Israel-Hamas conflict: Former Aussie PM refuses to sign historic letter

It comes as air strikes on Palestine intensified overnight, including in an area close to a major hospital filled with hundreds of wounded people.

The humanitarian crisis in the region is worsening, with a stockpile of aid ransacked by desperate people.

Meanwhile, a terrifying security incident has unfolded at a major airport in Russia, with a furious mob of men seizing control of the facility and surrounding a plane “hunting for Jews”.

Follow along for live updates of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Former Aussie PMs release historic joint letter

Six former prime ministers have co-authored an open letter condemning Hamas, urging Australians not to “turn against each other”, and calling for peace via a two-state solution.

In a historic show of unity, John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison issued the joint statement on Monday.

Paul Keating, who was prime minister in the first half of the 1990s and remains a beloved Labor Party figure, declined to take part – making him the only living former PM to do so.

“Our multicultural nation’s success is founded on the Australian values we all share and the respect we show for our fellow Australians’ diversity of cultures and faiths,” the letter begins.

“Whatever is happening elsewhere in the world, there is no place in our country for racial or religious hatred. And there is no more tenaciously evil race hatred than antisemitism.”

The former PMs expressed their support for the Jewish community, speaking for “the vast majority of Australians, of all faiths and of none” in standing in solidarity with them.

“Likewise, we stand too with the Australian Palestinian community whose families are dying and suffering in this terrible conflict,” the letter continued. “They too deserve our love and support.”

The letter detailed at length condemnation of the massacre waged by Hamas on 7 October and demanded the release of some 200 Israelis who are still held captive by the terrorist group.

“After raining thousands of rockets down on Israel, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and kidnapped and murdered 1400 Israelis; young and old, women and men, children – not even babies were spared.

“It was the single largest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust and its grotesque cruelty and violence was comparable to that of ISIS.”

In addition, the former PMs said they are “horrified by the thousands of deaths and injuries inflicted on innocent Palestinian civilians, including many, many Palestinian children”.

“We endorse, as we did in office, the Australian Government’s enduring support for a two-state solution as the basis for long-term lasting peace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples,” the letter concluded.

“At this time, more than ever, we must in the words of the 34th Psalm: ‘Seek peace and pursue it.’ And here at home that is done by defending our Australian values, condemning hate speech and intolerance and respecting the people of Australia in all our diversity.”

Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, praised the letter and said the Jewish community was “humbled and touched by their support”.

It has published the letter in full on its website.

Israel sends ‘urgent message’ to Gaza civilians

Israel looks set to dramatically intensify its assault on Gaza, with its Defence Forces issuing an “urgent message” to civilians to evacuate now.

The “window” to move south from northern Gaza and Gaza City is rapidly closing, a military spokesman said, and the plea is “not a precaution”.

“Attention citizens of Gaza – listen carefully,” Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari begins the video address.

“For your immediate safety, we urge all residents of northern Gaza and Gaza city to temporarily relocate south.

“Hamas puts your life in danger by placing weapons and forces within civilian areas in Gaza, including schools, mosques and hospitals.”

The chilling warning has been met with alarm, given large parcels of Gaza are without telephone and internet access after it was severed by Israel days ago.

In some areas, fuel shortages mean electricity supply has become unreliable.

There are fears that many civilians – already displaced by relentless air strikes – will not see the message to evacuate before it’s too late.

Popular social media streamer Phuzzy took to X, formerly Twitter, to share his shock, writing: “Step 1: Cutoff the internet. Step 2: Use the internet to send them an urgent message.”

In response to the criticism, the IDF took to social media to say it’s spreading the message as widely as it can.

“This is a good opportunity to mention that we’ve said this countless times for over two weeks, including: Dropping paper pamphlets across Gaza, Arabic social media, international media, phone calls to residents of Gaza and more.”

In his video message, Rear Admiral Hagari said an “impending IDF operation is set to neutralise the threat of Hamas with precision and intensity”.

Israel began its ground offensive at the weekend, but it was more subdued than the country had promised.

That could change imminently.

“To the residents of northern Gaza and Gaza City, your window to act is closing,” Rear Admiral Hagari said. “Move south for your own safety. Move south. This is not a mere precaution – it is an urgent plea for the safety of civilians.”

