Tuesday, September 16th's news on the Middle East conflict, live. Netanyahu at a press conference: The Israeli economy is very strong, it has surprised everyone. We will build a defense industry that can withstand international constraints.

• After the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, in which 1,194 Israelis were killed and 250 kidnapped, Israel responded by decimating Hamas's leadership and structures in the Strip. Over 64,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed in the operations in Gaza: over half of them were minors, including at least 19,000 children.
• During the night between Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 September, the Israeli army launched a massive invasion of Gaza City with planes, drones, missiles, and helicopters. This operation is just the beginning, Israeli military officials explain. Tanks and special forces have advanced right into the city center, where many of the hostages are believed to be hiding. US President Trump threatens Hamas: Don't use the hostages as human shields, or anything will be possible. Netanyahu thanks them for their unwavering support. The hostages' families try to stop the invasion by protesting outside Netanyahu's house: This could be their last night.

8:25 PM | September 16

Netanyahu: Qatar is funding Hamas, the attack was justified.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference that Qatar finances Hamas and that the attack on Doha was justified.

8.23pm | September 16th

Netanyahu: Anyone who condemns Israel is a"hypocrite."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during this evening's press conference, declared that anyone who blames Israel for its actions is a hypocrite. The United States bombed Afghanistan because that's where Al-Qaeda was located. Then Pakistan because that's where Bin Laden was located,' he represented the Israeli leader, adding that no one said, 'My God, something terrible has happened. America has violated the sovereignty of Afghanistan or Pakistan. Don't harbor terrorists; no one will act on your soil. It's our right to act against terrorists who attack from other states,' Netanyahu clarified.

Egypt's assault on Gaza puts the region on the brink of total chaos.

The Israeli military operation in Gaza brings the entire Middle East to the brink of a new phase of chaos, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Egypt has warned of the catastrophic risks of Israeli military operations in the region, which is on the brink of a new phase of total chaos due to Israel's recklessness and excessive arrogance. This will inevitably harm the interests of all regional and international parties, without exception. Blaming the international community for the serious deterioration of the situation due to their inaction in the face of crimes and genocide committed, Cairo stressed the need to respect human rights and the rule of law and called for concrete measures to end the war in the Gaza Strip and save Palestinian lives, after the Israeli war machine has killed approximately 65,000 Palestinians since the beginning of the war in Gaza, injured hundreds of thousands, and destroyed infrastructure. It further draws attention to the serious impact of Israeli military operations on the overall humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, particularly in light of the blockade and famine imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people, and condemns the displacement and abuses committed against the Palestinian population as a result of the military operation.

7.57pm | September 16th

Netanyahu: Trump invited me to the White House

Netanyahu stated at a press conference that US President Donald Trump had invited him to the White House, Israeli media reported."I've had several conversations with him since the Doha attack, and they've all been very positive," Netanyahu said. Previously, a senior Israeli official said efforts were being made to arrange a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly next week, but cautioned that nothing was definitive.

7.45pm | September 16th

Netanyahu: We will form an independent defense industry that can withstand international constraints.

I don't deny attempts to limit us economically, but the world wants the products Israel produces. (...) In all fields, Israel is a driving force, and the market economy will function here as it has so far. There is one area I was referring to, where there can certainly be restrictions that are not economic, but political in nature, and that is what is happening in the defense industry, the Israeli prime minister explained.

7.43pm | September 16th

Netanyahu's appeal to investors:"You've seen what we can do. We're talking about future technologies being developed here."

We have managed to overcome two economic crises, the one caused by the Covid pandemic and a two-year-old war, he said. The appeal to global investors is to come on board now because we are ready to take off, Netanyahu continued. You have seen our goals, what Israel can do. We are talking about the technologies of the future being developed here, the Israeli prime minister stated. Per capita GDP has increased significantly, much more than in many Western countries. The debt-to-GDP ratio has decreased. The Israeli economy is vibrant and resilient. The price of electricity reflects the state of the economy; energy is very cheap, he continued.

7.40pm | September 16th

Netanyahu at a press conference: Since the beginning of the war, the exchange rate against the dollar has fallen.

On the day the IDF entered Gaza City and the UN spoke of genocide in the Strip, Israeli President Netanyahu focused the first part of his press conference on Tel Aviv's economic growth:"I have full confidence in the Israeli economy. It is very strong, it has amazed the entire world, even more so in the last two years," the prime minister emphasized, following criticism of his comments about the country's slide into international isolation, to which he suggested it respond by becoming a super-Sparta with an autarchic economy.

7.37pm | September 16th

After the UN, Netanyahu asked for a meeting with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington immediately after his address to the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for later this month in New York, Channel 12 reported, citing senior American officials.

7.35pm | September 16th

Damascus: We are working with the US and Israel to reach a security agreement in the south of the country.

Damascus and Washington are working on a security agreement with Israel as part of a plan to pacify the Druze-majority province of Sweida in southern Syria. The Syrian Foreign Ministry announced the move. The United States, in consultation with the Syrian government, will work on a security agreement with Israel in southern Syria, an agreement that will address the legitimate security concerns of Syria and Israel while underscoring Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Ministry stated in a statement.

7.34pm | September 16th

IDF Chief: Return of Hostages Is a Moral and Military Objective

Bringing home the hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza is a war objective and a national and moral commitment. This was assured by the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Armed Forces, Eyal Zamir, in light of the launch last night of the ground operation to capture Gaza City. The families of the kidnapped have welcomed this offensive with despair, as it puts their loved ones' lives at risk.

7.32pm | September 16th

IDF Chief: We Presented All the Risks to Political Leaders

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said he had clearly and professionally presented all the risks and opportunities (of the operation to capture Gaza City) to the political leadership."The decision has been made, and our goal is to intensify the attack against Hamas until its defeat." Zamir has reportedly clashed several times recently with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and government hawks over the operation, which puts the lives of the hostages at risk.

7.30pm | 16th September

IDF: Full occupation of Gaza will take months

The full occupation of Gaza City could take several months, and there is no time limit for the end of the military operation, Israeli military spokesperson Efi Defrin stated."No matter how long it takes, we will operate in Gaza until the objectives of the war are achieved. We estimate it will take several months to take control of the city and its key centers, and several months or more to secure the infrastructure," he concluded.

7.17pm | September 16th

The King of Spain in Egypt: Gaza faces an unbearable humanitarian crisis

King Felipe VI of Spain, currently in Egypt for a state visit, stated that the situation in Gaza is an unbearable humanitarian crisis. The monarch received representatives of the Spanish community in Cairo, expressing their support and solidarity in the face of the great uncertainty generated by the complex and unstable regional context.

