Live coverage of the war between Israel and Hamas today, Tuesday 9 January

Live coverage of the war between Israel and Hamas today, Monday 8 January

The bombings on the Gaza Strip continue, despite the announcement of the start of a third, less intense phase of the Israeli offensive. In the last few hours the raids have hit the south and center of Gaza and also the surrounding areas of the al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah. One of Hezbollah's military leaders was killed yesterday in southern Lebanon. Furthermore, the armed forces of the Jewish State announced that they had eliminated the Hamas person responsible for launching rockets from Syria. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel, where he intends to call for the protection of civilians and the delivery of aid to Gaza. Since October 7, at least 23,084 people have died in Israeli shelling in the Gaza Strip, including around 9,600 children. Some 1,139 Israelis died in the initial attack launched by Hamas. Below are all the updates from today, Tuesday 9 January 2024, on the war between Israel and Hamas.

LIVE

8.20 am – Qatar, media: Israeli delegation in Cairo for the resumption of hostage talks – A delegation of Israeli security officials has arrived in Cairo to resume negotiations on the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. This was announced by the Qatari newspaper based in London, al Araby al Jadeed, cited by Haaretz.

8.00 am – USA and UN: “Humanitarian aid to Gaza for the return of displaced people” – The US State Department and UN coordination for humanitarian aid in Gaza are to “strengthen the mechanism to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and facilitate assistance to the northern part of the Strip to allow the return of displaced persons.” The head of US diplomacy Antony Blinken, who is visiting the region, and the new coordinator for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, Sigrid Kaag, spoke about it.

7.30 am – Israeli forces kill 3 Palestinians in the West Bank, Al Jazeera: “Shocking video” – Heavy clashes in Tulkarem, West Bank, after three Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces. According to Al Jazeera, a video captured an Israeli military vehicle passing over the body of one of the killed Palestinians. Since October 7, at least 340 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by the Israeli army and Israeli settlers, including 60 in Tulkarem alone.

7.00 am – Israel: four soldiers killed in Gaza – The Israeli military has announced that four soldiers have died in combat in Gaza. Since the beginning of the conflict, 182 soldiers of the Jewish state have been killed.

6.30 am – Israel: progress on the hostages or the Palestinians will not return to northern Gaza – Israel will not allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza unless Hamas agrees to release more hostages. This is the message that Israel will deliver to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as reported by Axios. While Israel does not oppose in principle allowing Palestinians to return to the northern Strip, Blinken will be told this must happen as part of a new hostage release agreement. “We will not allow Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza if there is no progress with the release of the hostages,” a source told Axios.

06.00 am – Blinken: “The US works for Israel's security and a state for the Palestinians” – “While focused on immediate goals, we must also work towards lasting peace and security. The United States has a vision for a regional approach that brings lasting security for Israel and a state for the Palestinian people.” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated this on X after his arrival in Israel.