PM Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the framework of a ceasefire deal to stop the Gaza war, pictured with US Secretary of State Antony BlinkenCredit: EPA
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Israeli soldiers patrol along the border with the Gaza StripCredit: EPA
But terror group Hamas — whose October 7 massacre and taking of Israeli hostages triggered the conflict — has yet to accept the deal after branding peace moves “an illusion.”
Mr Blinken, who will now lead further talks in Cairo, said he had a “very constructive meeting” with Mr Netanyahu.
The deal had been held up by Hamas demands that Israeli troops must leave the 25-mile coastal strip where it claims 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by the military bombardment in the past ten months.
Israel had advocated its forces stay in two corridors of territory to stop Hamas receiving arms from its backers Iran.
But it appeared to have moved first on the plan.
Mr Blinken said Mr Netanyahu had “confirmed to me that Israel accepts the bridging proposal” first offered by the US last week in Doha.
He added: “It’s now incumbent on Hamas to do the same.”
He said there was an urgency to get it agreed as it is “the best way to make sure the conflict doesn’t spread”.
Mr Netanyahu said he appreciated “the understanding the US showed toward our vital security interests, amid our joint efforts to bring about the releases of our hostages”.
Benjamin Netanyahu Congress speech LIVE – Israel’s PM to speak as ring of steel erected before ‘day of rage’ protests
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IDF troops conducting a military operation in Gaza StripCredit: Rex
HIDING for his life, Yoni Saadon watched in horror as a Hamas mob man-handled a woman “with the face of an angel”.
The Israeli had crept under the stage at the Supernova desert rave when it was attacked by armed-to-the-teeth terrorists.
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Israeli soldiers look at photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their attack on the Supernova desert rave on October 7Credit: AP
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Footage shows an armed Palestinian militant walking around the music festivalCredit: AFP
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Members of the security forces continue to search for identification after the attack – while harrowing testimony has revealed the extent of atrocities on that dayCredit: Getty
After an hour, the 39-year-old dad of four peeked out: “I saw this beautiful woman with the face of an angel and eight or ten of the fighters beating and raping her.
“She was screaming, ‘Stop it — I’m going to die anyway from what you are doing, just kill me!’
“When they finished they were laughing and the last one shot her in the head.
“I kept thinking it could have been one of my daughters.”
Yoni’s harrowing testimony to the Sunday Times of rape as a weapon of terror is far from unique.
Yet the welter of vivid evidence reported by respected media outlets — and Hamas’s own sick videos — have not swayed many who would normally be natural allies of raped and mutilated women.
Shamefully, there has been no widespread crescendo of outrage from feminist groups, #MeToo activists, human rights campaigners and social justice warriors.
There were no circular letters signed by famous luvvies. And no special hashtag for the defiled women of Israel.
It appeared that sympathy for the Palestinian cause meant some could find no place in their hearts for raped and butchered Israeli women.
It led Israeli tech boss Danielle Ofek to launch a campaign on Twitter/X with the hashtag #MeTooUnlessUrAJew — its aim to gather a million signatures to acknowledge that every woman’s life is equally precious.
Despite the deafening silence, multiple heart-wrenching accounts of the rape and mutilation of women have emerged since the massacre.
This week the BBC told how Israeli police had shown journalists the video testimony of another Supernova survivor.
It’s an extremely shocking and graphic account of barbarity.
The woman, known as Witness S, first told how Hamas passed a female partygoer from one attacker to another.
Then she said: “She was alive. She was bleeding from her back. They sliced her breast and threw it on the street. They were playing with it.”
Witness S then told how the victim was passed to another man in uniform, who shot her in the head while he was raping her.
The BBC also quoted a survivor from the festival saying in a statement: “Some women were raped before they were dead, some raped while injured, and some were already dead when the terrorists raped their lifeless bodies.
“I desperately wanted to help, but there was nothing I could do.”
