Daily toll on Gazan civilians, especially children, 'far too high' - Blinken

1. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tells a news conference in Tel Aviv that the toll of the war on civilians in Gaza, especially children, is too high
2. He says Gazans must be allowed to return to their homes, while also reasserting US support for Israel
3. Earlier Blinken met leaders including PM Benjamin Netanyahu - the pair discussed efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages and get humanitarian aid into Gaza
4. It comes as the Hamas-run health ministry says 126 people have been killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours. It says 57 deaths were reported in one central Gaza hospital alone
5. In Khan Younis in the south, Israel says it "eliminated 40 terrorists", and found Hamas tunnels and weapons
6. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after a cross-border assault by Hamas more than three months ago, which saw 1,200 people killed in Israel
7. Since 7 October, more than 23,200 people - mostly women and children - have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there

What happened today?

Nathan Williams

Live reporter

Reuters

As day 95 of the war draws to a close, let's recap the main developments today:

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet during his fourth trip to the region since the 7 October attack.
• Blinken told a news conference that he raised concerns that the toll of the war on civilians in Gaza, especially children, is too high, and that Gazans must be allowed to return to their homes. He also reaffirmed US support for Israel and called South Africa's genocide charges against Israel "meritless"

• The Hamas-run health ministry said 126 people were killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours, and that 57 deaths were reported in one central Gaza hospital alone
• The World Health Organization warned the security situation around three hospitals in Gaza is worsening
• Israel said it killed 40 "terrorists" in Khan Younis, and there were strikes in Lebanon, which it said killed a Hezbollah commander

We are now pausing our live coverage, but you can continue to follow developments in the Israel-Hamas war here.

This page was brought to you by Owen Amos, Matthew Davis, Thomas Mackintosh, Sean Seddon, Krystyna Gajda, Gabriela Pomeroy, Marita Moloney, Jacqueline Howard and me.

IDF say Hezbollah aerial commander killed

The Israel Defense Forces says it has killed the southern Lebanon commander of Hezbollah’s aerial unit, Ali Hussein.

Earlier today, the IDF said it had hit a Hezbollah base with a drone strike.

Israel claimed the strike was defensive, but a spokesperson for the IDF warned Hezbollah it was "treading on very thin ice".

Maps show extent of damage in Gaza

.

New analysis shows that between 28 December and 5 January, Khan Younis in southern Gaza was the epicentre of damage in the enclave, where at least 38% of buildings are likely to have been damaged.

Since the beginning of the conflict, at least 70% of buildings Gaza City and North Gaza likely to have been damaged. These are areas where Israel’s aerial bombardments and ground operations have been focused.

The figures comes from analysis of satellite data by Corey Scher of CUNY Graduate Center and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University.

.

Few expected a breakthrough - but Blinken's meetings did yield some results

Anthony Zurcher

North America correspondent

US secretary of state Antony Blinken says he has heard a new and powerful message from Israel’s neighbours over the last three days.

They are willing not only to live with Israel but to integrate the region in a way that makes everyone secure, including Israel. In other words, talk of diplomatic normalisation with Israel - which had appeared to be derailed by the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel - is on the table.

That, he said, will require some hard decisions and hard choices – which include Israeli’s agreeing to a "clear pathway to the realisation of Palestinian political rights and a Palestinian state".

Blinken’s meetings in Israel on Tuesday were not entirely without tangible results. The secretary announced that the US and Israel agreed on a plan for the UN to conduct an "assessment mission" that would be the first step toward allowing Palestinians to return to the areas of northern Gaza that have been devastated by the Israeli offensive.

Even here, however, Blinken warned that their return would not happen "overnight". Too much has to be done to clear the area of unexploded ordinance and booby traps, as well as to ensure supporting infrastructure is in place.

Few expected the US secretary of state to announce a major breakthrough after his latest day of talks with the Israelis. But while Blinken painted a picture of progress and the prospect, ultimately, of permanent peace, this latest trip has shown just how far there is left to go.

