Israel’s war on Gaza updates: Deadly strike on centre housing displaced
Vehicles delivering aid again targeted in Israeli attacks as ‘famine sets in’ in the battered Gaza Strip.
This live page is now closed. You can continue to follow our coverage of the war in Gaza here.
This live page is now closed. You can continue to follow our coverage of the war in Gaza here.
- At least 15 people die in an Israeli strike on a sports centre in Gaza City, while injuries reported in the bombing of Saad bin Abi Waqqas Mosque in the Jabalia refugee camp.
- At least 71 Palestinians killed and 112 wounded over the last 24 hours, Gaza’s health ministry reports.
- Caroline Gennez, Belgium’s minister of development cooperation and urban policy, says international pressure must be maintained on Israel and it “must stop starving civilians and children”.
- At least 32,623 Palestinians have been killed and 75,092 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attack stands at 1,139 with dozens still held captive.
That’s a wrap from us
A recap of what happened today
We will be closing this live page soon. Here’s a recap of today’s developments:
- The US reportedly authorised the transfer of billions of dollars worth of new bombs and fighter jets to Israel despite international criticism.
- The Israeli military conducted a series of deadly attacks on Gaza, each killing multiple people, including a strike on a police station that killed 17.
- As Israel confirmed it will send a new delegation to Doha for talks next week, Palestinian groups said a deal must include a ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal, the return of displaced Palestinians, and increased aid.
- The US military confirmed at least part of its latest aid airdrop over northern Gaza fell into the sea, soon after people drowned while trying to retrieve packages.
- After the Israeli military is done building its “buffer zone” around Gaza, it will occupy 16 percent of the tiny Palestinian territory, Haaretz reports.
How Wisconsin advocates hope to use ‘uncommitted’ votes to pressure Biden
Organiser Heba Mohammad wants to leverage her experience campaigning for presidential candidates such as Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020 to rally a protest vote during Wisconsin’s Democratic primary on Tuesday.
Wisconsin is a pivotal battleground state in the United States, and advocates hope to use the vote to amplify the message that many Democrats will not stand for Biden’s support of Israel’s war in Gaza.
The movement in Wisconsin follows similar primary protests elsewhere as Biden seeks reelection in 2024.
Read more of this story here.
Hezbollah claims attack on Israeli settlement, military sites
The armed Lebanese group released footage it says shows an attack on the northern Israeli settlement of Avivim.
Hezbollah, which appears to have used an antitank-guided missile, said the building targeted was used by Israeli soldiers. The video shows the structure was directly hit.
The group claimed 10 attacks on Israeli positions today, with the latest targeting military vehicles at the al-Malikiyah site using rockets and missiles.
Hezbollah added it launched another attack on the Metula area after hitting it earlier.
Netanyahu ‘proving international inability’ to stop Gaza war
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to reject all decisions, demands and orders given to Tel Aviv through international bodies, especially after ignoring the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“He continues to place obstacles to prove the inability of the international community and its inability to enforce international law and the agreements regulating the conditions of civilians,” it said in a statement published on X.
Netanyahu is “fabricating misleading narratives” to thwart each international verdict that calls on Israel to protect civilians and abide by human rights laws, it added.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates // International compliments to Israel and its rejection of international precautionary resolutions and measures have exceeded all reasonable, humanitarian, legal, and ethical boundaries.#Gaza_under_attack#CeasefireNow#Palestine… pic.twitter.com/VjFDmo6dg0
— State of Palestine – MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) March 29, 2024
US military says aid airdrop over northern Gaza fell into the sea
The US military confirmed it completed a new airdrop of humanitarian aid over northern Gaza but 26 bundles landed in the sea.
The US Central Command said in a post on X it used two C-17 military cargo aircraft, along with “US army soldiers specialised in aerial delivery of US humanitarian assistance supplies” to drop 46,000 meal equivalents into the area, where famine is spreading.
“US Central Command does not assess civilian harm or damage to infrastructure at this time but continues to monitor the situation.”
This comes shortly after at least a dozen Palestinians drowned after airdrops landed into the sea and they had to swim to get the contents in desperation to feed their families.
