Israel-Hamas war LIVE: Blinken to head to Asia after wrapping Turkey visit

As the IDF continues to advance with its military operation in Gaza, spokesperson Col. Peter Lerner told CNN that the north and south of the strip have been cut off from one another. “The north and south (of Gaza) have been cut off from one another and are under IDF control,” Lt. Col. Peter Lerner told CNN on Monday. "This indeed means that we are pushing forward towards Gaza City, we have encircled Gaza City two days ago and we are moving forward," Lerner added. Describing Gaza City as “the fortress of Hamas’s terrorist activities,” he said the IDF is determined and wants to destroy the militant group.

After finishing his talks in Turkey, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is headed to Asia where the Gaza conflict will likely share top billing with other international crises at a series of events in Japan, South Korea and India, including Russia’s war on Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is wrapping up a grueling Middle East diplomatic tour in Turkey after only limited success in his efforts to forge a regional consensus on how to ease civilian suffering in Gaza as Israel intensifies its war against Hamas.

Blinken was meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday in Ankara after a weekend of travel that took him from Israel to Jordan, the West Bank, Cyprus and Iraq to build support for the Biden administration’s proposal for “humanitarian pauses” in Israel’s relentless military campaign in Gaza, the release of hostages held by Hamas and the prevention of an expansion of the conflict.

Arrived in Türkiye last night at a consequential time for stability and security in the region. Today, I will meet with government leaders as we seek to prevent the spread of the conflict in Gaza and find ways to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance. pic.twitter.com/VxgRE8nGL8

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 6, 2023

Dozens of protesters gathered in front of Turkey’s Foreign Ministry where the top Turkish and US diplomats were holding talks on Monday, accusing the United States of complicity in the deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

The protesters, members of an Islamist group, carried Turkish and Palestinian flags and held anti-US and Israel signs as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Earlier, police dispersed a group of students who marched toward the ministry chanting “Murderer Blinken, get out of Turkey!” It was the second day of protests denouncing Blinken’s visit to Turkey.

(AP Report) 

A barrage of rockets fired by Hamas has landed in Sderot area of South Israel. A loud band can be heard, according to correspondents of republic TV in the warzone. Rocket alerts was activated in Gaza border towns. Incoming rocket sirens are activated in the southern city of Sderot and two other communities near the Gaza Strip. Hamas also launched long-range rocket from Gaza Strip towards southernmost city of Eilat which was intercepted by the Arrow air defense system.  Air raid sirens went off as it was the second time in week that IDF intercepted a ballistic missile, a previous one launched from Yemen at Eilat.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi with troops inside Gaza Strip for the first time since beginning of ground operations. A video released by the IDF shows Halevi meeting with the commander of the 162nd Division, Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen, and other officers.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Turkey as part of his Mideast tour, according to reports. Blinken's visit comes amid tensed and strained relations between Israel and Ankara as each recalled their ambassadors and Erdogan publicly 'severed' ties with Israel's Netanyahu over alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza by Israeli military. Blinken met with the Arab leaders in Jordan today. 

Israeli defense forces have accused the Hamas terrorists of opening fire on soldiers as they provided 3 hour highway clearance for the gazans to evacuate to the south.

"The Hamas terrorist organization exploited the humanitarian window that the IDF provided to residents of the Gaza Strip to move southwards," the IDF said in a statement. "The terrorists fired mortars and anti-tank missiles at IDF troops who arrived and operated to open the route."

While no fuel has been supplied into Gaza since the start of ground offensive by Israeli military, if allowed, it is expected to enter only south Gaza, Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues David Satterfield has said. The latter reportedly said that there is agreed mechanism in place.

“Fuel, which existed in depots accessible to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), that existed in Gaza prior to October 7, has been accessed by UNRWA for purposes of trucks, delivery of assistance that is from Rafah terminal to distribution points, for desalinization plant operation, and for delivery to hospitals in the South. That has been going on for pretty much the last week,” Satterfield was reported saying on Saturday. 

Hamas terrorists have been blocking foreign nationals from leaving the Gaza strip, and has been demanding that the ambulances must be allowed to reach rafah crossing into Egypt, a US official told American broadcaster CNN. 

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said in a post on X that he was “utterly shocked by reports of attacks on ambulances evacuating patients” in Gaza. Medical facilities, hospital staff, healthcare workers “must be protected,” said Tedros.

Context: Israeli forces struck the emergency entrance of Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City, injuring 21 people, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said. A convoy of ambulances in Gaza killed 15 and injured more than 60 as Israeli forces struck it “by a missile."

Another ambulance of the Palestinian health ministry was “directly targeted." International Red Cross' PRCS noted that attack on abulances was “a grave violation of the Geneva conventions, a war crime”.

What Israel said? Israel’s military explained that it struck an ambulance as it was "being used by a Hamas terrorist cell in close proximity to their position in the battle zone”. “A number of Hamas terrorist operatives were killed in the strike,” Israeli military said. 

In a drastic measure, Turkey has recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv over "Israel’s rejection of calls for cease-fire, continued attacks against civilians" in Gaza, the state-run Turkish news agency Andalou Agency reported.

The move came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected any prospects of ceasefire in Gaza. Turkish President Erdogan also told the state press that he has "severed ties" with Netanyahu.

Israel has recalled its diplomats from Turkey due to "increasingly harsh statements" from the Turkish government, according to foreign minister Eli Cohen's post on X, formerly Twitter. 

Arab foreign ministers are calling for "an immediate ceasefire" in Gaza as US Secretary of State Blinken is meeting them in Jordanian capital of Amman.

The Arab ministers will "affirm the Arab position, which is calling for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip," the Jordanian ministry said in the statement.

"All the ways to end this dangerous deterioration that threatens the security of the entire region" will be discussed at the meeting, the ministry said.

Blinken has met with Jordan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi as he is ready to meet with the Arab partners. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said that he has "crossed out" Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of IDF's ground incursion in Gaza strip against the Hamas, the terror group whom Erdogan appears to publicly support, labelling it as 'liberators' and not terrorists.

Erdogan said that he will bring Israel before the International Criminal Court for the war crimes and civilian casualties in the besieges strip, according to Turkish state media outlet Anadolu.

As he boarded the presidential plane aftr his return from Kazakhstan, Erdogan said Netanyhau, the Israeli Prime Minister was “no longer someone we can talk to."

"We have crossed him out," said Turkish President.

Turkey has emerged as one of the staunchest supporters of palestine, and has criticised Israel for offensive in the enclave, labelling the strikes as  "oppression, atrocity" and "massacre" in Gaza. At a pro Palestinian rally in Istanbul, Erdogan said that  Turkey will take "initiatives that would bring Israel’s human rights violations and war crimes to the International Criminal Court."

"Our relevant authorities, especially our Foreign Ministry, will carry out this work,” Erdogan was quoted as saying by Anadolu.

Turkish President is set to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who is on a diplomatic visit to the Middle East to push a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza which was backed by US President Joe Biden. 

“Maya! Maya! Water! Water!” is now the refrain from people on Gaza streets, the Gaza director for the UNRWA, the United Nation’s agency for Palestinian refugees said.

Thomas White said “having travelled the length and breadth of Gaza in the last few weeks, it is a scene of death and destruction.”

No place is safe now, he said, and people fear for their lives, their futures, and that they will not be able to feed their families.

UNRWA is supporting about 89 bakeries across Gaza aiming to get bread to 1.7 million people, White said in a video briefing to diplomats from the UN’s 193 member nations.

The average person in Gaza is living on two pieces of Arabic bread made from flour the UN had stockpiled in the territory, he said. 

During his UNRWA headquarters visit in Amman today, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed condolences for more than 70 UN staff who lost their lives in Gaza. "It's both a pleasure and important to be here at UNRWA, which is doing extraordinary work every single day as a lifeline to Palestinians in Gaza and at great, at great cost," Blinken told the UN staff.

He continued, "More than 70 members of UNRWA employees have lost their lives. Thousands are putting their lives on the line every single day, to show up at work to help people." Blinken showed solidarity with the staff of UN that lost their lives in the warzone.

UN has lost its highest number of workers in Israel Hamas conflict that anywhere in the world.

Hamas attempted to slip some of its wounded fighters onto a list of people approved to pass from Gaza into Egypt at the Rafah crossing, a senior Biden administration official said, contributing to a slowed effort this week to evacuate hundreds of foreign nationals and dozens of seriously injured Palestinians.

The official, who briefed reporters in Washington on Friday, spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.

Hamas agreed to allow foreign nationals out of Gaza if some wounded Palestinians also could cross to receive medical treatment in Egypt. But when Egyptian authorities vetted the list, they found several of the wounded Palestinians were suspected Hamas militants, the US official said.

(AP Report)

In a late night speech, ex President of US Barack Obama said that the world was now more "unstable and more dangerous” than it ever was due to the conflicts, including the Israel Hamas war. Obama said that it was difficult to be hopeful due to the mounting civilian casualties, and seeing the bodies pulled from the wrecks. Such devastation, said Obama, “forces a moral reckoning on all of us.” 

In an overnight raid, Israel arrested more than 50 people from the West Bank as it cracked down on the those with links to Hamas. According to Palestinian Commission for the Affairs of Prisoners and ex-Prisoners, some people were released later after interrogation.

The detainees were taken into custody from areas of Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. But the major arrests were madein Al Fawwar camp, Hebron. 
 

Israel has announced the three hour highway clearance for the Gaza civlians to evacuate the besieged strip. israel announced the safe passage via the Salah al-Din Road, Gaza's main highway, that spans from north to south, between 1 p.m. (7 a.m. ET) and 4 p.m. (11 a.m. ET) today for civilians to move to the south of the strip.

"For your safety, make use of the upcoming time to move to the south beyond Wadi Gaza," said Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson for the Arab media was reported saying.

Israel once again urged the civilians to move to the southern part of the strip as it conducts its fierce operation to the north. 

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, expressed his "deep concern" about the Lebanon-Israel border tension during his meeting with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Amman. Iran backed terror group Hezbollah and Israeli soldiers have been exchanging intense cross-fire along Lebanon's southern border with Israel since the latter launched a ground incursion against the Palestinian terror group Hamas.

During the meeting with Lebanon's Mikati, Blinken "thanked him for his leadership in preventing Lebanon from being pulled into a war that the Lebanese people do not want." Blinken also hailed Lebanon's efforts with regional partners "to pursue durable and sustainable peace in the region,” State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said in a statement.

“The Secretary discussed US efforts to secure humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza and noted that Lebanon needs to select a President to lead the country through both the regional and domestic crises," the latter added. 

As many as 39 French citizens have been killed by Hamas since the war erupted between Israel and Hamas, the French foreign ministry said. "France mourns the tragic deaths of further French nationals, bringing the total number of French victims of Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel to 39," the ministry said in a statement.

As many as 9 French nationals have still be missing, according to the French foreign ministry. "It has now been confirmed that some of them have been taken hostage by Hamas," the statement read. 

Honduras announced that it is recalling its ambassador to Israel, in an attempt to scale back diplomatic relations condemning Israel's actions in Gaza.

"Given the grave humanitarian situation that the civil population of the Gaza Strip are enduring, the government of President Xiomara Castro has decided to immediately call the ambassador of the Republic of Honduras in Israel, Roberto Martinez, to go to consultations to Tegucigalpa," the Honduran Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduardo Enrique Reina wrote on X. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Amman today. The meeting would take place during what is seen as Blinken's third trip to the Arab region since Israel launched ground offensive inside the besieged strip of Gaza. US has been pushing for a humanitarian pause to get more aid into Gaza and secure the release of the hostages.

Blinken's meeting with Arab partners in Amman comes after his Israel visit where he met with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Israel and the US appear to be taking divergent approaches to securing the release of the more than 200 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

A senior Biden administration official said Friday the US believes the fighting will need to take a “fairly significant pause” to allow for their release — modeled on a smaller-scale letup last month that allowed two American hostages to be freed.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under White House rules, said the release was a “testing pilot” for how a broader deal could be struck and that negotiations on a “larger package” of hostages are ongoing. The official emphasized it would require a significant halt in fighting to ensure their safety. 

Met with senior Israeli leadership today. Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism and ensure this never happens again. We discussed concrete steps that can and should be taken to protect civilians. pic.twitter.com/f3xTMbZIE9

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 3, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US calls for a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas war, telling US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday “we are going full steam ahead,” unless the hostages held by Hamas are released.

Today, as many as 730 foreign nationals will exit the Gaza through the Rafah crossing.The breakdown of the foreigners who will be allowed to leave the Gaza Strip are as follows:

55 Egyptians

386 Americans

112 British

77 French

151 Germans

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the meeting with several Arab partners in Amman, will focus on ending the war and addressing “the humanitarian catastrophe it has caused.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to meet with several Arab partners in Amman. Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said in a statement that Jordan would convene counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Qatar, Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, all of whom are expected to meet with Blinken. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is holding a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Amman. Qatar has served as the key mediator in the Hamas Israel war and has helped in securing the release of at least four hostages since Israel launched a ground operation in Gaza to eliminate Hamas. 

Hamas rockets have landed in vicinity of the Republic TV crew reporting on ground in Israel as sirens resonated. A rocket landed just 100 metres from the site where Republic's war correspondents have been reporting. 

EXCLUSIVE REPORT FROM ISRAEL

Rocket launched by Hamas terrorists lands 100 metres close to Republic crew

Tune in to watch Arnab #LIVE - https://t.co/ktzTqxVkwF

#Hamas #Israel #IsraelHamasWar #Palestine #Gaza pic.twitter.com/sq3jo2JDm5

— Republic (@republic) November 3, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to President of UAE, Mohamed bin Zayed about the situation in West Asia.

"We share deep concerns at the terrorism, deteriorating security situation and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation and that a durable regional peace, security and stability is in everyone’s interest," Prime Minister said

Had a good conversation with my brother HH @MohamedBinZayed, President of UAE, on the West Asia situation. We share deep concerns at the terrorism, deteriorating security situation and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early resolution of the security and…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 3, 2023

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Israel next week, and the discussions for the arrival are in advanced phase, Israel’s Channel 12 news reported.

More than two weeks ago, Israel snubbed Zelenskyy as he offered to make a visit to the Jewish state after the Oct. 7 terror attacks within the country.

“Such a visit would send an important message,” Israel's Education Minister Yoav Kisch was quoted as saying.

Zelenskyy's visit to Israel, his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and other Israeli leaders, "will send a message of the enlightened world under attack, standing against the less-enlightened world, attacking,” Channel 12 said.

“It would indicate something of a unified front of Israel, Ukraine, Europe and the US against the Russia-Iran axis." 
 

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a televised statement ahead of the start of Shabbat. Netanyahu briefed about the meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying that he outrightly rejects any temporary ceasefire in fight against Hamas unless the hostages were released.

No pause to the IDF's ground incursion will be considered until “the release of our hostages," Netanyahu asserted. Israel “will not enable the entry of fuel to Gaza," he furthermore clarified. 

Nasrallah says that the preemptive strike on  Hezbollah terror group will be “most foolish mistake.”

“I tell the Israelis, if you are considering carrying out a preemptive attack against Lebanon, it will be the most foolish mistake you make in your entire existence,” he warned in a provocative and hate-filled speech.

Hezbollah’s Nasrallah during his speech lauded the violence and skirmishes on Israel-Lebanon border. he said that this has distracted the IDF forces from Hamas. “This is not the end," he warned.

“Some would like Hezbollah to engage in an all-out war, but I can tell you: What is happening now along the Israeli-Lebanese border is significant, and it is not the end," he said.

“Our operations on the border have forced the IDF to divert forces, weapons and equipment from Gaza and the West Bank to the Lebanese front. One-third of the IDF is now amassed on our border,” he furthermore added. 

“Israel has revealed itself to be a weak state, as fragile as a spider web, and it needs American and Western support,” Hezbollah chief has claimed.

“Otherwise, why would the US navy send an aircraft carrier shortly after the October 7 attack? Why else would Biden visit Israel, alongside numerous American government secretaries, the military top brass and European leaders?” he added. 

US "must be held accountable and pay the price for the crimes perpetrated by Israel in Gaza," Hezbollah chief asserted in his first speech since Oct.7 terrorist attack on Israel.

"Resistance movements have attacked and will continue to attack American forces in Iraq and Syria,” the Iran backed leader of Lebanon based terror faction warned. 

Hezbollah chief has called Israel “as fragile as a spider web,” and justified strikes on the US troops in the region.

“Israel falsely claimed Hamas beheaded babies, but failed to produce any evidence” — despite providing gruesome visual evidence that they did — “whereas the whole world has seen images of Palestinian children bombed in Gaza,” he said. 
 

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has falsely claimed that Israeli civilians on October 7 were killed by Israeli forces. They were “acting insanely as they were caught by surprise and were ‘drunk,'” not by Hamas, said Nasrallah.

“Israel has never been able to bring back hostages without negotiations,” Nasrallah went on to boast. 
 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the press conference reiterated that “as long as the United States stands, Israel will not stand alone.”

