Image source, EPA

A short time ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his first press conference of the year, during which he said only 20 of the remaining 58 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are believed to be alive.

Netanyahu vowed that the entire Gaza Strip would be under Israeli security control by the end of the war, and he insisted that his plans for private US companies to deliver aid would prevent a humanitarian crisis there, despite aid agencies and many governments saying such a crisis already exists.

In response, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged Netanyahu to sign an agreement that will "immediately bring back all hostages and end this war".

Throughout the day, all eyes were on whether aid supplies already delivered near the main Gaza crossing would start being distributed among Gazans.

Late this evening, the World Food Programme said the movement of supplies was under way but that there'd been no aid distribution yet. Israel's military sent a late update that 100 trucks carrying flour, baby food and medical equipment had been transferred from Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza.

Global experts have warned of an imminent famine in the territory.

Meanwhile, Palestinians have taken to the streets in southern Gaza for a third day to protest against Hamas.

The Israeli military also issued fresh warnings for people in northern Gaza to move south this evening, saying it would strike "any area from which rockets are launched".

Intensified Israeli ground operations and new evacuation orders were stretching Gaza's health system beyond breaking point, the World Health Organization warned.

Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza became the latest to be put out of service this evening due to Israeli attacks, according the humanitarian NGO organisation MedGlobal.

We are pausing our live coverage now. We will continue to cover the situation as it develops.

Wyre Davies
reporting from southern Israel

Image source, EPA

Antoine Renard, a senior World Food Programme official, tells the BBC that problems with aid distribution in Gaza arose because the IDF wanted trucks to move inside Gaza along a route that aid agencies considered to be dangerous and where they could be at risk of attack by desperately hungry civilians and armed criminal gangs.

“At market prices in Gaza right now,” says Renard, “each truck full of flour is worth around U$400,000”. What is needed, to make sure the trucks reach the right areas, is “hundreds of trucks daily" travelling along a safe route to warehouses, as happened in the previous ceasefire, he says.

"The less we provide, the greater the risk and more anxiety created” among the population.

Aid agencies on the Gaza side do not employ armed guards to accompany their cargoes because it is considered too dangerous, so a lengthy ceasefire and an increase to the current five-day window for the transfer of food is urgently needed, Renard tells me.

On the controversial Israeli American proposals to employ a privately-run company to distribute aid in Gaza, rather than the already-established UN agencies and their bodies, the WFP says it would be “forcing 2.1 million people to travel long distances” for food.

“This plan is not a solution, it’s a political decision,” says Renard. “The food should go to the people, not the people to the food.”

Netanyahu in defensive mode amid mounting criticismpublished at 19:30 British Summer Time 21 May

19:30 BST 21 May

Wyre Davies
reporting from Jerusalem

Image source, EPA

Benjamin Netanyahu was in defensive mode, sticking to his guns and unfazed by critics - foreign and domestic - of his decision to step up the war in Gaza.

Operation Gideon's Chariots is intended to “complete the war, the job”, said the Israeli Prime Minister at a rare press conference tonight to which only Israeli media were invited.

In between questions about his many legal and political problems at home, Netanyahu said he’d instructed the Ministry of Defence to “open another phase” of the war in Gaza and to land “huge blows that will gradually overcome the remaining Hamas outposts".

Despite growing calls from Israel’s European allies to end the war and address Gaza’s dire humanitarian needs, as long as he has the backing of the United States to continue the war in Gaza, Netanyahu indicated he will not change tack.

He said that his controversial aid plan for Gaza, which would by existing UN structures and facilities, would give Israel “another tool to win the war”. It’s a plan that has been widely condemned by the UN and foreign governments as akin to “weaponising food aid”.

He dismissed yesterday's strong words from the UK government, saying it was "a shame that Britain, instead of imposing sanctions on Hamas, imposes sanctions on a woman [settler leader Daniella Weiss]." He also accused the British government and others of coming "under pressure from Islamic minorities" in their own countries.

