Hamas-run health ministry says 9,000 killed in Gaza since 7 October

BBC updates:

THE Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 9,000 people have been killed in the Strip since 7 October.

Israel has bombarded the area with air strikes since Hamas killed more than 1,400 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 200 others.

Israel's military says it's targeting Hamas infrastructure, including tunnels and rocket launchers, and minimising civilian deaths.

On the ground, five main battles are taking place between Israel and Hamas in the north of the Gaza Strip.

More civilians have reportedly left Gaza via the Rafah crossing today; the UN says more than 400 people did so yesterday.

Responding to a heckler during a speech, US President Joe Biden said there should be a "pause" in fighting to facilitate the release of hostages.

Countries lobbying to get their nationals on evacuation list

There are roughly two hundred British nationals and their dependents in Gaza and so far only a handful have left. Few are expected to cross today.

In contrast, about 400 US citizens are on the list of those approved to leave today.

This has raised questions about what criteria Egypt and Israel are using to draw up that daily list.

Diplomats from the more than 30 countries who have trapped nationals are lobbying hard to get them higher up the list.

UK officials say “we continue to press at the most senior level for all British nationals to be able to cross as soon as is practically possible”. It seems that the vulnerable and those with medical needs are being given priority.

But in this diplomatic competition, a superpower like the United States will also have greater sway than smaller countries.

There is also the sheer logistical confusion involved in such complex diplomacy with so many countries trying to influence a queue in which not everyone can be at the front.