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah during his speech said that Lebanese terror group "knew nothing about the [Oct 7] assault ahead of time." “The October 7 operation was planned in total secrecy, even other Palestinian factions were not privy to it, let alone resistance movements abroad,” Nasrallah told the gathering.

“The international community keeps bringing up Iran and its military plans, but the October 7 attack was a 100% Palestinian operation, planned and executed by Palestinians for the Palestinian cause, it has no relation at all to any international or regional issues.”
 

Calls to deter civilian violence "doesn’t just apply to the Gaza Strip but to the West Bank as well where extremist violence against Palestinians must be stopped," says Blinken. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that during the meetings today, Israeli officials assured him to condemn and control the settler violence in the West Bank. Israel has assured to take action and hold perpetrators accountable, said Blinken.

“We will be looking closely to ensure that our friends make good on that commitment,” Blinken said. 

US Secretary of State iterated that "legitimate questions were raised in his talks with Israeli officials" including the release of hostages, entry of more aid, how to deter Hamas from using the temporary cessation to regroup among many other aspects. 
 

US Secretary of State, Blinken stated that while he felt the pain watching carnage that impacted Israeli children, he was equally pained to see Palestinian girls and boys who were pulled from the rubble from IDF's bombing.

“When I see them, when I look into their eyes from the TV screens, I see my own children,” Blinken says. “How can I not?”

Blinken said that Hamas doesn’t care about Palestinians and uses them as human shields. 

“We need to be doing more to protect Palestinian civilians," said Blinken. He reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself, but “how it does so matters.” Blinken said that protecting the Palestinians is “right thing to do," addign that not doing so plays “into the hands of Hamas.”

Blinken says that he discussed with the Israeli side about the humanitarian pauses in the Gaza strip. He also stressed that he pushed for more aid into the battered  strip as IDF conducts its ground offensive. He discussed with Israel steps to take to fight under these conditions — “advice only best of friends can offer.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he and his Israeli counterparts discussed the events of Oct. 7 and pledged that such incidences must never repeat. In today’s meetings with Israeli officials, Blinken discussed coordinating efforts to deter October 7 onslaught and  build a “different future” and create the strategy for a “better tomorrow for both peoples and the region.”

As he condemned Hamas, Blinken noted that 33 Americans were killed in brutal onslaught of Hamas on October 7 and 220 foreign nationals were affected. 
 

Blinken is now speaking at a press conference. He says that the ‘shocking' brutality of Hamas massacres has receded in memories of many but not US and Israel. He recalled the footage of a father grabbing his two sons before Hamas terrorists killed him. “Where’s daddy,” he quoted one of the boys. “They killed daddy,” his brother responds. “Where’s mommy?”

Blinken denounced the brutality of the Hamas, saying that the terrorists were responsible for killing the boys’ parents. He continued that the  “shocking” brutality of the slaughter has “receded” in the memory of so many — but not in Israel, and US. 

As Hezbollah and Israel continue to exchange fire at the border opening the second front to the war, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed terror group has started speaking for the first time since Oct.7.

The video shows the Hezbollah songs and its soldiers chanting slogans and marching. There are images of dead terrorists that are shown as the martyrs that the group says died fightin in war with Israel. Hezbollah chief's speech is being closely followed in israel and US. 

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group is addressing thousands in south Beirut who have gathered to listen to his fierce speech. The faction is waging war on another front against Israel to back its Palestinian ally Hamas. 

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah is now speaking in Lebanon. This would be his first public remarks since the Israel-Hamas war started on October 7.

Iran backed hezbollah terror group's chief is addressing via a video link from an undisclosed location. His speech is being broadcasted to crowds in the southern Beirut. 
 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday denounced Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip as “crimes against humanity.”

“An unprecedented human tragedy is taking place in Palestine before the eyes of the whole world,” Erdogan said at a summit of the Turkey-led Organization of Turkic States in Astana, Kazakhstan.

“Hospitals, schools, mosques, churches and refugee camps are being bombed. There is no concept that can explain this brutality,” he said.

“There is no excuse for the brutal murder of innocent children that we have witnessed since Oct. 7,” the start of the war, he said. “To be frank, crimes against humanity have been committed in Gaza for exactly 28 days.”

Erdogan called for a quick humanitarian cease-fire, and said Turkey is working on ways to “guarantee the security of everyone, whether they are Muslims, Christians or Jews” and to lay the groundwork for an international peace conference.

Spokesperson Jens Laerke of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the current appeal, launched Oct. 12, for $297 million has been only about one-quarter funded -– by countries and donors led by the United States, which has provided $24 million.

Laerke told reporters in Geneva on Friday that the number of people displaced within Gaza has swelled to nearly 1.5 million, or about 70% of its population.

OCHA said nearly 700,000 are sheltering in almost 150 facilities of the UN agency for Palestinians, more than four times their intended capacity.

“This means that in some shelters up to 240 people are living in classrooms of 40 to 60 square meters (430 to 645 square feet),” it said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking alongside Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv said that while his country US stands by Israel in its fight against Hamas, “How Israel does this matters." Blinken reiterated that the  civilians in Gaza must be protected.

“We stand strongly for the proposition that Israel has not only the right but the obligation to defend itself and to do everything possible to make sure that this, October 7, can never happen again,” Blinken reportedly said.

“How Israel does this matters. And it is very important that when it comes to the protection of civilians who are caught in the crossfire of Hamas’ making, that everything be done to protect them and to bring assistance to those who so desperately need it, and were not in any way responsible for what happened on October 7. So we’re working on all of that together.”

In a speech made to the  IDF soldiers and the commanders, Israel prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the current war against Hamas terror group is “another chapter” in the Jewish people’s “intergenerational story of national resilience.”

Netanyahu quoted a biblical verse referencing enemies of the Jewish nation, as he said, “Remember What Amalek Did to You,” in an effort to boost the morale of the IDF soldiers. "This is a fight between light and darkness,” Netanyahu said.

“We will not let go of our mission until light conquers darkness, and good defeats the extreme evil threatening us and the entire world. When I send you to a mission, our dear heroes, I am confident in our complete victory over our enemies. I trust you, am proud of you and love you," Israel's Prime Minister said. 

The spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari at a press conference said that the Israeli military is advancing in Gaza and destroying Hamas infrastructure. “IDF forces encircle Gaza from the air, land and sea, surrounding the city of Gaza and its surroundings,” Rear Adm. Hagari said.

“The fighters are advancing in battles during which they are destroying above ground and underground terrorist infrastructures, and eliminating terrorists," he added. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is holding a meeting with Israel's war cabinet and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrived in Tel Aviv on November 3. According to the US State Department, Blinken is accompanied with newly confirmed US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew.

This would be Blinken's third visit to Israel since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. 

On my way to Tel Aviv for more diplomacy during an incredibly challenging time. We will continue to work with regional leaders to protect civilians and prevent the spread of conflict. We remain focused on two states and broader peace and security in the region. pic.twitter.com/V4wkXQXy6U

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 2, 2023

Returned to Israel for meetings with @IsraeliPM Netanyahu, President @Isaac_Herzog, and other government leaders. Will discuss Israel’s right to defend itself and our work to get humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/2SHzgEhT4w

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 3, 2023

As many as 50 buildings and dozens of assets have been impacted across the besiege Gaza since the hostiltiies ensued between Israel and Hamas, the  United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said in a statement. These buildings were “directly hit," the UN agnecy said.

“This includes UN schools and buildings being used as shelters, where UNRWA is currently hosting around 700,000 people,” UNRWA noted separately in a post. 
 

Since the start of the war on 7 October, nearly 50 @UNRWA buildings and assets across the📍#GazaStrip have been impacted, with some being directly hit.

This includes @UN schools and buildings being used as shelters, where @UNRWA is currently hosting around 700,000 people. pic.twitter.com/nTTTMvATyT

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) November 3, 2023

IDF strikes Hamas military infrastructure, and killed over 130 terrorists. IDF struck the military planes and helicopters of the Palestinian terror group. IDF and ISA forces eliminated a Hamas battalion commander Mustafa Dalul during overnight operations. Dalul carried out the combat against IDF forces and held key positions in Hamas’ Gaza City Brigade. 

The Palestinian laborers have retured from Israel through the Kerem Shalom border after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it was “severing all contact” with the strip.

“There will be no more Palestinian workers from Gaza,” Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

As many as 100 foreign citizens have evacuated Gaza and have entered Egypt via the Rafah crossing. Reportedly, it was not clear what nationalities people crossed into the neighbouring country but more are expected to arrive as a part of the deal brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to evacuate the injured. 

As many as twenty ambulances have crossed via the Rafah crossing belonging to the Egyptian Red Crescent in order to vacate the injured from the Gaza. According to the Egyptian border official, the wounded Palestinian would be taken out via the Rafah crossing and will be taken into Egyptian hospitals.

As many as 29 people are expected to be brought back from the besieged strip including nine children who are ailing from cancer. 

In large-scale raids in the occupied West Bank overnight, Israeli forces killed seven Palestinians and arrested scores more, Israeli military officials and Palestinian health officials said. Israeli forces killed three in Jenin, two in Hebron, one in Nablus and one in Qalandiya, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The military said the attack in Jenin included an airstrike — a once rare but now increasingly common form of attack in the territory. It said Israeli forces killed Hamas militants after they threw explosives at the soldiers. Forces also found explosives buried under the roads of the Jenin refugee camp, as well as an underground space with ammunition.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed Iraqi militias, announced Friday that it will launch a more “intense and expansive” phase of operations against US bases in the region starting next week.

It said the escalation is “in support of our people in Palestine and to avenge the martyrs” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The group has launched a string of attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria in recent weeks, some of which have injured US personnel. As of Tuesday, the Pentagon said there had been 27 rocket and drone attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria and that the US was deploying an additional 300 troops to the Middle East to bolster those already there.

(AP Report)

Returned to Israel for meetings with @IsraeliPM Netanyahu, President @Isaac_Herzog, and other government leaders. Will discuss Israel’s right to defend itself and our work to get humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/2SHzgEhT4w

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 3, 2023

Thailand has been in contact with Iran and other governments capable of reaching out to Hamas to secure the safe release of nearly two dozen Thai nationals who are being held hostage. Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara mentioned that Iran has committed to assisting in the negotiations.

Among the more than 240 people taken hostage during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, at least 23 of them are Thai nationals.

In the ongoing struggle to get food, water and medical supplies into Gaza, the Palestinian Red Crescent says 102 humanitarian aid trucks arrived at the Rafah crossing today.

But while a total of 374 trucks have now been received, it says no permission has been granted for fuel to be taken into the territory.

It is being reported by a number of outlets that a journalist has been killed by an airstrike.

Mohammed Abu Hatab, a Palestine TV correspondent, was reportedly killed in an attack on his home that also killed 11 of his family members in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, reported Sky News.

A Hamas commander has been killed in a joint operation, the Israel Defence Forces and the Israel Securities Authority have claimed. 

In a statement on Telegram, the IDF said its fighter jets acted on "precise" intelligence and killed Mustafa Dalul, the commander of the Hamas Sabra Tel al-Hawa Battalion. 

 It claimed Dalul took a "central part in managing the combat against IDF troops in the Gaza Strip".

"In recent years, Dalul held a number of positions in the Hamas battalion and brigade of Gaza City," it added. 

It also said IDF fighter jets and artillery, directed by ground troops, killed a "number of terrorists" and discovered weapons in the Beit Hanoun area, a city on the northeast edge of Gaza. 

"Troops located weapons, intelligence material, an AK-47 rifle, submachine gun, magazines, grenades, explosive devices, RPG, communication means and maps," it said.

It shared this photo purporting to show the weapons it uncovered.

Gaza City—what you can’t see from above. pic.twitter.com/RKoi1R2CAL

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 3, 2023

Some important numbers to keep in mind: pic.twitter.com/08rb4ZAIVT

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 3, 2023

US President Joe Biden said 74 dual citizens have been allowed out of Gaza via Rafah crossing into Egypt. Meanwhile, US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, is on the flight to Tel Aviv to meet with Israeli government “and partners” in the region. 

Israeli military is surrounding the Gaza City and "deepening" its military operations, Israel Defense Forces chief of staff said in a TV interview. “Our soldiers have been operating in Gaza City for the past few days, surrounding it from several directions, deepening the operation,” Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said. “Our forces are in very significant areas of Gaza City.”

לוחמי צה"ל ממשיכים לנהל קרבות עזים מול מחבלי חמאס ברצועת עזה. במהלך קרבות הירי חוסלו כ-130 מחבלים.

מטוסי ומסוקי קרב תקפו מספר מפקדות צבאיות אשר שימשו בכירים בארגון, ובהכוונת הכוחות בשטח השמידו בהצלחה שורת תשתיות טרור אשר מוקמו באזורים אזרחיים ומתחמים צבאיים. pic.twitter.com/hFYf1CV7uF

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) November 2, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dedicated a video message to troops fighting in Gaza, as he said that nothing will stop them in their advancement into the strip and fight against Hamas.

"We will move forward. We will advance and win, and we will do it with God’s help and with the help of our heroic warriors," Netanyahu said. “I trust you, I believe in you. The people of Israel stand behind you — until victory.”

היום עם הלוחמים שלנו בשטח. יש לנו הצלחות מאוד מרשימות, אנחנו כבר יותר מבפאתי העיר עזה. אנחנו מתקדמים. שום דבר לא יעצור אותנו. 

אנחנו נתקדם. אנחנו נתקדם וננצח, ונעשה את זה בעזרת ה' ובעזרת הלוחמים הגיבורים שלנו. 

אני סומך עליכם, אני מאמין בכם. עם ישראל כולו עומד מאחוריכם - עד… pic.twitter.com/qWSOLH8bV5

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) November 2, 2023

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it is responding to multiple missile launches from Lebanon toward Israeli territory in a retaliatory strike. "Over the last hour, a number of launches from Lebanon toward Israeli territory were identified. In response, the IDF is currently striking a series of Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon,” the IDF said.

Three Israeli soldiers were killed Thursday in the military operation in Gaza, the IDF said. The total numbers of soldiers lost in the terrorist operation has reached to 20, the Israeli military said. The figures do not include an off-duty reservist, Ariel Klein, who was killed in the West Bank. 

The chief of staff of Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said that they would allow fuel into Gaza if hospitals run out. "We have not brought fuel in to this point,” Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said."For more than a week now, they have been telling us that ‘tomorrow the fuel in hospitals will run out’. So far it has not run out," he added.

Halevi said that IDF is closely monitoring the situation in Gaza. "We will watch for when that day arrives. Fuel will be transferred, with monitoring, to the hospitals. We will do everything needed to ensure that it will not reach Hamas infrastructures, that it will not end up serving war aims but the real needs of treating the sick." 

Israel's former national security advisor, retired Major General Yaakov Amidror has said that a cease fire would be a “huge mistake” for Israel. His remarks came after US President Joe Biden supported a ceasefire to get the hostages out of Gaza.

"An offensive has a momentum, and if you stop the momentum, to renew it is very costly and it gives the other side time to reorganize,” he told NBC news in an interview. 

As IDF advanced its ground operation inside Gaza, a 20 year old Indian origin Israeli soldier, Sgt. Hillel Solomon was reported killed fighting the Hamas. 

Indian-Origin Israeli Soldier, Sgt. Hillel Solomon 20y, Killed In Fighting In Gaza. 

🇮🇳🇮🇱 brothers in arms 

Salute to you Srg. Hillel Salomon our hero 🫡 pic.twitter.com/xCe31rj1ww

— Kobbi Shoshani 🇮🇱 (@KobbiShoshani) November 2, 2023

Israeli military is cuurently inside very significant areas of Gaza Strip, and is deepening the military offensive there, Israel Defense Forces chief of staff  Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said in a televised interview. “Our soldiers have been operating in Gaza City for the past few days, surrounding it from several directions, deepening the operation,” Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi was quoted as saying. “Our forces are in very significant areas of Gaza City.”

Halevi admitted that the fuel has yet not been delivered to Gaza yet. "We check the situation every day. When fuel runs out, fuel will be delivered under supervision to the hospitals," he stressed. 

Search is on for the survivors after buildings at the Bureij refugee camp were destroyed in an IDF strike in central Gaza today.

Israel’s Air Force (IAF) has said that it intercepted a cruise missile “launched from the southeast," adding that the cruise missile was destroyed. “In recent days, a cruise missile was detected by the control and detection systems of the Air Force, which was launched from the southeast towards the airspace of the State of Israel,” the Israeli Air Force said. “The systems followed the trajectory of the cruise missile and launched fighter jets from the ‘Adir’ [F-35] formation, which successfully intercepted it.”

🔴A cruise missile launched from the southeast toward Israeli airspace was successfully intercepted by F-35i fighter jets. 

