Israel-Gaza war updates: Israeli army 'waiting for political decision' on Gaza invasion as Netanyahu convenes emergency cabinet — as it happened

Thank you all for joining our live coverage of the situation in Israel and Gaza.

We'll have a new blog underway from early Monday morning.

You can look back on today's developments below, or download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest updates.

Israel's Energy Minister says a decision to renew water supplies to parts of southern Gaza was agreed on between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden.

Energy Minister Israel Katz said the decision to partially renew water supplies was in line with Israeli policy, which is to tighten a blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory.

Reuters

The White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has told CBS the nation fears an escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas and the prospect of Iran getting directly involved.

Mr Sullivan cited the possibility of a new battle front on the Israel-Lebanon border.

"We can't rule out that Iran would choose to get directly engaged some way," he said.

"We have to prepare for every possible contingency."

Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Israel's reaction to Hamas's attack went beyond self-defence and amounted to collective punishment.

In televised comments during a meeting with Blinken in Cairo on Sunday, Mr Sisi also said he rejects the targeting of any civilians in the ongoing conflict.

Reuters

Israeli Defence Minister has said Israel has no interest in waging war on its northern front, and that if the Lebanese group Hezbollah restrains itself, Israel will respect the situation along the border as it is today.

Reuters

  We're getting more photos sent through by our digital producer Riley Stuart, who is on the ground in Israel now. 

These photos were taken near Gaza.

Earlier tonight Riley was around 30km from the Gaza border. 

We're in the kibbutz of Kfar Aza, which is 2km from the Gaza fence.

So far, 53 civilians are confirmed to have died here.

More than 100 Hamas terrorists were found here after last Saturday's massacre.

A kibbutz is a Hebrew word which basically equates to a small farming community.

IDF forces are still clearing homes here, making sure there are no explosives.

On one house's front verge, a live grenade remains among the debris.

People's possessions remain strewn about their houses, and bullets and guns used by the Hamas militants.

An estimated one million people have been displaced in the first seven days of the conflict in Gaza, according to the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees.

"An estimated one million people have been displaced in the first seven days" of the war in Gaza, UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette Touma told AFP.

AFP

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel again on Monday for further consultations with Israeli leaders.

His last visit was just five days ago.

He has just landed in Egypt, his seventh stop since kicking off a regional tour on earlier this week.

Reuters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened Israel's expanded emergency cabinet for the first time —

In his first address, he says the national unity on display sent a message at home and abroad as the country gears up to "demolish Hamas" in Gaza.

The meeting, held in military headquarters in Tel Aviv, began with ministers standing for a moment's silence in memory of the 1,300 Israelis killed in Hamas's attack last week.

He said all ministers were "working around the clock, with a united front".

"Hamas thought we would be demolished. It is we who will demolish Hamas," he said.

He added the show of unity "sends a clear message to the nation, the enemy and the world".

Reuters

The Israeli army is awaiting a "political decision" on the timing of a major ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, according to a military spokesperson.

Military spokesmen Lieutenant Richard Hecht and Daniel Hagari have told separate briefing today "a political decision" will set off any action against Hamas.

"We will be holding discussions with our political leadership," Lt Hecht told one briefing.

AFP

The Israel Defense Forces' top spokesman says the killing of senior Hamas members is a "top priority". But analysts say tracking down these leaders will be complicated, and even if Israel is able to "eliminate" its targets, there is no guarantee it will bring an end to this war, write Lucia Stein and Lucy Sweeney.

Pope Francis has called for humanitarian corridors to help those under siege in Gaza and renewed his appeal for the release of hostages held by militant Islamist group Hamas.

"I strongly ask that the children, the sick, the elderly, women and all civilians do not become victims of the conflict," the Pope said during his weekly address to the crowds in St. Peter's square.

"Humanitarian rights must be respected, above all in Gaza."

Reuters

Medics in Gaza are warning that thousands could die as hospitals packed with wounded people run desperately low on fuel and basic supplies.

Hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel within two days, according to the U.N., which said that that would endanger the lives of thousands of patients.

Gaza's sole power plant shut down for lack of fuel after Israel completely sealed off the 40-kilometer-long (25-mile-long) territory following the Hamas attack.

In Nasser Hospital, in the southern town of Khan Younis, intensive care rooms are packed with wounded patients, most of them children under the age of 3.

Hundreds of people with severe blast injuries have come to the hospital, where fuel is expected to run out by Monday, according to Dr. Mohammed Qandeel, a consultant at the critical care complex.

There are 35 patients in the ICU who depend on ventilators to stay alive and another 60 on dialysis. If fuel runs out, "it means the whole health system will be shut down," he said.

"We are talking about another catastrophe, another war crime, a historical tragedy," he said, as children moaned in pain in the background.

"All these patients are in danger of death if the electricity is cut off."

Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, a plastic surgeon at Gaza's Shifa Hospital, said on Friday the Palestinian health system would collapse within the week.

ABC/Associated Press

Palestinians in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip who have lost multiple family members are bracing themselves for more destruction if Israel hits back in an unprecedented attack on its territory.

Israel has told Palestinians to leave their homes and move south.

Hamas urged people not to leave and said roads out were unsafe.

Read the full story below.

We're in southern Israel, and IDF forces can be seen gathering in large numbers on the side of this highway.

We're about 30km from Gaza right now.

Things have been wet but the sun came out briefly and soldiers could be seen stretching their legs near a large convoy of armoured vehicles.

We're in southern Israel, and IDF forces can be seen gathering in large numbers on the side of this highway.

We're about 30km from Gaza right now.

Things have been wet but the sun came out briefly and soldiers could be seen stretching their legs near a large convoy of armoured vehicles.

Israel continues to mass its forces on the border with Gaza and pound the city with air strikes and artillery as it readies itself for a ground invasion.

 Palestinian citizens continue to bear the brunt of the assault.

The ABC's Nick Dole reports from Israel.

According to a tweet from Israel Defense Forces, the evacuation route from northern Gaza to the south will remain open for one more hour, with the IDF pledging it will not carry out operations in the area until 1pm.

It is currently 12:11pm in Gaza.

Israeli media have been reporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a planned speech while visiting troops last Thursday, after some openly criticised him.

I've been in Israel for the past week covering the war.

While visiting reservist troops on Thursday, some reportedly called Mr Netanyahu a "liar" and a "loser", amongst other things.

It prompted the PM to cancel plans for a speech and instead speak to troops in smaller groups.

Mr Netanyahu, who is in his third stint in Israel's top job, is currently heading a national unity government.

While nations can often rally behind their leaders in times of crisis, Mr Netanyahu has not enjoyed total support from Israelis.

The families of more than 100 hostages who remain in Gaza, for example, have criticised him and his government for not doing enough to free their loved ones.