March 29 USCENTCOM Conducts Humanitarian Airdrops into Gaza
TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command conducted an air drop of humanitarian assistance into Northern Gaza on March 29, 2024, at 12:17 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing… pic.twitter.com/G0Bo6aIsFi
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 29, 2024
Hamas and PIJ say talks can only succeed with ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) say mediated negotiations with Israel in Qatar can only succeed if the conditions previously demanded by the Palestinian groups are met.
Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh and PIJ leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah met in Tehran on Thursday after holding meetings with top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Hamas said in a statement that both emphasised stopping Israeli aggression “in a comprehensive way”; a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza; return of displaced Palestinians to their homes; and increased aid to Gaza as conditions for success in talks that would include an exchange of prisoners and captives.
Israel has previously described the demands as “delusional”.
The two Palestinian leaders also said they consider continuing US military and political support for Israel as “crimes constituting participating” in the war.
Palestinian Red Crescent says 26 medical staff killed since start of war
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) says the Israeli military has killed 26 members of its medical teams since the start of its war on Gaza.
The aid and relief group said that number includes 15 people killed by the Israeli army while performing medical duties and wearing the Red Crescent emblem.
Since the beginning of the war on #Gaza, we have lost 26 members of our teams, including 15 who were targeted by the occupation while performing their humanitarian duties and wearing the protected Red Crescent emblem. #NotATarget ❌ pic.twitter.com/bEuDv3ADpx
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) March 29, 2024
‘No more bombs to Israel,’ says US Senator Bernie Sanders
Earlier, we cited the Washington Post reporting that the US in recent days authorised the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel.
US Senator Bernie Sanders slammed the move calling it “obscene”.
“The US cannot beg Netanyahu to stop bombing civilians one day and the next send him thousands more 2,000-pound [907kg] bombs that can level entire city blocks,” he said in a post on X.
“We must end our complicity: No more bombs to Israel.”
The U.S. cannot beg Netanyahu to stop bombing civilians one day and the next send him thousands more 2,000 lb. bombs that can level entire city blocks.
This is obscene.
We must end our complicity: No more bombs to Israel.https://t.co/BqV0NkMtKa
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) March 29, 2024
Palestinian rights groups welcome new ICJ rulings on Israel
Three Palestinian human rights organisations welcomed the new interim rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for Israel to stop genocidal acts in the Gaza Strip, including action to address famine.
Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said in a joint statement the developments in the case brought by South Africa are significant.
“Our organisations welcome the court’s grant of one month to Israel to respond, which considering the urgency of the matter, the famine, and the likelihood and scale of future Israeli attacks, especially in Rafah, necessitates the continuing monitoring and oversight by the court over Israel’s actions as an important mechanism for compliance.
“We also urge other third states to follow South Africa’s lead. We reiterate that Israel’s genocidal campaign will not cease unless the international community effectively mobilises to pressure Israel into an immediate ceasefire.”
📃@alhaq_org, @AlMezanCenter
and PCHR Welcome ICJ Modified Provisional Measures Against Israel Ordering Unhindered Aid and End of All Genocidal Military Acts in Gaza⛔️ “The alarm has now been sounded by the Court. All the indicators of genocidal activities are flashing red in… pic.twitter.com/EjuiIqI8uc
— Palestinian Centre for Human Rights – PCHR (@pchrgaza) March 29, 2024
Israel to send negotiating team back to Doha for further talks
The Israeli prime minister’s office released a statement confirming the head of Israel’s Mossad, the external security service, and the head of the Shin Bet, the internal security agency, will be travelling as part of the Israeli delegation next week to Doha and Cairo to meet mediators for ongoing negotiations to secure a ceasefire.
The statement said Netanyahu discussed with them the mandate they’re given and just how much they can offer in these negotiations.
Last week the negotiations stalled and Hamas blamed Israel while the Israelis blamed Hamas. Hamas wants to see an end to the war entirely, while the Israelis say that even if there is a pause in the fighting – secured as a part of negotiations – the war will continue.
Last week, mediators said they were optimistic about reaching a deal by trying to bridge the gaps. But Israeli officials, speaking anonymously, said there was no real progress being made, so those negotiations will continue in both Doha and Cairo next week.