🔴On the same day, the IAF’s Arrow Aerial Defense System intercepted a surface-to-surface missile in the Red Sea area. pic.twitter.com/jZn0wcqwUX

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 2, 2023

An ex Israeli military intelligence has slammed Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that his judgment during the war with Hamas was clouded. In an interview with the 103FM radio station, Amos Malka said that Netanyahu plays “blame game” and disengages from responsibility, according to his post on X.

“If he has the time to deal with whether the investigative committee will be a government or state committee, I say that he is not focused on the management of the fighting, but on survival,” Malka said.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has called the  opening of the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza was a “positive step," according to NBC news. On the sidelines of AI Safety Summit in UK, Cleverly said that the situation in Gaza remains “fragile” and that “in order to continue having British nationals and other foreign nationals leaving Gaza, we will need to maintain this fragile coalition.”  

“We have been calling for these humanitarian pauses, temporary, localized to facilitate the evacuation of foreign nationals, including British nationals, and to help facilitate the inward movement of humanitarian aid. They have proven to be incredibly difficult to achieve,” he added.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has responded to the claims of the alleged use of white phosphorus bombs in the southern Lebanese town of Dhayra. In a carefully worded response, IDF rejected allegation that the incendiary weapons were used by its soldiers for setting fires, but conceded that it was, in fact, used under certain circumstances.

The “smoke-screen shells containing the white phosphorus in the IDF are not intended or used for setting fire, and any claim that these shells are used for that cause is baseless,” the IDF said in a statement obtained by American broadcaster CNN. IDF said that while it did not use the incendiary weapon in densely populated areas, “certain exceptions” were into play. “This complies and goes beyond the requirements of international law,” the IDF was quoted as saying.  

Lebanese interim Agricultural Minister Abbas Al-Hajj Hassan accused Israel of destroying and charring more than 40,000 olive trees in southern Lebanon alleging that the IDF soldiers used the “white phosphorous bombs.”

Incendiary weapons are banned under the international humanitarian law during the war. 

“The use of white phosphorous weapons against any military objective within concentrations of civilians is prohibited unless the military objective is clearly separated from the civilians,"  International Committee of the Red Cross says. 

Bahrain has cut economic ties with Israel citing the ongoing war on Gaza where nearly 9,000 Palestinians have been killed. The country expelled the Israeli ambassador to Manama and recalled its envoy from Tel Aviv, according to Doha news. Bahrain and Israel formally inked normalisation pact on September 15, 2020 at the White House during the Trump administration under the historic Abraham Accords.

In July, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen travelled to Bahrain, the first ever visit by a senior Israeli official to the Kingdom since the change of government in Israel. 

Rafah Crossing opened to civilians yesterday, allowing people with foreign passports to finally depart Gaza, but many are still struggling to make the journey into Egypt.

Jammal Qaoud, an American passport holder, said he'd been waiting hours fighting to get into the border crossing even as Israeli strikes in Gaza continue nearby.

"Just about an hour ago, you heard the problem, a bomb came down and almost exploded everything," Qaoud said. "I have a heart condition, it’s like you know, it can collapse any time. So I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m just trying to get to the other side and be safe.”

Ward Abu Shaaban and her daughter went to Rafah with their American passports, but not her husband may have to remain behind. "My husband doesn't have a passport, he has papers submitted but he still didn't get his passport," Shaaban said. "I am pregnant. I want to get out. How am I supposed to get out without my husband?"

(AP Report)

IDF has intercepted surface-to-surface missile with "Arrow” aerial defense system and  "Adir" jet. In recent days, a cruise missile launched from the southeast toward Israeli airspace was detected by the IAF's control and detection systems. After tracking the cruise missile's trajectory, "Adir" fighter jets were scrambled and successfully intercepted the missile, said the IDF.

"Later that same day, the israeli air force “arrow” aerial defense system intercepted a surface-to-surface missile in the area of the red sea," the IDF noted in a statement.

From the north to the south, the IAF and its aerial defense array are deployed to provide multi-dimensional defense and provide additional layers of protection against a multitude of threats to the state of Israel. IAF soldiers "continuously plan and manage defensive responses and are prepared for any threat from any arena," Israeli military said. Israeli active missile defense operations are part of the overall defensive capabilities and are based on the guidelines of the home front command.

״לא ניתן לניצחון לחמוק מידינו. המטרה ברורה, הרצון ברזל, אנו נחושים ומאמינים בצדקת דרכנו״

פקודת ההתקפה של מפקד אוגדה 36, תת-אלוף דדו בר כליפא לכוחות היבשה שתחת פיקודו הנלחמים ברצועת עזה: pic.twitter.com/mrQwD8Sh7s

— דובר צה״ל דניאל הגרי - Daniel Hagari (@IDFSpokesperson) November 2, 2023

Israeli defense forces say ‘dozens’ of Hamas fighters were killed in overnight operations. IDF in a statement noted that its fighters and armoured forces were fired on with anti-tank weapons and grenades in overnight operations.

Two hospitals in northern Gaza have run out of power due to fuel running out, Palestinian Health Ministry said. The power generator at the Indonesian Hospital has been rendered out of operation. Operations also ceased at the Turkish hospital, the only cancer treatment hospital in the enclave.

“The only option other than saving the lives of patients is to knowingly let them die,” Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on X. 

Reportedly, as many as Six American citizens have arrived on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing from Gaza. As the crossing opened for the first time, hundreds of foreign nationals and dozens of injured Palestinians have been allowed to leave the heavily battered strip. 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said that it responded to fire from southern Lebanon. “A short while ago, a terrorist cell attempted to launch anti-tank missiles from Lebanon toward the area of Livne, northern Israel,” the IDF said in a statement. “IDF soldiers struck the cell and a hit was identified. In addition, the soldiers struck two anti-tank missile launching posts in Lebanon.”

“Furthermore, terrorists launched anti-tank missiles toward an IDF post in the area of Manara, northern Israel. No injuries were reported.”

Two Lebanese shepherds were injured and are now missing amid clashes Wednesday on the Lebanon-Israel border, a spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping force on the border said.

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said the Lebanese army had requested the peacekeepers’ help in evacuating two people who had been injured near the border in the Wazzani area.

The Israeli army suspended fire to allow the Lebanese army and UNIFIL to search for the shepherds, he said, but “unfortunately, they could not be found.”

“Due to the darkness and presence of land mines in the area, the search will have to resume in the morning,” he added.

The border has been the site of regular clashes between Israeli forces on one side and Hezbollah and Palestinian armed groups in Lebanon on the other.

Multiple countries have announced the evacuation of the first group of their citizens from Gaza into Egypt through the Rafah crossing.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said 20 Australians, along with three people who were either permanent residents or immediate family members of a citizen, had been evacuated Wednesday through the crossing. But Australian Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts said 65 citizens, residents and close relatives have yet to be evacuated.

“We are continuing to push for them to be able to make that passage across the Rafah crossing as soon as possible,” Watts said.

Bulgaria’s government also announced 36 Bulgarian citizens and their family members had successfully left Gaza

(AP Report)

US President Joe Biden has said that there must be a "humanitarian pause” in the ongoing Israel and Hamas war. Biden stressed that there was a need to get the prisoners out. “I think we need a pause,” Biden said in response. “A pause means give time to get the prisoners out," he added as he was interrupted by demands of a ceasefire during speech at fundraiser for his 2024 reelection campaign. 

The death toll of the staff of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, also known as UNWRA, has risen to 70, the agency said in a statement. It added that currently, more than 690,000 displaced Palestinians were taking shelter in at least 149 UNRWA facilities across the Gaza Strip as IDF conducts its ground operation.

“Without it (ceasefire), more people will be killed, those who are alive will endure further losses, and the once vibrant society will be in grief, forever,” UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini,  who crossed into Gaza via Rafah border said.

He iterated the UNRWA's request for the fuel to enter into the besieged strip. 

US President Joe Biden has lauded the efforts of the regional partners for paving the way that enabled the injured Palestinians and the foreign nationals including the Americans to leave the besieged strip of Gaza.  

“I personally spent a lot of time speaking with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and President Sissi of Egypt and others, to make sure that we could open this access for people to get out,” Biden said during a speech in Northfield, Minn. “I want to thank our partners, in particular Qatar, who worked so closely with us to support negotiations to facilitate the departure of these citizens," he added.

Biden said more work needs to be done to “significantly step up the flow of critical humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”

A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said that the defensive line of Hamas in the northern Gaza continues to collapse as Israeli arym advances with tanks, and fighter jets. IDF has "upper hand" in the confrontation.

“The IDF continues to advance in the Gaza City area, conducting face-to-face battles with Hamas terrorists and deepening the fighting,” Daniel Hagari said in a press statement. “Our fighters continue to collapse the defensive lines of Hamas in the north of the Gaza Strip and take control of central areas," he added.

“We continue to intensify the activity and move forward according to the plan and the goals we have set for ourselves. The battle is progressing as we planned," Hagari said at the presser. 

Hundreds of foreign passport-holders and dozens of other seriously wounded Palestinians desperate to escape Israel’s bombardment of Gaza crowded around the black metal gate on the Egyptian border on Wednesday, November 1, hoping to pass through the enclave’s only portal to the outside world for the first time since the war began. Here are some of the pictures: 

It has been confirmed by Downing Street that approximately 335 individuals, including two British aid workers, were granted permission to enter Egypt from Gaza yesterday.

While the exact number of British evacuees has not been disclosed, it is known that only a limited number managed to depart.

Around 200 British citizens who had registered with the Foreign Office have been contacted, and this list has been shared with the Egyptian and Israeli authorities.

Border officials have indicated that the Rafah crossing is anticipated to reopen later today.

All 10 Japanese nationals and their eight Palestinian family members wishing to leave Gaza have evacuated to Egypt, the top government spokesperson said on Thursday.

Speaking at a regular press conference, chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno added that one Japanese national living in Gaza remains there with their family. 

Twenty Australians were among the first group of foreign citizens to leave the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip and enter Egypt via the Rafah border crossing, according to the country's assistant minister for foreign affairs.

Tim Watts said there were still 65 Australians trapped in Gaza and the government had urged them, using all available communication channels, to move toward the Rafah crossing as soon as possible.

“We are providing all possible support we can, communicating through all available channels,” said Watts, reported ABC news. 

"It is not always perfect. This is a conflict zone." 

IDF troops continue to strike terrorists and destroy terror infrastructure throughout the Gaza Strip; IDF troops confronted several terrorist cells in the northern Gaza Strip during which dozens of terrorists were killed

Overnight, terrorist cells in the northern Gaza Strip fired anti-tank missiles, detonated explosive devices, and hurled grenades at IDF troops. The soldiers engaged with the terrorists, with the assistance of artillery fire and tanks, while directing an aerial strike from a helicopter and a missile strike from a naval boat. Dozens of terrorists were killed during the battles.

In addition, during ground operations in the Gaza Strip, a terrorist cell fired at IDF troops. The troops directed an aircraft in a strike that killed the terrorists. IDF reserve troops, while receiving covering fire from the Israeli Navy, coordinated with aerial forces and directed an aircraft in a strike that neutralized an additional terrorist squad that planned to fire anti-tank missiles toward IDF soldiers.

Over the past few days, IDF soldiers from the 36th Division killed numerous terrorists and directed aircraft strikes on  Hamas terror targets, which included both weapons manufacturing and storage facilities, anti-tank missile launching posts, and UAV launching posts.
 

The Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is set to reopen again today, according to border officials.

At least 335 foreign nationals left the enclave yesterday when the border opened - for the first time to outgoing foreign nationals since the outbreak of last month's Israel-Hamas conflict.

Dozens of severely injured Gazans were also transferred into care in Egypt following a deal between Israel, Egypt and Hamas.

Passport holders from Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States were among those evacuated yesterday.

Instead of building bomb shelters to save civilians, Hamas is building underground tunnels to save themselves.

Hamas doesn’t value the lives of Gazan civilians. pic.twitter.com/6RxOjfO51X

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 2, 2023

Joe Biden says he thinks there should be a humanitarian "pause" in the Israel-Hamas war in order to get "prisoners" out.

The president was speaking at a fundraiser for his re-election campaign when a protester interrupted him, calling for a ceasefire.

"I think we need a pause," said Biden in response. "A pause means give time to get the prisoners out."

A humanitarian pause has been recommended by the US at the United Nations and is supported by Britain and Canada, among other countries

At least 195 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to  Hamas.

Some 120 were still missing under the rubble, and at least 777 more were wounded, the militant group said in a statement.

Israel said it had targeted and killed Hamas leaders in the camp.

The UK PM Rishi Sunak spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi this evening about the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East, according to Downing Street. Rishi Sunak "welcomed the opening of the Rafah crossing today for the first British and other nationals and injured Palestinians to leave Gaza", said a spokesperson.

The PM said the UK would continue to work closely with Egypt and Israel to ensure all British citizens could leave Gaza safely. The two leaders also discussed diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, preventing escalation in the wider Middle East and how best to achieve long-term peace in the region.

I spoke to President el-Sisi this evening to thank him for his support on opening the Rafah crossing for people to leave.

The UK and Egypt will work closely together to enable all British nationals to leave safely, as well as ensuring much more life-saving aid gets into Gaza.

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) November 1, 2023

Pope Francis has reiterated that a two-state solution is still needed for Israel and Palestine, adding that war is always a defeat. 

He also said Jerusalem should have "special status". "[They are] two peoples who have to live together," he told Italy's RAI broadcaster.

"With that wise solution, two states, the Oslo accords, two well-defined states and Jerusalem with a special status," he added. 

The head of Israel's general staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, has said the war will continue to intensify as stages of Israel's plan continue to progress.

In a letter addressed to his troops, Lt Gen Halevi said Israel was already "advancing in the stages of war" and that he and his staff were "tirelessly" looking to secure the release of hostages.

"We are fighting for our right and the right of future generations to live in safety and prosperity in our homeland," he said.

He called on his troops to be "sharp, professional in every action, alert to any threat and as prepared as possible". 

Israeli strikes on a Gazan refugee camp could amount to a war crime, the UN human rights office has said.

"Given the high number of civilian casualties and the scale of destruction following Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp, we have serious concerns that these are disproportionate attacks that could amount to war crimes," a statement from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said.

Yesterday, the Jabalia refugee camp was devastated by an Israeli attack, with officials at Gaza's Indonesia Hospital saying more than 50 people were killed in the attack and another 150 were injured.

Israel said the strike targeted and killed a Hamas commander named Ibrahim Biari - one of the leaders it says was responsible for organising the 7 October attacks. 

The Israeli Embassy in New Delhi on Wednesday displayed the posters of its citizens who were kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas terrorists following the October 7 attack. 

On October 7, over 2000 terrorists breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip. More than 200 innocent civilians were abducted from Israel into the Gaza Strip. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

More than 3,000 women, children and men, ranging from the age of 9 months to 80 years were wounded, raped, murdered and beaten and brutally separated by their loved ones by Hamas.

Hamas directs all its civilians resources to one goal—eliminating the State of Israel. 

Listen to this senior Hamas Official admit it himself: pic.twitter.com/y6lQEioYd6

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 2, 2023

According to IDF, Muhammad A'sar was the Head of Hamas’ Anti-Tank Missile Unit in Gaza. He was responsible for all of Hamas’ anti-tank missile units throughout Gaza. Under his command, numerous anti-tank missile attacks were carried out against civilians and IDF soldiers.

🔴 The IDF eliminated Muhammad A'sar, the Head of Hamas’ Anti-Tank Missile Unit in Gaza. 

A'sar was responsible for all of Hamas’ anti-tank missile units throughout Gaza. 

Under his command, numerous anti-tank missile attacks were carried out against civilians and IDF soldiers. pic.twitter.com/gx44VqIcNB

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 1, 2023

"Aircraft of the Air Force recently attacked military infrastructure and an anti-aircraft launch site of the terrorist organization Hezbollah" tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

כלי טיס של חיל-האוויר תקפו לפני זמן קצר תשתיות צבאיות ועמדת שיגור נ"ט של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה. pic.twitter.com/oHFPo6gfnJ

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) November 1, 2023

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, IAF wrote, "The Air Force, under the direction of Modi'in AMAN and the Shin Bet, eliminated Muhammad Atzar, the head of the anti-tank system of the terrorist organization Hamas, using a fighter jet. As part of his position, Atzar was responsible for all the anti-tank systems in the various brigades in the Gaza Strip, managed the force on a routine basis and assisted in its activation in an emergency." 

חיל-האוויר בהכוונת מודיעין אמ"ן ושב"כ, חיסל את מחמד עצאר, ראש מערך הנ״ט של ארגון הטרור חמאס באמצעות מטוס קרב. במסגרת תפקידו, עצאר היה אחראי על כלל מערכי הנ״ט בחטיבות השונות ברצועת עזה, ניהל את הכוח בשגרה וסייע בהפעלתו בחירום. pic.twitter.com/PNMR6jQwEw

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) November 1, 2023

In the drawing, the Israeli kid has drawn an Israeli flag and wrote a thank you message for the soldiers. The message from the kid came from London. 