7.15pm | September 16th

Guterres: The attack in Doha shows that Israel isn't interested in a truce.

Following the attack in Qatar, Israel does not appear to be interested in serious negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, speaking at a conference ahead of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The war in Gaza is morally, politically, and legally intolerable, he added, hoping that the meeting between Qatar and the United States will prompt Washington to pressure Israel to seriously accept negotiations."I will be happy to receive Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he asks, as I will with any other head of member state, including President Donald Trump," Guterres continued."According to the rules, I will inform the International Criminal Court if necessary."

7.05pm | September 16th

IDF: Powerful attack on Gaza City, troops enter

We are launching a powerful attack against the Hamas stronghold in Gaza City. Over the past 24 hours, troops from the 98th Division have begun ground operations in central Gaza City. Troops operating on the ground have entered the area with fire support from the air and sea. Dozens of terrorist sites have been hit, including military facilities, observation posts, and booby-trapped buildings intended to harm troops operating in the area. The IDF stated.

7.04pm | September 16th

Israeli professor defends IDF: Turin Polytechnic closes the report

At the Polytechnic University of Turin, Zorea Pini, a professor at the Israeli University of Braude, guest lecturer on a doctoral program at the Polytechnic University of Turin, defended the IDF during his lecture, calling it the cleanest army in the world. The Polytechnic University condemns the professor's comments and clarifies that the program is his sole responsibility, without any collaboration with the University of Israel."As soon as I learned of this unacceptable statement, I ordered, effective immediately, the interruption of the program and the termination of all relations with the professor," rector Stefano Corgnati stated firmly.

Guterres: Israel seems determined to go all the way

Israel appears determined to follow through, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, speaking to reporters before the 80th UN General Assembly on the situation in Gaza.

6.46pm | September 16th

Guterres (UN): I will report to the International Criminal Court on the gravity of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

Guterres stated that he will brief the International Criminal Court on the gravity of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. According to Guterres, as reported by the Qatari-owned pan-Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera, what is happening in Gaza is ethically, politically, and legally unacceptable. The Secretary-General also described the mediation efforts that Qatar has announced it is ready to resume as extremely important.

18:38 | 16 September

Egypt vs. Israel: It's arrogant and brings chaos to the region.

The region is on the brink of a new phase of total chaos due to Israel's recklessness and persistent arrogance, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, which harshly criticizes the international community for its failure to act against the crimes of genocide.

18:31 | 16 September

Guterres: Genocide? What's happening in Gaza is intolerable.

It's not the Secretary-General's role to legally describe genocide, but that doesn't mean I don't consider what's happening in Gaza horrendous. We're seeing massive destruction, and now the systematic destruction of Gaza City, the massive killing of civilians, and dramatic obstacles to aid delivery. Regardless of the name, the truth is that this is morally, politically, and legally intolerable. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said this after a UN Commission of Inquiry determined that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.

Israel Speaks Out Against the EU:"Halting the Association Agreement Strengthens Hamas," Disturbing

With its proposal to suspend the Association Agreement between the European Union and Israel, Brussels has strengthened Hamas. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It is deeply disturbing that by advancing such a proposal, you are effectively strengthening a terrorist organization that continues to perpetrate heinous crimes, while Israel, a longtime partner of the EU, wages an existential war, Saar writes, according to Israeli media reports. Saar calls the proposal riddled with false accusations and legal flaws. Eighty years have passed since the Holocaust occurred on European soil, Saar adds, and Europe's harming Israel while an attempt is underway to annihilate the surviving remnants of the Jewish people and its sole state marks a trampling of every moral norm.

18:22 | 16 September

Eurovision 2026: Spain withdraws in protest if Israel participates.

(by Entertainment Editorial Staff) Spain has officially decided to withdraw from the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled in Vienna from 12 to 16 May 2026, in protest at the participation of Israel.

The announcement was made by the board of directors of Spanish public television RTVE, confirming a boycott that had been in the air and which joins that of four other countries - Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia: all of them have decided not to take part in the musical event if Israel is allowed to participate, broadening a front that wants to make its voice heard in reaction to the conflict in Gaza , calling for the country's exclusion as was done a few years ago against Russia , after the invasion of Ukraine. (...) 

Read the full article here

6.16pm | September 16th

IDF: Houthi-launched missile intercepted

Following warnings in Israel, the IDF announced that the missile launched from Yemen had been intercepted. Alarm sirens sounded in several areas of Israel.

5.57pm | September 16th

IDF: A ballistic missile was launched from Yemen towards Israel

A ballistic missile has been launched from Yemen toward Israel, according to the Israeli military. Sirens are expected to sound in central Israel within the next few minutes, media reports say.

5.55pm | September 16th

IDF: We will do our best to protect the hostages during the offensive.

The army will do its utmost to protect the hostages during the offensive against Hamas in Gaza City, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin. Responding to a question at a press conference about how the IDF will fight in Gaza City after Hamas released footage showing hostages being held in the area, Defrin stated,"We are aware of the concerns of the hostages' families; we will do our utmost to avoid harming them." Hamas, the Times of Israel recalls, has threatened to execute the hostages if IDF troops approach the areas where they are being held, and the families have expressed extreme concern for the fate of the prisoners during the offensive.

5.47pm | September 16th

Kallas: The attack on Gaza is worsening the situation. EU measures will be taken tomorrow to send a clear signal to Israel.

Israel's ground offensive in Gaza will further worsen an already desperate situation. This will lead to more deaths, more destruction, and more displacement. Tomorrow, the EU Commission will present measures to pressure the Israeli government to change course regarding the war in Gaza. Suspending trade concessions and imposing sanctions on extremist ministers and violent settlers would clearly signal that the EU demands an end to this situation. EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas writes in X.

5.39pm | September 16th

IDF: There will be no hunger in the Gaza Strip

Hamas has created the largest human shield in history in Gaza. It exploits the population and prevents residents from evacuating the city through severe violence. The IDF is enabling the evacuation of the population and estimates that over 350,000 residents have been evacuated so far. This was stated by Israeli army spokesperson Brigadier General Efi Defrin, adding that, as part of the operational plan, we have adapted humanitarian efforts in accordance with international law. There will be no hunger in the Gaza Strip. Aid will also be delivered to Gaza City.

5.17pm | September 16th

US sanctions against Iranian military funding

The Treasury Department announced new Iran-related US sanctions against individuals and entities Washington accuses of financing Tehran's military, including some in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. The targeted individuals allegedly helped coordinate transfers of funds, including from the sale of Iranian oil, to the Iranian military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, and its Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), the Treasury said. Iranian shadow banking networks like these—operated by trusted illicit financial facilitators—abuse the international financial system and evade sanctions by laundering money through offshore shell companies and cryptocurrencies, the Treasury said in a statement.