The Israeli prime minister has been frequently criticised at home for appearing to prioritise defeating Hamas over the return of remaining hostages. But he insisted tonight that he was “investing a lot of effort” and that “we will not be able to get them out without military measures".

An increasing number of Israelis a ceasefire, even if it means a deal with Hamas, suggest recent opinion polls. It appears they don’t believe the prime minister’s war goals are compatible with the hostages’ welfare nor Israel’s war-weary economy and its deteriorating standing abroad.

Image source, EPA

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has finished his statement in Jerusalem today. Let's take a look at the key lines:

• Netanyahu said Israel had "probably" killed Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar - the younger brother of the former Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar - in a strike earlier this month

• Netanyahu said Israel was open to a temporary ceasefire and hostage release deal, if there was an opportunity for one. Israel was prepared to end the war "under clear conditions that ensure Israel's security," he said
• The prime minister said 20 hostages seized by Hamas in the 7 October 2023 attacks are believed to be alive and up to 30 others have died
• Netanyahu said the Gaza Strip - in its entirety - would be under Israeli security control by the end of the war
• The prime minister also set out his three-stage aid plan for Gaza which involves opening food distribution points by US companies in the strip and creating a zone to protect civilians after taking security control of the area

As a reminder, Netanyahu's statement comes amid increasing international pressure on the Israeli government.

On Monday night, Britain ed and Canada in g a strongly worded t statement, condemning Israel's military action and warning of "further concrete actions" if the humanitarian situation in Gaza did not approve.

When asked whether he would stop aid supplies if they reached Hamas, Netanyahu says Israel "will have control" until distribution points are set up - a reference to his three-stage plan on getting aid into Gaza.

He estimates that about 100 trucks have gone into Gaza Strip and about 10% of them are believed to have been "caught by Hamas".

"Of course, we're trying to do everything to prevent that from happening."

As we reported earlier, Netanyahu says his three-stage aid plan includes getting basic aid items to the strip, opening food distribution points by US companies secured by the Israeli military and creating a zone to protect civilians after taking security control of Gaza.

Netanyahu also addresses comments made yesterday by opposition MP Yair Golan.

Golan said Israel was "on the way to becoming a pariah state" and accused the the country of "killing babies as a hobby".

Netanyahu says that Golan, and those who defend him "pour fuel on global antisemitic flames".

He says they are doing this because "everything is political to them" and, in order to topple the current Israeli government, they are prepared to do anything, including lying about IDF soldiers and stopping the war.

He adds that when he meets soldiers, those who were injured and the families of victims, they all tell him not to stop, to go “all the way”.

“We are here together, until victory, until the end. We will fight together and God willing together we will win," the Israeli prime minister says.

Image source, Reuters

Netanyahu says he is prepared to end the war "under clear conditions that ensure Israel's security".

He says this involves all Israeli hostages being released, Hamas laying down its arms, its leadership being exiled from the strip, and the area being "completely disarmed".

Residents who want to leave Gaza will be able to leave, he adds.

The Israeli prime minister says those who call on Israel to end the war before these goals are achieved are calling for "keeping Hamas in charge of Gaza".

As a reminder, you can watch Netanyahu's full statement by clicking Watch Live at the top of this page.

Image source, Reuters

Netanyahu says "in the end" the Gaza Strip - in its entirety - will be under Israeli security control, and that Hamas will be defeated.

He also stresses the need to prevent a humanitarian crisis, and then unveils a three-stage plan to get aid deliveries to Gaza.

This includes getting basic aid items to the strip, opening food distribution points by US companies secured by the Israeli military and creating a zone to protect civilians after taking security control of Gaza.

As a reminder, the Israeli government has been facing growing international pressure to stop military operations in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to enter.

Netanyahu is still speaking and says Israel has hit Iran’s aerial defences but that the country is still a “major threat to Israel”.