And a morgue worker said: “There is evidence of mass rape so brutal that they broke their victims’ pelvis — women, grandmothers, children.”
Photographs from massacre sites show dead women naked from the waist down, or with their underwear ripped to one side, their legs splayed and with signs of trauma to their genitals and legs.
Israeli police commander Shelly Harush, leading the investigation into the rapes, said: “It’s clear now that sexual crimes were part of the planning, and the purpose was to terrify and humiliate people.”
Israel’s Women’s Empowerment Minister May Golan said the “very, very few” victims of rape or sexual assault who survived the attacks were having psychiatric treatment.
She added: “The majority were brutally murdered. They aren’t able to talk — not with me, and not to anyone from the government or from the media.”
Most social media users would have seen the highly distressing images of a handcuffed woman taken hostage, with cuts to her arms and her trousers bloodstained.
Yet the silence from many has left Israeli women feeling ignored by the global feminist movement.
The United Nations organisation UN Women — which calls itself “the global champion for gender equality” — had nothing initially to say after the mass rapes on October 7.
Despite publishing a report on women in the region a few days after the outrage, it remained silent.
‘Unverified accusation’
Nearly two months after the rape and murder spree — and following intense lobbying by Israeli women’s groups — UN Women finally acknowledged the sexual attacks.
It released a statement saying the organisation was “alarmed by the numerous accounts of gender-based atrocities and sexual violence” during the October attacks.
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One woman was wedged between two fanatics as they carried her away on a motorbikeCredit: AP
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Noa Argamani, 25, was snatched from a music festival as she begged for her lifeCredit: Supplied
But Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen slammed the statement as “weak and late”.
In Canada an open letter has been gathering signatures among politicos, but rather than decry the Hamas killings and sexual attacks, it denied that women were raped.
It criticised opposition New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh for having “repeated the unverified accusation that Palestinians were guilty of sexual violence.”
Astonishingly, it was signed by Samantha Pearson, director of the University of Alberta’s Sexual Assault Centre.
The Jewish Federation of Edmonton wrote: “Shouldn’t a sexual assault centre believe all victims, and not just the non-Jewish ones?”
Pearson was fired from her role.
In Britain, Guardian newspaper posterboy Owen Jones — who was at a screening of Hamas atrocities put together by the Israeli Government — said there was no “conclusive evidence” of rape in the images he witnessed.
He added: “If there was rape and sexual violence committed, we don’t see that on camera.”
The Israel Defense Forces said only footage that “preserved the dignity” of those killed was used out of respect to their families.
It was left to fellow Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff to point out last week that after reports of the rape of Yazidi and Ukrainian women she couldn’t remember “too many sceptics demanding to see video proof”.
Jones later tweeted: “All allegations of rape and sexual assault must be investigated, including those alleged against Hamas during 7th October atrocity”.
On Tuesday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a Press conference: “I say to the women’s rights organisations, to the human rights organisations, you’ve heard of the rape of Israeli women, horrible atrocities, sexual mutilation — where the hell are you?”
Last week UN secretary general António Guterres finally said that the “numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas” should be “vigorously investigated”.
Israeli author Hen Mazzig tweeted: “So, it took the top man in the humanitarian world almost TWO MONTHS to believe women and say that there are “reports” of rape that should be investigated?
“No, sir, it must be condemned, NOW, with your full chest.”
DOZENS more Brits finally made it out of besieged Gaza yesterday — crossing over the Rafah border into the safety of Egypt.
Families spoke of their intense relief after 90 of their loved ones escaped the enclave while the week-long Israeli bombardment continued.
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A Brit official speaks to a recent arrival at Rafah crossing on the border of Gaza and Egypt as dozens of UK citizens make it out of the StripCredit: EPA
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This included Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, from Dundee, whose son-in-law Humza Yousaf is First Minister of ScotlandCredit: Family Handout / PA Wire
Among those who made it were the in-laws of Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, who said: “These last four weeks have been a living nightmare.”