5.16pm | September 16th

Netanyahu: Open corridors for evacuation of Gaza City

I am here in the Kirya operations room with the Defense Minister, the Deputy Chief of Staff, the head of the National Security Council, and senior IDF commanders. Our forces are operating in Gaza City, aiming to defeat the enemy but also evacuate the civilian population. We are currently making efforts to open additional corridors to allow for a more rapid evacuation of the Gaza population, separating them from the terrorists, who are our target. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated this while speaking from the Defense Ministry operations room in Tel Aviv.

5.15pm | September 16th

Kushner: Hamas destroyed, Israel must work to stabilize the area

Hamas is essentially destroyed, and Israel has the opportunity to turn its military victories into political ones, but a solution must be found in Gaza. Jared Kushner, son-in-law and former adviser to US President Donald Trump, stated this in the"No Priors" podcast, as reported by Haaretz. For Ivanka Trump's husband, full normalization with Saudi Arabia and Israel is possible, but first the hostages must be released and a humanitarian way must be found to ensure that the civilian population (of Gaza) is not negatively impacted by the horrific leadership Hamas has maintained and the ensuing conflict. Kushner then referred to what is happening in Syria and Lebanon: both have new leadership, while Hezbollah is destroyed. Syria appears to be much more stable, as does Lebanon. With Iranian influence now gone, Israel has a real chance of stabilizing the country, he concluded.

5.10pm | September 16th

IDF: 12 raids against the docks of the port of Hodeidah in Yemen

The Israeli Air Force struck the port of Hodeida in Yemen this afternoon as part of Operation Mabit Milma'ala (Hebrew:"Observe from Above"). The IDF announced the strike, explaining that it came two days after a missile launch by the Houthis, which forced millions of Israelis to flee into shelters overnight, and after new drone strikes targeted the Aravah, the desert region in southern Israel bordering Jordan, and Eilat airport. The Houthi channel al-Masirah reported 12 raids against three different piers, while Saudi Arabian TV al-Hadath reported that port infrastructure had been hit. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sari claimed that air defenses had repelled several Israeli fighter jets. The IDF has emphasized that the port is being used to transfer weapons from Iran to the Houthis, who are responsible for repeated drone and missile launches at Israel and its allies and who exploit maritime traffic to target international trade routes.

4.56pm | September 16th

Netanyahu calls a press conference for this evening

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a press conference for 8:15 PM (an hour earlier in Italy) on economic issues, after officially admitting Israel's economic problems yesterday, calling it an isolated"super-Sparta." Questions about the hostages and the operation in Gaza City are inevitable.

4.49pm | September 16th

78 dead in the Gaza Strip since this morning

Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 78 people since this morning in the Gaza Strip. Sources from the Hamas-run Health Ministry reported that approximately 68 Palestinians died in Gaza City, where Israeli forces began their ground attack.

4.49pm | September 16th

Costa: Military offensive in Gaza City is worrying

We also discussed the intolerable situation in the Middle East with President Emmanuel Macron. I expressed my concern about the ongoing military offensive on Gaza City. Respect for international law is non-negotiable. European Council President Antonio Costa wrote this in X after meeting with the French president at the Elysée Palace as part of his tour of European capitals."I welcome France's leading role in keeping the two-state solution at the heart of the international agenda. I will participate in the conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia on September 22," Costa concluded.

4.32pm | September 16th

For the first time in Israel's history, the Chief of Staff is also on the front line with troops in Gaza City.

For the first time in Israeli history, an IDF Chief of Staff led troops on the front lines. Ynet reported that Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir joined Southern Command chief Major General Yaniv Asor in Gaza City today, as ground forces advanced after days of heavy air strikes. Shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the ground incursion this morning, the IDF declared that its forces had begun the ground maneuver phase in Gaza City, codenamed Operation Gideon's Chariots II, at 10:00 PM the previous night, following what it described as days of intense preparatory attacks. The IDF reported that Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir is personally commanding the offensive in Gaza City from Southern Command. The Times of Israel reports that approximately 60,000 reservists have been called up for the operation, in addition to another 70,000 already in reserve. Despite reports of burnout, the IDF maintains that reservist participation rates are high, at 75-85 percent in most units.

4.31pm | September 16th

Trump: I Didn't Speak to Netanyahu Before the Gaza City Operation

Trump stated that he had not spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the ground operation in Gaza City began. Answering reporters' questions before leaving for Britain, Trump discussed the operation and stated that he did not yet know whether he supported it:"I'll have to see, I don't know much about it. I can say that if Hamas uses hostages as human shields, they will have to pay a heavy price."

4.17pm | September 16th

Houthi spokesman: Israeli attack thwarted by air defenses

Yahya Sare'e, the spokesman for the pro-Iranian Ansar Allah movement, better known as the Houthis, said that the airstrike conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was foiled. In a message published on X, Sare'e said that the air defenses caused significant confusion for the IDF attacks, forcing some of the fighting formations to abandon the airspace. In a statement published on Telegram, the Israel Defense Forces reported hitting military infrastructure belonging to the Houthis in the port of Hudaydah, in western Yemen. The IDF explained that the targeted port—which has already been hit in the past in the context of the regional conflict that erupted following the start of the war in Gaza—is used by the Houthis to transfer weapons supplied by the Iranian regime, with the aim of carrying out attacks against the State of Israel and its allies.

4.11pm | September 16th

Katz: The raid on Hodeidah is to continue the naval and air blockade of the Houthis.

Israel has struck the Yemeni port of Hodeidah to ensure the continuation of its naval and air blockade against the Houthi terrorist organization. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated this in a post on X, reiterating that the Houthi terrorist organization will continue to suffer attacks and pay a heavy price for any attempt to attack the State of Israel. Meanwhile, the IDF recently confirmed it had conducted a series of raids on the port of Hodeidah, used by the Houthis to smuggle weapons to Yemen from Iran, which are then used in attacks against Israel and its allies. According to the Israeli military, the group's military infrastructure was hit.

4.05pm | September 16th

A pro-Pal raid at the University of Pisa interrupted a lecture and left the professor injured.

(by Jacopo Storni and Luca Lunedì) A group of pro-PAL students broke into a classroom in the Piagge campus at the University of Pisa this morning, September 16, interrupting a lecture at the Department of Political Sciences, held by Professor Rino Casella, associate professor of Comparative Law, defined on social media by students for Palestine, who posted photos and videos of the incident, as a Zionist professor. (...) 

