'Two million people starving' in Gaza, warns WHO | LIVE

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The Israeli army claimed it killed "a member of the al-Radwan Force," Hezbollah's elite unit, during an attack in Houla, the Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said on his X account.

Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Mark Carney have warned that they will not "stand idly by" in the face of the "scandalous actions" of Benjamin Netanyahu's Israeli government in Gaza, threatening "concrete measures" if it does not cease its military offensive and unblock humanitarian aid.

"We are determined to recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to the achievement of a two-state solution and we are ready to work with others to this end," the French president and the British and Canadian prime ministers said in a joint statement, referring in particular to the conference planned for June at the United Nations "to build an international consensus around this objective."

Israel announced the entry of five trucks of U.N. humanitarian aid into the besieged and starving Gaza Strip on Monday, the first aid allowed since March 2.

"Five U.N. trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including baby food, crossed the Kerem Shalom crossing into the Gaza Strip today (Monday)," COGAT, the Defense Ministry agency overseeing civilian activities in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, said in a statement.

22 countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Australia, demanded that Israel "immediately resume full aid to the Gaza Strip," requesting that it be organized by the United Nations and NGOs.

The U.N. and humanitarian organizations "cannot support" the new model for delivering aid to the Palestinian territory decided by the Israeli government, the diplomatic services of these countries wrote in a joint statement transmitted by the German Foreign Ministry.

The population of the Gaza Strip "is facing famine" and "must receive the aid they desperately need," urge the foreign ministries of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

However, the "new distribution model" that Israel has just decided on "endangers beneficiaries and humanitarian workers, undermines the role and independence of the U.N. and our trusted partners, and ties humanitarian aid to political and military objectives," they said.

"Humanitarian aid should never be politicized, and the Palestinian territory must not be reduced or subjected to any demographic change," the signatory states further stated.

Nine trucks of U.N. humanitarian aid were allowed into the Gaza Strip on Monday, the U.N. humanitarian chief announced, calling it a "drop in the ocean" after 11 weeks of blockage. Israel's authorization to resume "limited" aid is "a welcome development that must remain in place," but "it is a drop in the ocean, and much more aid must be allowed into Gaza, starting tomorrow morning," Tom Fletcher said in a statement, calling for all "quotas" to be lifted. "Today, nine of our trucks were allowed to enter via the Kerem Shalom crossing," he noted.

With no humanitarian aid entering the Palestinian territory since March 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that he would allow the entry of "a basic quantity of food intended for the population, to avoid the development of famine in the Gaza Strip."

"The limited quantities now authorized to enter Gaza are, of course, no substitute for unhindered access to civilians in need," said Tom Fletcher, recalling that the U.N. had a plan to provide aid on a large scale in the Palestinian territory.

"We have received assurances that our work will be facilitated through existing and proven mechanisms," Fletcher stated, while the U.N. ruled out participating in the distribution of aid by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), created from scratch and supported by the United States. He also called on Israel to open "at least two crossing points into Gaza," to "simplify and accelerate procedures and to lift all quotas," and to allow all needs in "food, water, hygiene, shelter, health, fuel" to be met.

Israeli authorities previously announced that they had allowed trucks carrying baby food to pass through, without specifying the number.

The Health Ministry confirmed that the strike on the Sarbin-Wadi al-Ain road (Bint Jbeil) "injured two civilians."

A person was killed in Houla (Marjayoun) after being targeted by a drone missile in front of his home, L'Orient Today's correspondent reported.

According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates called on the international community to address Israeli actions in Gaza and the constant raids and settler attacks against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank. The ministry's statement comes as a "massive attack" targeting communities such as Jenin, Tulkarm, and the towns of Kafr ad-Dik and Burqin, west of Salfit, enters its fifth day. In a social media post, the ministry said it had informed "ambassadors, consuls, and representatives of more than 35 countries and international organizations" of the "extensive destruction" caused by Israeli raids on the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the "bombing of Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics," a Qatari-funded facility in Gaza City that specializes in treating amputees.

"The occupation's continued brutal aggression against the Gaza Strip, including its repeated attacks on civilians, hospitals, displacement centers and vital infrastructure, is part of a war of genocide waged against our brotherly Palestinian people," the ministry said in a statement.