He confirmed at noon that his wife Nadia’s parents, Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, from Dundee, were out as he told of his “deep personal relief”.
Of 200 or so Brits stuck in Gaza when war broke out, a handful are thought to remain in northern Gaza because it has been impossible to travel safely south to Rafah.
The Foreign Office has not said exactly how many have made it out.
Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said the Government was being “very cautious” on numbers.
He said: “We neither control the border, nor do we control what’s going on inside Gaza.
“We don’t want to give false hope or false belief to individuals that they’ll be able to cross.”
The UK has deployed a Border Force team in Cairo and posted consular officials near Rafah to assist those trying to get out.
Among those to cross at Rafah was surgeon Abdel Hammad, from Liverpool.
His son, Salim, said: “We finally got the news when he gave us a call and said, ‘I’ve made it through’. We felt overriding relief.”
Scottish leader Mr Yousaf and his wife called for a ceasefire so a humanitarian corridor could open to save innocent Palestinians as Israel continues its rout of Hamas.
He said: “Although we feel a sense of deep personal relief, we are heartbroken at the continued suffering of the people of Gaza.
“We reiterate our calls for all sides to agree to an immediate ceasefire, the opening of a humanitarian corridor and for all hostages to be released.”
As the fighting raged, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged both sides to do as much as possible to reduce casualties.
On his third visit to Israel since the conflict began, he described Hamas’s bloodthirsty outrages on October 7 as “almost beyond human capacity” and blasted them for using civilians as “human shields”.
More than 1,400 people were slaughtered in the attacks.
Mr Blinken, who met Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, also said more needed to be done to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
He said: “We have provided Israel advice, that only the best of friends can offer, on how to minimise civilian deaths while still achieving its objectives of finding and finishing Hamas terrorists.”
And he said work on a two-state solution — with Israel and Palestine peacefully co-existing beside each other — must begin “not tomorrow, not after today, but today”.
Mr Netanyahu ruled out a temporary ceasefire to establish a humanitarian corridor unless the kidnapped Israelis were released.
America is flying MQ-9 Reaper drones over Gaza to help locate the others.
Israeli Defence Forces troops, meanwhile, have tightened their encirclement of Gaza City.
Hamas health chiefs said more than 9,000 Palestinians have been killed.
There were reports of 15 deaths when a convoy of ambulances carrying injured Palestinians to the Rafah crossing was hit.
An IDF spokesman said later: “An IDF aircraft struck an ambulance that was identified by forces as being used by a Hamas terrorist cell in close proximity to their position in the battle zone.
“A number of Hamas terrorist operatives were killed in the strike.
“We have information which demonstrates Hamas’s method of operation is to transfer terror operatives and weapons in ambulances.
“We emphasize that this area is a battle zone. Civilians in the area are repeatedly called upon to evacuate.”
Another four Israeli soldiers have died, taking the total killed to more than 330 since the war began.
Violence also continues to escalate in the West Bank where the death toll since October 7 is 144.
TWO senior Hamas terror chiefs were wiped out overnight by Israeli airstrikes — as Army commanders pledged to kill more.
The Israel Defence Forces said that it had eliminated Asem Abu Rakaba and Rateb Abu Tshaiban — as well as taking out other high-ranking officials.
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As a missile strikes behind a minaret in Gaza, the Israeli Defence Forces has said it has eliminated two senior Hamas terror chiefsCredit: Getty
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Asem Abu Rakaba was the warlord in charge of the gun-toting paragliders unit which swooped over the border to slaughter civiliansCredit: Supplied
Abu Rakaba was the brutal warlord in charge of the gun-toting paragliders unit which swooped over the border to slaughter Israeli civilians.
Soldiers from his Aerial Array division also butchered innocent civilians at the Supernova music festival, where at least 260 died.