He insisted the evacuation was a “temporary measure” and said “moving back to northern Gaza” will be possible once “intense hostilities” end.

“Humanity remains haunted by the massacre unleashed by Hamas on October 7 – a massacre of innocent lives. Israeli men, women, children and babies were beheaded, executed, raped and burnt alive.

“We won’t forget that. And the kidnapping of over 200 Israelis – we will not forget.”

Israel begins ‘phase two’ of Hamas offensive

Israel has commenced the “second stage” of its war with Hamas in Palestine, which the prime minister warned will be “long and difficult”.

Troops crossed the border into Gaza at the weekend and have advanced some three kilometres, according to analysis by CNN.

The ground offensive coincided with a ramp up of air strikes, targeting Hamas command posts and underground tunnel networks.

Bombing surrounding Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Quds, sparked condemnation from humanitarian groups, who said an order to evacuate was unreasonable.

However, the Israeli Defence Forces said Hamas has built bunkers beneath the hospital.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the next phase of the conflict was “do or die”.

“There are moments in which a nation faces two possibilities: to do or die,” Mr Netanyahu said. “We now face that test and I have no doubt how it will end: We will be the victors. We will do, and we will be the victors.”

It marked his first press conference taking questions since the 7 October terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians.

Mr Netanyahu described the swift retaliation as “our second Independence War”.

“We will fight to protect our country. We will fight on land, in the sea and in the air. We will destroy the enemy above ground and underground.”

Ground operations were designed to “destroy the military and government capabilities of Hamas” while also seeking to free hundreds of Israeli hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza.

Despite the advancement of ground troops, the operation is much more subdued than the all-out offensive that had been promised.

The reason for the apparent restraint is advice from the United States, according to The Times of Israel, which quoted an unnamed American official.

“The Biden administration has pushed Israel to carry out a more limited ground operation in the Gaza Strip, as the IDF is currently conducting in the northern part of the enclave,” the outlet reported.

“The US official says Israel’s leaders also currently oppose an all-out ground offensive at this stage because it could well risk the hostages currently in Gaza; and accordingly did not need pressure from Washington in order to choose the current military path.”

The White House is said to have “scepticism regarding Israel’s broader strategy”, it added.

No American boots on the ground, Harris insists

The United States has “no intention” of sending ground troops to Israel or Gaza, Vice President Kamala Harris has insisted.

In an interview with the American television program 60 Minutes earlier, Ms Harris echoed the sentiments of President Joe Biden in saying that Israel “has a right to defend itself”.

“A terrorist organisation, Hamas, slaughtered hundreds of young people at a concert,” she told the program.

“By most estimates at least fourteen hundred Israelis are dead. Israel, without any question, has a right to defend itself.

“That being said, it is very important that there be no conflation between Hamas and the Palestinians. The Palestinians deserve equal measures of safety and security, self-determination and dignity, and we have been very clear that the rules of war must be adhered to and that there be humanitarian aid that flows.”

The US is not directing Israel what to do militarily, but Ms Harris said it was providing advice, equipment and diplomatic support.

While American warships have travelled to the region and some 2000 troops have been told to prepare to deploy, the manoeuvres are meant to act as a deterrent to Iran and its sponsored militants in the region.

“We have absolutely no intention nor do we have any plans to send combat troops into Israel or Gaza, period,” Ms Harris said.

Israel air strikes ‘targeting hospitals’

A Palestinian aid organisation has accused Israel of deliberately targeting hospitals in northern Gaza, putting patients at risk.

Palestinian Red Crescent Society levelled the accusation in a statement to the media, saying the Israeli Defence Force has repeatedly bombed the area surrounding Al-Quds hospital.

“This has caused significant damage to hospital departments and exposed residents and patients to suffocation,” the statement read.

“The Israeli army deliberately continues to launch rockets directly near Al-Quds hospital with the aim of forcing medical staff, displaced individuals and patients to evacuate the hospital.”

The Israeli Defence Force issued an evacuation order for the hospital, which doctors told BBC was not possible without risking patient safety.