Key takeaways from Blinken's news conference

Reuters

Antony Blinken speaking in Tel Aviv

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has just been speaking in Israel - here's a summary of what he said:

• The charge of genocide is meritless at the International Court of Justice and a distraction from peace, he said, referring to the referral of Israel to the court pushed by South Africa
• Israel needs to do more to remove barriers to aid entering Gaza and must ensure the smooth distribution once inside, Blinken said, noting the UN says that 90% of Gazans are experiencing food insecurity
• Blinken added that the daily toll on civilians in Gaza, particularly on children, is "far too high"
• He also stated that a Palestinian state is key to any peace plan, and there needs to be regional cooperation in pursuit of that goal. Gazans must be allowed to return to their homes, he added.
• The US stands with Israel in its fight against the Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon, he said, and the US will support Israel in finding a diplomatic solution to end the conflict.

Lasting peace requires pathway to Palestinian state, Blinken says

Blinken continues to describe his meetings today, and says he spoke to Netanyahu about tensions with Lebanon.

He says he told the war cabinet that the US stands with Israel in ensuring security of its northern border and he is committed to working with Israel to find a diplomatic solution to ensure security in Israel and Lebanon.

Lasting peace requires a pathway to a Palestinian state, he says, and this needs a regional approach -these goals are attainable but only if they are pursued together.

"Israel must be a partner to Palestinian leaders who are willing to lead their people in living side by side in peace with Israel as neighbours," he says.

Blinken says Gazans must be allowed to return their homes

Blinken says he discussed the phased transition of the war with Israel's leaders, and also what the UN can do to help displaced Gazans to return to their homes at some point.

"Gazans must be allowed to return their homes," he said. "They must not be forced out of Gaza."

He says the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu assured him this was not Israel's policy.

'Toll on civilians in Gaza is far too high'

Blinken says the daily toll on civilians in Gaza, particularly on children, is far too high.

He notes that 90% of Gaza's population continues to face acute food insecurity according to the UN, and this has lifelong consequences for children.

He says he noted in meetings today that more essential aid needs to be allowed into Gaza and there needs to be more effective distribution within Gaza.

He says Israel needs to do everything it can to remove obstacles and facilitate that.

Charge of genocide 'meritless' - Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says "the charge of genocide at the international court is meritless."

Those attacking Israel, such as Hamas and the Houthis, he says, "continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews".

He said the fighting was particularly difficult in Gaza "because Hamas hides in and fires from schools and hospital".

'This is my fourth trip to Israel since war began'

Reuters

Blinken begins his address by saying this is his fourth trip to Israel in the 95 days since the 7 October attack.

He says time moves differently for those deeply affected, such as families of hostages living with separation, and for the hundreds of thousands facing food insecurity in Gaza.

This immense human toll is one of the many reasons we continue to stand with Israel to ensure the attack on 7 October can never happen again, he says.

It's the reason are working urgently towards forging a path towards lasting peace in the region, he says.

Blinken starts news conference

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is speaking to reporters now in Tel Aviv.

He's had a day full of talks with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

We will bring you his key points, so stick with us.

Blinken's meeting with Netanyahu

As we wait for the news conference, here's a reminder that earlier today, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's met with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

He "reaffirmed" US support for Israel's "right to prevent the terrorist attacks" - but also stressed the importance of "avoiding further civilian harm and protecting civilian infrastructure" in Gaza.

Netanyahu and Blinken discussed efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages and get humanitarian aid into Gaza, spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

Still waiting to hear from Blinken...

We're still waiting to hear from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who is due to speak from Israel soon.

You can listen in when it starts by pressing PLAY at the top of the page.

Blinken due to speak shortly

We're waiting to hear from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has been in Israel today.

He is due to speak shortly, so stick with us and we'll bring you the latest when it happens.

Reuters

Antony Blinken (right) earlier met Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

BBC Verify

Benedict Garman

Images shows Al-Farra tower missing from Khan Younis skyline

Esmaeel A Omar

Esmaeel A Omar

In the 'after' photo, Al-Farra Tower is missing from the city’s skyline.

