Israeli commandos waging guerilla campaign in Khan Younis
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Israeli soldiers are waging a guerilla campaign to take control of Gaza’s second-largest city, according to the Israel Defence Force (IDF).
Commandos are reportedly pushing back Palestinian saboteurs with tank and rocket fire from the heart of Khan Younis as they tighten their grip on the besieged southern settlement.
Snipers from the “Egoz” unit are said to have eliminated a number of “enemy groups” emerging from tunnels used by Hamas to move around the enclave and transport weapons.
The IDF said it had also seized intelligence, maps and ammunition from two command headquarters belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the city.
“The commando squad continues its attack in the Khan Younis area and intensifies its operational control in the strongholds of Hamas terrorists,” an IDF spokesman said.
04:02 PM GMT
That's all for now
Thanks for following our coverage of the developments across the Middle East, as fighting continues in Khan Younis and Britain targets Houthi leadership with sanctions. This live blog is now closed.
04:00 PM GMT
More than 1,000 buildings destroyed in Gaza 'buffer zone'
Israel has reportedly levelled hundreds of buildings in the Gaza Strip to create a buffer zone that shields it from another Oct 7-style attack by Hamas.
A study by Hebrew University in Jerusalem found the Israeli military appears to have demolished 1,072 out of 2,824 structures located one kilometre or less from its border, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Most of the buildings were residential, while the destruction is said to have been concentrated in southern Gaza around Khan Younis.
Israel has previously told the Arab states that it intended to carve out a buffer zone in the Strip after Hamas fighters breached its border wall to massacre 1,200 people in October.
03:53 PM GMT
Pictured: Fleeing Palestinians wait for food in refugee camp
03:43 PM GMT
Houthis are a terrorist group, says Pannick
The Houthis should be proscribed as a terrorist organisation because they call for “death to Israel” and a “curse upon the Jews”, a senior lawyer has told Parliament.
Lord Pannick, a crossbench peer, made the argument days after the US designated the Houthis a terrorist group following their attacks on commercial ships on the Red Sea.
“Following the actions of the Houthis in pursuance of their slogan: ‘Death to America, death to Israel, a curse upon the Jews’... is it not high time for the Government to bring before Parliament a motion to proscribe this organisation as terrorist group?” he said.
Lord True, leader of the House of Lords, said he agreed with his “characterisation” of the group and added that “all these matters will be kept under careful and constant review.”
03:33 PM GMT
Which Houthi leaders have been targeted by British sanctions?
Britain has imposed sanctions on four Houthi leaders, meaning they will be subject to asset freezes, arms embargoes and travel bans:
Muhammad Fadl Abd al-Nabi – Commander of the Houthi Naval Forces
Muhammad Ali al-Qadiri – Chief of the Houthi Coastal Defence Forces
Muhammad Ahmad al-Talibi – Assistant Minister of Defence for Logistics and Director of the Procurement Department
Mohamed al-Atifi – Houthi Defence Minister
It marks the first sanctions action against the Houthis coordinated between the UK and US since the attacks in the Red Sea began in November. Pre-existing sanctions against 11 Houthi figures remain in force.
03:26 PM GMT
Pictured: IDF tighten grip on Khan Younis
03:06 PM GMT
Cameron: Sanctions 'send a clear message to the Houthis'
Commenting on the sanctions which have been imposed on senior Houthi figures, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:
These sanctions reinforce our clear message to the Houthis in recent weeks. We can degrade their ability to attack international shipping. We are determined to protect freedom of navigation.
We will back our words with actions.
With our allies, we will continue to target those responsible for the Houthis’ unacceptable and illegal actions, which risk innocent seafarers’ lives and disrupt aid deliveries to the Yemeni people.”
02:49 PM GMT
Britain sanctions Houthi leaders over Red Sea attacks
Britain has sanctioned senior Houthi officials as the Yemen-based group continues to attack commercial vessels around the Red Sea.
Among the four people that have been targeted are Muhammad Fadl Abd Al-Nabi, commander of the Houthi naval forces, and Muhammed Ali Al-Qadiri, the group’s coastal defence force chief.
02:15 PM GMT
Airstrikes will not stop us attacking ships, says Houthi leader
The Houthis will continue to attack commercial ships around the Red Sea until aid reaches Gaza, the group’s leader has declared.
Abdel-Malek al-Houthi said in a televised speech: “Our country will continue its operations until food and medicine reach the people of Gaza.”
He added that recent British and US airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen would not affect “our will and determination”.
It comes after Maersk suspended another shipping route through the Red Sea that transported cargo for US government agencies.
01:52 PM GMT
Pictures: Palestinians flee Khan Younis as fighting intensifies
01:36 PM GMT
Qatar: We won't jeopardise peace talks despite 'differences' with Netanyahu
Qatar has attempted to calm an escalating feud with Israel after hitting out at Benjamin Netanyahu for calling its role in hostage negotiations “problematic”.
A Qatari official told NBC News that it would “would never jeopardise” talks because of “differences with individuals”, adding that its mediation was about “saving lives of the hostages and of Palestinian civilians and not about politicians.”