Thank you Ashira for your lovely picture! 
The IAF is protecting the Israeli land at any given moment 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/zmIYrmYHL4

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) November 1, 2023

Five French citizens were among dozens of dual passport holders and seriously injured who were able to leave the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing Wednesday, the French Foreign Ministry said. A team from the French Embassy in Egypt awaited for the group and France thanked Egyptian authorities for facilitating the exit.

“We reiterate our call to protect all civilian populations in Gaza,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said last month that several dozen French citizens and their families were in Gaza — including residents and those visiting family or in a humanitarian capacity. France has been working for weeks to get its citizens out of the strip. Nine French nationals remain missing and thought to be held hostage by Hamas militants.

French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated on Wednesday during a visit to Kazakhstan the need for protection of the civilian population caught up in the Israel-Hamas war that has killed thousands, including 1,400 Israelis and more than 8,700 Palestinians.

(AP Report)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is appalled over the escalating violence in Gaza” including the killing of Palestinians by Israeli airstrikes in the Jabaliya refugee camp on Tuesday and Wednesday, his spokesman says.

“He condemns in the strongest terms, any killings of civilians,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Wednesday.

Dujarric said: “The secretary-general reiterates that all parties must abide by international law, international humanitarian law including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.”

The UN chief also reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken from Israel by Hamas during its surprise attacks on Oct. 7, Dujarric said. And he called again “for the entry of vital humanitarian assistance at a scale needed to meet the mounting needs of the Palestinian population.”

US State Department has confirmed that a number of US citizens trapped in Gaza have crossed into Egypt after a deal was reached to allow foreigners to leave the enclave.

“An initial group of foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, departed Gaza through Rafah today, and we expect exits of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to continue over the next several days,” department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

He declined to say how many Americans had made it to Egypt on Wednesday but said there were consular officials on hand to assist them.

Roughly 400 American citizens in Gaza have told the State Department they want to leave the territory and, with family members, U.S. officials say they are looking at about 1,000 people who they are seeking to get out, Miller said.

“In the past 24 hours we have informed U.S. citizens and their family and family members with whom we are in contact that they will be assigned specific departure dates. We’ve asked them to continue to monitor their email regularly over the next 24 to 72 hours for specific instructions about how to exit,” Miller said.

(AP Report)

Since Oct. 17, US and coalition forces have been attacked at least 28 times in Iraq and Syria, the US Defense Department was reported saying. “Most of these attacks were successfully disrupted by our military. Most failed to reach their targets, thanks to our robust defenses,” the department said.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) who entered Gaza via Rafah crossing has slammed  "terrible conditions" he witnessed.

Agency's director of communications Juliette Touma described his visit as appalling.

“This is a UN shelter that was indirectly hit during the war. The sanitary conditions are appalling, according to him. People live on the very basic, just little bread and whatever is left of some water. Our staff are dedicated, they keep going, but they’re also finding it extremely challenging to operate given the little humanitarian supplies that have been coming into Gaza,” she said in a statement. 

US President Joe Bidenhas announced that the American citizens will depart Gaza as a part of the negotiations brokered by allies. “Today, thanks to American leadership, we secured safe passage for wounded Palestinians and for foreign nationals to exit Gaza. We expect American citizens to exit today, and we expect to see more depart over the coming days,” Biden said on X. 

“We won't let up working to get Americans out of Gaza," he said.

IDF has said that it has responded to the incoming fire from a terrorist cell in Israel's Zar'it and Yiftah cities from the direction of Lebanon. "A short while ago, a terrorist cell attempted to launch anti-tank missiles from Lebanon toward Israeli territory in the Zar'it area," said a statement by the IDF on Telegram. "An IDF tank struck the cell."

A Jewish human rights organization has criticized Chile and Colombia for recalling their ambassadors to Israel, as well as Bolivia for breaking its diplomatic relations with Israel in protest of the continuing military operation in the Gaza Strip.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center noted Wednesday that Bolivia never mentioned the Oct. 7 Hamas attack against Israel in its decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel and said the Andean country’s decision on Tuesday has to do with Bolivia’s partnership with Iran.

“Bolivia’s alliance with Iran is becoming clearer every day considering that the breakup is not due to the real interests of the Bolivian people,” Ariel Gelblung, the center’s director for Latin America, said.

The center characterized the decision by the governments of Colombia and Chile to recall their ambassadors on Tuesday evening “a clearly coordinated action.”

“Both leaders have always been hostile toward Israel and both have a history of diplomatic disagreements with representatives of the Jewish State,” the organization said.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has praised the IDF troops for exposing Hamas tunnels and neutralising the terrroists.

"Our ground operations are effective. Our forces are reaching their targets and striking terrorists of all ranks," said Gallant.

Cyprus’ government spokesman says a Cypriot initiative for the continuous flow of humanitarian assistance from Cyprus to Gaza will see ships sailing directly to the enclave where the United Nations personnel will receive it for distribution.

Spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “saw the initiative in a positive light” during a long telephone call with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides Tuesday evening.

Cyprus is working with other European Union member states and Arab countries to work out the logistics of delivering aid to Gaza as soon as conditions on the ground permit it.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani says a handful of Italian citizens have crossed out of the Gaza Strip.

“I just spoke with the first four Italians who departed from the Gaza Strip,” Tajani wrote on the social media platform X. “They are tired but in good condition, assisted by the Italian consul in Cairo. We will continue to work so all the others can get out.”

Tajani last week said there were 14 Italians in the Gaza Strip — seven with Italian citizenship and seven with dual Italian citizenship.

Over 5,000 foreign nationals might be allowed to exit the besieged Gaza strip into Egypt as IDF advances in its ground operation to strike the Hamas terrorist group.

A senior US official told American broadcasters that a total of 7,000 people might ultimately exit Gaza amid intense fighting. 

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, crossed into Gaza Wednesday, where he met with Palestinian communities and other UNRWA colleagues working in the territory.

He said he was shocked by the scale of humanitarian needs Gaza and called for scaling up assistance delivered to the strip’s 2.3 million population.

“I was shocked by the fact that everyone there was asking for food, was asking for water ... I never, ever have seen something similar in Gaza,” he said in comments to journalists.
Lazzarini is the most senior UN official to enter the besieged enclave since the conflict erupted on Oct. 7.

The crisis in Gaza is unfolding a devastating impact on the health care for patients with long-term needs, including those with cancer, diabetes and heart disease, among other illnesses, the World Health Organization office in Palestine said on X. “Just a third of primary care facilities are functioning, while the 66% of hospitals remaining open have substantially reduced services to cope with massive casualties,” WHO post read. 

European Union's high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, is appalled by  Israeli bombing of the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza. Dozens were left dead and hundreds were injured in the strike that IDF said took out Hamas leader.

"The right to self-defense should always be balanced by the obligation to spare civilians to the greatest extent possible," he wrote on X, adding that the protection of civilians was a "legal obligation."
 

Following the sirens that sounded in Moshav Shtula, northern Israel, numerous mortar launches were identified toward the area a short while ago, the IDF said.

The mortar shells fell in open areas and no injuries were reported. An IDF aircraft identified and struck the cell that launched the shells, according to Israeli military.

In addition, Hamas terrorist cells that attempted to launch anti-tank missiles from Lebanon toward Israeli territory in the area of Shtula were struck by an IDF tank, the statement of IDF added.

"Furthermore, numerous mortar launches were identified a short while ago toward the area of Shomera, northern Israel. No injuries were reported. The IDF is firing toward the origins of the launches," it read. 

American citizens are expected to have specific departure dates from the besieged strip of Gaza, according to a list compiled by the Gaza border control authority that was accessed by NBC news.

Only five Americans are currently on a list of foreign nationals who are expected to vacate Gaza. US State Department said Americans would be “assigned specific departure dates to ensure an orderly crossing.”

Jordan, a key US ally, said Wednesday it has recalled its ambassador from Israel and told Israel’s ambassador to remain out of the country in protest over the “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.

Jordan’s deputy prime minister, Ayman al-Safadi, who is also the foreign minister, said the return of the ambassadors is linked to Israel “stopping its war on Gaza … and the humanitarian catastrophe it is causing.”

Jordan signed a peace deal with Israel in 1994, the second Arab country after Egypt to do so.

(AP Report)

IDF has targetted the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza for the second time to strike the Hamas commanders. The bombing comes just a day after dozens were killed and hundreds injured in the raid. In a telegram post, Hams terror group accused Israel for the “second new massacre." 

A barrage of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel by the terror group Hamas. Air raid sirens went off in the Capital Tel Aviv. 

🚨Sirens sounding in Tel Aviv and central Israel🚨

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 1, 2023

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister said Wednesday that time is of the essence in stopping the Hamas-Israel war from “going out of control” and affecting Lebanon and the wider region.

Najib Mikati has been scrambling with international governments to keep Lebanon away from the war, as militants from the Hezbollah group and Israeli troops have been clashing along the tense Lebanon-Israel border since the onset of the war on Oct. 7. The clashes so far have mostly been limited to areas along the border.

(AP Report)
 

The first group of dual nationals have arrived in Egypt from the besieged Gaza Strip, according to Egyptian state-affiliated Al-Qahera. The people arrived into the country via the Rafah border crossing. Additionally the injured Palestinians also arrived at Egypt's Al-Arish Hospital, Al-Qahera news reported. 

Hamas in a telegram post has said that the Israeli strike on the Jabaliya refugee camp has killed 7 hostages. Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that at least three of the hostages held foreign passports. IDF noted earlier that it targetted a Hamas leader in the camp. 

With the help of Egyptian authorities Jordanian citizens are in process of exiting Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, “so that (Jordanian citizens) are transferred to the Kingdom as soon as possible," Jordanian foreign ministry said. Country's spokesperson Sufyan al-Qudah said that the process of evacuation may take several days. 

Hamas tried to get their own injured fighters out from Gaza as part of the negotiations process for release of the foreigners, according to a senior US official. The request was rejected. Under the deal, more  US citizens will depart Gaza as soon as Thursday, the official said. 

The first American citizens have left the besiged Gaza strip, a US official told NBC News. The Americans left via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The exit is still in the transition process.

Israeli tanks have moved toward the border with the Gaza Strip as they advance their operation to eliminate Hamas. Several top commanders of the group have been neutralised as Israel launched retaliatory strikes on the Hamas group. 

For the first time, injured civilians have entered Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. It remains unclear how many people were allowed to leave from the strip.

Hundreds of people gathered near the crossing and the ambulances were also seen entering to take out the injured. 

A Palestinian health ministry ambulance has entered Gaza via the Rafah border crossing before crossing into Egypt.

Turkey and Iran have summoned a  regional conference to discuss the risks of the Israel and Hamas war spreading into a regional conflict.

"We do not want the human tragedy in Gaza to turn into a war that affects the region's countries," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told a joint media appearance with Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who urged the meeting to be held "as soon as possible".

Austria's main Jewish leader said that a fire was set during the night in the Jewish section of Vienna’s central cemetery and swastikas were sprayed on external walls. Jewish Community of Vienna President Oskar Deutsch shared the visuals of the damaged building on X. "During the night a fire was set on the Jewish part of the central cemetery (IV Gate). The anteroom of the ceremonial hall burned out. Swastikas were sprayed on exterior walls. No people were injured. The fire department and police are investigating," Deutsch wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

The multinational pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has donated to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue and emergency medical service three intensive care mobile units and two advanced monitoring systems. According to The Times of Israel, the donation is valued at half a million dollars. “In a time of crisis, Eli Lilly stands firmly with the communities it serves. This donation expresses our goal to improve life by helping those who put themselves on the frontlines every day to save lives,” said Roberta Marinelli, director-general of Eli Lilly in Israel.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that the collapsed tunnels that were used by Hamas were partly responsible for the scale of destructions caused by Tuesday's strike on Gaza's Jabalya refugee camp. Hagari said Hamas commander Ibrahim Biari, who was targeted in the strike, was in "an underground area located inside buildings inside a civilian refugee camp," CNN reported. "Hitting him caused the collapse of the building and an underground infrastructure of tunnels that were underneath, and that collapsed other buildings," Hagari said. 

Up to 500 foreign nationals could be released from Gaza, an insider source told CNN. The source also told the American news outlet that Qatar had brokered a deal between Israel, Hamas and Egypt, in coordination with the United States to release foreign nationals and critically injured civilians in Gaza.

After a long political battle, the first group of injured evacuees from Gaza entered Egypt in ambulances via the Rafah crossing. According to Sky News, crowds of people have been seen entering the border crossing this morning waiting to leave the Palestinian enclave. Earlier today it was reported that foreign passport holders will be allowed to leave Gaza as well. 

Condemning the death of 12 Israeli soldiers, the Prime Minister issued a statement calling it a difficult war. “We are in a difficult war. It will be a long war. We have important achievements in it, but also painful losses,” the premier said in a statement. "We know that each of our soldiers is a whole world. The entire nation of Israel embraces you, the families, from the bottom of our hearts. We are all with you in your time of great sorrow," he furthered. 

In a massive relief to countries around the world, dozens of foreign passport holders trapped in Gaza are leaving the Strip as the Rafah crossing to Egypt opens for the first time since the devastating Hamas attack on October 7. According to The Times of Israel, some 400 foreigners and dual nationals are expected to leave Gaza today. 

The Israel Defense Forces said that it has bolstered the Red Sea area with the Navy missile boats after Yemen's Houthis unleashed a lethal attack against Israel. Yesterday the military intercepted a missile and two drones launched from Yemen at Israel. Another target was intercepted early this morning near the southernmost city of Eilat.

Breaking: Yemen’s Houthi reportedly declares war against Israel

Iran-backed Yemeni militant group Houthi has reportedly declared a ‘state of war against Israel,’ the Israel War Room reported. Earlier in the day it was reported that the militant group was responsible in launching a barrage of missiles and drones in Israel. In the past, several world leaders had warned that the Israel-Hamas war could spill over into a full-scale conflict.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has said that "We are deploying forces on a large scale, deep in the Strip. There are battles against the forces that are operating [in Gaza] and the results and achievements on the battlefield are very high. Unfortunately, in war, there are also prices, and the prices in the last day were heavy prices. Despite that, we are also determined to continue and win". 

The Times of Israel is reporting that two IDF soldiers have lost their life in the fight against Hamas. Two other soldiers are seriously wounded. 

The United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres urged for civilians to be protected during the Israel-Hamas war. “Protection of civilians on both sides is paramount and must be respected at all times,” Guterres said in a statement. "International humanitarian law establishes clear rules that cannot be ignored. It is not an a la carte menu and cannot be applied selectively," he added. 

On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the ongoing Israel-Hamas war with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad. "The two officials discussed the unacceptability of Israeli air strikes on Syrian territory, which have become more frequent amid the events around the Gaza Strip,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "The diplomats warned the danger of attempts by external forces to turn the Middle East into an arena for settling geopolitical scores,” the statement further reads. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are scheduled to hold telephonic conversation over the current situation in Gaza. A diplomatic source told The Times of Israel that Sunak will bring up the UK’s desire to see more humanitarian aid enter Gaza, including through Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing if necessary. As per the reports, the phone call is scheduled to take place at 3pm (Israeli local time). 

Yemen's Houthis militant group claimed that they have launched a large number of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel. This is the third attack targeting the country, a spokesperson for the group said, warning there are "more to come", Sky News reported. Many countries, including the United States, have expressed increasing concern that the escalating war will spark a wider conflict in the region and have warned enemies of Israel not to get involved. 
 

Image: AP

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is set to give his first address since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. According to The Times of Israel, the speech is scheduled to take place at 3 pm during a ceremony to honor the “martyrs who died on the road to Jerusalem." Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in a number of small-scale skirmishes on the Israel-Lebanon border, some of them deadly. The terror group has been warned repeatedly to remain on the sidelines.

While giving an update on the ground operation in Israel, the Israeli Defense Force said that it has thwarted an aerial threat in the area of the Red Sea. "The IAF thwarted an aerial threat in the area of the Red Sea; first operational interception by the “Arrow” Aerial Defense System since the beginning of the war. A surface-to-surface missile was fired toward Israeli territory from the area of the Red Sea and was successfully intercepted by the “Arrow” Aerial Defense System," IDF said in a statement on Telegram. "Furthermore, IAF fighter jets were scrambled this morning due to an aerial threat identified in the area of the Red Sea and intercepted aerial threats that flew in the area. All aerial threats were intercepted outside of Israeli territory. No infiltrations were identified into Israeli territory," the statement further reads. 

As the ground operation continue to progress in Israel, The Israel Defense Forces released a video of the head of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman told troops that "victory is the option for Gaza". “We are launching an attack on Hamas and the terror groups in the Gaza Strip. Our goal is one, victory. No matter how long the fighting will be, how difficult, there is no other result but victory,” Finkelman said. “We will fight professionally and powerfully in light of the IDF values ​​we were raised on. Chief among them is sticking to the mission and striving for victory,” he added. 

