Israel-Hamas war updates: UN rights chief warns of Gaza ‘living nightmare’
These were the Israel-Hamas war updates for Wednesday, November 8.
This live page is now closed. Follow the latest updates here.
This live page is now closed. Follow the latest updates here.
- UN human rights chief Volker Turk says Palestinians in the Gaza Strip face a “living nightmare”, and urges a ceasefire.
- Israel’s Netanyahu again rejects the prospect of a ceasefire without the release of captives in Gaza as the Israeli military claims Hamas is “losing control” of the enclave’s north.
- The number of civilians killed in Gaza indicates there is “something clearly wrong” with Israel’s military operations, UN Secretary-General Guterres says.
- Israel continues the targeting of residential areas across Gaza with 214 people killed in the last 24 hours.
- G7 countries and NATO chief express support for “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting amid reports of negotiations to secure the release of some captives in exchange for a short ceasefire.
- At least 10,569 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the death toll over the same period stands at more than 1,400.
Thanks for joining us
This live page is now closed. Follow along with our live coverage of the Israel-Gaza war on our new page here.
For more context on the conflict, read our Q&A with former UN Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk here.
Read the accounts of some of the thousands of civilians fleeing north Gaza here.
Or learn more about why Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital is at the centre of the conflict here.
Here’s what happened today
We will soon be closing this live page. Here’s a recap of today’s main events.
- CIA director Bill Burns, who carries outsized diplomatic clout in the region, is set to travel to Qatar tomorrow. That comes amid reported negotiations over a possible deal to release captives in exchange for a temporary ceasefire.
- A Hamas official has called for all political prisoners to be released, saying the group is still open to a “comprehensive deal” for captive release; Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has again said there would be no ceasefire before captives held by Hamas are released.
- Thousands of Palestinians have begun travelling south amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment, even as strikes continue across the enclave.
- UNRWA has updated the death toll of its staff in Gaza to 92 – the most UN aid workers killed in any conflict.
- Save the Children has warned that children in Gaza face starvation, disease and dehydration amid the ongoing bombardment and woefully inadequate delivery of aid. The hospital system in the enclave remains on the brink of collapse.
- Speaking after a visit to the Rafah crossing, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said, “We have fallen off a precipice.”
- Israel and fighters in Lebanon have continued cross-border fighting, while groups have claimed attacks on bases housing US personnel in Iraq. Meanwhile, Syrian state media has reported Israeli strikes in the country, while the Yemen-based Houthis shot down a US drone.
- Progressive icon Bernie Sanders has called the censure of Palestinian-American legislator Rashida Tlaib “pathetic and shameful”.
Regional violence has been escalating ‘since day one’: Former US diplomat
William Lawrence, a former US diplomat and professor of political science and international affairs at the American University spoke to Al Jazeera about the potential for regional escalation.
“We’ve had bombs to and from Lebanon, to and from Syria, and to and from Iraq – literally since day one,” Lawrence told Al Jazeera.
“US forces in Syria and Iraq have been hit at least 20 times. I would estimate probably more like 25 or 30 times since this began,” he said.
“The so-called ‘Iranian Axis of Resistance’ has been doing small things, medium-sized things, since the beginning,” Lawrence added.
The “question right now”, Lawrence said, is whether the US is going to continue “targeted strikes … saying ‘back off’, or are we actually seeing a widening of the war, which is what a lot of people fear?”
Israeli bombardment intensifies in southern Gaza Strip
During the last hour, the main concentration of Israeli air strikes has spiked in southern areas of the Gaza Strip. In particular, in Khan Younis city, where two residential buildings were completely destroyed in two separate air strikes.
Just a couple of minutes ago, a man walked on the road beside us holding his young boy who was killed by Israeli fire.
Also, the bombardment continues in other areas in the territory, including in the northern and central areas of the Gaza Strip.
People who are evacuating from the northern and central areas of the Gaza Strip are witnessing the same bombardment as what is happening in northern areas.
