Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Hamas will “pay a heavy price” for the death of six hostages in Gaza.
In a press conference, he said: “Israel will not accept the massacre of six hostages. Hamas will pay a heavy price.”
He was speaking after 24 hours of major protests in Israel after the death of the hostages on Sunday.
Protesters demanded that Netanyahu cease prosecuting an offensive in Gaza and prioritise returning the hostages still alive in the Hamas-controlled enclave. Several dozen of the 251 originally taken, of whom around half remain in Gaza, have been killed.
It comes as British foreign secretary David Lammy announced that the UK is suspending 30 of the 350 arms export licences to Israel.
The decision has been made after the new Labour government said it found a “clear risk” that UK arms could be used in serious violation of humanitarian law relating to the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the supply of aid to Gaza.
Mr Lammy insisted, however, that “Throughout my life I have been a friend of Israel”.
Key Points
- Netanyahu says Hamas will ‘pay a heavy price’ for death of six hostages
- Biden says US ‘very close’ to presenting final hostage deal proposal
- Israel’s Labour court rules general strike across country must end within hour
- Watch: Funeral of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin held hostage by Hamas takes place in Jerusalem
- Anger over hostage deaths erupts into protests demanding ceasefire and deal to bring captives home
- Hostage families blame Netanyahu after six bodies recovered from Rafah tunnels
Family of killed Israeli hostage beg Netanyahu to agree Hamas truce amid angry street protests
22:00
Tom Watling
If you would like to read more about what’s happening in Israel and Gaza, have a look at Tuesday morning’s splash from our Chief International Correspondent Bel Trew below.
Israel recovers six hostage bodies in Gaza killed not long before troops reached them
Sunday 1 September 2024 11:59
Tara Cobham
Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in southern Gaza where they were apparently killed not long before Israeli troops reached them, the military said on Sunday.
The Israeli military announced the recovery of the bodies from underground in the southern city of Rafah as a polio vaccination campaign began in the war-shattered territory and violence flared in the occupied West Bank.
The bodies of Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino have been returned to Israel, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in a briefing.
Discovery likely to spur further Israeli protests demanding captives release deal
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:04
Tara Cobham
Sunday's news that more hostage bodies had been recovered was likely to spur further protests by Israelis demanding a hostage release deal.
The discovery sparked calls for mass protests by families of the hostages who said their loved ones could have been returned alive in a ceasefire deal, while 101 Israeli and foreign captives are still in Gaza, with around two-thirds of these possibly alive.
The Hostage Families Forum called on Netanyahu to take responsibility and explain what was holding up an agreement.
"They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity. The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages," it said.
‘Devastated and outraged’ Biden vows ‘Hamas leaders will pay'
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:13
Tara Cobham
US President Joe Biden, who has closely followed the fate of the hostages, said the six included Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and that he was "devastated and outraged".
"Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages," he said in a statement.
Biden ‘still optimistic’ about ceasefire deal to stop conflict in Gaza
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:19
Tara Cobham
US President Joe Biden has said he is "still optimistic" about a ceasefire deal to stop the conflict in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, earlier, he added that “people are continuing to meet”.
Months of stop-start negotiations mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt have so far failed to secure a ceasefire agreement, despite increased US pressure for a deal and repeated trips by top officials to the region.
More than 40,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s offensive on Gaza since 7 October
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:20
Tara Cobham
At least 40,738 Palestinians have been killed and 94,154 wounded in Israel's military offensive on Gaza since 7 October, the enclave's health authorities said on Sunday.
UN begins polio vaccination campaign for children in Gaza
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:23
Tara Cobham
The United Nations, in collaboration with Palestinian health authorities, began to give polio vaccinations to 640,000 children in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, with Israel and Hamas agreeing to brief pauses in their 11-month war to allow the campaign to go ahead.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed last month that a baby was partially paralysed by the type 2 polio virus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years.
The campaign began on Sunday in areas of central Gaza, and will move to other areas in coming days. Fighting will pause for at least eight hours on three consecutive days.
The WHO said the pauses will likely need to extend to a fourth day and the first round of vaccinations will take just under two weeks.
Children, escorted by members of their families, crowded a UN-run clinic in the central Gaza city of Deir Al-Balah, where around one million people were sheltering, according to Palestinian officials. Medical staffers marked children who got the drops with a pen on their fingers.
