US won't support Gaza reoccupation by Israel

The US said it will not support the reoccupation of Gaza Strip by Israel after the ongoing violence ends, a White House spokesperson said.

US President Joe Biden believes "a reoccupation by Israeli forces of Gaza is not the right thing to do,” White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

Israel forces and settlers left Gaza after decades of occupation in 2005, but maintained a blockade on the strip Israel said was necessary to ensure its security.

The United Nations and human rights organisations believe the blockade, which is also enforced by Egypt, is a form of occupation and has turned Gaza into "the largest “open-air prison" for its two million residents.

The White House spokesperson's remarks come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed Israel take over the security of Gaza after the war for an "indefinite period".

Although the US disagrees with Israeli reoccupation, Kirby (above) said the US supports the Israeli view that the conditions "can't look like it looked on Oct 6".

On Oct 7, Hamas fighters attacked a music festival and a bordering Israeli residential area, killing more than 1,400 people and taking more than 200 people hostage.

Since then, Israeli bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 10,000 Palestinians, including more than 4,000 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

At the same time, a total of 154 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank, where CNN reported that a rise in settler violence against residents has pushed many to leave their homes.

The New York Times reported that some settlers who have attacked Palestinian residents were accompanied by Israeli soldiers.

Israel Defence Force (IDF) declined to comment on the matter.

'Graveyard for children'

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported a new round of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, as thousands continue to move south of the besieged coastal strip.

"Some travelled on donkey carts, most on foot, some pushing elderly relatives in wheelchairs, all visibly exhausted. Many had nothing but the clothes on their backs," the broadcaster reported.

They are heeding Israeli warnings, via thousands of dropped leaflets, to move south for safety but various news agencies reported that even the south is being bombarded by missiles.

This includes several homes in Khan Younis, where airstrikes on homes killed at least five, including three dead children, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Repeating calls for a ceasefire, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said Gaza is a "graveyard for children", Reuters reported.

"Ground operations by the IDF and continued bombardment are hitting civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches and UN facilities – including shelters. No one is safe," Guterres told reporters.

“At the same time, Hamas and other militants use civilians as human shields and continue to launch rockets indiscriminately towards Israel,” he said.

He added that 89 UN workers are among those dead, the most in any conflict in the same period of time.

"We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It's been 30 days. Enough is enough. This must stop now," an earlier statement by 18 UN organisations said.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 37 journalists covering Gaza have been killed.

Families of hostages hold demonstration

Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages taken on Oct 7 have protested outside of Israel's house of representative, the Knesset, to pressure the government to do more to bring the hostages home.

In interviews with various international news organisations, family members say the Israeli government should agree to release Palestinians held in prisons - many without trial - in exchange for the Israeli hostages.

To date, Hamas has released only four women - two Americans and two Israelis.

Humanitarian convoy came under gunfire in Gaza - Red Cross

Israeli airstrikes target areas in southern Lebanon

COMMENT | The land between the river and sea

South Africa recalls diplomats from Israel as violence escalates in Gaza

Despite boycott calls, Anwar to attend Apec meet

Govt official: Over 2k people unaccounted for, Gaza in urgent need of civil defence