He says that - in full coordination with the US - Israel is hoping to achieve a deal that will prevent Iran from getting nuclear arms.

Netanyahu adds Israel would welcome such a deal but the country still retains the right to defend itself.

As a reminder, you can watch Netanyahu's full statement by clicking Watch Live at the top of this page.

Netanyahu says if there is an opportunity for a temporary ceasefire and a hostage release deal, Israel will be open to this.

He says 20 hostages seized by Hamas in the 7 October 2023 attacks are believed to be alive and up to 30 others have died.

Image source, Reuters

Netanyahu has started speaking now and begins by saying Israel has a "clear and justified" goal to defeat Hamas.

"We are committed to achieving these goals until the end," he says, adding that their work "isn't over yet".

"We have a very organised plan," he adds.

Netanyahu says Israel "got rid of dozens of terrorists" and "terrorist infrastructure" in Gaza.

He adds that they have "probably killed" Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar.

We've been bringing you international reactions to what Israel has described as "warning shots" in the vicinity of an accredited diplomatic delegation in the West Bank.

The Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs has said the delegation was "deliberately targeted".

Reacting to the incident, Spain's minister of foreign affairs, José Manuel Albares, says he would summon the head of the Israeli embassy in Madrid following the "intolerable shooting" by the Israeli army today. "We demand clarity and ability," he says in a post on X.

The Portuguese foreign ministry also condemns the incident, saying it would take "appropriate diplomatic measures", and confirming that the Portuguese ambassador was part of the delegation.

Foreign ministries from across Europe, as well as Egypt, have also condemned the incident.

Image source, Reuters

We're expecting to hear from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at 20:15 local time (18:15 BST).

As we've been reporting, Palestinians in Gaza are still waiting for aid to arrive after Israel eased an 11-week blockade on Sunday.

Israeli officials said 93 trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday but the UN says its teams have not yet been able to distribute aid.

We'll bring the key lines from Netanyahu's statement here.

Tom Joyner
Live reporter

As truckloads of aid sit idle just outside of Gaza, the long wait for something to eat feels unbearable for Palestinians languishing on the other side of the border.

Dr Fadi Nasser, who once taught a computer programming class at a university in northern Gaza, told me he's been forced to find new shelter six times since the start of the war.

As aid has dried up, he and others sheltering in a cramped temporary shelter in Deir al Balah often go days without eating. Nasser says he's shed 16 kilograms.

When there is food available, it's always something similar - tinned beans or chickpeas. Sometimes there's only old, stale bread.

Several people clamour to share a portion that would normally feed one mouth. Fresh fruit and vegetables, once overflowing at local market stalls, vanished long ago.

Clean water is also scarce. "Sometimes we only have salty or contaminated water to drink," he tells me.

Hungry and exhausted, he is only able to wait for Israel to allow the flow of aid to resume.

"They treat us - sorry to say this - like animals."

We're continuing to get international reaction to what Israel has said were "warning shots" in the vicinity of an accredited diplomatic delegation in the West Bank city of Jenin after they "deviated" from an approved route.

As a reminder, the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs said the delegation was "deliberately targeted".

The Turkish foreign ministry is the latest to confirm that a Turkish official was among the group in Jenin, describing the incident as "Israel's systematic disregard for international law and human rights".

The Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp said in a post on X that a Dutch diplomat was in the delegation. "Diplomats should be able to do their work and threatening them is unacceptable," he said.

The Egyptian foreign ministry also confirmed that an Egyptian ambassador was among the group, saying the incident "violates all diplomatic norms", and calling on Israel "to provide the necessary clarifications".

We can bring you some more EU reaction to the incident earlier today in the West Bank.

As a reminder, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claims its troops fired "warning shorts" in the vicinity of an accredited diplomatic delegation in the city of Jenin after they deviated from an approved route. The Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs, however, says the delegation was "deliberately targeted".

's foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, said in a post on X that a French diplomat was among the delegation, adding that he would summon the Israeli ambassador to explain what happened during the "unacceptable" incident.

Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said he was "shocked and appalled" by the reports, calling it "completely unacceptable". He confirmed two Irish diplomats were among the delegation.

The German foreign ministry also condemned the incident, and confirmed a German delegate was among the group. The ministry called on the Israeli government to clarify what had happened.

Earlier, the EU's foreign policy chief and Italy's foreign minister also called on Israel to clarify what happened.

Image source, EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has welcomed growing international pressure on Israel over what he describes as a "siege" of the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, he says "it is no longer possible to remain silent in the face of the crimes of genocide, destruction, and starvation perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces".

"We reiterate our welcome for the t statement issued by the leaders of Britain, , and Canada, as well as for the positions of the European Union countries, the t statement of the donor countries, and the statement of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee on this matter.

"They all rejected the policies of blockade, starvation, displacement, and land seizure," Abbas says.

The EU on Tuesday announced it was reviewing its association agreement with Israel, which governs its political and economic relationship.

On Monday night, Britain ed and Canada in g a t statement, condemning Israel's military action and warning of "further concrete actions" if the humanitarian situation in Gaza did not improve.

Another statement followed, signed by 27 donor countries including the UK, condemning a new Gaza aid delivery model being promoted by Israel.

UK Development Minister Jenny Chapman has told the BBC Israel is “using hunger as a weapon of war” in Gaza.

Speaking to the BBC’s Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson in the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, Chapman said Israel was “withholding food in order to force people to move”.

“That is not something that the UK, or any of our partner governments, can stand by and allow to watch happen,” she said.

Chapman said the UK government had a “very clear message for Israel: they should not be doing this”.

“Israel has had every right to defend itself. It has every right to get those hostages back. It has every right to respond to what happened, which was abhorrent, on October 7th.

"We've been clear about that from the start, we have ed Israel all the way along. This is too much. This is counterproductive. This is harming the hostages. This is reducing the chance of getting those hostages out alive,” she said.

Chapman said that if Israel wanted to return the hostages, “they need to negotiate, and they need to come to a ceasefire and a resolution”.

The comments came after the UK suspended talks on a trade deal with Israel, summoned the country's ambassador and imposed fresh sanctions on West Bank settlers, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the military escalation in Gaza "morally unjustifiable".

Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Jerusalem

There are 58 hostages still in Gaza, up to 23 of whom are believed to be alive.

I’ve just heard from the mother of Nimrod Cohen, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped in the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, and is still being held in Gaza.

“I’m against what is going on in Gaza - the expanding of the war there - because I think it risks our hostages… and it risks our soldiers,” Viki Cohen says.

“For both sides, it’s better to stop the war and sign a deal that will bring all of the hostages back home together.”

Viki says she and her husband stopped working and now spend all of their “energy, time and resources on the fight” to bring their 20-year-old son home.

“I miss him so much. I miss hearing his voice and seeing his smile. I just want to hug him and to tell him how much I love him,” she says.

You can read more about the stories of the hostages here.

Image source, Family handout

Mallory Moench
Live reporter

Image source, Amjad Shawa

Food is running out and getting more expensive in Gaza, Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGOs Network, tells the BBC.

“Almost there is nothing” both from charities and in the markets, so that people with difficulty are “getting (only) some food in order to keep surviving," he said in a WhatsApp voice message, the whining drone of aircraft audible in the background.

There are “no safe resources” for water and now most people are in danger of contracting diseases “while they are starving”, he added.

Due to a lack of medicine, “every day we are losing a big number of these patients” to diabetes, cancer, kidney or heart conditions, and injured people “are suffering with pain“.

“We are in need for hundreds of (humanitarian aid) trucks daily to stop the deterioration, and at the same time to stop these attacks on the Palestinian civilians,” he said.