from the Lebanese side that was intercepted by the Israeli anti-missile system.

the place because there is loss of communication, and you don’t know if they’re going to be targeted immediately or not,” Mahmoud Shalabi said.

“To die during this time is better than to get injured, because your treatment is going to be delayed. So this is actually more merciful than being injured during these attacks.”

Can Hamas be ‘wiped out’ in an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza?

Israel has called up 350,000 reservists who will triple the size of the country’s fighting force.

Despite that, Zoran Kusovac, a military analyst, said the eradication of Hamas is not just a lofty goal – but nearly impossible.

“It’s a complete impossibility because it’s not like you can distinguish fighters from civilians. Of course, Israeli secret services have identified many of them. But in a situation where you’re fighting, it’s very difficult,” he told Al Jazeera.

The more extreme possible goal of Israel’s ground invasion is emptying the besieged enclave entirely, he said.

Fire continues to be exchanged along Israel-Lebanon border

The 120km (80-mile) border has been witnessing significant activities over the past few days. Today, there were attacks in Shebaa Farms that Lebanon regards as Lebanese territories.

Hezbollah just published a few minutes ago a video showing direct hits on several Israeli military positions and in Shebaa Farms. However, Israeli retaliation on the area led to civilian casualties. There were two people killed as reported.

Also earlier today, there was a drone attack by Israel on a group of fighters who were trying to infiltrate the border towards Israel. There are reports also of a suspicious aerial infiltration from the Lebanese side that was intercepted by the Israeli anti-missile system.

Ambulances being targeted by Israeli air attacks: Aid group

The Gaza programme manager for Medical Aid for Palestinians says ambulances in Gaza are being targeted by Israeli air raids.

“Sometimes ambulances can’t go immediately to the place because there is loss of communication, and you don’t know if they’re going to be targeted immediately or not,” Mahmoud Shalabi said.

“To die during this time is better than to get injured, because your treatment is going to be delayed. So this is actually more merciful than being injured during these attacks.”

Source: Al Jazeera