A report from the BBC quotes a doctor at Al-Quds saying that “heavy bombardment has now begun in the vicinity”.

“Everyone, everyone, especially the children, is terrified,” the doctor was quoted as saying. “They bomb the [residential] towers behind the hospital.”

The BBC also quoted a resident near the hospital as saying: “They have bombed two residential towers and now they’re bombing the third one. God protect us.”

Footage shared by the British broadcaster shows rooms inside the hospital filled with dust and with windows shattered.

Israel vows ‘independence war’ as air strikes intensify

A defiant Benjamin Netanyahu has declared Israel is fighting “its second War of Independence” as the country kicked off its ground offensive in Gaza.

While the much-anticipated move is so far more subdued than the Israeli prime minister had been hinting at, relentless air strikes continue in the disputed territory.

Mr Netanyahu stopped short of describing the operation as an invasion, but insisted Israel would not waver.

The Israeli Defence Force confirmed 450 attacks had been carried out on Hamas targets throughout Palestine in the past 24 hours, including on the terrorist group’s headquarters and antitank positions.

Palestine officials say the IDF has ordered the evacuation of multiple hospitals in Gaza, with air strikes occurring close to major health facilities.

Hamas leaders killed in air strikes

Two senior Hamas leaders have been killed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza, including the mastermind of an attack on a music festival by a group of paragliders.

Israeli Defence Force officials reported Asem Abu Rakaba and Rateb Abu Tshaiban had been eliminated, alongside a number of other high-ranking members of the terrorist organisation.

“IDF fighter jets struck Asem Abu Rakaba, The head of Hamas’ Aerial Array,” it said.

Abu Rakaba orchestrated the massacre on the Supernova festival in Israel on 7 October, where hundreds of people were killed when terrorists parachuted in.

Abu Tshaiban was the commander of Hamas’ naval forces and had planned an infiltration of Israel by sea – a plot that was ultimately foiled.

More kids killed in Gaza than anywhere else

More children have been killed in Gaza in the past three weeks than in all other global conflicts annually over the past four years, a leading humanitarian group claims.

Save the Children made the stark assessment in a social media post about the worsening civilian cost of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Palestinian health authority say 3195 children have died since 7 October.

That figure cannot be independently verified and the terrorist group Hamas controls the information released.

However, Save the Children said the death toll is staggering and has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

“The numbers are harrowing and with violence not only continuing but expanding in Gaza right now, many more children remain at grave risk,” Jason Lee, the organisation’s country director in Palestine, told CNN.

According to the United Nations, 2985 children died in armed conflicts across 24 countries in 2022, while the figure was 2515 in 2021, and 2674 in 2020.

Iran’s chilling warning to the US

Iran has warned that Israel has “crossed the red lines” in Gaza and its ground offensive “may force everyone to take action”.

The stark statement from Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, marks an escalation of rhetoric from the Islamic Republic.

“The crimes of the Zionist regime have crossed the red lines, and this may force everyone to take action,” Raisi wrote. “Washington asks us to not do anything, but they keep giving widespread support to Israel.”

He said the US has “sent messages to the Axis of Resistance” and received “a clear response on the battlefield”.

The term ‘Axis of Resistance’ refers to Iranian allies across the region, including Hamas in Palestine, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shiite militants in Iraq and Syria, and Yemen group Houthis.

It’s unclear what Raisi meant with the reference to “a clear response on the battlefield” however there have been a string of alarming encounters between the US and rebels.

In the past few days, a US navy ship intercepted missiles launched by rebels in Yemen and two American bases in Syria briefly came under attack.

Meanwhile, in Iraq, US troops came under fire from rockets and weaponised drones.

Tensions are running high across the Middle East and the US has dispatched two carrier groups to the eastern Mediterranean, hoping to send a message to Iran and its allies to stay out of the conflict.

Some 2000 American troops are also on standby for ground deployment if needed.

Ben Wedeman is CNN’s senior international correspondent based in Beirut in Lebanon and wrote in an analysis piece that “across the Middle East the warning lights of more trouble to come are blinking red”.

A combination of devastating factors are threatening to collide, Wedeman wrote.