It also urged "the international community to assume its moral and legal responsibilities to put an immediate end to this brutal war."

An Israeli drone targeted a motorcycle on the Sarbin-Wadi al-Ain road (Bint Jbeil), L'Orient Today's correspondent in south Lebanon reported. Two people were injured, one of whom is in critical condition.

Qatar condemns Israeli strikes on hospital

In a statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry has condemned Israel’s “bombing of Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics,” a Qatar-funded facility in Gaza City that provides specialised care for amputees.

“The continued brutal aggression by the occupation on the Gaza Strip, including its repeated targeting of civilians, hospitals, displacement centers and vital facilities, is part of the war of genocide against our brotherly Palestinian people,” said the ministry.

It went on to urge “the international community to assume its moral and legal responsibilities to end this brutal war immediately.”

Gaza: Israel announces passage of trucks with baby food

Israel will let trucks carrying baby food into Gaza, Israeli diplomacy announced after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a small amount of aid would be allowed in after more than two months of blockade.

“Today, Israel is facilitating the entry of trucks with baby food into Gaza. In the coming days, Israel will facilitate the entry of dozens of aid trucks,” Eden Bar-Tal, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters at a press conference in Jerusalem.

Earlier, Netanyahu had explained that Israel had to prevent a famine in Gaza “for diplomatic reasons.”

UN and Israel discuss allowing aid back into Gaza

The U.N. humanitarian agency says it has been in talks with Israeli authorities over allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, after Israel announced it would allow a limited amount of food and other items in.

“We have been approached by Israeli authorities to resume limited aid delivery, and we are in discussions with them now on how this would take place given the conditions on the ground,” OCHA said in a statement.

Gaza: 52 killed in Israeli bombardment today

Gaza's Civil Defense said at least 52 people had been killed in bombardments by the Israeli army, which has stepped up its offensive in the war-torn Palestinian territory.

“The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has continued since midnight and into the early hours of this morning, killing 52 people,” Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal told AFP. He added that the bombardment was still underway in the afternoon, and that Israeli forces had “expanded their ground operation.”

The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed that a “citizen was wounded” in Kfar Kila after being shot by the Israeli army.

UK condemns "intolerable" situation in Gaza

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called the situation in Gaza “intolerable,” saying the government is working with allies to coordinate a response to the conflict, according to Al-Jazeera.

“It’s a really serious, unacceptable, intolerable situation, and that’s why we are working intensely to coordinate with other leaders on how we respond to this,” Starmer told reporters.

One citizen was injured in his shoulder by gunfire from the Israeli side in Kfar Kila (Marjayoun), L'Orient Today's correspondent in the South reported.

An Israeli aircraft struck a car in the town of Dhaira (Sour), causing damage to the vehicle, L'Orient Today's correspondent in the South reported.

Hamas fighters ambush Israeli soldiers

The armed wing of Hamas says its fighters “carried out a complex ambush” in the Atatra area of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza on Friday.

According to a statement on Telegram today, its fighters targeted three Israeli vehicles with two explosive devices and a rocket.

“They then engaged another Zionist force with light weapons and hand grenades, killing and wounding several of its members,” it said, adding that fighters also monitored helicopters landing for evacuation.

Israeli attacks on Gaza kill 46

Israeli attacks in Gaza today have killed a total of 46 Palestinians, according to a Health Ministry update reported by Al Jazeera.

Many of the victims are in Khan Younis, where Israel has issued evacuation orders and warned of an “unprecedented” assault.

The Israeli army carried out an air strike on the heights of Boudai, in the Baalbeck district, reports L'Orient Today's correspondent in the Bekaa.

Two million people at risk of impending famine in Gaza, WHO chief warns

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed alarm on Monday over the increasing risk of famine in the Gaza Strip, where "two million people are starving," according to him.

"The risk of famine in Gaza is escalating due to the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid, including food, as part of the ongoing blockade," stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the opening of the annual meeting of the organization's member states in Geneva.

Israel issues evacuation orders in Gaza

Israel’s military has ordered residents of Khan Younis – Gaza’s second largest city – to immediately flee, warning there will be an “unprecedented attack.”