So, literally, there is no safe place in the territory as Israel keeps pounding different areas without stopping.
UN trying to provide food aid to more than 1 million people in Gaza
The UN’s World Food Programme said “humanitarian access must be expanded to allow people to receive life-saving aid” in the bombarded territory.
Gaza is facing a humanitarian tragedy of colossal proportions.@WFP is trying to reach 1+ million people with urgent food assistance, but humanitarian access must be expanded to allow people to receive life-saving aid.
pic.twitter.com/SXlbHTbUaw— United Nations (@UN) November 8, 2023
Pentagon warns US ready to take further action to ‘protect our people, facilities’
The Pentagon also warned “against any escalation” in its statement confirming today’s US attack on a facility in Syria.
“US personnel will continue to conduct counter-ISIS [ISIL] missions in Iraq and Syria,” it said.
Washington has said US personnel have faced dozens of attacks in Syria and Iraq over the past weeks amid growing tensions in the region.
US carried out strike on facility in eastern Syria: Pentagon
The Pentagon said the targeted facility was being used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups.
In a statement, the Pentagon said the “precision self-defence strike” was carried out by two US F-15s in response to attacks on American personnel in Iraq and Syria over the past weeks.
The US also said the targeted facility was being used to store weapons.
“The President has no higher priority than the safety of US personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” the Pentagon statement read.
This is the second US attack on facilities in Syria since the war in Gaza began.
US officials confirm drone shot down by Yemen’s Houthis
US officials have confirmed to Reuters and AFP that an American drone was shot down off the coast of Yemen.
Yemen’s pro-Iranian Houthi rebels announced that they had shot down a drone in airspace over Yemeni territorial waters, although the US officials didn’t specify where exactly the drone was brought down.
The Houthis have launched a number of projectiles towards Israel in the last few weeks, none of which have hit Israeli territory.
WATCH: Does Israel pose a nuclear threat to the world?
US hails Germany’s decision to ban ‘Hamas activities’
In a statement, the US State Department said it welcomed Germany’s decision to implement “a complete ban on the activities of the Palestinian group Hamas”.
“We urge other governments around the world to take action under their own authorities to hold Hamas accountable,” the statement read.
Hamas is already designated as a “terrorist” organisation in the US.
The statement comes as pro-Palestinian protests in many parts of Germany have also been banned. Activists in Germany say it amounts to a crackdown on Palestinians and limits on free speech.
LISTEN: Diaries of the war on Gaza
Our podcast The Take hears from Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza who have been recording voice memos and updating us day by day.
Listen here:
CIA director’s Qatar visit shows ‘something important happening’: Expert
While Burns – a former diplomat in the Middle East – is one of several US officials to visit the region amid the war, his visit has outsized significance, says Rami Khouri, a professor at the American University of Beirut.
“Bill Burns knows the Middle East better than any of the people running diplomacy out of Washington, as far as I can tell,” Khouri told Al Jazeera.
“He’s served for many years in the Middle East, and he’s well aware of how people behave and what needs to be done. So that’s significant,” he said.
“Second of all, to bring the CIA director is politically meaningful, so something important is going on. Whether his job is to put more pressure on the various Arab groups, or simply to find a workable solution that will satisfy everybody – it’s too early to tell.”
US official suggests Palestinian Authority could rule post-war Gaza
Barbara Leaf, assistant US secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, has suggested that the Palestinian Authority (PA) could rule Gaza after the war.
“Whatever its shortcomings, it is the government for the Palestinians in the West Bank,” Leaf said of the PA. “We do believe that ultimately Palestinian voices and aspirations have to be at the centrepiece of post-conflict governance and security in Gaza.”
She added that “the PA is the appropriate place to look for governance” in Gaza eventually.
But despite recent comments from Biden administration officials and others in recent days about Gaza’s post-war governance, Palestinians in the enclave have expressed opposition to the PA taking control.
Drone attack on Iraqi base hosting US forces: Reuters
Another attack on US forces in the region, reports Reuters according to two security sources, this time at al-Harir airbase in northern Iraq.
