Dozens killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza; German leader calls out Netanyahu

Israelis draped in national flags celebrate Jerusalem Day

These pictures show Israelis celebrating the country's conquest of the eastern part of Jerusalem during the 1967 Mideast war.

Some chanted "death to Arabs" and sang "may your village burn" as they made their way through Muslim neighbourhoods in Jerusalem's Old City, and there were some small scuffles with police.

Majority of medical equipment stocks in Gaza have run out, WHO says

The majority of medical equipment stocks in Gaza have run out, the World Health Organisation has said.

It said 42% of basic medicines including painkillers are also out of stock.

"We are at stock zero of close to 64% of medical equipment and stock zero of 42% of essential medicines and vaccines," Hanan Balkhy, the WHO's regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said.

People draped in Israeli flags descend on Jerusalem's Old City

Israelis draped in their national flag have descended on the Old City of Jerusalem.

Today is Jerusalem Day - when Israelis mark the anniversary of what they call the "reunification" of East and West Jerusalem following the 1967 six-day war.

After the conflict ended, Israel effectively annexed East Jerusalem - despite international efforts to share the holy site equally between Israeli and Palestinian communities.

Jerusalem is a key flash point in the Arab-Israeli conflict, with both sides laying claim to the land and its religious sites.

So far Israeli police say they have detained people to avoid violence breaking out - after buses of Israeli ultranationalists arrived by bus from all over the country - including Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

A march is planned in the coming hours, which has sparked tension between the two sides in recent years.

International community 'must put pressure' on Israel to end conflict

In the aftermath of the attacks that killed at least 52 people in Gaza overnight, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has called on fellow leaders to "put pressure" on the Israeli government to end its war there.

Speaking on the trail of the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election today, he describes the situation in Gaza as "absolutely insufferable" and "unbearable".

"The level of suffering is beyond comprehension," he says. "No human being could look at that and come to any conclusion other than the fighting must stop."

On recent aid restrictions, he says: "There's got to be a relentless amount of pressure on the Israel government, to ensure the aid can flow into Gaza, that they should stop the conflict and to make sure that people can have access to the food and the support and the accommodation that they require."

It comes after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s comments that Israel’s conflict in Gaza is "no longer justified" (see previous post).

Israeli attacks on Gaza 'no longer justified'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Israel's recent attacks on Gaza are "no longer justified".

Speaking to German broadcasters about strikes in recent weeks, he said: "Harming the civilian population to such an extent, as has increasingly been the case in recent days, can no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas terrorism."

He plans to tell Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not "to not overdo it," when he calls him this week, as he "doesn't understand what the Israeli army is now doing in Gaza", he added.

Today the IDF has warned of an "unprecedented" attack on Gaza to root out Hamas terrorists - and for Gazans to evacuate large parts of the territory. (see 12.36pm post).

Israeli ultranationalists chant 'death to Arabs' during Jerusalem Day celebrations

Groups of Israeli ultranationalists have been heard chanting "death to Arabs" and "may your village burn" on the streets of Jerusalem's Old City today.

It comes as Israelis mark Jerusalem Day, which they refer to as the anniversary of the "reunification" of East and West Jerusalem following the 1967 six-day war.

After the conflict, Israel effectively annexed East Jerusalem contrary to international efforts to share the city equally between them and the Palestinians.

Jerusalem lies at the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict, with both sides laying claim to the land and its religious sites.

Earlier today tour buses carrying groups of young ultranationalists lined the entrances to the Old City, bringing people from around the country.

Israeli police said it had detained several individuals, "acting swiftly to prevent violence, confrontations, and provocations".

Last year's Jerusalem Day march resulted in ultranationalist Israeli groups attacking a Palestinian journalist.

Four years ago it triggered an 11-day war between Israeli and Hamas forces.

Palestinian shops boarded up early – with one Palestinian protester shouting: "This is our home, this is our state" and "go away from here" in Hebrew.

Israel issues evacuation order ahead of 'unprecedented attack' on terrorists in Gaza

Israel has ordered people in Khan Younis, Bani Suhalia, Abasan, and Al Qarara to evacuate ahead of more Israeli strikes on Gaza.

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Avichay Ardaee warned residents of an "unprecedented attack to destroy the capabilities of terrorist organisations" there.

"Terrorist organisations continue to launch rockets from your areas," he warned.

"Evacuate immediately west to the Al Mawasi area. The evacuation order does not include Al Amal and Nasser hospitals," he wrote on X.

Less than 5% of Gaza capable of cultivation

Less than 5% of Gaza’s land can be cultivated due to war damage and access restrictions, a UN document published today has revealed.

"This level of destruction is not just a loss of infrastructure – it is collapse of Gaza agrifood system and lifelines," deputy director-general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said.

Before the Israel-Hamas war began in late-2023, Gazan farmers were able to grow fruit, dates, and olives – despite the territory being so densely populated.

But now just 668 hectares – 4.6% of the total land mass – is available for cultivation, the report says.

More than 80% has been damaged by the war, it added.

-SKY NEWS