Three Israeli police officers shot dead in West Bank
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:38
Tara Cobham
Palestinian militants have killed three Israeli police officers when they opened fire on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank, where Israel has carried out large-scale raids in recent days.
The attack took place along a road in the southern West Bank early on Sunday.
The raids have mainly been focused on urban refugee camps in the northern part of the territory, where Israeli forces have traded fire with militants on a near-daily basis since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.
The police confirmed all three killed were officers and said the assailants fled.
One of the officers killed was Roni Shakuri, 61, from the southern town of Sderot near the Gaza border, police said. His daughter, Mor, who was also a police officer, was killed in a battle with Hamas militants when they tried to take over Sderot police station during the October 7 attack.
A little-known militant group calling itself the Khalil al-Rahman Brigade claimed responsibility for Sunday's attack, while Hamas praised it as a "natural response" to the war in Gaza and called for more.
The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas's 7 October attack out of Gaza ignited the war.
More than 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, mainly during Israeli military arrest raids. Most appear to have been militants involved in gun battles with Israeli forces, but civilian bystanders and rock-throwing protesters have also been killed.
Harris reiterates call for ceasefire in Gaza after six hostages found dead
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:42
Tara Cobham
Simon Harris reiterated his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire following the discovery of the bodies of the six hostages in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Saturday.
Israel has said they were killed shortly before its forces reached the tunnel in which they were found.
David Young reports:
Israel's Lapid calls for labor strike after hostages' bodies recovered
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:43
Tara Cobham
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called on Sunday for a strike to shut down the country's economy in order to pressure the government to reach a deal to release the remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip.
Lapid, who is also a former prime minister, called on every Israeli "whose heart was broken this morning" to join a major protest in Tel Aviv later in the day. He also called on Israel's main labor union, businesses and municipalities to go on strike.
His remarks came after Israel recovered the bodies of six more hostages from captivity in Gaza.
Hamas official blames Israel for death of hostages
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:45
Tara Cobham
Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq on Sunday blamed Israel for the death of hostages, saying Israel was unwilling to reach a deal.
Netanyahu insists Israel is committed to deal while he says whoever kills hostages is not
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:50
Tara Cobham
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would not rest until it catches those responsible for the killing of six hostages whose bodies were recovered from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu, in a statement, insisted that Israel was committed to achieving a deal to release remaining hostages and ensure Israel's security – while he said that whoever kills hostages “does not want a deal”.
Six deaths leaves 101 Israeli and foreign captives still in Gaza
Sunday 1 September 2024 12:55
Tara Cobham
The recovered bodies were from about 250 hostages captured during the Hamas-led shock incursion into southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza on 7 October last year.
Their deaths leaves 101 Israeli and foreign captives still in Gaza, but around a third of these are known to have died, with the fate of others unknown.
About 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas assault, according to Israeli tallies.
Hostage families blame Netanyahu after six bodies recovered from Rafah tunnels
Sunday 1 September 2024 13:22
Tara Cobham
The families of the Israeli hostages have blamed Benjamin Netanyahu after the bodies of six captives were recovered from Gaza.
The discovery sparked calls for mass protests by families of the hostages who said their loved ones could have been returned alive in a ceasefire deal.
The Hostage Families Forum called on the Israeli prime minister to take responsibility and explain what was holding up an agreement, as 101 Israeli and foreign captives remain in Gaza, with around two-thirds of these possibly alive.
Speaking of the six, the forum said: “They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity. The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages.”
Israeli defence minister calls for deal to bring Gaza hostages home
Sunday 1 September 2024 14:00
Tara Cobham
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to conclude a ceasefire deal with Hamas to bring the remaining hostages home from Gaza, as the bodies of six of those taken on 7 October were brought home.
"It's too late for the abductees who were murdered in cold blood. The abductees who remain in the captivity of Hamas must be returned home," he said on the social media platform X.
"The political-security cabinet must convene immediately and reverse the decision made on Thursday," he said, referring to a decision by the cabinet to insist on keeping troops in the so-called Philadelphi corridor, along the southern edge of Gaza.
Netanyahu's insistence on keeping troops in the corridor to prevent Hamas smuggling weapons in from Egypt, has been widely seen as one of the major obstacles to an agreement with Hamas in talks brokered by Egypt and Qatar.
Gallant has clashed repeatedly with Netanyahu and hardline religious nationalist ministers over the need to reach a deal to halt the fighting in Gaza and bring the remaining hostages back in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Around a third of the 101 Israeli and foreign captives still in Gaza are believed to have died, with the fate of the others unknown.