​

​Continue reading on corrierefiorentino.it

3.47pm | September 16th

IDF confirms bombing of Hodeidah, Yemen

The Israeli military confirmed the recent bombing of the Yemeni port of Hodeida, in retaliation for a rocket attack by the Shiite Houthi militia."The IDF struck a military infrastructure site belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in the port of Hodeida in Yemen... The attack was carried out in response to repeated attacks against the State of Israel, including the launching of drones and surface-to-surface missiles towards the State of Israel," according to a statement released by the Israeli military.

3.39pm | September 16th

Türkiye: Gaza operation marks new phase of Israel's genocide

The launch of Israel's ground operations in Gaza City represents a new phase in the Netanyahu government's genocidal plans, the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated in a statement regarding Israel's military action in Gaza City. The military operation will further intensify the ongoing massacres, lead to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, and further exacerbate Palestinian suffering, the statement reads. According to Turkey, the launch of the ground operation in Gaza City has once again demonstrated that Israel does not want a ceasefire.

3.38pm | September 16th

Trump warns Hamas: Big problems if it uses human shields

Donald Trump warns Hamas that it will face serious problems if it uses human shields. The president had already warned the organization in recent hours not to use hostages as human shields.

3.37pm | September 16th

Houthi Media: Israeli Raid on Hodeidah Port

The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV station reported Israeli raids on the port of Hodeida, Yemen. The attack had been previously announced by the Israeli army, which urged residents and ships docked at the port to evacuate immediately.

3.08pm | September 16th

EU measures against Israel also include sanctions on ministers and settlers

The package of measures against Israel that the Commission will propose tomorrow will also include measures requiring the Council's support and will also contain sanctions against extremist ministers and violent settlers. European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho made this statement in her daily press briefing.

2.26pm | September 16th

Crosetto: Tanks in Gaza City Are Not Netanyahu's Right Decision

I don't think it's the right decision. I don't think this is in Israel's best interest. I don't think the fight against Hamas, which is sacrosanct, should be conducted this way. I don't think we can even consider deporting the Palestinian people; it doesn't make Israel safe, nor any other Middle Eastern country. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said this on the sidelines of the defense procurement forum regarding the advance of IDF tanks in Gaza City. I think a possibility for coexistence between Palestinians and Israel must be found, and that this is possible if Iran's proxies and terrorist organizations like Hamas are somehow eradicated. The way Netanyahu, not Israel, has chosen are two different things in my opinion; it's not the right method.

2.01pm | September 16th

UN High Commissioner: Member States must act now to stop Israel

Last week's Israeli attack on Doha is a shocking violation of international law, a blow to regional peace and stability, and an attack on the integrity of mediation and negotiation processes worldwide. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said this in a statement condemning the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) attack and calling on all governments to do the same. Turk emphasized that Israel's action represented a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that targeting parties engaged in internationally supported mediation on Qatari soil undermines Doha's central role as a peace broker. The High Commissioner also urged the Council to demand accountability for the unlawful killings, noting that the delegation from the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas was in Qatar to negotiate a ceasefire, a crucial step toward peace throughout the region.

1.54pm | September 16th

The Pope to the parish priest of Gaza: Concerned about the situation

Pope Leo telephoned Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Gaza. The Argentine missionary informed the Pontiff of the situation and that he continues to assist the 450 refugees in the parish as well as those living near the compound. The Pope expressed his concern and assured Father Gabriel of his prayers and closeness. This was reported by the Vatican Press Office.

1.53pm | September 16th

IDF Chief: We're in Gaza to Free the Hostages and Dismantle Hamas

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted an assessment of the situation in the Gaza Strip with Southern Command chief Yaniv Asor and other commanders, and stated:"Yesterday, we deepened the maneuver in the heart of Gaza City, a vital area for Hamas. The maneuver in Gaza City is a significant step in completing the most important and ethical mission: bringing home all hostages and dismantling Hamas's military and governance capabilities. This is a crucial step for the continuation of the war," he added.

1.43pm | September 16th

The IDF has ordered residents and ships to evacuate the port of Hodeidah in Yemen.

The IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson announced that the port of Hodeidah, Yemen, will be attacked in the coming hours, in light of the Houthi terrorist regime's military activity. In a message posted on social media to residents in the area, the spokesperson wrote:"For your safety, we urge everyone in the port of Hodeidah and the ships anchored there to evacuate immediately. Anyone remaining in the area is risking their lives."

1.42pm | September 16th

Qatar: Trump promised the emir that there would be no further Israeli raids.

US President Donald Trump promised the Emir that Israel will never attack Qatar again. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari made this statement during a press conference a week after Israel's air strike against the Hamas leadership in Qatar.

1.37pm | September 16th

Herzog rejects genocide charges: UN commission whitewashes Hamas's atrocities

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has rejected the accusations of genocide in Gaza made by the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry, which placed responsibility on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials, including former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Herzog himself."Israel—and I personally—categorically reject this so-called 'report' and its disgraced authors, whose lack of legitimacy is so complete that being cited in their accusations is in itself an endorsement of our struggle for human rights," Herzog commented in a statement, condemning the authors' desperate attempts to manipulate and distort my words."While Israel defends its people and demands the return of the hostages, this morally bankrupt Commission is obsessed with blaming the Jewish state, whitewashing Hamas's atrocities, and turning the victims of one of the worst massacres of modern times into defendants," the president added.

1.29pm | September 16th

Erdogan on Netanyahu:"Ideologically, he's a relative of Hitler."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. Ideologically, Netanyahu is like a relative of Hitler, Erdogan said, as reported by Anadolu. Just as Hitler could not have foreseen the defeat that awaited him, Netanyahu will face the same ultimate fate, the Turkish leader added upon returning to Turkey after attending the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Doha, convened following Israel's attack on the Qatari capital against a Hamas delegation. Erdogan called the attack a blatant challenge to international order and international law and asserted that the Israeli leadership has transformed its radical mindset into nothing more than a murderous network built on fascist ideology.

1.29pm | September 16th

Palestinian Authority: Israel Turns Gaza City Into a Mass Grave

The invasion of Gaza City exposes hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians to the risk of death and displacement. This was stated by the Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry, denouncing an attempt to turn Gaza City into a mass grave and uninhabitable land. In a statement posted on X, the ministry called for urgent and exceptional international intervention to protect civilians in Gaza City, calling the failure of international diplomacy to stop the war suspicious and unjustified.

1.28pm | September 16th

Britain: Israel's attack on Gaza City is irresponsible and appalling

The Israeli ground attack on Gaza City is completely irresponsible and appalling. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper denounced it, saying it would only lead to further bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians, and endanger the Israeli hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. In an interview with X, the British diplomat reiterated her call for an immediate ceasefire.