Three pro-Iran fighters killed in Israeli air attacks in Syria, says monitor
The Israeli air attacks in Syria we reported on earlier have killed three pro-Iran fighters, AFP quoted the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, as saying.
The sites, near Damascus, hit were used by the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah. Israel also struck Syrian air defence sites in Syria’s south.
“Three non-Syrian pro-Iran fighters were killed in Israeli strikes on farms and other sites belonging to Hezbollah near Akraba and Sayyida Zeinab,” Rami Abdel Rahman said.
Amid captive negotiations, CIA director to visit Qatar, Jordan
It is a very delicate situation. Obviously, they’re trying to keep all of the negotiations secret.
However, American media is speaking much more openly about this potential deal between Israel, America and Qatar for a three-day humanitarian pause in order to get out 10 to 15 hostages and possibly also get a list of the hostages that are now held in Gaza.
The fact that William Burns is going to the region is significant. Obviously, we saw President Joe Biden go [and] we’ve seen Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeatedly go to the region.
But Burns is perhaps the most respected American diplomat in the region. He has very close ties to many of the players, so he’s really like a secret diplomat, even though he’s now in charge of the CIA.
Burns will probably switch to the diplomat role when he’s in Qatar, talking about getting the hostages out. That’s going to be the focus there. We then believe he’s also going to Jordan.
Don’t forget [Jordan’s] King Abdullah really snubbed President Joe Biden, [and] refused to meet with him, when he visited the region in October.
But King Abdullah and Bill Burns have a very special, a very close relationship. Bill Burns was the ambassador to Jordan when King Abdullah took the throne. So he’s going to be trying to talk to Jordan likely about what governance could look like in Gaza after the war.
Ahed Tamimi held at Israel’s Damon prison, mother says
The prominent Palestinian activist from the West Bank town of Nabi Saleh was beaten in custody, journalist and AJ+ presenter Dena Takruri reported, citing Tamimi’s mother.
“Her mom received a call from a lawyer who was visiting another female Palestinian prisoner. That prisoner informed her lawyer of Ahed’s status [and] to notify her family,” said Takruri, who co-authored Tamimi’s memoir.
The 22-year-old was arrested earlier this week amid a widening Israeli campaign of arrests and daily raids across the occupied West Bank.
“Ahed’s family has had no way to contact her and is largely in the dark about her status,” Takruri said.
UPDATE: Ahed Tamimi is being held at Damon Prison in Israel and was beaten, according to her mother. Her mom received a call from a lawyer who was visiting another female Palestinian prisoner. That prisoner informed her lawyer of Ahed's status & to notify her family (continued) pic.twitter.com/mgopa8ythZ
— Dena Takruri (@Dena) November 8, 2023
Q&A: Former UN rapporteur stresses Israel’s occupation of Gaza never ended
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has become the latest United States government official to warn Israel that it cannot “reoccupy Gaza” after the war with Hamas, in response to recent comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu raised concerns this week after suggesting that the Israeli military could control security in Gaza “for an indefinite period” when fighting in the besieged Palestinian enclave ends.
The Israeli government has contended that its occupation of Gaza ended in 2005 when it withdrew military forces and settlers from the enclave. But that position has been described by Israeli rights group B’Tselem as “entirely baseless” and rejected by international law experts.
Al Jazeera spoke to Michael Lynk, who until last year served as the United Nations’ special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, about recent discussions around the Israeli occupation of Gaza and what could come after the war ends.
Israel carries out aerial attack on southern Syria, state media says
Israel carried out an aerial attack targeting military sites in southern Syria, state news agency SANA said, citing a military source.
It said the attack caused “some material losses”.
Hezbollah’s Russian anti-ship missiles threaten US naval vessels: Report
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s threats towards the US in a speech given last week were a reference to anti-ship missiles acquired from Russia, two sources in Lebanon familiar with the Iranian-backed group’s weaponry told Reuters.