The Israel Defence Forces said: “IDF fighter jets struck Asem Abu Rakaba, the Head of Hamas’ Aerial Array.”
Hamas’ naval forces commander Abu Tshaiban, who planned and commanded a foiled infiltration attempt by sea on Tuesday, was also taken out by an Israeli strike.
Israel’s air force uploaded footage of the fatal fighter jet strike online.
It came as Israeli forces confirmed they had taken out 150 underground tunnels in the bombardment over Friday night.
Three other Hamas leaders including Daraj-Tuffah Battalion commander Rifaat Abbas were also neutralised.
His deputy Ibrahim Jadba and third-in-line Tarek Maarouf were also killed in the aerial blitz on Thursday.
Abbas’ battalion is part of the Gaza City Brigade, which is considered the most significant and powerful regiment inside Hamas and its military wing Al-Qassam Brigades.
Hamas deputy intelligence leader Shadi Barud, who helped plan the October 7 attack, was also killed on the same day by an Israeli Air Force strike.
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Rifaat Abbas was also killed in the aerial blitzCredit: Supplied
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Deputy Ibrahim Jadba also diedCredit: Supplied
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Third-in-line Tarek Maarouf was also eliminatedCredit: Supplied
Jets fired on several Hamas-operated buildings which swiftly collapsed, causing clouds of smoke to billow into the sky.
Barud was involved in planning several terrorist attacks against Israelis, according to the IDF.
The group are the latest in a line of more than a dozen terror leaders picked off by IDF strikes in the past three weeks.
IDF army chief Herzi Halevi said in a video address tonight Israel would continue to “target and eliminate commanders of the Hamas terrorist organisation”.
He added: “This is a war with multiple stages. Today we move to the next one.
“Our enemy has had hundreds killed and infrastructure destroyed.
“From myself to every soldier in the Gaza Strip, we will do everything to succeed in this effort.
“We will remember to fight with determination, and we will win.”
He added the mission to return safely the 229 hostages abducted by terrorists and held in Gaza was a “supreme national effort”.
Hamas’ Gaza Strip leader Yahya Sinwar said terrorists would release hostages in exchange for an estimated 10,000 Palestinians that are held in Israeli jails.
But IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari slammed the proposal and said it was “psychological terrorism”, adding: “Hamas does not communicate with Israel on these matters.”
Hamas had previously claimed without evidence that 50 Israeli hostages in Gaza had been killed by their own nation’s bombs and shells.
Only four hostages have been released so far as negotiators — including Qatar — urged Israel to delay their planned invasion of the enclave.
Today a statement from the families of the kidnapped Israelis expressed “great concern and anxiety” at the escalation of hostilities.
The first signs that Israel was ramping up its operation came on Friday when Gaza’s internet and mobile phone networks went down for more than 15 hours, days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised the “next stage” was looming.
Fighter jets dropped devastating 5,000lb bunker-buster bombs to penetrate Hamas boltholes deep underground in the tunnel network dubbed the Gaza Metro.
Some 150 terrorist lairs buried deep underground were hit in shock and awe raids as tanks rolled in on two fronts in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun.
As daylight broke, the devastation around Beit Hanoun could be seen. Building after building had been crushed.
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Israeli tanks rolled in on two fronts in Beit Lahia and Beit HanounCredit: @IDF/Twitter
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Israeli Lt Col Avichay Adraee added that artillery forces were also participating, and that it is being accompanied by intense gunfireCredit: AFP via Getty
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared Israel was moving up the gears to achieve its stated aim of “eliminating Hamas”.
He said: “We attacked above the ground and under it. We attacked terrorist operatives from all levels everywhere.
“The directives to the forces are clear: the operation will continue until further notice.”
“Tonight the earth in Gaza shook. We have shifted phases in the war.”
Israeli Lt Col Avichay Adraee added: “Infantry, armour, engineering, and artillery forces are participating in this operation, and it is accompanied by intense gunfire.