1.28pm | September 16th

Katz: If Hamas doesn't release the hostages, the Gaza Strip will be destroyed.

If Hamas does not release the hostages and lay down its weapons, the Gaza Strip will be destroyed, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared, as the IDF began a ground operation overnight to seize control of Gaza City."We only need two things from Hamas, and they will not grant them to us voluntarily: release all the hostages and disarm," Katz explained during a visit to the headquarters of the 162nd Division, whose troops are operating in Gaza City. According to the minister, quoted by local media, the operation in the Strip's main city will also create greater leverage for the release of the hostages."We want to take control of Gaza City because today it is the main symbol of Hamas's government. Today, if Gaza falls, they will fall too," Katz added, emphasizing that if Israel fails to achieve its objectives, the Palestinian group's members will pay the price and Gaza will be destroyed.

1.27pm | September 16th

The UN condemns the offensive on Gaza City: A carnage that must end

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, condemned Israel's ground offensive against Gaza City and called for an end to the carnage, highlighting mounting evidence of the ongoing genocide in the Palestinian enclave."The entire world is crying out for peace. Palestinians and Israelis are crying out for peace. Everyone wants this to end, and what we are witnessing is a continued escalation that is totally and completely unacceptable," Turk told AFP."It is absolutely clear that this carnage must end," he added.

1.26pm | September 16th

Notebook: Like Sparta

from the Corriere newsletter Il Punto | America-China

(by Guido Olimpio) On the eve of the offensive on Gaza City, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu compared Israel to Sparta, urged citizens to get used to international isolation, and called for economic autarky. For this reason, he added, it is necessary for the country to be able to produce military systems on its own, as there may be blockades and boycotts on supplies. This speech has raised criticism from industry figures.

​

​ Spain has cancelled a $700 million contract with the Israeli company Elbit: the agreement included the supply of a long-range rocket launcher system. Madrid thus wanted to reiterate its condemnation of the Jewish state. A protest at the diplomatic and commercial levels.

The Houthis have targeted the Arab/Muslim summit convened in Doha to find a response to Israel's attack on Hamas leaders. For the pro-Iranian movement, the reaction is bland and weak, which is why the Yemeni fighters are relaunching their image as the only resistance against the enemy. And they are trying to demonstrate this by launching suicide drones or missiles.

1.24pm | September 16th

The EU will propose measures against Israel

Tomorrow, the European Commission will adopt a proposed package of measures regarding Israel's ongoing war in Gaza in response to the massacres perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Specifically, the proposal to suspend certain trade provisions of the EU-Israel agreement, as announced by Ursula von der Leyen in her speech in Strasbourg last Wednesday. Chief spokesperson Paula Pinho announced this in Brussels. The proposals will then be examined by the Council, which is deeply divided on Israel.

12.54pm | September 16th

Terrified hostage families declare state of emergency

The Forum of Families of Israeli Hostages, who say they are terrified for the fate of their loved ones, has declared a state of emergency due to the IDF offensive in Gaza City and announced the establishment of a tent camp outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. The camp, the Forum states, will remain in place until Netanyahu listens to and implements the will of the people: the immediate return of all hostages and an end to the war. Demonstrations are planned every evening at 7:30 p.m.

12.53pm | September 16th

Eurovision: Spain threatens boycott; five countries so far oppose Israel's participation.

Spain has announced it will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 unless the European Broadcasting Union excludes Israel from the competition due to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which according to the UN has already caused over 65,000 civilian casualties. The announcement was confirmed today by the board of directors of RTVE, Spain's public broadcaster, with 10 votes in favor, four against (all cast by directors appointed by the Popular Party) and one abstention. This is the first member of the Big Five—Eurovision's main funders—to take such a clear stance. Some RTVE board members have raised doubts about the coherence of the decision, pointing out that Israel continues to participate in other international events—such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo—also broadcast by RTVE.

Everything possible must be done to prevent Israel from participating in Eurovision, Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun stated bluntly, supported by various government political forces, including Sumar, Podemos, and ERC. Spain thus joins Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, which have already announced their intention to boycott the international song contest in protest at the conflict in Gaza and the failure to exclude Israel, as was the case with Russia's representation in the invasion of Ukraine.

12.52pm | September 16th

Spain and 15 other countries with citizens on the flotilla: No to Israeli attacks or detentions

The foreign ministers of Spain and 15 other countries whose citizens are crew members of the Global Sumud Flotilla headed to Gaza have expressed concern for the safety of the mission's members and called on Israel to refrain from attacks or illegal detentions in international waters.

In the joint statement, José Manuel Albares and his counterparts from Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Slovenia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, and South Africa expressed concern for the safety of the Flotilla, a civil society initiative involving citizens of our countries whose objective is to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and raise awareness of the urgent needs of the Palestinian people and the need to stop the war in Gaza. These objectives, they add, are shared by our governments.

We therefore ask that you refrain from any illegal or violent action against the flotilla and that international humanitarian law be respected, they add in the appeal. Although they never explicitly mention Israel, they do state that any violation, including attacks against vessels in international waters and illegal detentions, will provoke responses. Upon the departure of the Spanish flotilla vessels from the port of Barcelona at the end of August, Albares assured that the Spanish government will provide all necessary diplomatic and consular protection to the Spanish citizens on board, including former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.

12.38pm | September 16th

Britain: Assault on Gaza terrifying

The IDF's new assault on Gaza is utterly reckless and appalling. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated this on X, saying that Israel's final ground attack will only lead to more bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians, and endanger the remaining hostages. She added:"We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, unrestricted humanitarian aid, and a path to lasting peace."

12.35pm | September 16th

EU Commissioners Announce Measures Against Israel Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the College of European Commissioners will adopt a package of measures on Israel. This was announced by EU Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho during the daily press briefing. Among the measures expected regarding the situation in Gaza is the suspension of the trade component of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The measures will be presented at a press conference by High Commissioner Kaja Kallas and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic. Israel's new operation in Gaza City will lead to more destruction, more deaths, and more displacement, and we have made it clear that this will also worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and endanger the lives of the hostages, the European Commission spokesperson stated during the midday press conference in Brussels. The time has come to break the vicious cycle of violence, destruction, and suffering, and this must end now, the spokesperson added.

12.34pm | September 16th

IDF Source: 2,000-3,000 Hamas militants still in Gaza City

The Israeli military (IDF) believes that approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants remain in Gaza City, in addition to the tunnels used by the group. An IDF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the main phase of the operation in Gaza City has begun.

This means that those the IDF considers terrorists represent less than 0.5 percent of the Gaza population still present in the city under bombing and forced to flee.

