Key points
- UN to vote on Biden's ceasefire deal tonight
- US considering negotiating deal with Hamas to free American hostages
- Big picture:Everything you need to know as war enters new week
- Blinken back in region today - with two clear objectives
- Houthi attacks continue over weekend
- 'The streets are filled with dead bodies': Eyewitnesses describe Israeli hostages raid
- Analysis:Hostages rescue will be cathartic for Israelis - but Netanyahu is under pressure and infuriating the US
- Live reporting by Katie Williams
Aftermath of Israeli raid on refugee camp
We reported earlier on an early-morning Israeli raid on the al Faraa refugee camp in the West Bank (see 10.15 post).
In an update, Palestinian health officials have claimed that Israeli forces killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy during their operation at the camp.
The IDF said the raid targeted militants, killing one and injuring two others.
The built-up camp in the foothills of the Jordan Valley dates back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
Pictures have emerged this afternoon showing the aftermath of the raid:
Israel 'reprimands' Slovenian ambassador over recognition of Palestinian state
Israel has hit out at the Slovenian ambassador after her country's parliament approved the recognition of an independent Palestinian state.
In a statement, the Israeli foreign ministry said the ambassador was "reprimanded" over the "warped decision".
The statement said the move "does not promote peace" but instead "encourages the Hamas terrorist organisation and makes it difficult to promote a deal for the release of the hostages".
Last week Slovenian politicians voted with 52 in favour of and no one against recognition in the 90-seat parliament. The rest were not in attendance.
Israeli operations 'near' Gaza pier during hostage rescue op were 'incidental'
The US has denied it allowed the Israeli military to use its floating pier off Gaza for an operation which saw four hostages rescued but hundreds of Palestinians reportedly killed.
The Pentagon acknowledged Israeli helicopter operations took place "near" the pier, but that it was "incidental".
"Again, the pier,the equipment, the personnel all supporting that humanitarianeffort had nothing to do with the IDF rescue operation," said Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder.
Saturday's operation by the Israeli military freed living hostages Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrei Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv, who had been held in Gaza since 7 October.
But the Hamas-run health ministry said 274 Palestinians were killed in the process, including dozens of children.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad sticking to conditions for ceasefire proposal
The Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups have both said they are keeping to their conditions for accepting any ceasefire proposal in Gaza.
Such conditions include an end to the conflict in the region and the complete withdrawal of all Israeli military.
Earlier, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said Hamas was the "only outlier" in not accepting Joe Biden's three-phrase ceasefire deal aimed at releasing the remaining hostages and moving towards an end to the fighting (see 14.06 post).
His comments were branded "biased towards Israel" by a senior Hamas official.
'I am one of the lucky ones'
"I am one of the lucky ones," Orit Meir Jan said.
Speaking at a media conference this morning, hastily organised after her son Almog's return to Israel over the weekend, Orit shared her joy and relief.
"Yesterday was my birthday and my wish came true," Orit said.
Almog was one of four Israeli hostages to be freed after a massive IDF operation - which killed as many as 274 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza - on Saturday.
"I haven't stopped smiling since my Almog was returned to me, all I can do is hug him [and] last night I had my first full night's sleep in eight months," she added.
However, she was quick to point out that other families are still in the agony of limbo.
"I am one of the lucky ones," she said.
"There are 120 families who are waiting without being able to breathe or sleep without thinking about their loved ones in Gaza.
"We are so grateful to the IDF for the brave rescue that brought Almog home to us. But the remaining hostages need a deal to get home safely.
"There is a deal on the table. We ask the Israeli government to move forward with the deal."
UNSC to vote over backing of Biden ceasefire deal tonight
The United Nations' Security Council (UNSC) will tonight vote on whether or not it will back a ceasefire proposal first outlined by Joe Biden at the end of last month.
The US finalised its text yesterday after six days ofnegotiations among the 15-member council.
It is not yet clear whether Russia and/or China will allow theadoption of the draft - given that a resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and novetoes by the US, France, Britain, China or Russia to pass.
Blinken ceasefire comments 'biased', Hamas says
Antony Blinken's recent ceasefire comments show he is "biased towards Israel", senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri has said.
He was responding to Mr Blinken's statement that Hamas was the "only outlier" stopping a peace deal from being agreed (see 2.06pm post).
"Blinken's speech during his visit to Egypt is an example ofbias to Israel and it offers an American cover to the holocaustconducted by the occupation in Gaza," he told Reuters.
Pro-Palestine activists target UK Barclays branches
By James Sillars, business reporter
Pro-Palestinian activists say they have attacked 20 Barclays bank branches across England and Scotland as part of a campaign aimed at damaging Israel's war machine.
The Palestine Action group, which has previously focused its campaign on Israel-based defence contractor Elbit's UK operations, said its members were responsible for the vandalism.
Images posted on X showed windows smashed and widespread use of graffiti on several bank branch entrances.
The locations targeted included branches in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh.
The campaigners also included members of the environment-focused protest group Shut the System.
Palestine Action accused Barclays of having financial interests in both Israel's weapons trade and fossil fuels.
In posts on its X account, Shut the System said: "For the sake of all life on Earth we must #ShutTheSystem.
"Splintered windows, shards of broken glass glittering on the pavements stand as testimony to the shattered hopes for a liveable future for all beings, everywhere."
It is understood that 15 sites were damaged but no one was hurt.
The branches affected are currently closed.
A spokesperson for Barclays said: "We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies.
"Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.
"The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG (environmental, social and governance) considerations.
"Decisions on the implementation of arms embargos to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.
"While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property."
Press Hamas if you want ceasefire, Blinken tells Arab leaders
Antony Blinken has told Arab regional leaders they must press Hamas to accept a deal if they want to see a ceasefire in Gaza.
Speaking after meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, Mr Blinken said the proscribed terror group is the "only outlier" stopping a deal being agreed, adding its leadership is continuing to exercise "extraordinary cynicism" in their approach to talks.
"My message to governments throughout the region, to peoplethroughout the region, is if you want a ceasefire, press Hamasto say yes," Mr Blinken told reporters as he left Egypt for Israel.
The visit comes after Joe Biden at the end of May outlined a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel that envisions a permanent end to hostilities, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
On that last point, Mr Blinken said it was "crucial" for Israel to have a clear plan for the "day after" in the territory.
Benny Gantz, former general and current politician, quit his role in Israel's three-man emergency war cabinet over the lack of a plan yesterday.
The secretary of state also commented on reports that the US was considering entering its own separate negotiations with Hamas (see 12.15pm post) - to which Mr Blinken said the "best way" to get everyone home, including Americans, was via a ceasefire proposal.
Blinken to meet Gantz tomorrow
In an update to our 8.30am post, it appears Antony Blinken will meet with Benny Gantz during his trip to Israel.
We reported earlier that the US' top diplomat will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Yoav Gallant today, but it was unclear whether Mr Blinken would meet with the centrist politician - who resigned from his war cabinet post only yesterday.
Now it has emerged that Mr Blinken is expected to meet with Mr Gantz tomorrow, according to a seniorState Department official.
The pair have met during the state department chief's previous visits to the Middle East - with Mr Gantz widely seen as a potential successor as Israel's prime minister - with pressure building on Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr Gantz is viewed by many analysts as somebody the US could work closely with - as the White House struggles to maintain any influence over the right-wing Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza.