The displacement order, shared on X by the military’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee, also applies to the nearby areas of Bani Suhaila and Abasan. It calls on civilians to move west towards al-Mawasi.

“From this moment, Khan Younis governorate will be considered a dangerous combat zone,” read the post.

It comes after Israel’s military issued a separate displacement order for areas of central Gaza yesterday, including al-Qarara in southern Deir al-Balah, as it presses on with its expanded offensive.

Funeral in southern Lebanon for Hezbollah member killed on Saturday

Hezbollah organized a funeral in Matrieh, Saida district, for one of its members killed on Saturday in an Israeli strike on the car he was driving near Zrarieh, same district.

The coffin of the fighter, Mahdi Ahmad al-Tamer, was carried through the streets of the village, in the presence of residents, relatives and party officials, before being laid to rest.

Israeli forces have conducted violent raids in Hebron and Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.

In Hebron, troops raided several homes, including those of former prisoners, and detained three individuals.

They also broke into homes in the nearby town of Idhna, damaging furniture. In Bethlehem, a young man was arrested at a military checkpoint, as reported by Wafa.

Netanyahu admits decision to resume aid to Gaza came from pressure from allies.

In a video statement posted to social media, Netanyahu said Israel’s allies had voiced concern about “images of hunger” and said they told the country that “with that, we will not be able to support you.”

Netanyahu said the aid that would be let in would be “minimal,” without specifying when it would resume.

He said Israel would control all of Gaza and would prevent Hamas from “looting” aid.

Israeli military Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Monday, in a post on X, that its air force struck more than 160 targets across the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours.

Netanyahu says Israel will control all of Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel would control all of Gaza, as it launches a renewed military offensive.

“The fighting is intense and we are making progress. We will take control of all the territory in the strip,” Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Telegram account. “We are not giving in. But to succeed, we must act in such a way that we will not be stopped.”

At least 22 killed in Israeli strikes near Gaza hospitals, says Civil Defense

Gaza's Civil Defense announced that at least 22 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, mainly around Khan Younis, in the south.

“The Israeli occupation army carried out a series of violent air strikes in Khan Younis this morning, particularly around Nasser Hospital,” read a statement from the rescue workers. Witnesses told AFP that fighting had taken place near the already-damaged hospital.

In the north of the Strip, at least two people were killed by a drone strike on a tent of displaced Palestinians. “A number of martyrs were killed by the occupying forces in the courtyard of the Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza, and no one has been able to recover the bodies,” Mahmoud Bassal, Civil Defense spokesperson, told AFP. The hospital, located in Beit Lahia (north), has been surrounded by the Israeli army for several days.

In southern Lebanon, the situation remained calm on Monday morning, after a weekend marked by several Israeli strikes, including a Saturday morning strike that killed the driver of the targeted car.

Yesterday, a fire in Beit Yahoun wounded two people, including a Lebanese soldier hit by shrapnel.

Gaza: Israel to allow entry of “basic quantity of food”

Israel will allow the entry of a “basic quantity of food” into the Gaza Strip, the office of the Israeli prime minister announced Sunday in a statement, “to prevent the development of famine in the besieged Gaza Strip.”

Gaza: Paris demands humanitarian aid be “immediate, massive and unhindered”

The resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza must be “immediate, massive and unhindered,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Sunday after Israel announced it would allow the entry of a “basic quantity of food” into the enclave.

“After three months of diplomatic efforts, the Israeli government is finally announcing the reopening of humanitarian aid to Gaza. It must be immediate, massive and unhindered. It must end the catastrophic humanitarian situation and definitively stop the famine,” Barrot wrote on X.

While indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are ongoing in Doha, “France is calling for an immediate cease-fire and the release of Hamas hostages,” the foreign minister added, stressing that Paris is “working to bring about a political solution based on two states.”

17 killed in Gaza this morning

At least 17 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since early Sunday, according to medical sources cited by Al-Jazeera. Six were killed in a bombing in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the enclave. Israeli airstrikes also targeted the pharmaceutical lab at Nasser Hospital in Gaza City.

Good morning, thank you for joining us for today's live coverage of the events in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and the region. Make sure to read today's Morning Brief to catch up on the weekend's key events.