“Expansion of operations serves all war aims at this time.
“The IDF conducts a continuous assessment of the situation and moves forward in line with the phases of the fighting.”
Hamas responded, saying its estimated 35,000 fighters were “fully prepared to confront the aggression with full force and thwart the incursions” — stating Israel would “taste a greater defeat than he expected or feared.”
Revenge strikes were fired towards cities including Tel Aviv, Ashkelon and border town Sderot.
The majority of rockets were halted by Israel’s £600million Iron Dome defence system. But one did hit Tel Aviv, injuring three people.
The Gaza health ministry — controlled by Hamas — said Israeli strikes have now killed 7,650 people — including more than 3,000 children, whilst 19,450 were injured.
And on the West Bank, 111 were said to have died and 1,950 injured, Palestine’s health officials added.
Israel had warned roughly one million Gazans living in the north of the 25-mile long strip to evacuate before the strikes.
The IDF today reissued the call — as around 400,000 Palestinians are still feared to be in northern areas of the enclave.
Mr Hagari told Palestinian civilians: “This is not a mere precaution. It is an urgent plea for the safety of civilians in Gaza.”
ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed IDF army has stormed into Gaza in what he said was a “fight for our existence”.
The Israeli leader though warned it would be a “long and difficult war”.
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Benjamin Netanyahu says the ground operation by IDF troops was the second stage in the war against HamasCredit: Reuters
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The IDF shared footage of tanks massing the morning after the assault
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Parts of Gaza City have been turned to rubble following the bombardmentCredit: AFP
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Israeli artillery fire pounded GazaCredit: Getty
Netanyahu said troops had entered the Gaza Strip through the “gates of evil”.
He said the ground operation launched by IDF troops in Gaza was the second stage in a war against the Islamist group Hamas that would be long and difficult.
Netanyahu said additional Israeli ground forces have gone into what he called ” that stronghold of evil”, referring to Gaza, to “dismantle” Hamas and bring hostages home.
“Our fight inside the Gaza Strip will be long and difficult,” he said. “But we are prepared for that.”
Speaking at a televised news conference, he said every effort would be made to rescue the more than 200 hostages held by Hamas.
Netanyahu added the “supreme” goal of the operation was to “completely defeat the murderous enemy and guarantee our existence [as a state]”.
“There are moments in which a state faces two options – to exist or to cease [to exist].”
He vowed to “completely eliminate the military capabilities of Hamas”, describing the conflict as a “second war of independence”.
“We’ve always said, ‘Never again’,” he said. “Never again is now.”
He claimed that Israel was doing “everything it can” to avoid civilian casualties and accused Hamas of war crimes.
Netanyahu said soldiers fighting Hamas were joining a chain of Jewish heroes.
Describing a history that “started 3,000 years ago”, he compared today’s combatants to Joshua ben Nun, who succeeded Moses in leading the Israelites, to “the heroes of 1948, the Six-Day War” of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of October 1973.
Netanyahu also thanked Western leaders, including the US and UK, for standing with his country.
He said: “We will fight and we will win… this is the mission of our lives.”
It comes as:
When asked about the hostages currently being held by Hamas, he said: “We have two goals, and the most supreme one is to completely eliminate the operational and governmental capabilities of Hamas and the second one is to bring back the hostages.”
Israel army officials have said Gaza City was now a “battlefield” as they stepped up their campaign against the killers behind the massacre of 1,400 people on October 7.
Hamas-run health authorities in the 25-mile territory have claimed so far some 7,300 civilians have been killed – including 3,000 children.
The terrorist group have been accused of using the region’s population as human shields as they hide in a network of tunnels, with some even allegedly burrowed beneath hospitals.
But the timeline for the full-scale invasion of the area – home to 2million people – remains unknown.
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An Israeli airstrike hits a target in northern GazaCredit: Sky
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Netanyahu says the war will be ‘long and difficult’Credit: AFP