“It all amounts to this: the United States is careening closer to the very real possibility of direct involvement in a regional Middle Eastern war.

“Now, at best, the US is scrambling to respond to events largely out of its control.

“And in this dangerous terrain, suddenly the vulnerabilities of the sprawling American military presence across the Middle East are glaringly obvious.”

In the past few days, a US navy ship intercepted missiles launched by rebels in Yemen and two American bases in Syria briefly came under attack.

Meanwhile, in Iraq, US troops came under fire from rockets and weaponised drones.

Pro-Palestine mob ‘hunting for Jews’

An angry mob took control of a large airport and surrounded a plane they believed had just arrived from Israel, searching for Jewish people.

The frightening security breach took place at Makhachkala Airport in Russia’s Dagestan Republic on Sunday night local time.

Videos posted to social media show a large group of men, some draped in or holding Palestinian flags, storming the airport after word spread that a flight from Israel had landed.

Crowds can be seen running through the main terminal and then breaching a security screening area, smashing their way through locked doors in the process.

Hundreds of men then make their way onto the tarmac and surround an aircraft.

A photographer who shared one clip wrote alongside it: “The hunt for Jews at the airport in Dagestan continues, to the soundtrack of ‘Allahu Akbar’ screams.

“They even look into the plane’s engines, maybe someone is hiding there. Pogroms, a proud Russian tradition, now carried out by Muslim mobs running free with zero police presence.”

According to a report in the Moscow Times, some of the men blocked cars outside the airport and demanded identification documents from drivers and passengers, as they “searched for Israeli citizens among the motorists”.

In one clip, a group can be seen attacking a white police vehicle.

Officials insisted security measures were working and said order was eventually restored at the airport.

“The government of the Republic of Dagestan is reporting that the situation is under control, law enforcement is working at the scene,” the majority-Muslim republic’s government said in a message shared on Telegram.

Shortly after 10pm local time, Russian security forces seized back control of the airport and cleared out the demonstrators, with some 20 people injured in the process, Reuters reported.

All flights have been diverted and the airport could remain closed for the next several days.

It appears the plane that landed had not arrived from Israel, however the rumours that circulated in town were correct – a flight from Tel Aviv was scheduled to land on Sunday evening.

However, the flight was diverted to a nearby air field after pilots were warned of the security breach on the ground, according to reports.

Passengers on board the plane in Makhachkala that was surrounded are safe, authorities told Reuters.

The government called on the mob to “stop illegal acts” and resist the urge to respond to “provocations” resulting from the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“We recommend that all persons who have violated the operating procedures of the (airport) facility not to continue illegal acts and not to interfere with the work of airport employees,” a message from the government on Telegram read.

“It is not easy for each of us to stand in one place while watching the inhumane massacre of a civilian population – the Palestinian people.

“At the same time, we urge residents of the republic not to succumb to provocations of destructive groups and not to create panic in society.”

The government added that “federal authorities and international organisations are taking all possible measures for a ceasefire against peaceful citizens in Gaza”.

“We call on people of the republic to treat the current situation in the world with understanding.”

Jordan asks US for missile system

Jordan has asked the United States to deploy its Patriot air defence system to its border, concerned about an escalation throughout the region.

The kingdom is facing growing threats from ballistic missiles, Jordanian military spokesperson Brigadier General Mustafa Al-Hiyari told state television.

America’s Patriot missile defence system is “the best weapon to confront such a threat”.

“We asked the American side to strengthen our defence system with Patriot missiles. This system is expensive and cannot be employed with local capabilities, and we need a strategic partner.”

Pointed post swiping pro-Palestine protests

Israel has taken a swipe at pro-Palestine protesters in New York in a pointed post on social media.

Vision of a demonstrator waving a combined Palestine and rainbow flag at a rally in Brooklyn quickly went viral, particularly after it was re-shared by Israel’s official account on X, formerly Twitter.

“A combined LGBTQ + Palestine flag in New York protest today. Why are there so many ‘queers FOR Palestine’, but absolutely no ‘queers IN Palestine’?

“Looking forward to seeing Hamas raise the rainbow flag across Gaza as a thank you for your solidarity.”

