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