The army estimates that 350,000 people have left Gaza City, saying this represents about a third of the city's population before the start of the new ground offensive. These numbers contradict a UN estimate released yesterday that more than 220,000 Palestinians have fled northern Gaza in the past month, after the Israeli army warned all residents to leave Gaza City ahead of the operation.

Before the evacuation warnings, it is estimated that over a million Palestinians lived in the region around Gaza City. Today, at the start of the offensive on Gaza City, long lines of vehicles wound along the Gaza coastal road, loaded with mattresses and personal belongings, while others fled on foot.

12.27pm | September 16th

Gaza: Thousands of vehicles heading south, roads clogged and impassable

Sources in the Strip report that al-Rashid Road, which connects northern Gaza to the south, is completely clogged with vehicles carrying displaced people from Gaza City trying to reach the southern part of the enclave. Images posted on social media show traffic at a standstill; sources say it could take more than 24 hours to reach the area of the al-Mawasi tent camp in Khan Younis.

12.22pm | September 16th

Gaza Flotilla Arrives in International Waters

The Global Sumud Flotilla has reached international waters, joined by vessels departing from Tunisian ports. Al Jazeera reports. Organizers have specified that the voyage to Gaza will continue after joining up with other Italian vessels.

12.20pm | September 16th

IDF blows up remote-controlled armored vehicles inside Gaza City

As part of the advance towards Gaza City, remote-controlled armored vehicles loaded with explosives were introduced into the outskirts overnight and today.

The aim was to destroy buildings and infrastructure, to prepare the ground for the entry of other forces. The military spokesman explained that these were old M113 vehicles decommissioned by the IDF, filled with tons of explosives and

guided deep into the tunnels using a remote-control system. The powerful explosions were clearly heard last night and this morning in Tel Aviv and the rest of central and southern Italy.

12:12 PM | September 16

Berlin: Gaza City offensive is completely wrong

We have stated very clearly that the recent offensive on Gaza City is completely wrong. We reject it and we have also

clarified to the Israeli government. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated this at a press conference with his Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard. The minister reiterated his call to the Israeli government, and of course to all those with contacts with Hamas, to resume negotiations for a ceasefire and an agreement on the release of the hostages. This is the right path forward, not a military continuation of the conflict.

Germany today also reiterated its opposition to the definition of genocide expressed in the report of the UN Independent Commission on Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip since October 7, and to any possible suspension of the EU's agreements with Israel.

11:35 AM | September 16

UN: Israel's raid in Doha is an attack on regional peace and stability.

The Israeli raid on September 9 in Doha was a shocking violation of international law, an attack on regional peace and stability, and a severe blow to the integrity of mediation and negotiation processes worldwide. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, denounced this today in Geneva."As such, I condemn it and call on this Council and all governments to do the same," he said in his remarks at the Human Rights Council's urgent debate on Israel's recent military aggression against the State of Qatar on September 9, 2025.

11:27 AM | September 16

IDF and Southern Command leaders on the front lines with troops

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Southern Command chief Yaniv Asor are on the front lines alongside troops on the battlefield in Gaza City, the military spokesman reported, adding that the 162nd and 98th divisions are leading the offensive. The operation will expand in the coming days."We are focusing on multiple fronts: last night we also attacked the northern front, and we are preparing for any scenario," he said.

11:25 AM | September 16

IDF hits 850 targets to prepare ground offensive in Gaza City

The Israeli Air Force struck more than 850 terrorist targets and hundreds of militants in Gaza City last week, preparing for the entry of its troops involved in the ground operation. An IDF spokesperson said this, explaining that the Israeli forces' activities have begun according to the operational plan and will expand after an assessment of the situation.

In addition to hundreds of civilian homes, the attacks also destroyed school buildings, universities, hospital clinics, and health care centers.

11:17 AM | September 16

Another 60,000 reservists soon in Gaza, with a target of 130,000.

The Israeli army has begun its invasion of Gaza by mobilizing 70,000 reservists, and another 60,000 will join them, with 130,000 reservists expected to operate at peak strength, military sources revealed. The entry into Gaza City comes after the forces operated in Zeitun, Jabaliya, and Sheikh Radwan in recent weeks, while expanding their operational hold around Gaza City.

10:29 AM | September 16

IDF controls 40% of Gaza City

Within hours of the ground operation, which began overnight, the Israeli army took control of 40% of Gaza City. The IDF itself announced this, saying that two divisions have begun operating inside the Palestinian enclave's main town, while another division is besieging the city."We are advancing toward the center of Gaza City," an Israeli military official confirmed. Witnesses reported thousands of people fleeing south, although exits from the city are blocked, and many residents spent the night on the streets, fearing their homes would be hit.

​

In nearly two years of conflict, Israel has killed at least 65,000 Palestinians, more than 80 percent of whom were civilians, according to independent reports.

10:18 AM | September 16

PA: Gaza is becoming a mass grave. International intervention is needed.

The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry calls for urgent and exceptional international intervention to protect civilians in Gaza City, in light of the Israeli army's launching of the first stages of a ground operation to capture the city, which will turn it into a mass grave. The failure of international diplomacy to stop the war is suspicious and unjustified, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement, expressing its extreme concern over the boasting by members of Benjamin Netanyahu's government about the invasion of Gaza City. This operation, it states, exposes the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians to the risk of death and displacement and, in its view, will turn Gaza's capital into a mass grave and uninhabitable territory, as is the case with the entire Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Ministry therefore called for extraordinary international intervention to put an end to this grave crime and promote political and diplomatic solutions that guarantee the immediate cessation of war and aggression, the protection of civilians, the prevention of their displacement from the Gaza Strip, the immediate release of hostages and prisoners, and the sustainable distribution of aid, the statement reads.

9:34 AM | September 16

Pillay, president of the independent UN commission: Failure to act to end a genocide amounts to complicity

The international community cannot remain silent in the face of Israel's genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza. When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, failure to act to end it amounts to complicity. This was stated by the president of the UN independent commission, Navi Pillay, who in the report released today accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza.

9:29 AM | September 16

IDF: Gaza City Destruction Begins, New Appeal to Evacuate

Gazans, the Israeli army has begun destroying Hamas infrastructure in Gaza City, its Arabic-speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraee, wrote on social media this morning. Gaza City is considered a dangerous combat zone; remaining there exposes you to grave danger. Move quickly via al-Rashid Street to designated areas in southern Gaza, either by car or on foot, he continued.

In recent days, the army has issued numerous warnings to residents to abandon the city and surrounding areas, home to nearly a million people, but only 350,000 have obeyed, according to the latest estimate provided by one of its members.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan cited Palestinian reports that Israeli tanks were on the streets of Gaza City.