Israeli media reported that Gallant confronted Netanyahu angrily during the cabinet meeting on Thursday over the issue of the Philadelphi corridor and warned that time was running out for a hostage deal.
הקבינט המדיני-ביטחוני חייב להתכנס באופן מיידי ולהפוך את ההחלטה שהתקבלה ביום חמישי.
— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) September 1, 2024
זה מאוחר עבור החטופים שנרצחו בדם קר. חייבים להשיב הביתה את החטופים שנותרו בשבי החמאס.
מדינת ישראל תבוא חשבון עם כל ראשי ומרצחי החמאס, עד האחרון שבהם.
White House’s National Security Adviser to speak with hostages’ families, according to reports
Sunday 1 September 2024 15:03
Tara Cobham
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to hold a virtual meeting on Sunday with families of American hostages held by Hamas, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said on social media, citing a source.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to hold a virtual meeting today with the families of the American hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, per source with direct knowledge
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) September 1, 2024
Israeli trades union federation calls general strike on Monday
Sunday 1 September 2024 15:07
Tara Cobham
Israel's largest trade union has called a general strike on Monday following the deaths of six hostages in the Gaza Strip.
The Histadrut, which represents some 800,000 workers in such areas as health care, transport and banking, said the strike would begin on Monday morning.
It is aimed at stepping up pressure on the government to reach a ceasefire that would bring home the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
The head of the union, Arnon Bar-David, called on all civilian workers to join the strike and said Ben Gurion airport, Israel’s main air transport hub, would be closed from 8am local time (5am GMT).
Bar-David said that for now, the strike would just be for Monday but he sharply criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for failing to bring hostages back alive. A dozen bodies of hostages have been brought back to Israel in the past week. Some 101 still remain, although Israel believes one-third of them are no longer alive.
"The neglect of the economy must be stopped," Bar-David said at a news conference. "Israel must be returned to a reasonable routine... We must reach a deal. A deal is more important than anything else.
"We are getting body bags instead of a deal."
This would be the first general strike since the Hamas attack on 7 October.
A general strike last year during Netanyahu's judicial overhaul helped lead to a temporary delay in the plan.
Starmer condemns ‘horrific and senseless’ killing of six hostages in Gaza
Sunday 1 September 2024 15:10
Tara Cobham
The Prime Minister has labelled the killing of six Israeli hostages in Gaza "horrific and senseless".
Sir Keir Starmer posted on social media site X: "I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time.
"Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering."
I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 1, 2024
Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.
Hostages’ families to hold gathering later to ‘mourn and pray together'
Sunday 1 September 2024 15:11
Tara Cobham
Nivi Feldman, co-chair of The Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK, said a gathering will take place later on Sunday to "mourn and pray together".
She said: "We are devastated to learn that these hostages have been murdered so brutally.
"We are calling for a deal to be made today.
"We will come together later to mourn and pray together for their souls.
"We're devastated that such pure souls were taken out of parties, they were taken out of homes, it's just devastating.
"The community is in shock, the community is in mourning, the community wants their suffering to end."
UK foreign secretary calls for release of hostages and deal to end war in Gaza
Sunday 1 September 2024 15:13
Tara Cobham
The UK foreign secretary has called for the immediate release of all hostages and for all sides to accept the deal to end the war in Gaza.
David Lammy said on X: "The UK condemns Hamas' appalling murder of six innocent hostages in Gaza in the strongest terms. I offer my deepest condolences to those grieving at this awful time.
"Hamas must release all the hostages immediately, and all sides must accept the deal on the table to end this war."
Shadow home secretary James Cleverly posted: “The heartbreaking news of the murder of these hostages serves as a brutal reminder of the ongoing suffering Hamas are causing since October 7th.
“Everything must be done to get all hostages out of the hands of Hamas.”
The UK condemns Hamas’ appalling murder of 6 innocent hostages in Gaza in the strongest terms. I offer my deepest condolences to those grieving at this awful time.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) September 1, 2024
Hamas must release all the hostages immediately, and all sides must accept the deal on the table to end this war.
Watch: Netanyahu decries ‘terrible, cold-blooded murder of six hostages’
Sunday 1 September 2024 15:41
Tara Cobham
Senator Lindsey Graham is ‘heartbroken, devastated, mad’ over hostage deaths
Sunday 1 September 2024 15:58
Tara Cobham
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has said told ABC News’ This Week that he is “heartbroken, devastated, mad” over the deaths of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered in Gaza on Saturday.
GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham tells @JonKarl that he is "heartbroken, devastated, mad" over the six hostages whose bodies were recovered Saturday in Gaza.
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 1, 2024
"If you want the hostages home, which we all do, you have to increase the cost to Iran.” https://t.co/OWwS9Kexdn pic.twitter.com/azT2k2ZSJ4
Three Israeli police officers shot dead on West Bank
Sunday 1 September 2024 16:25
Barney Davis
Palestinian militants killed three Israeli police officers on Sunday when they opened fire on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank, where Israel has carried out large-scale raids in recent days.
The attack took place along a road in the southern West Bank. The raids have mainly been focused on urban refugee camps in the northern part of the territory, where Israeli forces have traded fire with militants on a near-daily basis since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.
The police confirmed that all three killed were officers and said the assailants slipped away.
One of the officers killed was Roni Shakuri, 61, from the southern town of Sderot near the Gaza border, police said. His daughter, Mor, who was also a police officer, was killed in a battle with Hamas militants when they tried to take over the Sderot police station during the Oct. 7 attack.
A little-known militant group calling itself the Khalil al-Rahman Brigade claimed responsibility for the shooting on Sunday. Hamas praised the attack as a “natural response” to the war in Gaza and called for more.
Biden meets with parents of Hamas hostage
Sunday 1 September 2024 17:25
Barney Davis
President Joe Biden has met with parents of Israeli-American hostage killed.
Israel on Sunday said it had recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including a young Israeli-American man who became one of the most well-known captives held by Hamas as his parents met with world leaders and pressed for his release.
The military said all six had been killed shortly before they were to be rescued by Israeli forces. Their recovery sparked calls for mass protests against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who many families of hostages and much of the wider Israeli public blame for failing to bring them back alive in a deal with Hamas to end the 10-month-old war.
A White House Official has said: “This morning, President Biden spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, to offer his condolences for the death of their son at the hands of Hamas.”
It came as the young members of hostage families are currently leading a funeral procession through Tel Aviv, carrying symbolic coffins.
The families of the hostages are calling people throughout Israel to take to the streets and “choose to be on the right side of history”.
Donald Trump claims October 7 crisis wouldn’t have happened if he was president
Sunday 1 September 2024 18:25
Barney Davis
Republican candidate Donald Trump, said on Truth Social: “The Hostage Crisis in Israel is only taking place because Comrade Kamala Harris is weak and ineffective, and has no idea what she’s doing.
“I look forward to seeing her at the Debate! Biden failed, and now he spends his day on the beach, plotting and scheming how to take out his once Political Opponent, ME, who took him out both at the Debate, and otherwise. THE OCTOBER 7th ISRAELI CRISIS WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IF I WERE PRESIDENT!”
Israeli labour strike to push for Gaza hostage deal disrupts flights and buses
09:33
Tara Cobham
Municipal services in several Israeli districts were disrupted on Monday after the country's biggest labour union launched a general strike to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into agreeing to a deal to bring Israeli hostages in Gaza home.
The head of the Histadrut union, which represents hundreds of thousands of workers across the economy, called for the strike on Sunday after the bodies of six hostages were recovered in a tunnel in southern Gaza.
The return of the hostages, who were shot dead between 48-72 hours before being found by Israeli forces, according to health ministry estimates, triggered deep shock in Israel, prompting at least half a million people to take to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in protest on Sunday.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sought to have the strike call dismissed by Israel's Labour Court, which was due to meet mid-morning but numerous sectors were affected by the strike call, which was backed by many employer groups including manufacturers and the high tech sector.
Some services at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main air transport hub, were suspended, although incoming flights were still landing while bus and light rail services in many areas were either cancelled or only partially functioning.
Workers at Israel's main commercial port Haifa were also on strike.
Hospitals were only partially operating and banks were not working but many private sector businesses were open. However employers were allowing staff to join the strike so many services were disrupted.
Anger over hostage deaths erupts into protests demanding ceasefire and deal to bring captives home
09:37
Tara Cobham
The strikes follow months of protests by families representing some of the hostages and underscore the deep divisions that have opened up in Israel over Netanyahu's approach to securing a ceasefire deal.