01:27 PM GMT
'Essential' that Israel protects civilians, says Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has demanded that Israel protect civilians after a strike on a UN shelter in Gaza prompted a rebuke from the US.
Two tank shells struck the building on Wednesday in Gaza’s main southern city of Khan Younis, reportedly killing 12 people.
Mr Blinken told reporters on a visit to Angola that the UN shelter “is essential and it has to be protected”.
“We have reaffirmed this with the government of Israel and it is my understanding that they are, as is necessary and appropriate, looking into this incident,” he added.
Israel has said it would conduct a “thorough review” and suggested the strike may have been caused by “Hamas fire”.
01:20 PM GMT
IDF hits Hezbollah after suspected drone attack
Israeli fighter jets have struck Hezbollah’s air unit after two suspected drones crossed the Lebanese border and crashed in northern Israel this morning.
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said in a statement: “Fighter jets attacked a short time ago a series of military targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the area of ​​Tzur and Ma’ira in the territory of Lebanon.
“Among the targets attacked were military buildings and sites used by the air unit of the terrorist organization Hezbollah.
“In one of the sites, there is a military airstrip and military infrastructure used by the organization to direct terrorism to the home of the State of Israel.”
01:14 PM GMT
Watch: Israel destroys Hamas tunnel near border
12:52 PM GMT
Israel 'expects international court to throw out genocide claim'
Israel has said it expected the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to throw out “spurious” allegations of genocide over its military campaign in Gaza.
You can read our explainer for details on the case and what it could mean for senior Israeli figures here.
12:45 PM GMT
Israel fighting guerilla campaign in Khan Younis
Israel said its commandos are gradually taking control of Khan Younis as it released more details about its operations in southern Gaza.
Troops are mounting a guerilla operation in the city, and are fending off sabotage by Palestinian groups through sniper, tank and rocket fire.
In one clash, fighters of the special “Egoz” unit are said to have killed three saboteurs and fired a “steel sting” precision projectile at them.
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said it had seized weapons, intelligence and maps from command headquarters belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
12:34 PM GMT
Maersk stops more Red Sea journeys as crisis continues
Maersk has suspended Red Sea journeys by a subsidiary that transport cargo for US government agencies, as Houthi attacks continue in the area.
12:28 PM GMT
IDF 'deepens operational control' in Khan Younis
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) says it has solidified its “operational control” in southern Gaza as it intensifies its pressure on Hamas.
It said in a statement: “Eliminating terrorists from the air and on land, raiding Hamas headquarters and locating many weapons: the commando formation deepens operational control in the heart of the Khan Younis area.”
The IDF is believed to have encircled the city, where its 98th Division is active. It did not provide further details.
12:06 PM GMT
Hamas accuses Israel of 'targeting brotherly Qatar'
Hamas has weighed in on an escalating spat over Doha’s role as a hostage negotiator, accusing Israel of “targeting of the brotherly State of Qatar.”
A statement issued by Taher Nunu, a senior official in the group, claims the Gulf monarchy has “played an active political role to stop the aggression on our people and advance the exchange” of prisoners.
It comes after Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s finance minister, accused Qatar of funding terrorism and being “largely responsible” for Hamas’ massacre of 1,200 Israelis on Oct 7.
11:52 AM GMT
Israel strikes resurgent Hamas battalions in Gaza
Israel is shelling Hamas in northern Gaza as the Palestinian group attempts to rebuild battalions that were shattered earlier in the war, according to a prominent think tank.
Hamas has quietly been reappointing commanders in its northern division as the IDF’s (Israel Defence Force) attention shifts to Khan Younis in the south, Israeli security sources believe.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the IDF’s 215th Artillery Brigade has “directed airstrikes to kill many Palestinian fighters in the northern Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours”.
It added: “ISW previously reported that Hamas fighters are already reinfiltrating areas that Israeli forces cleared in the northern Gaza Strip, which will facilitate Hamas’ reconstitution.”
Hamas’ a-Shati, Shujaiyeh and Jabalya battalions are reportedly among the battalions that are being rebuilt. Dismantling the units was a key objective of Israel’s campaign at the start of the war.
11:13 AM GMT
Iran is now a ‘legitimate target’ for Israeli missile strikes, senior minister says
Iran is now a “legitimate target” for Israeli missile strikes, one of the country’s most senior ministers has told the Telegraph, raising the prospect of an all-out war with Tehran.
In a wide-ranging interview, Nir Barkat, Israel’s economy minister, also said Palestinians from the West Bank would never be allowed to work in the country again and would be replaced by more than a quarter of a million imported foreign workers.
He also complained that the war in Gaza had not been fought aggressively enough.
Mr Barkat, who is favourite to succeed Benjamin Netanyahu as leader of the ruling Likud party, said Israel could afford to keep fighting and open up a new front with Lebanon, despite the billion shekel (£200 million) a day cost of the conflict.
Read the full article from chief reporter Robert Mendick here.