The Israeli Defense Ministry said that 80 trucks carrying humanitarian aid are all set to enter Gaza on Tuesday. COGAT calls it the largest aid transfer since the war. "The largest aid transfer since the start of the war: 80 trucks loaded with medical supplies, food, and water began inspection in preparation to enter #Gaza through the Rafah Crossing," COGAT wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. 

As per the latest update, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said there is "no threat or risk to civilians" following a Red Sea air intrusion.

Air raid sirens were sounded in the Red Sea city of Eilat and Israel's military said it downed an approaching "aerial target" in the morning. 

After an initial warning of a possible "hostile aircraft intrusion", the IDF said its "systems identified an aerial target approaching Israeli territory".

"There was no threat or risk to civilians," it added. 

Over the last day, during ground operations:

• Numerous Hamas terrorists have been eliminated.
• The IAF struck terrorist targets and infrastructure.
• IDF combat forces struck approximately 300 targets, including: Anti-tank missiles posts, Rocket launch posts, and Terrorist compounds inside underground tunnels.

Taking to the social media post, IAF Tweeted and wrote, "Further to the initial report, the IDF systems detected an aerial target approaching the territory of the State of Israel. There is no threat and there is no danger."

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the Israeli AIrforce wrote,“ Fighter jets of the Air Force directed by intelligence information from the Amman and the Shin Bet, killed last night the commander of the Beit Lahia Battalion in the northern division of Hamas, Nissim Abu Ajina, who sent the murderous attacks of Hamas on October 7 to Kibbutz Erez and Moshav Nativ enrichment.” 

מטוסי קרב של חיל-האוויר בהכוונת מידע מודיעיני של אמ"ן ושב״כ, חיסלו אמש את מפקד גדוד בית לאהיה בחטיבה הצפונית של חמאס, נסים אבו עג'ינה, אשר שילח את המתקפות הרצחניות של חמאס ב-7 באוקטובר לקיבוץ ארז ולמושב נתיב העשרה. pic.twitter.com/fDia6vdLCn

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 31, 2023

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR | Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says, "It is important that we recognise that the attacks from Hamas on Israel were the of absolute condemnation in an unequivocal way. It's also important to recognise that Israel has the right to defend… pic.twitter.com/lbALfWf7nG

— Republic (@republic) October 31, 2023

Operational Update with an IDF Spokesperson, @jconricus https://t.co/3rYeT2Nc2e

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 31, 2023

During the expanded ground operations, numerous Hamas terrorists have been killed; Hundreds of additional military targets were struck.  Over the last day, combined IDF combat forces struck approximately 300 targets, including anti-tank missile and rocket launch posts below shafts, as well as military compounds inside underground tunnels belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization.

During the forces' ground operations, the soldiers had several engagements with terrorist cells that fired both anti-tank missiles and machine gun fire toward them. The soldiers killed terrorists and directed air forces to real-time strikes on targets and terror infrastructure. 
 

This morning, I sat down with families whose loved ones were kidnapped or murdered by Hamas during its terrorist attacks against Israel. I want to thank them for sharing their stories. While we cannot imagine your pain or your fear, we are here for you. pic.twitter.com/br37S9nGYl

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 30, 2023

American hostage Natalie Raanan, 18, has returned to Chicago. In a statement, the Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, Yinam Cohen said: “I am relieved to see Natalie back home in Chicago. Her family members have been anxiously waiting for her return, and today I am sharing their happiness, reported Sky News.  Further, he added, ”While we're celebrating Natalie's return, we remember the 239 hostages, among them babies, children, women, and the elderly, who are still held by Hamas in Gaza." "This week, family members of those still held hostage by Hamas will be in Chicago to share their stories and call for their immediate release."

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees told an emergency meeting "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire has become a matter of life and death for millions".

Philippe Lazzarini warned that a further breakdown of civil order following the looting of the agency's warehouses by Palestinians searching for food and other aid "will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the largest UN agency in Gaza to continue operating".

מטוסי קרב של חיל-האויר תקפו לפני זמן קצר תשתיות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בשטח לבנון, בין התשתיות שהותקפו, הושמדו אמצעי לחימה, עמדות ואתרים בשימוש הארגון. pic.twitter.com/uRIzwbvpAt

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 30, 2023

Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah said that the current situation inside hospitals in the enclave - as Israel expands its ground operations and increases its airstrikes once again. Despite a general telecommunications blackout in the area, he outlined how shelling around the al Shifa hospital had intensified, as per a Sky News report.

"Since the Israeli Army press conference about al Shifa hospital, the shelling around al Shifa has intensified and last night was horrendous," he said. Further, he added, "Overnight we barely could get any sleep and the area around the al Shifa hospital was being targeted continuously."

"We will place Hamas into a dustbin. We will continue until victory," says Netanyahu. He adds that “we are committed to get (rescue) more hostages”. 

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said that "it is time for all of us to decide whether we fight or surrender. Israel will fight. From October 7, Israel has been at war.
Israel does not want this war, but Israel will win this war. Hamas is using human shield. Israel is doing everything it can to evacuate Palestinians civilians. 
Hamas is doing everything it can to hold Palestinian civilians at gunpoint. Israel will not surrender before Hamas. Israel will stand against barbarism. 
Israel's fight is your fight. Israel's victory is your victory. Israel will fight till the battle is won". 

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyhau is addressing the foreign press right now.

התרגשתי לראות את החיילת אורי מגידיש שבה הביתה אל משפחתה האוהבת, לאחר מבצע נועז של צה"ל ושב"כ. כוחות הביטחון שלנו פועלים מסביב לשעון בעזה, בצפון, ביו"ש ובכל מקום, ביבשה באוויר ובים; במסירות אינסופית, תוך סיכון חיים, בתחושת שליחות ואהבת העם והמדינה. אנחנו מחזקים אותם, מגבים אותם…

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 30, 2023

Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has congratulated the IDF for rescuing Pvt. Ori Megidish. Cohen added that "we will continue to act to free all the captives". 

Benny Gantz has said that Israel "will continue to make every effort, by every means, in order to bring home our girls and boys". 

Overnight, the soldier PVT Ori Megidish was released during IDF ground operations. PVT Megidish was kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organization on October 7th.

The soldier was medically checked, is doing well, and has met with her family.

The IDF and ISA will continue to do everything it takes in order to release the hostages.

A soldier who was abducted by Hamas has been rescued by IDF during ground operations in Gaza. This is the first rescue of any hostage by IDF. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the hostage video released by Hamas as ‘cruel psychological propaganda.’
In the video, three of the hostages who were captured by the terrorist group during the Oct. 7 attack, addressed the Israeli PM in an angry tone. 
They asked Netanyahu to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for their release. 
Netanyahu named the three hostages as Yelena Trupanob, Daniel Aloni and Rimon Kirsht, and vowed "to bring all the abducted and missing people home".

Hamas has released a video of three women, who are being held as hostages.
The women in the 76-second video were referred to as "Zionist detainees" by the terror group but it was not immediately possible to verify their identities or location. 
They addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seated on the plastic chairs. 
They were asking the PM to ensure their release. 

26 aid trucks from Egypt have entered into Gaza via the Rafah crossing. People in Gaza struggling due to the war. 
Yesterday, people broke into an UN aid center, to seize flour and other items. 

The IDF has disclosed that is has neutralized 4 senior Hamas operatives. The 4 operatives were - 
Jamil Baba, commander of Hamas’ naval forces in its Central Brigade
Muhammad Safadi, commander of the anti-tank missile unit
Muwaman Hijazi, a prominent operative in Hamas' anti-tank missile unit
Muhammad Awdallah, a senior operative in Hamas’ production department.  

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today spoke with Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The focus of their conversation was release of hostages, as per a report from CNN.

Reminder: 

The Gaza Ministry of Health=Hamas 

Bodies can’t move their heads. pic.twitter.com/CLoLksrOYq

— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) October 30, 2023

The Lebanese PM has said that Hezbollah is acting wisely. "Hezbollah has managed the situation rationally and wisely, and the rules of the game have remained constrained to certain limits,” he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today in central Israel, visited the Israel Police Unit 33 (the Gidonim), together with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israel Police Inspector General Koby Shabtai.

Prime Minister Netanyahu was briefed by the commander of the Unit on the battles it fought in the Kfar Aza district, at the 'Black Arrow' memorial, and in the Southern Command area. The Prime Minister observed the operation of the forward command post and additional classified capability.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also observed an exercise, which combined undercover work, deception and an arrest in a simulated Arab area.

The Prime Minister concluded his visit by speaking with Unit fighters, most of whom had been in combat in the south. He thanked them, who together with the Israel Police, IDF and ISA, fought, and are fighting, with great daring for the security of the state.

Lebanon's caretaker PM Mikati has said that he is working to ensure his country doesn't enter the Israel-Hamas war. "I am doing my duty to prevent Lebanon from entering the war" he said.

France has witnessed a surge in anti-Semitic incidents over the past three weeks, surpassing the total reported in the preceding year. The tally stands at 501 offenses, encompassing a range of actions from verbal abuse and anti-Semitic graffiti to death threats and physical assaults. Alarming instances include groups gathering in front of synagogues, shouting threats, and hateful graffiti such as the chilling message "killing Jews is a duty" sprayed outside a stadium in Carcassonne in the southwest.

The Israel Defense Forces said that terror operatives in Southern Lebanon have opened fire at an army position on the northern border. "Terrorists shot at an IDF post on the Lebanese border a short time ago, no casualties. IDF forces responded with artillery fire at the source of the fire and attacked a military infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanese territory," the group furthered. 

As Israel's ground operation in Gaza continues to progress, IDF said that it has targeted multiple Hamas cells in Gaza. "IDF forces have been continuing their ground operations in the Gaza Strip for the past few hours. In encounters with terrorists, IDF fighters, assisted by combat helicopters and remote manned aircraft directed by the forces, eliminated squads that tried to attack the forces. The fighters also destroyed terrorist infrastructure, including anti-tank positions and additional launch positions," IDF spokesperson Hagari wrote on X. 

As the IDF continues to expand its ground operation in the Northern Gaza Strip, Deputy spokesperson for Israel's Foreign Affairs Ministry Joel Lion spoke to Republic giving his take on the ongoing situation. During the interview, Lion noted how India has been hurt by terrorists in the past. "India is a country also hurt by terror like in Mumbai. Jews were also attacked along with Indian friends. They should see what Hamas is doing and is like ISIS. It is like people coming to your home and killing," he said. "It is the right thing to do; for every free and democratic country to declare Hamas as a terror organisation and arrest their leader. These people (Indian demanding to declare Hamas a terror group) are on the right side of history," he added. 

Israeli Air Force thwarted terrorist infrastructure in Jenin. "In recent days, the IDF forces have begun expanding their ground operations in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Air Force fighter jets attacked hundreds of military targets of the Hamas terrorist organization throughout the Gaza Strip. The ground forces directed over 150 attacks using fighter jets, helicopter gunships and UAVs to eliminate terrorists and damage enemy infrastructure," the Air Force wrote on X. 

The Israeli authorities said that they have found and identified the dead body of a 23-year-old German-Israeli woman named Shani Luk. "We are devastated to share that the body of 23-year-old German-Israeli Shani Luk was found and identified. Shani who was kidnapped from a music festival and tortured and paraded around Gaza by Hamas terrorists, experienced unfathomable horrors. Our hearts are broken 💔. May her memory be a blessing," the authorities wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. 

Giving an update on the ongoing situation, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that the conflict in Gaza "will escalate". Hagari said that forces are "proceeding gradually" in Gaza as part of the ground operation and there has been "direct contact" with Hamas fighters. 

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Israel's ground incursion in Gaza. The Gaza meeting will take place after the council meets first on Western Sahara and then in Colombia, Associated Press reported. The General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, adopted a resolution Friday by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions calling for humanitarian truces leading to a cessation of hostilities. Security Council resolutions are legally binding. General Assembly resolutions are not but they are an important barometer of world opinion.

British envoy to Israel Simon Walters said that the United Kingdom wants Israel to win the war against Hamas. “Hamas must not remain in control in the Gaza Strip,” Walters told Army Radio in an interview. “It’s worrying that during the protests we’ve seen some antisemitic slogans and some calls for jihad. The government is responding to that — it takes the safety of Jewry in the UK very seriously," he added. 

The Israel Defence Forces said that the gound operation continued in Gaza and dozens of Hamas terrorists were killed overnight. The IDF said that the terrorist were barricading themselves in the buildings and tried to attack troops.

"In clashes with terrorists in the Gaza Strip, IDF fighters eliminated dozens of terrorists who had barricaded themselves in buildings and tried to attack the forces. During one of the incidents, an aircraft directed by the fighters in the field attacked a meeting building of the terrorist organization Hamas, which contained over 20 terrorists," IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. 

Below are a few numbers showing the toll of the Israel-Hamas war. The figures have been sourced from Associated Press reports, the Gaza Health Ministry, the Israeli military, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Palestinian Red Crescent:

• 1,400: Number of people killed in Israel
• 8,005: Number of Palestinians killed in Gaza
• 116: Number of Palestinians killed in West Bank
• 5,431: Number of Israelis injured
• 20,242: Number of Palestinians injured in Gaza
• 2,000: Number of Palestinians injured in the West Bank
• 250,000: Number of Israelis displaced
• 1.4 million: Number of Palestinians displaced in Gaza
• 239: Soldiers and civilians being held hostage in Gaza
• 4: Hostages released
• 117: Aid trucks let into Gaza
• 27,781: Residential units destroyed in Gaza

During clashes with terrorists in the Gaza Strip, IDF troops killed dozens of terrorists who barricaded themselves in buildings and tunnels, and attempted to attack the troops.

In one incident, an IDF aircraft guided by IDF ground troops struck a staging post inside a building belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization, with over 20 Hamas terrorist operatives inside it.

In addition, over the last few days, the IDF struck over 600 terror targets, including weapons depots, dozens of anti-tank missile launching positions, as well as hideouts and staging grounds used by the Hamas terrorist organization.

Overnight, IDF troops identified armed terrorists and an anti-tank missile launching post in the area of the Al-Azhar University, and guided a fighter jet to strike them.
 

Israel's foreign ministry has demanded Russian authorities to protect Israelis after reports that demonstrators stormed a runway to protest the landing of an airliner coming from Tel Aviv.

An airport in the southern Russian city of Makhachkala was closed on Sunday after a group of people poured onto the runway, the Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsia said.

Rosaviatsia said all aircraft bound for Makhachkala, in the majority Muslim region of Dagestan, were diverted to other airports.

Russian news agencies and social media reported that demonstrators denouncing Israel's actions in Gaza had gathered at the airport. However,  there were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests.  

A statement by the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said the Israeli ambassador in Moscow was working with Russian authorities.

"The State of Israel views gravely attempts to harm Israelis citizens and Jews anywhere," the ministry said.

 

FACT: “The IDF is focused right now on one thing—victory and dismantling Hamas.” 

This is how the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, fortifies the soldiers of the IDF Artillery Corps. pic.twitter.com/qGokguNue3

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 29, 2023

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the developments on the phone. According to the White House, Biden "underscored" to the Israeli prime minister "the need to immediately and significantly increase the flow of humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of civilians in Gaza".

He also "reiterated" that "Israel has every right and responsibility to defend its citizens from terrorism, and underscored the need to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law that prioritises the protection of civilians".

Biden has also talked with Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

According to the White House, Biden "expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s leading role in efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza".
 

The number of people confirmed to be held hostage in Gaza has risen to 239, the press agency Reuters has reported, citing the Israeli military. The Israeli government had previously confirmed 229 captives from more than 20 countries had been taken across the border into Gaza during Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October.

IDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spoke at a press conference this evening.

He said Israeli forces "continue to gradually expand our combat operations according to the plans to achieve the goal of the war". Further, he added, "The IDF is continuing with "mass air strikes" to safeguard its forces and to "destroy" Hamas targets." "The ground operation is complex, and it includes dangers - we will do everything we can from the air, the sea, and the land, in order to safeguard the security of our forces," said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.  

Five people have been charged, said the Metropolitan Police, after pro-Palestinian protests in London.

The force arrested a total of nine people, two on suspicion of assaulting police officers and seven for alleged public order offences, as tens of thousands took to the streets of the capital on Saturday to stand against Israel's bombing of Gaza, along with counter-demonstrations.

Two other women were held on suspicion of inciting racial hatred on Sunday morning following an incident in Trafalgar Square.

More on the humanitarian situation in Gaza now - with charity Save the Children saying one of its aid trucks with 45,000 bottles of water has made it through the Rafah border crossing into Gaza.

Another truck carrying another 45,000 bottles of water is likely to cross in the coming day, said the humanitarian NGO. They have been waiting to cross into Gaza since 16 October, according to Save The Children.

Jason Lee, from Save The Children, said: "While every piece of aid reaching families in Gaza matters, the current rate of delivery is nowhere near enough. "There must be consistent safe passage for humanitarian aid and personnel, and it must happen now. Time is costing lives."

