Morning update

 Good morning Middle East Eye readers,

Here are the latest updates from the Israeli war on Gaza, now in its 717th day: 

• Heavy bombardment continued across Gaza City, with residents reporting powerful explosions from Israeli armoured vehicles.

• Around 900,000 Palestinians are still in Gaza City, choosing to remain despite relentless shelling and calls to evacuate.

• Israeli settlers stormed the Western Wall area next to Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied East Jerusaelm on the eve of the Jewish New Year, holding Talmudic rituals under police protection.

• The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said 12 of its sites in Gaza City were struck by Israeli air strikes between 11 and 16 September. Nine schools and two health centres were hit, facilities that currently shelter more than 11,000 displaced Palestinians.

• The Israeli army confirmed that one of its soldiers was killed during clashes with Palestinian fighters in northern Gaza.

• The Global Steadfastness Flotilla is sailing towards Gaza in an attempt to challenge the blockade and deliver desperately needed aid.