9:10 AM | September 16

UN Commission Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza

An independent United Nations international commission of inquiry today accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, with the intention of destroying the Palestinians. We have concluded that genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur, and that the responsibility lies with the State of Israel., said the chair of the commission, Navi Pillay.

​

The commission of inquiry concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces committed four of the five acts of genocide defined by the 1948 Convention. for the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide. Namely: murder of members of the group; serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; intentionally inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; and measures intended to prevent births within the group.

The commission concluded that Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant incited genocide and that Israeli authorities failed to take measures to prevent it.

It is clear that there is an intention to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza with acts that meet the criteria set out in the Genocide Convention, Ms. Pillay, who served as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC), noted in a statement.

Israel's top officials orchestrated a genocidal campaign, added the 83-year-old South African, a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The commission is not a judicial body, but its reports can increase diplomatic pressure and serve to gather evidence that the courts can use.

The commission has concluded a cooperation agreement with the International Criminal Court (ICC), with which we have shared thousands of pieces of information, Ms. Pillay told AFP. The international community cannot remain silent in the face of Israel's genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza. When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, failure to take action to end it amounts to complicity, Ms. Pillay said.

The campaign of military reprisals in Palestinian territory has caused approximately 65,000 deaths, according to data from the Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health, under the authority of Hamas, data deemed reliable by the UN.

Since the beginning of the war, Israel has been repeatedly accused of genocide in Gaza by various NGOs, by independent UN experts and even before international justice, at the initiative of South Africa.

​

Israeli authorities have always strongly rejected these accusations. .

The commission does not speak on behalf of the UN and is strongly criticized by Israel. The UN has not explicitly defined the situation as genocide., although several of its representatives have done so, but in mid-May the head of humanitarian operations urged world leaders to act to prevent a genocide.

In The Hague, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had already ordered Israel in January 2024 to prevent any act of genocide. Four months later, the ICC prosecutor requested arrest warrants be issued for Netanyahu and Gallant, suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Since then, the ICC has been in Washington's crosshairs, which has taken action against the magistrates who authorized the Court to issue such arrest warrants, notably by banning them from entering US soil and freezing their assets held in the United States.

8:51 AM | September 16

Lapid: You don't start a long operation without objectives.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid harshly criticized the IDF's land entry into the Gaza Strip, following a night of intense bombardment of Gaza City."A country doesn't launch an operation destined to last until next year without defining objectives, but with this government, apparently anything is possible," Lapid said in an interview with Ynet Studio."I've never heard in all these years of a military operation without a political objective. They're sending the army to fight there, soldiers and hostages will be killed, and no one understands what the objective is," Lapid emphasized.

8:32 AM | September 16

IDF: 350,000 Palestinians evacuated from Gaza City so far. This represents a quarter of the city's residents under attack.

Over 350,000 Palestinians have so far evacuated Gaza City in other areas of the Strip, according to the IDF estimate released overnight. According to a defense source, cited by the Times of Israel, thousands more people fled the city overnight due to a heavy wave of airstrikes.

The source said that the rate of Palestinian civilians leaving Gaza City is likely to increase as the IDF's ground offensive against Hamas, which aims to capture the city, progresses.

An estimated one million Palestinians resided in Gaza City. before the IDF began preparing for the offensive. During the night, the army carried out intense air strikes on Gaza City, according to Palestinian media.

LEARN MORE WITH THE PODCAST

8:22 AM | September 16

Minister of Israel: We must be independent in weapons production.

Israeli Cultural Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu has called for his country to be autonomous in its weapons production. Israel must be a power capable of standing on its own two feet, amid growing concerns over its isolation at the start of the offensive on Gaza City, according to the government official."We must not reach a situation where we go to war and find we have no ammunition," Eliyahu said, his remarks being reported by Al Jazeera.

8:08 AM | September 16

Air raids and bulldozers: this is how Israel razed Gaza City and its residents: before-and-after images, neighborhood by neighborhood.

by Greta Privitera

​

The systematic destruction of Gaza City: 50 towers and 1,800 homes, hospitals, schools, and universities destroyed, more by bulldozers than by bombs. But only a quarter of the residents fled. Here is the article and the images

8:03 AM | September 16

Luxembourg will recognize Palestine by the end of September

Luxembourg plans to recognize Palestine as a state as early as this September, broadcaster RTL reported, citing Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel.

The final decision will be made at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, it said.

The 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly opened in New York on September 9. As is tradition, it will include a high-level week, with general debates taking place from September 23 to 27. Palestine is recognized by 147 countries. In 2024, the United States vetoed Palestine's full membership in the United Nations. Since 2024, Palestine has been recognized by 10 states, including Ireland, Norway, Spain and Armenia.

7:31 AM | September 16

Israeli political analyst Goldberg: I can hear the bombing all the way here, this is annihilation and genocide.

Israeli political commentator Ori Goldberg said that Israel's bombing of Gaza has been so intense that the bombs can be heard in central parts of his country. In a post on X, Goldberg argued that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to annihilation and genocide.

7:27 AM | September 16

Civil Defense: Gaza is a massacre, with deaths and injuries everywhere.

Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal told AFP that heavy shelling continued across Gaza City overnight, adding that the number of deaths and injuries continued to rise.

There are dead, wounded and missing under the rubble following Israeli air strikes that targeted a residential compound near al-Shawa Square in Gaza, he said, describing it as a serious massacre.

7:25 AM | September 16

Doctors Without Borders: Israel's genocide in Gaza with complete impunity, the systematic destruction of a people underway

As Israel's attack on Gaza City intensifies, hit by nighttime airstrikes, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) condemns Israel's systematic destruction of a people. The condemnation came from Christopher Lockyear, MSF Secretary General, who calls on the world to act urgently to secure a ceasefire. For many in Gaza City, escape is impossible, including the elderly, the seriously ill, pregnant women, and the wounded. Those left behind have been sentenced to death, while those who flee do so under intensifying bombardment, Lockyear said. Those who survive the journey will find themselves in overcrowded areas in central and southern Gaza, where they will find neither safety nor basic necessities. A population pushed to the brink by nearly two years of extreme brutality is facing catastrophe, said the MSF Secretary General. What is happening in Gaza is not just a humanitarian catastrophe, it is the systematic destruction of a people. MSF is clear: Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and it is doing so with absolute impunity, Lockyear denounced.

7:21 AM | September 16

Minister Katz: Gaza is burning

Gaza is burning, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepared to travel to Qatar, where he plans to meet with officials still outraged by the Israeli attack.

