Israeli PM Netanyahu calls for world unity against Hamas: ‘Our war is your war

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called for world unity against Hamas in an address to the Knesset. The Israeli military said Monday that Hamas and other Palestinian militants are holding 199 hostages in Gaza, a figure higher than previous estimates. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded. All times are Paris time 

Former Hamas chief Meshaal says Israeli captives include high-ranking officers

Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal said on Monday the group's Israeli captives include high-ranking officers from the Gaza Division.

Meshaal, who heads Hamas's diaspora office, also said the group will spare no effort in using the captives as leverage to free 6,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, Hamas's telegram channel quoted him as telling AlAraby TV in an interview.

8:03pm: Turkish FM spoke with Hamas leader over release of hostages, foreign ministry says

Turkey's top diplomat on Monday discussed the possibility of the release of hostages during a phone call with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, his office said.

During the phone call, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed "the latest developments in Palestine and the possibility of release of civilians" with the exiled Haniyeh, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

7:32pm: Putin speaks to Netanyahu over c

onflict with Hamas, Kremlin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday called Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since the deadly Hamas attack, and briefed him on several talks he'd had with leaders from the region and the Palestinian Authority.

"The Israeli side was in particular informed of the essential points of telephone correspondences that took place today with the leaders of Palestine, Egypt, Iran and Syria," the Kremlin said in a statement.

7:06pm: EU to launch humanitarian air corridor to Gaza, von der Leyen says

The European Union will launch a humanitarian air corridor to Gaza through Egypt with the first flights expected this week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday.

"Palestinians in Gaza are in need of humanitarian help and aid. That is why ... we are launching an EU humanitarian air bridge to Gaza through Egypt. The first two flights will start this week," von der Leyen told a press conference in the Albanian capital Tirana, where she attended a regional Balkan summit.