British air force conducts second airdrop of aid over Gaza
British planes completed a second airdrop of humanitarian aid over the Gaza Strip, according to Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
“Thanks to everyone involved for making sure this essential humanitarian aid gets to the people who need it most. More than 20 tonnes of aid has been dropped this week,” he wrote on X.
“We will continue to pursue every opportunity to deliver aid by air, sea and land.”
As Israel continues to impose heavy restrictions on aid by land, the most effective method of delivery, airdrops have been criticised as being insufficient in alleviating the vast needs of besieged Palestinians.
The @RoyalAirForce has today successfully completed its second air drop of essential aid to Gaza.
Thanks to everyone involved for making sure this essential humanitarian aid gets to the people who need it most. More than 20 tonnes of aid has been dropped this week.
We will… pic.twitter.com/vPJk3OoBEC
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) March 29, 2024
WATCH: Protest march at Al-Aqsa Mosque in support of Gaza
The video below shows how crowds gathered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque to express solidarity with Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Thousands flock to the holy site every day during the month of Ramadan despite restrictions by Israeli forces.
مسيرة حاشدة في المسجد الأقصى نصرة للفصائل الفلسطينية في غزة#فيديو #حرب_غزة pic.twitter.com/l3AEimvUc9
— الجزيرة فلسطين (@AJA_Palestine) March 29, 2024
Translation: A massive march at Al-Aqsa Mosque in support of the Palestinians in Gaza.
‘Outrageous and unacceptable’: US protesters denounce arming Israel
Pro-Palestinian protesters in San Francisco blocked roads after a US warship in port was suspected of being used to carry weapons to Israel.
Demonstrators said they are concerned the vessel, USNS Harvey Milk, may deliver supplies to Israel’s military as it continues its deadly attack on Gaza.
“It is outrageous and unacceptable that our government continues to fund and supply the Israeli military as it carries out genocide against the people of Gaza,” said Lara Kiswani of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center.
Al-Quds Brigades hits Israeli soldiers in central Gaza
The armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad says it bombed Israeli positions east of the central governorate with a barrage of heavy-calibre mortar rounds.
Earlier we reported the al-Quds Brigades saying fierce fighting was ongoing between Israeli soldiers and its fighters in the al-Qarara axis, north of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.
WATCH: South Africa president ‘pleased and sad’ by ICJ outcome
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is saddened that the International Court of Justice’s order for Israel to take measures to prevent genocide in Gaza was not heeded.
But he said he’s pleased to see more countries around the world seeing “the correctness of the step we took”.
In January, the ICJ ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians after South Africa accused Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza.
Israeli ‘buffer zone’ will occupy 16 percent of Gaza’s territory: Report
After the Israeli military is done creating its so-called buffer zone near the Gaza Strip, it will occupy about 16 percent of the tiny territory’s overall area, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
For months, the Israeli military has been using explosives and military vehicles to destroy Palestinian homes and anything else standing in the way of the zone. Satellite imagery analysed by Haaretz shows the work is ongoing without much global attention, and will further shrink the besieged enclave.
The newspaper also reported the Israeli military continues to build an east-west corridor across the Gaza Strip that seeks to exert full control over Palestinians trying to return to the northern parts of the enclave and provide a foothold to launch attacks on Palestinian fighters.
Under the radar, the IDF is creating a border buffer zone that occupies 16 percent of the Strip's territory, and an east-west control corridor to monitor Palestinians moving north. This is what it looks / @YardenMichaeli & @avischarf https://t.co/VySpAk7M5w pic.twitter.com/59V1PnQ5Sx
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) March 29, 2024
LISTEN: What’s behind the ICJ’s latest court order for Israel?
The International Court of Justice has told Israel to allow desperately needed aid supplies into Gaza – saying famine is “setting in” there.
But its previous orders in the war have so far been ignored. So what is the significance of this latest decision? And can it help Gaza’s people?
US pushes back against claims it eased West Bank settler sanctions
The US recently sanctioned seven Israeli settlers and two farming outposts in the occupied West Bank in response to a surge in violence, freezing their assets and preventing them from carrying out financial transactions with US banks and individuals.