Politician’s sick Hitler remark

A politician in Pakistan has sparked outrage after taking to social media to invoke Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust to attack Israel over its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Senator Afnan Ullah Khan posted an image of Hitler on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption: “At least now the world know [sic], why he did, what he did.”

Countless users condemned his words and Mr Khan later deleted the message. It now appears his entire X profile has been removed.

The politician was the youngest senator ever elected in Pakistan in 2021. He was educated in the United Kingdom and received a doctorate in IT from Oxford.

Number of Aussies still stuck in Gaza

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has revealed 88 Australians, family members and visa holders remain stuck in Gaza.

The government is working to secure safe passage amid the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, hopeful the Rafah border crossing with Egypt can be opened.

“We have 88 Australians and families, so that’s citizens, those on visas and family members, and we have been working since this conflict began to try and get them out of Gaza,” Senator Wong told the ABC.

“We’re in the same situation, very sadly, that every other nation with foreign nationals is … in terms of foreign nationals in Gaza. There has not been exit permitted.”

‘We gotta go, f***’: Seven news crew flee

An Australian news crew reporting from the Israel-Palestine border was forced to run for cover as a Hamas rocket exploded above them.

Channel 7 journalist David Woiwod was crossing live to the network’s Early News program just after 6am when he and his cameraman had “a very close call”.

“I don’t know if you can hear those blasts in the background,” Woiwod said as exploding rockets could be seen in the distance.

“We have a flare going up there,” he added, pointing out Israel’s air defence system intercepting strikes.

As the sound of firing rockets grew closer, Woiwod – who was near Sderot on the Israeli border – could be seen gazing upwards in panic.

“In fact, I think we might have to go now,” he said. “We gotta go, f***.”

As he ran out of shot, an explosion could be heard and the feed was cut. Back in a studio in Sydney, Channel 7 anchor Jodie Speers quickly moved on to other stories.

Woiwod returned to screens about an hour later, where he told Sunrise about the chilling moment he had to run for his life.

A clip of the live cross was replayed, albeit with the F bomb bleeped.

“An incredibly close call there, showing that Israel doesn’t have a full grip of the situation – a fluid situation,” he said.

“Hamas had fired off a rocket. They are doing it every few hours, showing no sign of decreasing these rocket attacks.

“Israel is on the ground in northern Gaza, advancing. We understand they are 4km into the northern Gaza border. We have pushed right back, the IDF have detected what they believe to be an antitank missile in the area as well.”

Israel launches air strikes in Lebanon

The Israeli Air Force has carried out a series of strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon in response to rocket and missile fire from the militant group.

Targets included “infrastructure for directing terror and military infrastructure” controlled by the group, a defence spokesperson said in a statement.

Aerial footage of the strikes has been distributed to media.

Desperate scenes in Gaza

The “fabric of society” in Gaza is deteriorating, an official from the United Nationals Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has declared.

In an interview with CNN, UNRWA director of Affairs for Gaza Thomas White said desperate civilians have looted aid stockpiles in the war-torn region.

“We have been warning for a couple days now that if essential public services and humanitarian aid would not be provided to the population in a sustained way we would see a breakdown in civil order,” Mr White told the cable news network.

“What we are seeing right now is the first stages of that, and that some of our logistic bases were looted by hundreds of young men.

“It’s a very worrying sign that the fabric of society is starting to break down.”

UNRWA has called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” so aid organisations can “get the assistance that people need and stabilise society in Gaza”.

Biden demands flow of aid

US President Joe Biden has called for Israel to “immediately and significantly increase” the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Mr Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke via telephone about the ongoing conflict, a statement from the White House revealed.

Access to clean water and fuel remains limited throughout Gaza, as does food and medical equipment.

Hospitals are at risk of losing power, which would endanger thousands of patients, the World Health Organisation reports.

“[The president] reiterated that Israel has every right and responsibility to defend its citizens from terrorism and underscored the need to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law that prioritises the protection of civilians,” the White House said.

Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu also “discussed ongoing efforts to locate and secure the release of hostages, including American citizens who remain unaccounted for and may be held by Hamas”.

The pair have committed to “remain in regular consultation both directly and through their respective national security teams”.