Earlier we heard Palestinian media reports that a 16-storey residential tower block had been destroyed in the centre of Khan Younis.

BBC Verify has analysed new imagery which shows the Al-Farra Tower missing from the city’s skyline, based on before and after images.

The images, which were posted to Telegram at 11:43 Gaza time, were taken from the vicinity of Nasser Hospital looking eastwards. We were able to confirm the location from the distinctive dome and buildings in the extreme foreground.

We don’t know exactly when the incident took place. However, separate satellite imagery of Khan Younis shows the tower still standing on 7 January – so it has been destroyed since then.

We've also seen a seperate video, which shows smoke rising near where the tower stood - first uploaded to social media this morning at 08:10 Gaza time. The sunrise suggests it was filmed just before. Reports of the tower's destruction on local social media channels also emerged around the same time.

Asked if they could confirm they targeted the tower, the IDF said it was “focused on eliminating the threat from the terrorist organization Hamas. Questions of this kind will be looked into at a later stage”.

Maps show extent of damage in Gaza

.

New analysis shows that between 28 December and 5 January, Khan Younis in southern Gaza was the epicentre of damage in the enclave, where at least 38% of buildings are likely to have been damaged.

Since the beginning of the conflict, at least 70% of buildings Gaza City and North Gaza likely to have been damaged. These are areas where Israel’s aerial bombardments and ground operations have been focused.

The figures comes from analysis of satellite data by Corey Scher of CUNY Graduate Center and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University.

.

UK foreign secretary: Israel should turn water back on in Gaza

Israel should turn water back on in Gaza - Lord Cameron

Let's hear more from the questioning of UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron - this time by the Foreign Affairs Committee chair, Alicia Kearns.

In response to her questions, he declined to say whether he had seen any Foreign Office legal advice stating that Israel has breached international humanitarian law in Gaza.

The foreign secretary went on to MPs it was not his job to make a "legal adjudication".

Cameron did say that he had seen things during the war that have been "deeply concerning" and he also called on Israel to restore water supply to Gaza.

But he would not be drawn on whether the deprivation of water breached humanitarian law, saying: "It is just something they ought to do, in my view."

Hamas leader urges Muslim states to provide weapons

AFP

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been speaking at a conference of Muslim scholars in Qatar - where he is based - telling an audience that Israel has “failed to achieve any of its goals” in the war in Gaza.

Haniyeh argues that the Hamas attacks of 7 October "came after an attempt to marginalise the Palestinian cause" and - referencing the hostages held in Gaza - says that Israel "will never recover their prisoners unless they release all of our prisoners".

In further comments later released by Hamas, Haniyeh called on Muslim states "to support the resistance with weapons, because this is... not the battle of the Palestinian people alone".

BBC Verify

Benedict Garman

Satellite images show recent destruction in Khan Younis

Following recent strikes carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), BBC Verify has obtained satellite images showing some of the destruction in Khan Younis – a city in southern Gaza.

The before and after photos below – taken on 5 and 7 January – show a number of what appear to be flattened multi-storey buildings towards the north east of the city. The area is next to a major road which runs south to Rafah.

Khan Younis has increasingly become a focal point for IDF operations. As well as ongoing bombardment, IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee says troops have moved “deep” into the city.

BBC

Two remaining British hostages in Gaza - UK foreign secretary

BBC

The UK foreign secretary at the Foreign Affairs Committee

Two British nationals are still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, David Cameron has said.

The UK foreign secretary is being asked questions at the Foreign Affairs Committee of MPs.

"There are two British nationals who remain as hostages. I don't want to make any further comment on them."

Asked whether it is known if they are still alive, he said: "I just don't want to say any more. We don't have any information to share with you."

Israel says 123 people remain unaccounted for after they were abducted and taken to Gaza during the 7 October attacks by Hamas.

Of these, Israel says that 23 are believed to be dead.