10:45 AM GMT
Palestinian gunman killed in West Bank
Israeli police reportedly killed a Palestinian gunman and arrested a second during a raid in the northern West Bank this morning.
One of the men opened fire on officers with an assault rifle and was killed in a shoot-out, according to a police statement.
A second man, thought to be his brother, was then arrested. Police said the pair are suspected of previously shooting at Israeli forces.
10:16 AM GMT
Ship attacked by Houthis docks safely in India
A US-owned vessel hit by a Houthi drone last week has docked in India after being declared safe for entry.
A fire broke out on the MV Genco Picardy, a bulk carrier, when it came under attack. Photos show it was left with a charred stern and a section of its railing was destroyed.
A spokesman for the Indian navy said explosives experts had examined the ship before it docked at the port of Kochi.
#IndianNavy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team onboard the Offshore Patrol Vessel #INSSunayna, embarked MV #GencoPicardy, off Kochi, #24Jan 24.
The EOD team undertook a thorough examination of the damaged area & rendered the MV safe for port entry.#IndianNavy remains committed… https://t.co/5DezkH91Fp pic.twitter.com/bvLOjkxtg4— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 25, 2024
09:59 AM GMT
Pictures: Cameron meets Abbas on diplomatic tour
09:50 AM GMT
Qatar is a terrorism backer, claims Israeli minister
Israel’s finance minister has called Qatar a supporter and funder of terrorism amid an escalating war of words between the countries.
Bezalel Smotrich wrote on Twitter: “Qatar is a country that supports terrorism and finances terrorism. She is the patron of Hamas and is largely responsible for the massacre committed by Hamas of Israeli citizens.”
It comes after Doha rebuked Benjamin Netanyahu for saying its mediating role was “problematic”. The remark, which was leaked to an Israeli broadcaster, has not been independently verified.
09:36 AM GMT
Suspected drones 'crash in northern Israel'
Two suspected drones have crashed near a village in northern Israel after crossing the border from Lebanon, according to reports by Israeli media.
The “aerial targets” are said to have hit areas near the northern village of Kfar Blum, which is roughly four miles from the Lebanese border.
There are no reports of damage or injuries, the IDF (Israel Defence Force) said.
09:28 AM GMT
Hamas: 50 Palestinians killed in Khan Younis
At least 50 Palestinians were killed in Khan Younis in southern Gaza in the past day, a spokesman for the Hamas-controlled health ministry said. The figures have not been verified.
09:23 AM GMT
Houthis give British aid workers 30 days to leave Yemen
British and American aid workers have been ordered by the Houthis to prepare to leave Yemen within 30 days.
The order came after US and British warplanes struck eight targets connected to the Iran-backed group in Yemen, including an underground storage site and locations linked to the militia’s missile and air surveillance capabilities.
On Tuesday, the UN received a letter from Houthi leaders ordering US and British aid workers to leave Yemen within 30 days.
Read the full article from Sophia Yan, our senior foreign correspondent, here.
09:19 AM GMT
Pictures: Dozens wounded after tanks fires on UN Gaza shelter
09:15 AM GMT
'We support Palestinian state', says Cameron
I met President Abbas to discuss the situation in the West Bank and Gaza.
I set out our plan to move from a pause - to get aid in and hostages out - towards a sustainable ceasefire, leading to a long term political solution, including a Palestinian state. pic.twitter.com/2KGkxMzZlU— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 25, 2024
09:12 AM GMT
Qatar: Netanyahu cares more for career than hostages
Qatar has accused Benjamin Netanyahu of “undermining” the peace process after he appeared to criticise its mediation efforts.
A leaked recording, which has not been independently verified, shows the Israeli prime minister claiming Doha was “even more problematic” than the UN.
Majed Al Ansari, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, responded: “If the reported remarks are found to be true, the Israeli PM would only be obstructing and undermining the mediation process, for reasons that appear to serve his political career instead of prioritizing saving innocent lives, including Israeli hostages.
“Instead of concerning himself with Qatar’s strategic relations with the United States, we hope Netanyahu decides to operate in good faith and concentrate on the release of the hostages.”
We are appalled by the alleged remarks attributed to the Israeli Prime Minister in various media reports about Qatar’s mediation role. These remarks if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives, but are not surprising.
For months, and…— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) January 24, 2024
09:01 AM GMT
Cameron: Israel needs to let more aid into Gaza
David Cameron told Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to let more aid into Gaza to end the “unimaginable” suffering at a meeting yesterday.
The Foreign Secretary said in a statement: “The scale of suffering in Gaza is unimaginable. More must be done, faster, to help people trapped in this desperate situation.
“As I said to PM Netanyahu yesterday, far more trucks need to be able to enter Gaza and more crossings need to open.
“We need an immediate humanitarian pause to get aid in and hostages out, followed by a sustainable ceasefire, without a return to hostilities.”
08:53 AM GMT
Welcome
Hello and welcome to the live blog. We’ll be bringing you all the developments from the Middle East throughout the day, as Israel strikes a resurgent Hamas in northern Gaza.