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) top prosecutor has warned that impeding relief supplies to Gaza's population may constitute a crime under its jurisdiction.

Karim Khan commented on a visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza on Sunday. During the press conference in the Egyptian capital Cairo, khan said that Israel must make "discernable efforts" to make sure civilians get basic food and medicine.

Israel is a signatory to the treaty which created the ICC - but has not ratified it and has previously stated its intention not to in the future. Palestine is a signatory to the treaty, as a state party.

The former head of UN Humanitarian Affairs has warned that without a "massive ratcheting up" of aid in Gaza there could be a mass loss of life.

"[The situation] gets worse day-after-day," said Mark Lowcock, reported Sky News. Further, he added, "It is worth recalling that last month, hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza were living in modern homes, with electricity and water and access to shops and bakeries. That's all gone. Those people have fled south now, and they are living in makeshift shelters, sleeping in hovels covered just by a plastic sheet, some are sleeping in cars."

Nearly three dozen trucks entered Gaza on Sunday in the largest aid convoy since the war between Israel and Hamas began, but humanitarian workers said the assistance still fell desperately short of needs after thousands of people broke into warehouses to take flour and basic hygiene products.

The Gaza Health Ministry said the death toll among Palestinians passed 8,000, mostly women and minors, as Israeli tanks and infantry pursued what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a second stage in the war ignited by Hamas' brutal Oct 7 incursion.

Hundreds of people stormed into the main airport in Russia's Dagestan region and onto the landing field on Sunday, chanting antisemitic slogans and seeking passengers arriving on a flight from Tel Aviv, Israel, Russian news agencies and social media reported.

Russian news reports said the crowd surrounded the airliner, which belonged to Russian carrier Red Wings.

Authorities closed the airport in Makhachkala, the capital of the predominantly Muslim region, and police converged on the facility. Dagestan's Ministry of Health said more than 20 people were injured, with two in critical condition. It said the injured included police officers and civilians.

US President Joe Biden speaks to the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the prime minister's officer, the two leaders spoke on Sunday, after Israel expanded its ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli statement did not share the details related to the conversation. 

US president, Joe Biden, is having conversations with regional leaders of the Middle East, according to White House officials.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said talks were taking place on Sunday - though he did not specify with which leaders Mr Biden was talking.

"It's something I was on the phone late last night working on," he told US network MSNBC.

"Something the president will be working on today in conversations he's having with regional leaders, and we will continue to pound away at this problem until we've got any American who wants to leave Gaza out."

Israeli government spokesperson, Eylon Levy, has accused Hamas of keeping supplies for itself - at the expense of the citizens of Gaza.

"Hamas, the regime that governs the Gaza Strip, is well stocked," said an Israeli Government spokesperson. Further, he added “ Hamas, responsible for the people of Gaza, has enough food, fuel, medicine and supplies for a long, drawn-out war against our people at the expense of its own.” He has also denied there is a shortage of fuel in Gaza.

"Gaza has enough fuel for hospitals, but Hamas prefers to use the fuel to ventilate its tunnels under the hospitals, and not the hospital ventilators above ground," said Levy.  

Israeli forces have struck targets in Syria and Lebanon, the country’s defence force has said. In separate tweets, the IDF said an aircraft had attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanese territory, including “infrastructures for directing terrorism and military infrastructures of the organisation”, and that a fighter jet had attacked launchers in Syrian territory. It said both attacks were in response to launches from those areas into Israel. 

כלי טיס של צה״ל תקף מטרות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בשטח לבנון, בתגובה לשיגורים לעבר שטח מדינת ישראל מוקדם יותר היום. 

בין המטרות שהותקפו, תשתיות להכוונת טרור ותשתיות צבאיות של הארגון pic.twitter.com/lckMGgckkV

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 29, 2023

בתגובה לשיגורים: צה״ל תקף את המשגרים מהם בוצעו השיגורים משטח סוריה

מטוס קרב של צה״ל תקף לפני זמן קצר את המשגרים מהם בוצעו השיגורים משטח סוריה לעבר שטח ישראל אמש pic.twitter.com/IBJ3So7vq0

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 29, 2023

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said claims that Iran was directly connected to Hamas's 7 October attacks were "baseless".

"We always had political media and international support for Palestine. We have never denied this," Mr Amirabdollahian, reported CNN. 

"This is the truth, but in relation to this operation called the Al Aqsa Storm, there was no connection to that data between Iran and this Hamas operation, not my government nor part of my country." 

Iran has been a long-term backer of Hamas and earlier this week, Vahid Jalalzadeh, the head of its parliament's National Security Committee, said Iran was "in contact with our friends Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah".

IDF said that earlier today, a Hamas terrorist cell carried out launches toward Israeli territory. "A short while ago, an IDF aircraft struck the terrorist cell in the Har Dov area," Israel's military stressed.

During the strike, weapons which Hamas planned to use for additional launches toward Israeli territory were destroyed.

Furthermore, IDF noted that "in response to the launches that were carried out from Lebanon toward the Har Dov area earlier today, IDF fighter jets struck Hezbollah military infrastructure."

As sirens sounded in northern Israel, three launches were identified from Lebanon toward Israeli territory.

The IDF Aerial Defense Array intercepted two launches. An additional launch fell in an open area. The IDF is responding with fire toward the origins of the shooting.

Furthermore, several launches were identified a short while ago toward the area of Malkia. No injuries were reported. IDF soldiers are responding with fire toward the origins of the shooting.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly held talks about the Israel Hamas war. "I spoke yesterday about the Israel-Hamas conflict, humanitarian access for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and the need for all hostages to be released immediately," Blinken said. 

The IDF has said that over the last few hours, it continued to strike and kill Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

IDF soldiers are operating adjacent to the Erez Crossing where they identified a number of terrorists exiting the shaft of a tunnel in the Gaza Strip.

Following the identification, the IDF soldiers confronted the terrorists, killing and injuring scvored of them.

Before the October 7 attack, the Erez Crossing was where thousands of Gazans entered Israel for work or medical treatment. Hamas built tunnels near the Erez Crossing so that it would be able to attack the humanitarian crossing and harm everyone in the area, Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Additionally, aircraft guided by IDF troops struck two staging grounds of the Hamas terrorist organization and killed several terrorists.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday said that Israel has "crossed the red lines" in Gaza, as he threatened to take action. Israel's assaults on Gaza will "force everyone to take action," Iran's President Raisi asserted.

"Zionist regime’s crimes have crossed the red lines, which may force everyone to take action. Washington asks us to not do anything, but they keep giving widespread support to Israel," Raisi said in a social media post.

"The US sent messages to the Axis of Resistance but received a clear response on the battlefield," he asserted. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Israeli Navy as the IDF entered the second phase of the Ground Offensive inside Gaza to eliminate the terrorist group Hamas. Netanyahu boosted the morale of the soldiers and thanked them for securing the Israeli territory in a social media post.

“On a tour in the Navy I met fighters and sea lions. From the first moment of fighting they did an amazing job. I told them: You are surrounded by a sea of love and appreciation from the citizens of Israel You protect the citizens of Israel you protect home,” Netanyahu wrote.

Downing Street has said that UK PM Rishi Sunak and President Macron agreed on working towards ensuring regional stability as Israel's IDF launched ground offensive in Gaza.

"The prime minister and President Macron agreed that it was important not to lose sight of the long-term future of the region and, in particular, the need for a two-state solution.

They underscored that Hamas does not represent ordinary Palestinians and that their barbarism should not undermine the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.

The leaders said they would stay in close contact with one another and with leaders in the region," the Downing Street said. 

The head of the World Health Organization says they managed to communicate with the agency’s team in Gaza after internet and phone connectivity in the enclave were gradually restored.

“They said the last two nights were extremely tense with a lot of airstrikes - without fuel, water, electricity, connectivity and safe shelter to evacuate to,” Tedros Adhanom wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

He added that the WHO team, like others in Gaza, remain unsafe and called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said the agency has 30 employees in Gaza.

(AP Report)

The Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza says over 8,000 Palestinians have been killed since war broke out on Oct. 7.

It said Sunday that the toll has risen to 8,005 Palestinians, including more than 3,300 minors and over 2,000 women.

The Health Ministry is part of the Hamas-run government but includes doctors and veteran civil servants who are not affiliated with the group. Its tolls from previous wars have held up to U.N. scrutiny, independent investigations and even Israel’s tallies.

The ministry released detailed records last week showing the names, ages and ID numbers of most of the deaths it has recorded, saying some bodies have not yet been identified.

More than 1,400 people have been killed on the Israeli side, the vast majority civilians killed by Hamas in its bloody Oct. 7 incursion into Israel.

(AP Report)

UN mission in Lebanon says one peacekeeper was lightly wounded after his base in the country’s south was hit by a mortar shell.

Iran backed Hezbollah, Hamas’ allies in Lebanon, has clashed with Israeli troops along the Lebanon-Israeli border since the Gaza war erupted on Oct. 7. The skirmishes have remained relatively contained and mostly along a handful of border towns.

The two mortar shells hit a UNIFEL base near the southeastern border village of Houla, the UN mission said. The wounded peacekeeper suffered minor injuries and is in stable condition. Earlier Saturday, a shell hit UNIFIL’s headquarters in the southern coastal town of Naqoura, but there was no mention of injuries.

The IDF continues ground operations in the northern Gaza Strip. IAF aircraft, guided by IDF troops, struck Hamas military structures, some of which contained Hamas terrorists. In addition, anti-tank missile launching posts, observation posts and military infrastructure were struck. Terrorists who shot at the soldiers were killed, as well as terrorists who were identified on the coastline in the Gaza Strip near the area of Zikim.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron on October 29 expressed concerns about getting aid into Gaza Strip. In a telephonic conversation, the two leaders "stressed the importance of getting urgent humanitarian support into Gaza," the 10 Downing Street said in a statement.

"They [Sunak and Macron] agreed to work together on efforts both to get crucial food, fuel, water and medicine to those who need it, and to get foreign nationals out," according to the statement.

They expressed their shared concern at the risk of escalation in the wider region, in particular in the West Bank, the statement said. 

United States is “talking candidly” with Israel about the military operation in besieged strip of gaza, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. He, however, refused to provide more details.

"We talk candidly, we talked directly, we share our views and an unvarnished way and we will continue to do that," Sullivan told CBS’ Face the Nation TV. "But sitting here in public, I will just say that the United States is going to make its principles and propositions absolutely clear, including the sanctity of innocent human life. And then we will continue to provide our advice to Israel in private," he added.

"We do not stand for the killing of innocent people, whether it be Palestinian, Israeli or otherwise," Sullivan stressed. 

The Israeli military said that it is expecting more aid trucks to enter Gaza soon. Israel has set up a joint mechanism with the United Nations, the United States and Egypt to "facilitate the access of humanitarian assistance from Egypt to Gaza," Colonel Elad Goren, head of the Civil Affairs Department for COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories), said at a press briefing.

We have a lot of concerns about what is on those trucks so we are inspecting... We will see more trucks and the amount will be much higher in the next few days, he said.

UN agency in Gaza has warned that the 'civil order'is on the verge of breaking down as  "thousands" of people have broken into some of its warehouses "taking wheat flour and other basic survival items like hygiene supplies."

“This is a worrying sign that civil order is starting to break down after three weeks of war and a tight siege on Gaza. People are scared, frustrated and desperate," said Thomas White, director of UNRWA Affairs in the Gaza Strip.  

"Tensions and fear are made worse by the cuts in the phones and internet communication lines. They feel that they are on their own, cut off from their families inside Gaza and the rest of the world,” he added.

The agency noted that the displacement of people from north towards the south  "has placed enormous pressure on those communities, adding further burden on crumbling public services." Some families have as many as 50 people residing in one house and lack basic ammenities. “Supplies on the market are running out while the humanitarian aid coming into the Gaza Strip on trucks from Egypt is insufficient. The needs of the communities are immense, if only for basic survival, while the aid we receive is meagre and inconsistent,” White said.

EU’s commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarčič, has appealed for more humanitarian for Gaza as IDF launches ground incursion to eliminate the terrorist group.

People in Gaza depend on humanitarian aid only to survive the day. The depth of their desperation is beyond words.

Again, I urge the parties involved to allow for unhindered and safe humanitarian access into Gaza, now. This must be scaled-up. It must include fuel and shelter, Lenarčič wrote on X. 

WHO has said that it is extremely concerned about the evacuation warnings to the al-Quds hospital in the Gaza Strip, reported by Palestinian Red Crescent. “The Palestinian Red Crescent report of evacuation threats to al-Quds hospital in Gaza is deeply concerning,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X, formerly Twitter.“We reiterate – it’s impossible to evacuate hospitals full of patients without endangering their lives.”

Palestinian Red Crescent has asked the Gazans to "immediately evacuate al-Quds hospital" as it will be bombarded by the IDF to strike Hamas. “Since this morning, there has been raids 50 meters away from the hospital,” it added in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Pope Francis has called for a ceasefire in Israel and Hamas war. He appealed for the release of the hostages held by terrorist group Hamas.

“Let no one abandon the possibility of stopping the weapons,” Pope reportedly said at an address from St. Peter’s Square.“Ceasefire … we say ‘ceasefire, ceasefire’. Brothers and sisters, stop. War is always a defeat, always,” he added.
 

UN secretary-general António Guterres has warned the situation in Gaza is 'growing more desperate by hour.'

"The situation in Gaza is growing more desperate by the hour. I regret that instead of a critically needed humanitarian pause, supported by the international community, Israel has intensified its military operations.
The number of civilians who have been killed and injured is totally unacceptable. The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes,” Guterres said. 

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director for Palestine Samer Abdeljaber was reported saying that  40 more aid trucks will shortly enter the Gaza Strip. “We hope today we will be able to allow more trucks into Gaza – 40 trucks are expected to be crossing. However, we have to also note that that's not enough compared to the soaring needs... at the moment in Gaza, we need more than that,” Abdeljaber was quoted as saying by American broadcaster CNN.

Just for WFP to be able to reach 1 million people, we need 40 trucks a day. If we're going to be supporting 2 million people, we need 100 trucks of food,” he added. 
 

 An Iranian-backed Iraqi militia says it launched drone strikes on a base housing U.S. forces in eastern Syria.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which has claimed responsibility for a series of strikes on US forces in Iraq and Syria over the past two weeks, claimed responsibility on Sunday for the latest attack.

The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for U.S. support for Israel.

According to the Pentagon, as of Friday there had been at least 20 attacks on US bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17, and 21 US personnel were injured in two of those assaults when drones targeted al-Assad airbase in Iraq and al-Tanf garrison in Syria.

(AP Report)

Colonel Elad Goren has said that IDF has asked all the Palestinian civilians to evacuate to the south and also plans to increase aid will dramatically increase.

"In the coming week we were planning to increase dramatically the amount of assistance", said Col Goren, of Cogat, an Israeli defence ministry agency that coordinates with the Palestinians.

"We have marked a humanitarian zone in the southern Gaza Strip in the Khan Younis area... we still recommend that the civilian population that evacuated will go to this zone," he said. 

IDF said it has struck more than 450 targets of hamas in the last 24 hpurs that includes command centers, observation posts, and missile launch sites.

“As part of the expansion of ground activities, combined combat forces struck terrorist cells that attempted to attack the forces and terrorist cells that planned to carry out anti-tank missile launches,” the statement said.
 

Humanitarian groups working in Gaza said it received orders to evacuate al Quds hospital. Palestinian Red Crescent Society wrote on X that the facility was going to bombed  as raids occured 50 metres from the site.

"PRCS has just received serious threats from the occupation authorities to immediately evacuate al Quds Hospital in the Gaza Strip, as it is going to be bombarded," it wrote.
 

Qatar's foreign ministry sent dire warnings to Israel about the escalating conflict in the middle east. The  ground incursion into Gaza will have "catastrophic repercussions" on the overall stability in the region, Qatar's foreign ministry said.

"The State of Qatar expresses its deep concern over the Israeli ground incursion into Gaza Strip, and considers it a dangerous development that will have devastating security and humanitarian effects in the Strip, especially on the safety of civilians and hostages," a statement published by Qatar's foreign ministry read. 
 

IDF spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, at a press conference has said that "Hezbollah continues to operate against us in the north and we are killing anyone who operates against us."A new cohort of border scouts are being recruited to the IDF, he said. 
 

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and its strike group has moved through the Strait of Gibraltar, putting two American carriers in the Mediterranean Sea, a rare sight in recent years.

USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is already in the eastern Mediterranean, part of a buildup of forces as the U.S. supports Israel in its war against Hamas.
 

Israeli military has asked the civilians in Gaza to move south, remindig that the IDF will intensify the operations. Hmanitarian efforts “will be expanding” south of Wadi Gaza.

Internet and telephone connectivity was restored Sunday morning for many people in Gaza, according to the telecoms company Paltel, Internet-access advocacy group NetBlocks.org and confirmation on the ground.

UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting about the ground invasion of Gaza on Monday. The meeting was scheduled on request of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Associated Press.