05:43 | September 16

Arab leaders condemn Israel's cowardly attack

Leaders of Arab and Islamic countries gathered in the Qatari capital, Doha, and condemned Israel's cowardly attack on Hamas leaders, with GCC members pledging to activate a joint defense mechanism. The emergency summit was convened following the Israeli attacks on Doha on September 9, which killed six people. In a statement, the GCC—which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—promised to assess the group's defense posture and activate joint defense mechanisms and the Gulf's deterrent capabilities. The GCC stated that consultations are already underway between the bloc's military bodies and that a meeting of the group's Unified Military Command will soon be held in Doha.

3:55 AM | September 16

Initial report: 62 victims

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza rises to 62. The Wafa news agency, citing medical sources, says that most of those killed in the attack that began Monday evening were in Gaza City. Among them are two people killed in the Nassr neighborhood of Gaza City while taking shelter in a tent.

2:02 AM | September 16

Axios: Rubio Didn't Halt Ground Operation in Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Trump administration supports the ground operation in Gaza, but wants it to be implemented quickly and ended as soon as possible, Axios reports. Rubio has not halted the ground operation, an Israeli official told the US news site. The Trump administration, an American source reported, will not stop Israel and will allow it to make its own decisions regarding the war in Gaza. This is not Trump's war, it's Bibi's war, and he will take full responsibility for what happens, the US official noted.

01:52 | September 16

IDF offensive confirmed: Evacuate Gaza

The Israeli military has launched its ground offensive to capture Gaza City, Axios reports, citing anonymous Israeli officials. The IDF says that approximately 300,000 Palestinians have fled Gaza City in recent weeks, after its population swelled to approximately one million displaced people earlier this year. The army has urged all residents of Gaza City to evacuate.

12:40 AM | September 16

Families of hostages protest outside Netanyahu's home

Israeli police closed Assa Street in Jerusalem, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence is located, after the families of hostages still held in the Gaza Strip announced they would organize a protest tonight against the launch of a new ground operation in the enclave. The Times of Israel reports this. In a statement, the Forum of Hostages' Families wrote that the prime minister fled within minutes of learning of the intention to organize a protest.

12:18 AM | September 15

Gaza, the invasion begins: the final attack on the city

( from our correspondent in Tel Aviv, Francesco Battistini )

Planes, artillery fire, drones, Apache helicopters. Even tanks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shakes hands with a smiling Bibi Netanyahu and prepares to depart Israel. A few hours later, Gaza City's midnight is filled with explosions and flashes: the attack has begun. About twenty raids in less than 40 minutes, one every 100 seconds.

The ongoing operation is just the beginning, military officials explain, as there is a whole series of objectives to be achieved. Israeli special forces have entered Al Jalaa, in the heart of the city, where many of the hostages are believed to be held, but repeated shots are also heard in Sheikh Radwan, Al Karama, and on the coast at Tel Al Hawa. Even in Nuseirat, the refugee camp located in the central part of the Strip. The IDF is ready to enter, headlined a newspaper, Ma'ariv, yesterday morning. And the decisive week announced on Sunday by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has begun immediately. It's the final blow to the Palestinians who don't want—and in most cases can't—leave the capital.

Three hundred thousand have already fled, another 650,000 have not. Seeking safety in Gaza at this time is impossible, commented a UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, just before the attack. Most people are unable to flee, not least because of the costs. Or they choose not to, because they have already been displaced too many times. The bombs are even stronger than the threats of Hamas, which urged the Gazans to stay: During the night, the flow of exodus has resumed, flowing eastward and southward, with roads clogged. Words are coming that are like cries:"While Arab leaders are meeting in luxury in Doha," says Fatma, a woman interviewed by Ynet,"the occupier continues to bomb Gaza relentlessly. They ignore the summits and the condemnations. Gaza is bleeding, suffering, exhausted: do you want to stand with us in deeds, not just words?" And Anas, another displaced person:"It's a hellish night: every kind of bombing, every kind of gunfire."

It's a veritable land invasion. The largest and heaviest of these two years of war. Palestinians report unprecedented rumblings: robot bombs, they say, capable of finding their target. A source from the Israel Defense Force explains that the first concern is for the 22 hostages still alive, which, according to rumors emerging on Monday morning, are managed by the so-called Committee for Ambush and Guerrilla Warfare of the military wing and were apparently placed by Hamas at surface points, as human shields. US President Donald Trump reads the threat and warns: I hope they realize what's going to happen, If they decide to do something like this—an atrocity never seen before—don't let it happen, otherwise anything will be possible. One hostage, soldier Matan Angrest, according to his mother, has already been hit by friendly fire from the IDF. The Families' Forum has no choice but to march into the night on the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem. Azza Street is closed, and a voice rises from the street: Bibi fled in a few minutes, fearing our protests!

It took four days to deploy all the troops at the gates of the Strip. The attack plan called for entering Gaza City from the west, and according to initial reports, it was followed through. A gradual invasion, General Zamir told the security cabinet. The underlying idea was that most civilians would agree to leave the city only at the last minute, which forced the IDF to carefully plan the deployment of troops on the ground. This decision was widely criticized by military strategists:"The time has come for a change," the daily Yedioth Ahronot commented yesterday."Hamas does not want to conquer Gaza City. Israel does not want to conquer Gaza City." Anyone who is fantasizing that this is the path to victory over Hamas, He should analyze the facts. Israel wants people to leave Gaza City unchecked, even by car. If Hamas wants to leave, they can do so without any problem. But after Gaza City, we'll start hearing about the need to conquer the refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip, then the Mawasi humanitarian zone, and then Gaza City again, where Hamas will have returned... And so on.

The Prime Minister and his ministers were not aware of the many uncertainties:"I want this operation to begin within the agreed timeframe," Netanyahu said Sunday evening, without even considering the next 24 hours. There were, however, some tense moments regarding the attack maps: right up until the last minute, the prime minister did not tell us what the next phase would be — Zamir was still protesting yesterday morning. — We didn't know what to prepare for. If they want a military government, then they should say military government.

Used to obeying, but not remaining silent, the general wanted another point to be recorded in the minutes: We are committed to achieving the objectives of the war as defined by the Security Cabinet. But let us not delude ourselves: Hamas will not be defeated militarily, or in terms of its ability to govern, even after this operation to conquer Gaza City. Zamir had also criticized the plan to expand the number of aid distribution centers, an operation that proved to be a failure: I don't understand why they're spending money on this, and why the number of centers is being increased if that plan had already failed. Zamir had another condition written down in black and white: that humanitarian aid must still reach Gaza City, despite the exodus. At least as long as there's a civilian population. His final qualm. Who knows if they'll heed him.

Gaza City under attack in the dark: videos show bombings and helicopters strafing homes.

September 16, 12:18 AM - Updated September 16, 8:25 PM