Despite pressure from his own defence minister as well as senior generals and intelligence officials, Netanyahu has insisted on maintaining Israeli troops in key points of the Gaza Strip after any ceasefire.
Hamas has rejected any Israeli presence and despite the efforts of Egyptian and Qatari diplomats and repeated visits to the region by senior US officials urging a deal, there has been no sign of a breakthrough in talks to halt the fighting and bring the hostages home.
Hamas still holds 101 hostages from the 253 seized when gunmen rampaged through Israeli communities around Gaza last October, killing 1,200 Israelis and foreigners and triggering a relentless Israeli assault that has laid waste to Gaza and killed more than 40,600 Palestinians.
In pictures: Half a million people take to streets of Israel in protest on Sunday
10:14
Tara Cobham
Hamas armed wing claims responsibility for two attacks in West Bank
10:27
Tara Cobham
Hamas' armed wing al-Qassasm brigades claimed responsibility for two attacks against Israelis in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the group said in a statement on Monday.
Lindsey Graham brands Harris a ‘wrecking ball’ on Israel after six hostages found dead in Gaza
10:43
Tara Cobham
Donald Trump loyalist Lindsey Graham went on the offense against Kamala Harris on Sunday calling her a “wrecking ball” for her stance on Israel’s war with Hamas, after it was announced that six hostages had been found dead in Gaza.
Graham appeared on ABC’s This Week on Sunday and opened up a line of attack against Harris’s foreign policy credentials – something that the Trump campaign has been trying to get off the ground this past week as it pushes back on criticism over a controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery and a host of issues related to his running mate JD Vance.
“I would say on foreign policy, she [Harris] has been a wrecking ball,” Graham said on Sunday.
My colleague John Bowden reports from Washington DC:
US President and Vice President meeting with hostage deal negotiating team at White House today
10:48
Tara Cobham
The US President and Vice President are meeting with the US hostage deal negotiating team following the recovery of the bodies of six hostages who were killed by Hamas in Gaza, including the Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will hold the meeting in the White House today at 9.15am US time (2.15pm UK time) to “discuss efforts to drive towards a deal that secures the release of the remaining hostages”, said the White House this morning.
Full story: Nationwide strike begins in Israel as anger over failure to save Gaza hostages erupts in night of protest
11:00
Tara Cobham
A nationwide strike has started in Israel with public anger over the government’s failure to agree a Gaza ceasefire deal that would secure the release of hostages held by Hamas having erupted into mass protest.
Tensions spiked after the bodies of six hostages were recovered by soldiers on Saturday, causing national outrage.
The Israeli military said that the bodies were recovered from a tunnel beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where they were apparently killed not long only a day or two before troops reached them.
My colleague Barney Davis reports:
General strike in Israel over hostages reflects political divisions
11:06
Tara Cobham
A rare call for a general strike in Israel to protest against the government's failure to return hostages held in Gaza has led to widespread closures and other disruptions – however, the call was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions in the country.
The families and much of the public blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after six hostages were found dead in the Strip on Sunday, saying they could have been returned alive in a deal with Hamas to end the war.
But others support Mr Netanyahu's strategy of maintaining relentless military pressure on the group, saying it will eventually force the militants to give in to Israeli demands, potentially lead to more successful rescues and ultimately annihilate the group.
More than 40,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s attack on Gaza since 7 October, health ministry says
11:15
Tara Cobham
At least 40,786 Palestinians have been killed and 94,224 wounded in Israel's military offensive on Gaza since 7 October, the enclave's health authorities said on Monday.
Airport, hospitals, businesses and banks among those hit by general strike
11:25
Tara Cobham
The first general strike in Israel since the start of the war against Gaza was called for Monday, with the aim of shutting down or disrupting major sectors of the economy, including banking, healthcare and the country’s main airport.
As it got underway in the morning, airlines at Israel’s main international airport Ben-Gurion were halting outgoing flights between 8am and 10am local time (6am and 8am BST).
Those flights either departed early or were slightly delayed, and travellers were seen lining up at check-in counters despite the limited disruption. Arriving flights were continuing as usual during that time, according to the Israel Airports Authority.
Banks, some large malls and government offices were all closed due to the strike and public transit was limited.
Municipalities in Israel’s populated central area, including Tel Aviv, were participating in the strike, leading to shortened school hours and cancellations for public daycares and kindergartens.