That arsenal includes the Russian-made Yakhont missile, which has a range of 300km (186 miles).
The US has deployed two aircraft carriers and supporting ships to the eastern Mediterranean in what it says is an attempt to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from spreading.
Nasrallah said in a highly-anticipated speech on Friday that the ships “do not scare us, and will not scare us”.
“We have prepared for the fleets with which you threaten us,” he added.
If you’re just joining us
It’s 11pm (21:00 GMT) in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.
Here is a recap of the key developments from the last few hours:
- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees says 92 of its staff have been killed since October 7.
- A Qatar-mediated deal for Hamas to release up to 50 captives was scuppered by Israel’s launch of a ground operation in Gaza on October 27, the New York Times reports.
- Israel’s PM Netanyahu has again rejected the prospect of a ceasefire without the release of captives as Israeli bombardment continues across the Gaza Strip.
- Abu Obaida, spokesman of Hamas’s Qassam Brigades, says the only way to free captives is through a complete or gradual swap of prisoners with Israel.
- NATO allies support “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting, says Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
- The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza says 10,569 people, including 4,324 children, have been killed since October 7.
Israeli army says it targets Hezbollah positions in Lebanon
Hagari, the army spokesman, has shared a black and white video on social media of the raids, saying they came in response to launches from Lebanon towards Israel over the past day.
The Israeli raids targeted “buildings and military positions” used by Hezbollah, Hagari said.
Medical supplies convoy reaches al-Shifa but ‘far from sufficient’: UNRWA and WHO
A joint statement by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees and the World Health Organization (WHO) says a convoy with much-needed medical supplies has been delivered to Gaza’s main hospital, al-Shifa.
It is the second delivery of “lifesaving supplies” to the hospital since October 7, UNRWA and the WHO said.
However, the supplies are “far from sufficient to respond to the immense needs” in Gaza, the agencies said.
Describing the situation at al-Shifa Hospital as “disastrous”, they said medical facilities across the Palestinian territory are running out of supplies and fuel.
“The ability of hospitals and medical facilities to operate is paramount especially during conflicts.”
UNRWA-WHO medical supply convoy reaches Al-Shifa hospital
Statement by @UNRWA Commissioner-General @UNLazzarini and WHO Director-General @DrTedros
UNRWA has facilitated the delivery of WHO’s much needed emergency medical supplies and medicines to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza… pic.twitter.com/3Mzn4JrVhN
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 8, 2023
Resolution to censure US legislator for comparing Palestinians to Nazis withdrawn: Report
US news outlet The Hill, citing a Democratic aide, reports that the resolution to censure Republican Brian Mast has been yanked.
Democratic Congresswoman Sara Jaobs had tried to censure Mast for comments he made on the House floor last week.
He said: “As a whole, I would encourage the other side to not so lightly throw around the idea of innocent Palestinian civilians, as is frequently said. I don’t think we would so lightly throw around the term innocent Nazi civilians during World War II.”
The Hill said Jacobs could still move forward with the resolution at another time.
Its withdrawal came just hours after the House voted to censure Palestinian-American legislator Rashida Tlaib over her criticism of Israel.
‘One shower unit for every 700 people in UNRWA shelters’
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that its installations are accommodating a lot more than their intended capacity amid widespread displacement across Gaza.
Many schools and other installations “are not designed to host such a huge number of people and do not have adequate facilities to provide safe and dignified living conditions”, it said.
The situation is especially dire with regards to access to toilets and showers.
On average, 160 people sheltering in UNRWA school facilities share a single toilet, the agency said, adding that there is one shower unit for every 700 people in its shelters.
🔺Shrapnel fell into school yard of @UNRWA school in Khan Younis due to a nearby strike, injuring 15 people
🔺Since 5 Nov, Israel opened a humanitarian "corridor” from 10 am to 2 pm, at least 40,000 people – mostly walking – have traveled north to southhttps://t.co/v3Aa5fTdWp pic.twitter.com/JawKdIUsM1
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) November 8, 2023