Hamas-Israel conflict as it happened: Iran warns of ‘far-reaching’ consequences; Israel prepares for ‘next stages of war’

The fighters also took scores of hostages.

The Gaza Health Ministry says this is now the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for Palestinians.

The death toll on Sunday surpassed that of the third war between Israel and Hamas, in the summer of 2014, when 2,251 Palestinians, including 1,462 civilians, were killed, according to UN figures.

That war lasted six weeks, and 74 people were killed on the Israeli side, including six civilians.

For Israel, this is the deadliest war since the 1973 conflict with Egypt and Syria.

“They’ve continuously attacked Israel every day since we have a responsibility to protect our people and make sure this thing never happens again,” the video continues.

“That is why the IDF is operating to eliminate Hamas in Gaza. Our war is not with the people of Gaza. Let me say that again. Our war is not with the people of Gaza”.

Hecht says in the video that the IDF was operating in “stark contrast to Hamas’ war crimes” in warning residents of Gaza City to evacuate.

The military on Sunday said that it would refrain from targeting a single route south from 10 am to 1 pm, again urging Palestinians to leave the north en masse. The military offered two corridors and a longer window the day before.

The World Health Organisation said the evacuation “could be tantamount to a death sentence” for the more than 2000 patients in northern hospitals, including newborns in incubators and people in intensive care.

Gaza’s hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel within two days, according to the UN, which said that that would endanger the lives of thousands of patients.

Gaza was already in a humanitarian crisis due to a growing shortage of water and medical supplies caused by the Israeli siege, which has also forced the enclave’s sole electrical plant to shut down.

Gaza’s hospitals are expected to run out of fuel for emergency generations within two days, according to the United Nations, which said that that would endanger the lives of thousands of patients.

Senator Wong said she was doing everything she could to allow Australians who wish to leave Gaza to be able to do so through Egypt, but the Rafah crossing - the only crossing point between Egypt and Gaza - remained closed after it was shut down Tuesday following nearby Israeli airstrikes.

“I want to say I know how distressing this is for Australians in Gaza,” she said. “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is of serious concern and continues to deteriorate.”

Wong said the government was “doing all we can in a very difficult situation to facilitate departure for those Australians in Gaza who wish to leave”

“We support work being done by Egypt and others to make the crossing available for humanitarian purposes including the outward passage of civilians,” Senator Wong said.

“We have engaged, including me personally, with our Egyptian counterparts and the Israelis to this end.”

Australia is providing an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza to fund urgent needs like medical support, emergency water, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene services.

Wong said while the Australian government “unequivocally condemn Hamas for these evil attacks” and “reiterate Israel’s right to defend itself”, it also called for “safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians affected by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza”.

“We also echo calls from around the world including from President Biden for Israel to operate by the rules of war in his response to Hamas attacks. We have already witnessed a devastating loss of life and innocent civilians on all sides of suffering.”