During the past day, IDF fighter jets struck over 450 military targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip, including operational command centers, observation posts, and anti-tank missile launch posts.

As part of the expansion of ground activities, combined combat forces struck terrorist cells that attempted to attack the forces and terrorist cells that planned to carry out anti-tank missile launches. In addition, the ground forces directed IDF aircraft toward terror targets.

Overnight, an IDF officer was severely injured due to being hit by a mortar shell in the northern Gaza Strip. In addition, an IDF soldier was moderately injured while engaging with terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip. The officer and soldier were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment. 
Their families have been notified. 

Here's what has happened in the last 24 hours in the Israel-Hamas war. 

• Israeli armour, combat engineers and infantry were operating on the ground in northern Gaza throughout yesterday, the IDF said;
• It reissued an evacuation order to civilians in northern Gaza to move south, telling them their window to act before an "impending" military operation was closing;
• Protests demanding a ceasefire took place around the world, including in London, where thousands took to the streets;
• But Israel's military chief said a ground operation was "required" to achieve Israel's objectives;
• Egypt's foreign ministry said Israel was imposing "major logistical issues" meaning aid convoys could not enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing.

Three Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank overnight, the Palestinian health ministry has said. It comes after the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said more than 7,700 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had been killed since the start of the conflict.

Telephone and internet connectivity has reportedly been restored for many people in Gaza, according to a telecom company. The besieged Gaza Strip had suffered a communication blackout since late on Friday, leaving its 2.3 million residents cut off from the outside world amid heavy Israeli air and land bombardment.  But in a slight update, company Paltel, Internet-access advocacy group NetBlocks.org, and confirmation on the ground, said connections were slowly coming back.

IDF Spokesperson shares photos of the IDF's assessments of the ground activity in the Gaza Strip:

Infographic on the terrorists of the terrorist organization Hamas who were eliminated by the IDF and Shin Bet: 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is first to face a question from the Q&A. He is asked whether he is partly responsible for the attack on 7 October. He promises a full investigation into the events that day further down the line, but says that the war against Hamas is the pressing issue. He highlights the unity of his war cabinet and wider government, and says the ground operation may well help secure the hostages held by Hamas.  Asked next about hostages, he repeats that military operations in the region are focused on two objectives.

"We have two goals, and the most supreme one is to completely eliminate the operational and governmental capabilities of Hamas and the second one is to bring back the hostages," he says.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has taken to social media to refute what he calls "false claims" that he had prior warning of the Hamas incursion on 7 October. 
 

"The war inside the (Gaza) Strip will be long and difficult, and we are ready for it. This is our second war for independence. We will fight for our native land, we will fight and won't back down. We will fight on the ground, in the sea and air. We will eliminate the enemy on the ground and under the ground. We will fight and we will win. It will be the victory of good over bad, of light over darkness, of life over death," said Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister.  

Further, he added "Iran backs Hamas. I think that 90% of Hamas's military budget comes from Iran. It funds, it organizes, it leads, it trains. I cannot tell you for sure that they were involved with micro-planning in this specific operation, this specific case, but they feed Hamas's military machine, they support them. There's no Hamas without this support system. Just like there's no Hezbollah without Iran."

Israel's LTG Herzi Halevi: “The objectives of this war require a ground operation - the best soldiers are now operating in Gaza.”

A statement from LTG Herzi Halevi.

“The objectives of this war require a ground operation - the best soldiers are now operating in Gaza.” pic.twitter.com/KUGj6cG4Ke

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 28, 2023

IDF has struck  Hezbollah military infrastructure in Lebanon in a retaliation to three missiles launched towards Tel Aviv. "Following the initial report regarding sirens that sounded in northern Israel, three launches were identified from Lebanese territory toward Israel. The launches fell in open areas. In response, the IDF struck Hezbollah military infrastructure in Lebanon," IDF said. 

Israel has called back its diplomat from Turkey as the diplomatic tussle between the two countries intensified over split support during the Israel Palestine War. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan earlier yesterday urged Israel to "stop this madness" in Gaza as he referred to israeli Army's overnight ground incursions into the enclave amid the total blackout. Erdogan openly expressed support for Hamas, saying that the group, which has not been designated as the terrorist in Ankara, are in fact "liberators" fighting against the occupation.

Turkish leader asserted that not only will he slap sanctions on Israel but would ensure that the jewish state is declared as the international "war criminal." In a more drastic step, Turkey's Erdogan scrapped the planned natural gas exploration activities and pipeline construction in the Eastern Mediterranean with Israel. The Energy and Natural Resources Minister of Turkey, Alparslan Bayraktar, who was scheduled to visit Israel for bilateral talks on natural gas pipeline project announced cancellation of his visit. Erdogan, who was expected to visit Israel in the upcoming weeks, also torpedoed the plan saying in a state address, "we will not go there." 

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has decimated the Hamas terror infrastructure. IDF struck Hamas operational base near border fence in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Artillery and air strikes were launched on the Hamas infrastructure inside Gaza, Republic correspondent reports from 300 mtrs from Gaza Strip as well as Nahal Tayah, the place from where IDF entered Gaza Strip.

Intense gunfight underway with Hamas terrorists, Republic TV has learned. 

India is concerned over the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza but at the same time strongly considers that there can be no equivocation on terror, sources said on Saturday explaining New Delhi's decision to abstain on a UN General Assembly resolution that called for a humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The resolution did not include any explicit condemnation of the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, they said, adding India abstained in the vote in absence of all elements of its approach not being covered in the final text of the resolution.

The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution that called for an "immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce" between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. 

Hamas is trying to release the eight Russian-Israeli dual citizens among the 280 hostages held in the October 7 assault on Israel. Recently, a delegation of Hamas made a visit to Moscow for talks ahead of the Israeli Army's ground offensive. Now, the group has announced that it will release Russian hostages as it has good relations with Russia.

“From the Russian side, via the foreign ministry, we received a list of citizens that have dual citizenship,” senior Hamas representative Moussa Abu Marzook was cited as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency. “We are looking for those people... It is hard but we are looking. And when we find them, we will let them go.”

Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on October 28 that Israel's ground assaults into the Gaza Strip will continue and that the Israeli military will continue to launch  operations that started overnight. Israeli military is targetting Hamas' underground tunnels and other infrastructure and the leaders of the Islamist movement, Gallant said.   
 

As the IDF  Israel’s expanded ground operation in the besieged gaza strip, the families of the hostages held by the Hamas expressed fear and anxiety about the safety of the people held by the terrorist group.

This night was the most terrible of all nights. It was a long and sleepless night, against the backdrop of the major IDF operation in the Strip, and absolute uncertainty regarding the fate of the hostages held there, who were also subject to the heavy bombings,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement on october 28.

“Anxiety, frustration, and especially enormous anger that none of the war cabinet bothered to meet with the families of the hostages to explain one thing - whether the ground operation endangers the well-being of the 229 hostages in Gaza,” they further stressed. 

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received on Saturday a phone call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to exchange views on the latest developments of the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and the gravity of continued escalation, especially on civilians' life and regional security.

Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmi said Sisi underlined Egypt would continue coordinating regional and international efforts to press for a ceasefire, Republic has learned.

"He warned of the dangerous humanitarian and security repercussions of the Israeli ground assault on the Gaza Strip, stressing the importance of unified international efforts to find an immediate solution at the diplomatic level, including ensuring an urgent humanitarian truce to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid into the strip without any obstacles in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly resolution which was issued on October 27, 2023."

Meanwhile, the two leaders lauded the outstanding level of relations and the strategic partnership binding their countries, stressing interest to boost cooperation even further.

Hundreds of protesters in black T-shirts filled New York City’s iconic Grand Central Terminal during the evening rush hour to demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Many of the protesters were detained by police and taken out of the station, their hands zip tied behind their backs. The NYPD could not immediately say how many were taken into custody.

“Hundreds of Jews and friends are taking over Grand Central Station in a historic sit-in calling for a ceasefire,” advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace said on social media.

Inside the main concourse, protesters wearing shirts that read “cease-fire now” and “not in our name” chanted, with some holding banners in front of the list of departure times. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority asked commuters to use Penn Station as an alternative.

The scene echoed last week’s sit-in where more than 300 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Just three weeks into the deadliest war between Israel and Hamas, it already is clear that the bloodshed has flipped long-standing assumptions in Israel and the region upside down.

Israel’s military and intelligence services were exposed as incompetent and ill-prepared. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decades of attempts to sideline the Palestinians and U.S. efforts to manage the conflict, rather than solve it, badly backfired.

Israelis’ sense of personal security was shattered. The international community’s traditional approach of urging Israel to withdraw from occupied land in exchange for peace now appears out of the question.

Many paradigms have collapsed with this murderous attack by Hamas,” said Nadav Eyal, a commentator for Israel’s Yediot Ahronot newspaper.

Over the decades, Israel’s military and security agencies built a reputation of near invincibility through sophisticated intelligence-gathering, daring covert operations and deterrence. Israeli intelligence units kept tabs on Palestinians with sensitive surveillance tools. Travelers in and out of Gaza were subject to deep background checks and interrogations that together with a network of informants gave Israel a massive database. 

Still, on Oct. 7, Hamas raided undetected and moved into Israeli towns without resistance. It took hours for Israeli forces to respond, allowing the militants to kill over 1,400 people, the vast majority civilians, and capture over 200 hostages.

Heads of Israel’s Shin Bet internal security service and Israeli military intelligence have admitted failure and taken responsibility.

(AP analysis)

Hundreds of Israeli tanks, armored personnel carriers and bulldozers have emptied out near Gaza border, while most travelled towards north, according to ground reports. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Saturday morning that Israeli forces remain “in the field and continue the fighting.” IDF spokesman urged all the residents in Gaza's north to relocate to the South. 

An urgent message for the residents of Gaza: pic.twitter.com/GAW3a7lWt8

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 28, 2023

More than 3,000 protesters marched to the heavily guarded US Embassy in Indonesia’s capital on Saturday to demand an end to the war and bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags, the protesters, many wearing white Islamic robes, filled a major thoroughfare in downtown Jakarta running outside the embassy. About 1,000 police were deployed around the compound, which is blocked off by concrete road barriers.

IDF has recovered a Hamas UAV fitted with rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) which were launched in the direction of the Israeli territory during the October 7 raid via the southern border. israeli army said that the dronne laden with explosives was a "part of coordinated Hamas attack but was recovered by Israel forces." 

After the resolution on the humanitarian truce in the besieged Gaza, Israel will "reconsider" its cooperation with the UN, but will not withdraw from the UN, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alexander Ben Zvi said. He confirmed the IDF operation in Gaza Strip 'from air, land and sea.' Ben Zvi claimed that Israel has data that Hamas has millions of liters of fuel, adding that Israel has not yet launched a large-scale ground operation in Gaza. 

Republic TV correspondent in Yakhini near the Gaza border has learnt that the IDF has struck several Hamas targets, an estimated 150 during its expanded ground incursion overnight. This included tunnels, underground complexes, and other combat spaces in its strongholds in Gaza. 

As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, IDF strikes 150 Hamas targets in Gaza; Republic reports from the Gaza border. 

WATCH #LIVE only here-https://t.co/tTmZJXKbiQ #Israel #IsraelHamasWar #HamasWar #IsraelHamasConflict #Gaza pic.twitter.com/uCW95IqAsA

— Republic (@republic) October 28, 2023

Israeli Defense forces (IDF) has said that the Hamas’ terrorist headquarters under the Shifa hospital is draining civilians of the basic ammenities and necessities provided in aid such as the fuel, oxygen, water and electricity. 

Hamas’ terrorist headquarters under the Shifa hospital is draining the necessities—fuel, oxygen, water and electricity—from the Gazans and staff and using them for terrorism. pic.twitter.com/LKCu0WILvd

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 28, 2023

As the Israel-Hamas War enters week 3, here are some of the harrowing scenes from the besieged Gaza Strip as IDF is advancing in its Ground assaults. 

Sirens are sounding in Tel Aviv as Hamas launches retaliatory fire.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Israel to “immediately stop this madness” and end its “attacks” on Gaza. Erdogan's remarks came as Israel Army expanded the Ground Offensive in Gaza to target the Hamas intallations and strongholds.

“The Israeli bombardments on Gaza intensified last night and once again targeted women, children and innocent civilians and worsened the ongoing humanitarian crisis,” Erdogan said on X, formerly Twitter. “Israel must immediately stop this madness and end its attacks,” he added.

Turkish President is expected to address the largest pro-Palestinian rallies on occasion of Turkey’s centenary.

US Marine Corps three-star general, Lt. Gen. James Glynn, who went to counsel the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has clarified, "make no mistake – what is, has or will unfold in Gaza is purely an Israeli decision," Marine Corps commandant Gen. Eric Smith told reporters gathered in washington DC.

"He [Glynn] provided his expertise as the lead planner for a first marine expeditionary force going into the battle of Fallujah. He was asked to go over… and say, ‘Here’s what I learned,’ so we would call that a professional military exchange. He was over, he’s back now and he provided his experience to be taken, (or) not taken," Gen.Smith was quoted as saying. 

A Resolution on the Israel -Palestine issue was adopted by the Extraordinary Special Session of the UN General Assembly on October 27. “Our (India's) vote on the Resolution was guided by our steadfast and consistent position on the issue. Our explanation of the vote reiterates this comprehensively and holistically. There can be no equivocation on terror:,” sources told ANI. 

UN General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution Friday calling for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza leading to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers, the first United Nations response to the war. The 193-member world body adopted the resolution by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions after rejecting a Canadian amendment backed by the United States. It would have unequivocally condemned the Oct. 7 “terrorist attacks” by Hamas and demanded the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas, which is not mentioned in the Arab-drafted resolution.

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan called it “a day that will go down in infamy,” saying after the vote: “Israel will not stop the operation until Hamas terror capabilities are destroyed and our hostages are returned. … And the only way to destroy Hamas is root them out of their tunnels and subterranean city of terror.”

120 in favor

14 against

45 abstentions

Countries adopt resolution calling for immediate & sustained humanitarian truce in the Middle East during an Emergency Special Session of #UNGA. https://t.co/XjKyOXQqu8 pic.twitter.com/nDh3Qj3MtV

— United Nations (@UN) October 27, 2023

Israeli ground forces are inside Gaza having entered the enclave overnight from the north, army spokesman Daniel Hagari said. The  IDF forces “went into the Gaza Strip and expanded the ground operation where infantry, armor and engineer units and artillery with heavy fire are taking part,” Hagari said during a press briefing in Tel Aviv. “The forces are in the field and continue the fighting,” he added.

The  Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman said that the israeli forces have expanded the ground operation into the gaza strip overnight to uprrot the Hamas stronghold.  

“We keep doing everything in order to keep our forces safe," he said. 

Hamas’ terrorist headquarters under the Shifa hospital is draining the necessities—fuel, oxygen, water and electricity—from the Gazans and staff and using them for terrorism. pic.twitter.com/LKCu0WILvd

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 28, 2023

Hamas Naval commander Ratab Abu Tshaiban has been killed joint operation by Navy, the Air Force and the Shin Bet. He was commander of the naval force of the Gaza Brigade using fighter jets. Tshaiban planned and commanded the naval penetration attempt that took place on October 24 in the area of ​​the Zikim coast by sea.

Drones fell on two Egyptian towns yesterday, its president Abdel Fattah el Sisi has confirmed. He urged all nations to respect Egypt's sovereignty and position in the region. Egypt would continue to play a positive role in the Israel-Hamas conflict and did not want it to expand regionally, he said. Yesterday, two Egyptian security service sources said a "projectile" fell on the Red Sea town of Nuweiba. 

Israel's foreign ministry claimed they were launched by the Houthi movement in Yemen and that they were aimed at "harming Israel". 

Speaking at a news conference, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari has updated on what's happening after Israel last night. He said that it would expand its ground operation in Gaza. Its forces entered northern Gaza overnight and remain "in the field", he says.

The IDF is continuing with significant attacks from air and sea, said the spokesperson. Notably, Israel bombarded Gaza from the air overnight. meanwhile, Hamas has said it is clashing with Israeli troops in two towns near the border. Hamas commanders were killed last night, including a naval chief, says Mr Hagari.

"Their killing is a significant phase of progress in combat, and means we are going to fight a weaker enemy," said  IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari. Further, he added, for those who have travelled south, humanitarian aid will increase. "More trucks carrying food, medicine and water will enter. Anybody in that area, which is a safe and protected area, will receive [them]," said the IDF Spokesman.  

While updating about the IDF operations against the Hamas terror organisation, he said, "The IDF will continue to expose how Hamas is using and exploiting the civilian population of Gaza".
 

A short while ago, the IDF thwarted a surface-to-air missile that was fired from Lebanon toward an IDF UAV, according to IDF.  In response, the IDF is striking the origin of the missile's fire.

