Israel-Hamas war: 5 key developments on Friday
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Israel ordered one million Palestinians living in the north of Gaza to evacuate ahead of an expected ground invasion.
According to Reuters, however, the order has largely been defied.
It came as the UK said it is “very likely” Britons are among the hostages in Gaza who have been taken by Hamas.
The war has claimed at least 2,800 lives on both sides since Hamas launched an incursion on Saturday, with Israel placing the 25-mile Gaza Strip under siege and subjecting it to a torrent of retaliatory air strikes.
Here are the main stories from today.
1. Israel warns: 'Evacuate south'
Israel warned civilians in the northern half of the Gaza Strip - more than one million people - to evacuate south within 24 hours as it amassed tanks for an expected ground assault. Its military said: "Civilians of Gaza City, evacuate south for your own safety... and distance yourself from Hamas terrorists who are using you as human shields."
But Hamas, which controls Gaza, told people to stay put. While some heeded Israel's call, by Friday afternoon there was no sign of a mass exodus as Israel prepared its onslaught.
Read more: Gaza residents told to move south as Israel prepares for expected ground assault (The Guardian)
2. British hostages 'likely' in Gaza
Rishi Sunak said the UK was doing “everything we can to ensure the security of British citizens” after defence secretary Grant Shapps said “it seems very likely” there are British hostages in Gaza.
Speaking to Sky News, Shapps had said: “We don’t have exact data on that for obvious reasons. But within Gaza there will also be Brits or possibly people with dual nationalities as well. The prime minister has spoken to the Egyptian president about using that border to get people out.”
Read more: Six-month-old baby named among Britons feared abducted by Hamas (Evening Standard)
3. Putin intervenes
Vladimir Putin called for an end to the fighting, warning Israel that a ground offensive in Gaza would lead to an "absolutely unacceptable" number of civilian casualties.
Putin, the perpetrator of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said Israel had been subjected to "an attack unprecedented in its cruelty" by Hamas and had the right to protection. But he said "now the main thing is to stop the bloodshed". He added a ground attack would lead to "serious consequences for all sides".
Read more: Putin cautions Israel that ground attack on Gaza would be unacceptable (Reuters)
4. Israel denies white phosphorus use
The Israeli military claimed it has not used white phosphorus this week, in an apparent denial of a Human Rights Watch report. It said in a statement: "The current accusation made against the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) regarding the use of white phosphorus in Gaza is unequivocally false.”
Human Rights Watch said it had verified videos taken in Lebanon and Gaza on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively as showing white phosphorus, a substance which "has a significant incendiary effect that can severely burn people and set structures, fields, and other civilian objects in the vicinity on fire".
Read more: Human Rights Watch says Israel used white phosphorus in Gaza, Lebanon (Reuters)
5. 'Massive increase' in London antisemitism
The Metropolitan Police said London has seen a “massive increase” in antisemitic incidents and offences since the war began. They have included intimidation outside synagogues and loud playing of German military music.
Deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor told a press briefing: “Last year in the period of 30 September to 13 October, we saw 14 antisemitic incidents and 12 antisemitic offences. This year in that same period, we’ve seen 105 antisemitic incidents and 75 antisemitic offences."
Read more: 4 Ways The Israel Conflict Has Impacted UK Life Over The Last Week (HuffPost UK)
Where is Gaza?
Gaza, also known as the Gaza Strip, is a densely-populated Palestinian enclave on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, north-east of the Sinai Peninsula.
Bound by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Israel to the north and east and Egypt to the south, it is just 25 miles long and six miles wide.
Gaza is one of two Palestinian territories. The other is the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
