Follow our live blog to see how events unfolded on the 4th day of conflict between Hamas and Israel.
Summary
- Israeli authorities confirmed that rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel, though the country's air force said it intercepted 4 out of 15, while 10 fell on open land
- Hamas launched an attack on the Israeli city of Ashkelon after giving civilians a 90-minute warning to leave
- The Israeli Embassy to the US reported over 1,000 Israeli deaths since Saturday, only to later delete the post with the updated numbers
- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns Israel is 'just getting started', after the worst attack on its soil in decades
- Israel says it will impose a “total blockade” on Gaza, cutting off water and electricity and not letting in food and fuel
- The Gaza Strip is being hit by what Israel calls the largest aerial bombardment it has ever conducted against the besieged enclave
- The latest death toll stands at 770 Palestinians in Gaza, according to health officials, and more than 900 Israelis, report Israeli medical services
- 187,000 Gazans are now displaced, says the UN
- Hamas has pledged to kill captured Israelis if Palestinian civilians are targetted without warning
- Hamas’s surprise attack on Saturday came after a record number of Palestinians were killed by Israel in recent months
That's the end of our live blog today, on the fourth day of conflict between Hamas and Israel.
We're back on Wednesday morning at 06:00 with all the latest developments.
Rockets from Lebanon intercepted, Israeli military say
The Israeli Air Force said on social media it has intercepted 4 of 15 rockets fired from southern Lebanon on Tuesday.
"Following the initial report regarding launches in northern Israel, approximately 15 rockets were launched from Lebanese territory. The IAF aerial defence array successfully intercepted four rocket launches. Ten launches fell in open areas", the IAF wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Rockets fired from Lebanon towards Israel
Rockets were reportedly launched from southern Lebanon against Israel on Tuesday, prompting the Israeli military to respond with artillery fire.
Hamas launches attack on Ashkelon
The Palestinian paramilitary group Hamas has launched its attack on the Israeli city of Ashkelon with rocket fire after warning civilians to leave before 5 pm local time. The organisation gave residents a warning of about 90 minutes.
Ashkelon is about 14 kilometres north of Gaza.
Two members of Hamas' political office killed
Two members of Hamas's political office, Jawad Abu Shammala and Zakaria Abu Maamar, were killed in an air strike in the city of Khan Yunis, in the Gaza Strip, according to an official from the group mentioned by Reuters.
The Israeli military has also confirmed the deaths of the two, saying they were killed overnight.
More than 1,000 Israelis 'murdered' since Saturday, authorities say
Israel's Embassy to the USA has deleted a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, indicating that more than 1,008 Israelis had been killed since Hamas's surprise attack on Saturday.
Other Israeli figures put the death toll lower at around 900 people.
Posting an operation update on Tuesday, the embassy had reported that over 3,418 people were injured, more than 4,969 rockets had been launched, and an unspecified number of "women and children" had been kidnapped.
Other estimates give the number of hostages in the hands of Hamas fighters at around 150.
EU and Gulf plead for 'sustainable financial support' to Palestinians
Following a joint meeting of foreign ministers in Oman on Tuesday, the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council pleaded for "sustainable financial support" to Palestinians.
Both parties "underlined the importance of sustainable financial support for UNRWA (the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees) and the continuation of humanitarian and development aid to Palestinians in the occupied territories", according to a joint statement read by top EU diplomat Josep Borrell in Muscat.
Israel using chemical weapons, claims Palestine
The Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs has accused Israeli forces of using white phosphorus against the Gaza Strip.
It posted a video on X, which purported to show the aftermath of the weapons use Al Karama area, northern Gaza.
Euronews cannot independently verify this claim.
Israel has faced similar accusations in the past and admitted it used phosphorus shells during the battle against Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon War.
Several human rights groups alleged the IDF also deployed white phosphorous against civilians during the 2008-09 Gaza War.
While phosphorus is not classified as a chemical weapon in international law, its use against civilian areas is considered a war crime under the Geneva Convention because of its "indiscriminate" and "traumatic effects".
Phosphorus creates flash fires that are incredibly hard to put out. If people are hit with the chemical they suffer horrendous burns, which actually accelerate if they come into contact with water.
It can, however, be legitimately used by military forces for night illumination and smoke screens.