Israel’s army said it was on “very, very high alert” at its border with Lebanon as the leader of Islamist group Hezbollah broke his silence on the war
In a speech watched by thousands at a Beirut rally, Hassan Nasrallah praised the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October, but says they were “100% Palestinian”
Hezbollah – which is backed by Iran and considered a terrorist group in the UK and US – has been intensifying attacks on northern Israel from Lebanon
Israel has warned of “unimaginable” consequences if Hezbollah joins the Israel-Gaza war
Meanwhile the US secretary of state called for civilians in Gaza to be protected, saying he had discussed “humanitarian pauses” with Israeli leaders in Tel Aviv
Antony Blinken will also visit Jordan as he seeks to avert an escalation of the war
About 100 British nationals are on the list of people approved to leave Gaza today; The family of Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf have just been allowed out