Earlier this week, Israel’s Hebrew-language daily Israel Hayom reported the Biden administration “dramatically” softened its sanctions on these individuals after pressure from Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich.
On Friday, the US Treasury Department published the letter it sent to the Israeli authorities in response to questions from Israeli banks about “subsistence payments for persons sanctioned under this authority”.
A Treasury spokesperson said the Biden administration still “fully intends to enforce” the sanctions, adding “humanitarian exceptions” exist for all US sanctions programmes.
Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli military positions, soldiers
The armed group says it launched multiple attack on Israeli positions over the past few hours, with the latest attacks using rockets and missiles to target areas in Kfarchouba and Metulla in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah also said it used Falaq missiles to hit Israeli soldiers at the Jal al-Alam site, and fired artillery at an infantry force “causing confirmed casualties”.
The group had also claimed an artillery attack on Israeli soldiers in Hunin. It has so far claimed eight attacks today.
‘Drastically more needed’: Netherlands to airdrop aid over Gaza
Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot says her country will soon carry out airdrops over the coastal enclave together with Jordan and other nations.
“There also needs to be drastically more aid to the area by land: quickly, safely and unhindered. The Netherlands will continue to make efforts in this regard.”
Airdrops have been criticised by aid agencies as a costly and ineffective way of delivering food and medical supplies.
At least 18 people have drowned in the sea trying to retrieve aid packages. Five people were killed this month after a parachute landing a humanitarian airdrop failed to open, bringing a pallet crashing down into a crowd of people.
‘Ecocide’: Nearly half of Gaza trees razed by Israeli attacks: Report
An analysis of satellite imagery shows the vast destruction of tree cover and farmland in the Gaza Strip.
The Guardian newspaper cited independent satellite analysis by London-based research group Forensic Architecture. By the end of February, Israeli military operations destroyed more than 65sq km (25sq miles) of forest.
Almost one-third of more than 7,500 greenhouses in the enclave were also wiped out. The news report pointed out how this raised accusations of “ecocide” and a possible war crime, and how the Israeli military still claims to follow international law despite the evidence.
Satellite analysis of Gaza "shows farms devastated and nearly half of the territory’s trees razed. Alongside mounting air and water pollution, experts says Israel’s onslaught on Gaza’s ecosystems has made the area unlivable," which is Netanyahu's aim. https://t.co/bbD4gSc5LC
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) March 29, 2024
Israel hits back at UN report warning of Gaza famine
The report released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) partnership last week fuelled international concern by saying half of the people in Gaza are suffering “catastrophic” hunger.
COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for Palestinian affairs, said Israel “recognises the unfortunate impacts of the war on the civilian population of Gaza”.
But it added Israel doesn’t operate food distribution in Gaza and accused UN agencies of being unable to handle the quantity of aid arriving daily.
“At any given moment there are hundreds of trucks held up at the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom crossing after having completely been processed by the authorities in Israel,” COGAT said.
The IPC estimated 1.1 million people, half Gaza’s population, are facing dire conditions without aid.
US signs off on more bombs and warplanes for Israel: Report
The US in recent days authorised the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel even as it publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated military offensive in Rafah.
The Washington Post, citing unnamed officials, reports the new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound (900kg) bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound (225kg) bombs.
The United States has rushed air defences and munitions to Israel, but some groups have criticized the Biden administration’s steadfast support of Israel, which they say provides it with a sense of impunity.
Washington gives $3.8bn in annual military assistance to Israel.
Qatari plane carrying 24 tonnes of aid for Gaza arrives in Egypt
The Qatari foreign ministry says an armed forces aircraft arrived in the city of El Arish in northern Egypt carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza.
The shipment weighing 24 tonnes included food supplies and was provided by the state-run Qatar Charity. It brought the total number of Qatari aid planes to Egypt to 89.
“The aid is part of the State of Qatar’s full support to the brotherly Palestinian people amid the current difficult humanitarian conditions,” the foreign ministry said.
Qatari Aircraft Carrying Aid for Palestinians in Gaza Arrives in Egypt's El Arish#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/9ufqWbeLpE
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) March 29, 2024