Many municipalities, however, including Jerusalem, were not participating in the strike. Israeli media reported that the state appealed to a labour court to cancel the strike, saying it was politically motivated.
Stripped and held at gunpoint, the Gaza schoolboys ‘forced to be Israel’s human shields’
11:30
Tara Cobham
Sobbing and terrified, the 12-year-old Palestinian schoolboy says Israeli soldiers ordered him and his cousins to strip down to their underwear, before forcing them at gunpoint to act as “human shields”.
It was late December 2023 in the Tuffah neighbourhood of Gaza City that had become an epicentre of Israel’s ferocious assault on the strip, following Hamas’s 7 October attacks. After the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for the area, the male members of the families who lived in the same building left under heavy fire, searching for shelter.
That left only the women and children, cowering in their homes when a dozen soldiers raided the building, Shadi, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, tells The Independent.
Our international correspondent Bel Trew reports from Jerusalem:
Israel’s Labour court rules general strike across country must end within hour
11:55
Tara Cobham
Israel’s Labour court has ruled that the general strike across the country must end within the hour, at 2.30pm local time (12.30pm UK time).
In pictures: Protesters rally outside Israeli defence ministry in Tel Aviv
12:01
Tara Cobham
Roads blocked as protesters strike for ceasefire and hostage deal
12:07
Tara Cobham
Dozens of protesters have blocked roads in Tel Aviv and other cities around the country, reported local media.
According to the Times of Israel, demonstrators blocked Ibn Gvirol Street in the Israeli capital on Monday, as well as a road in the northern city of Rosh Pina.
Among other areas affected was Shilat Junction near Modiin, where protesters gathered, the newspaper added.
Head of Israel’s Histadrut Labour union says workers are ordered back to their jobs
12:08
Tara Cobham
The head of Israel’s Histadrut Labour union has said workers are ordered back to their jobs.
It comes after the country’s Labour court cut short the general strike in a ruling.
Watch: Funeral of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin held hostage by Hamas takes place in Jerusalem
12:42
Tara Cobham
Watch live as the funeral of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin takes place today (2 September) in Jerusalem:
Kamala Harris speaks with parents of Israeli-American hostage killed by Hamas
13:25
Tara Cobham
Kamala Harris has spoken with the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the Israeli-American who was among the six hostages killed by Hamas whose bodies were recovered in Gaza over the weekend.
The Vice President wrote in a post on X: “Doug and I just spoke to Jon and Rachel, Hersh Goldberg-Polin's parents, to express our condolences following the brutal murder of their son by Hamas terrorists. My heart breaks for their pain and anguish.
“I told them: As they mourn this terrible loss, they are not alone. Our nation mourns with them.”
In a statement issued before the meeting, Ms Harris condemned Hamas as “evil”. She continued: “I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued brutality, and so must the entire world.”
Doug and I just spoke to Jon and Rachel, Hersh Goldberg-Polin's parents, to express our condolences following the brutal murder of their son by Hamas terrorists. My heart breaks for their pain and anguish.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 1, 2024
I told them: As they mourn this terrible loss, they are not alone. Our…
Demonstrations at Netanyahu’s residences among nationwide protests planned in Israel
14:15
Tara Cobham
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has announced a “large-scale demonstration” outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem among several other protests set to take place across Israel as part of the “Bringing the Nation to a Halt” campaign.
Posting on X, the group listed three rallies scheduled for 7pm local time (4pm UK time) to “continue the fight alongside them for a deal to bring all hostages home”.
A protest is also planned for outside Netanyahu’s house in Caesarea, while a “massive rally” has been called to take place at Begin Gate in Tel Aviv.
Bringing the Nation to a Halt - Today's Events
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) September 2, 2024
Yesterday, over half a million people flooded the streets across Israel, demanding an immediate deal!
Today, the hostages' families once again urge the public to leave the comfort of their homes and take the streets. They call on… pic.twitter.com/XtIYIXxRJg
Cousin of Israeli hostage killed by Hamas says her death is ‘tragic nightmare’
14:28
Holly Evans
Biden says Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure hostage release deal
14:38
Holly Evans
US President Joe Biden has said that a final deal for the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza was very close but that he did not think Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu was doing enough to secure such an agreement.
Large-scale polio vaccinations begin in war-ravaged Gaza after first case in 25 years
14:45
Tara Cobham
Palestinian health authorities and United Nations agencies on Sunday began a large-scale campaign of vaccinations against polio in the Gaza St