Video activity of the IDF Ground Forces in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/FWt0pFO53q

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 28, 2023

Based on IDF and ISA intelligence, IDF fighter jets struck Ratib Abu Tzahiban, Commander of Hamas' Naval Forces of the Gaza City Brigade.

Tzahiban planned and commanded the naval infiltration attempt carried out on October 24th, which was thwarted by Israeli naval forces.

Additionally, Israeli Navy soldiers and the IAF provided support to IDF ground forces and struck numerous Hamas terror targets from the air and the sea. Among these terror targets were observation posts, anti-tank missile launchers, and a military compound.

IDF has shared a video of the activity of the IDF Ground Forces in the Gaza Strip: https://bit.ly/40bjQMx

Israel on Friday angrily dismissed a UN resolution urging a "humanitarian truce" in Gaza, with the country's ambassador calling it an "infamy" and saying Israel would continue to defend itself.

"This is a dark day for the UN and for mankind," Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said, vowing his country would use "every means" in fighting Hamas. "Today is a day that will go down as infamy. We have all witnessed that the UN no longer holds even one ounce of legitimacy or relevance," he said.

On October 27, Hezbollah terrorists attempted to launch rockets toward Israeli territory. The rockets fell in Syria. Overnight in response, an IDF fighter jet struck Hezbollah's military infrastructure in Lebanon, as per IDF's official telegram channel.  

33 🇮🇱 Children are held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, among them 10 toddlers under the age of 5#HamasislSIS #HamasMassacre #BringThemBackNow pic.twitter.com/zJIL8J5BZi

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 28, 2023

According to IDF,  Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck 150 underground targets in the northern Gaza Strip, including terror tunnels, underground combat spaces and additional underground infrastructure. Furthermore, several Hamas terrorists were killed. 

מטוסי קרב של חיל-האוויר תקפו הלילה כ-150 מטרות תת-קרקעיות בצפון רצועת עזה.
במהלך התקיפה חוסלו מחבלים של ארגון הטרור חמאס והושמדו מנהרות לחימה, מרחבי לחימה תת-קרקעיים ותשתיות טרור תת-קרקעיות נוספות. pic.twitter.com/Ojwb7vo285

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 28, 2023

Overnight, based on IDF and ISA intelligence, IDF fighter jets struck the Head of Hamas' Aerial Array, Asem Abu Rakaba. Abu Rakaba was responsible for Hamas' UAVs, drones, paragliders, aerial detection and aerial defense. He took part in planning the massacre in the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip on October 7th. He directed the terrorists who infiltrated Israel on paragliders and was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts. 

Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck Asem Abu Rakaba, the Head of Hamas' Aerial Array. 

Abu Rakaba was responsible for Hamas' UAVs, drones, paragliders, aerial detection and defense.

He took part in planning the October 7 massacre and commanded the terrorists who infiltrated…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 28, 2023

India abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly on Friday, October 27 on a Jordanian-led resolution that had no mention of Hamas in it. The resolution sought a ceasefire in Gaza and "unhindered" humanitarian access to the war-ravaged region. While explaining India's decision to abstain from voting, India's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Yojna Patel said that there is no justification for terror and the country is shocked by the October 7 terror attack on Israel.  India also called for the release of hostages held captive in Gaza by the Hamas Islamist terror group and welcomed all the efforts of de-escalation of tensions terming the humanitarian crisis in Gaza concerning. 
 

Hamas has said its militants are ready to confront Israeli attacks with "full force" after Israel announced it was expanding ground operations. Its fighters were clashing with Israeli troops in Gaza's northeastern town of Beit Hanoun and in the central area of Al-Bureij, both located near the border, the armed wing of Hamas said late last night.

Hamas operates within and hides beneath the largest hospital in Gaza. 
Their priorities are clear—and the people of Gaza are not among them. pic.twitter.com/7M4ZqjFyYs

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 27, 2023

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a call with Israel's defence minister, "underscored the importance of protecting civilians" during operations in Gaza, said the Pentagon. It comes after White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the US supported a pause in Israeli military activity in Gaza to get humanitarian aid, fuel and electricity to civilians there. He would not comment on the expanded ground operation, but said Washington supported Israel's right to defend itself, adding: “We're not drawing red lines for Israel.” He said that if getting more than 200 hostages abducted by Hamas out of Gaza required a localised temporary pause, the US supported that.

Hundreds of protesters demanding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas yesterday forced the closure of New York's Grand Central Station. Protesters poured out of the train station and onto 42nd Street in Manhattan.  They were heard chanting "ceasefire now!" while others held banners that read "mourn the dead, and fight like hell for the living". The demonstration was organised by the Jewish Voice for Peace campaign group, which announced they planned a sit-in. Multiple people were arrested, although it is not clear exactly how many. The station reopened after nearly two hours. 

Joe Biden has said in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson that America "stands ready to take further action" following attacks by Iran-linked groups against US forces in Iraq and Syria, reported Sky News. The US president's comments in the letter came after US fighter jets carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria on Friday. 

36 years of Hamas terrorizing Israel is more than enough. pic.twitter.com/NPSxSh525e

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 27, 2023

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Netanyahu wrote, “Hamas-ISIS is sick. They turn hospitals into headquarters for their terror. We just released intelligence proving it."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hamas-ISIS is sick.<br><br>They turn hospitals into headquarters for their terror.<br><br>We just released intelligence proving it.<br><br>Here it is: <a href="https://t.co/F82OxaIPN6">pic.twitter.com/F82OxaIPN6</a></p>&mdash; Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1717916845859078531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 The dull orange glow of Israeli flares shone in the night sky over Gaza, slowly descending through the haze to illuminate targets for warplanes before eventually flickering out, plunging the scene back into darkness.

Multiple explosions from Israeli airstrikes tore into northern Gaza on Friday, quick flashes of bright orange silhouetted against the rooftops of Palestinian apartments and refugee camps. The sharp crunching sound of the bombs followed each time, seconds later, one after another.

Overhead, the buzz of Israeli military drones cut through, growing quieter and louder as the crafts circled the airspace overhead.

For most Palestinians trapped in the Gaza Strip, their world has shrunk to these few sounds and colors.

Israel dramatically ramped up its bombardment Friday after knocking out internet and communication in Gaza, largely cutting off the tiny besieged enclave’s 2.3 million people from contact with each other and the outside world.

"In the last 24 hours, 14 additional UNRWA staff were killed, bringing the total to 53 staff killed since 7 October," the UN's refugee agency said in a statement.

🔺In the last 24 hours, 14 additional @UNRWA staff were killed, bringing the total to 53 staff killed since 7 October.

🔺Fuel remains one of the most urgent needs as current stocks are running out, forcing vital humanitarian services to a halt.https://t.co/5NlnCzzCbX pic.twitter.com/BYNzXiHUnw

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) October 27, 2023

"Fuel remains one of the most urgent needs as current stocks are running out, forcing vital humanitarian services to a halt," it further said. 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, has called for ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

"No words to describe the grief for the loss of 53 of our @UN colleagues in Palestine. We plea, we urge, we call for a ceasefire. The only way to stop these tragic losses is to work towards peace," he said in a post on X.

No words to describe the grief for the loss of 53 of our @UN colleagues in Palestine.

We plea, we urge, we call for a ceasefire. 

The only way to stop these tragic losses is to work towards peace. https://t.co/4lMzXcSsPk

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 27, 2023

As many as 53 UN officials have been killed since the war began on October 7, according to the UN. 
 

UN General Assembly has scheduled a vote on a resolution calling for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza leading to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, speaking on behalf of the U.N.’s 22-nation Arab group which drafted the resolution, called for a 3 p.m. EDT vote Friday, before all 112 speakers get to the assembly’s rostrum, because of the urgency of taking action.

Arab group is seeking action by the 193-member world body because of the failure of the more powerful 15-member U.N. Security Council to agree on a resolution after four attempts.

Unlike the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the General Assembly so the resolution is certain to be adopted. But while council resolutions are legally binding, assembly resolutions are not. They do, however, serve as an important barometer of world opinion.

(AP Report)

Social media messaging app Telegram has closed down several accounts for the militant Hamas group and its military wing that have been used to release messages and videos related to the Israel-Hamas war.

Telegram app installed via Google Play Store no longer allow access to the Hamas military channels.

When clicking on the account of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, which has nearly 693,000 followers, the page displays a message that reads: “Unfortunately, this channel couldn’t be displayed on your device.” The same message appears when opening the page of Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida that has 584,000 followers.

Hamas operates within and hides beneath the largest hospital in Gaza. 
Their priorities are clear—and the people of Gaza are not among them, IDF has said.

Hamas has several underground complexes in the "Shifaa" hospital situated in the Gaza Strip, which is the central and largest hospital located in the heart of Gaza. These netwoks of tunnels are used by the leaders of the terrorist organization Hamas to direct their activities, IDF said showing a simulator of the complexes.  The tunnel that reaches the hospital allows entrance to the Hamas headquarters without going through the hospital, the Israeli military said.

In addition, inside the hospital there is a Hamas internal security control center, which is widely staffed with armed men in routine and emergency situations and a terrorist headquarters is located, from which terrorist targeting of rocket fire, directing forces, storing IMD, weapons and ammunition is carried out.

The hospital has 1,500 beds and about 4,000 staff members who are a human shield for the leaders of the Hamas terrorist organization.

The entrance to the underground headquarters is made from a number of tunnel shafts adjacent to the hospital, and there is also an entrance from the hospitalization and treatment departments of the hospital.

The hospital's energy infrastructure that is supposed to be used by its patients is actually used at the same time by the organization's underground terrorist infrastructure and the organization's leaders.

The  leaders of the terrorist organization use this quota while endangering the civilian population. At the same time, Hamas also now controls the existing energy resources in the Strip and chooses to divert them to its needs at the expense of the needs of the civilian population.

As part of a special briefing for foreign press, the IDF unveiled a simulation proving that Hamas routinely uses humanitarian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. A spokesman detailed that Hamas terrorist group uses civilian spaces for the benefit of its terrorist activities “while utilizing the humanitarian shelter to protect its terrorists and the leaders of the terrorist organization.”

Operational Update with IDF Spokesperson https://t.co/3DenBv8hnS

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 27, 2023

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says, “We are imposing sanctions on eight individuals with ties to Hamas, including those who have played key roles in facilitating sanctions evasion by Hamas-affiliated companies, as well as sanctioning four entities for their ties to Hamas & other designated terrorist organizations.”

Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Deputy Mayor, Jerusalem told Republic on Friday in a televised interview that Israel and all parties involved “have to work hard to get our hostages back” held in the captivity of Hamas. 

Barrage of rockets fired from Hamas on IDF Operational base in Yakhini were foiled by Iron Dome System. Republic spoke to Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem who said that the Hamas rockets have caused widespread damages to the residential buildings in Israel leaving a trail of destruction.

Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Deputy Mayor, Jerusalem #LIVE on #BiggestStoryTonight #Israel #Hamas #IsraelHamas #Hamas #IsraelHamasWar 

WATCH only here-https://t.co/ozUsILtN7f pic.twitter.com/4nTcDjm5WD

— Republic (@republic) October 27, 2023

White House national security spokesman told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that US strikes on Iranian proxies in Syria were targeting storage and weapons facilities. “These strikes were in self defense,” John Kirby said.

He spoke hours after American fighter jets launched airstrikes on two locations linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Friday. The Pentagon said the strikes were in retaliation for a slew of drone and missile attacks on US bases.

Kirby said, “It’s not uncommon for them to strike back. If they do, we’ll absolutely do what we have to do to protect our troops and our facilities. We’ll be ready for that."

At least 8 more aid trucks are expected to enter the Gaza Strip carrying humanitarian aid, says UN Humanitarian Co-Ordinator.

“We have seen some deliveries of trucks starting. They started on the 21st of October. We have gotten in approximately 74 trucks. We're expecting another eight or so today,” Lynn Hastings said at a press briefing on Friday.

Scuffles between the Israeli police and Muslim worshippers have broken out at the al-Aqsa mosque known to Jewish people as temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. As skirmishes instensified the Israeli police has sealed off the entrance to the compound. 

The head of the UN Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has said that the aid levels in Gaza 'nothing more than crumbs'as hunger and disease has becomemajor problem in the Strip.

“Over the last week, I followed closely the focus about the number of trucks entering Gaza. Many of us saw in these trucks a glimmer of hope. This is, however, becoming a distraction,” Lazzarini said at a news conference in Jerusalem. 

Iran's deputy foreign minister for political affairs met Hamas representatives in Moscow, Russian state news agency Tass said Friday. Iran discussed a cease-fire and providing humanitarian support to Gaza at Thursday's meeting, Tass said.

United States has expanded its effort to cut off funding for Hamas, announcing a second round of sanctions against people and organizations linked to the group since it launched an attack on Israel that killed more than 1,400 people.

The new sanctions highlight Iran’s role in providing financial, logistical and operational support to Hamas, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control says in a statement. They include a Hamas representative in Iran and members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

“Today’s action underscores the United States’ commitment to dismantling Hamas’s funding networks by deploying our counterterrorism sanctions authorities and working with our global partners to deny Hamas the ability to exploit the international financial system,” Adeyemo says.

Among those targeted are Khaled Qaddoumi, described as a liaison between Hamas and the Iranian government; and Ali Morshed Shirazi and Mostafa Mohammad Khani, officials in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Qods Force who are accused of training and assisting Hamas terrorists.

The US also sanctioned a number of organizations, including the Iranian Bonyad Shahid, also known as the Martyrs Foundation. US officials say the group, which is affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, funnels millions of dollars through the Gaza-based Al-Ansar Charity Association for the families of militants.

(AP Report)

Russia has said that it finds any attempts [of Israel] to accuse it of supporting terrorism "absolutely unacceptable." Such claims "distort and erode our fundamental approaches as well as cast doubt on the purposeful work of our country to solve primary humanitarian tasks that meet the interests of the citizens of Russia, Israel, Palestine and other countries," Russia's Foreign Ministry said.

"Position of Russia is consistent, remains unchanged and has been repeatedly confirmed at all levels. We strongly condemn the use of terrorist methods, including the killing of civilians, taking hostage women, the elderly and children, who must be released. We consider unacceptable the manifestation of violence in any form against the civilian population, no matter what side it is on," the statement read.

"The main goal now is to cease fire and stop the bloodshed, the victims of which have already become thousands of innocent people, including citizens of our country. The fate of many is still unknown."
 

In Kfar Aza Kibbutz, South Israel, as many as 70 terrorists of Hamas launched an assault but they as fierce counter attacks by the IDF ensued, the terrorists were neutralised.

62 civilians were also killed by Hamas, while 17 others were abducted, Republic TV has learned. According to IDF, several children were slaughtered by Hamas terrorists who flooded the town from all four sides of the entrance, breaching the fence.

"It took two days for IDF to regain control of the area as it was occupied by terrorists of Hamas. The place is 500 mtrs from Gaza Border," Republic's correspondent reported from the warzone. 

"The Australian Government has serious concerns over the volatile security situation in Lebanon and the risk of the situation deteriorating further. Do not travel to Lebanon and if you're an Australian in Lebanon, you should consider leaving via the first available option," Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong wrote on 'X'.

Pentagon said that there was was an attempted attack at Irbil air base in Iraq but there were no casualties and only minor damage to the facilities. US Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, declined to detail which Iranian-backed groups may be responsible for the recent spate of attacks at bases in Iraq and Syria.

He said there have been at least 12 attacks in Iraq and four in Syria, and 21 US personnel sustained minor injuries in two separate attacks early last week. Of those, 19 had some type of traumatic brain injury, and all 21 returned to duty.

An explosion hit the Egyptian resort town of Taba on the border with Israel, wounding five people, Egyptian state-run media outlet Al Qahera News reported early Friday. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said in an interview with French radio station RTL that France wants hundreds of aid trucks daily for Gaza to reach there as soon as possible. “It is absolutely necessary to get aid into Gaza in a durable manner as soon as possible, in significantly greater volumes,” Colonna said during the interview. The latter said that she wants safety for 50 French citizens, including NGO workers, and their families who are seeking refuge at the French cultural center in Gaza. 

US military launched airstrikes early Friday on two locations in eastern Syria linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Pentagon said. The strikes come in retaliation for drone and missile attacks against U.S. bases and personnel in the region that began early last week.

The US wants to hit Iranian-backed groups suspected of targeting the US to deter future aggression, possibly fueled by Israel’s war against Hamas, while also working to avoid inflaming the region and provoking a wider conflict.

Israel's military said that it has verified the number of hostages currently being held by Hamas militants as 229. There has been widespread speculation as to the true number of civilians and servicemen and women held by the militant group, as authorities have scrambled to verify missing persons reports, as per Sky News. 

Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNWRA), has called on Israel to allow more aid into the Gaza Strip. 
 

"The siege means that food, water and fuel, all basic commodities, are being used to collectively punish more than two million people," he said. "There has been intense negotiation, endless shuttle diplomacy to open a new supply line."

He says that negotiations have only resulted in a handful of trucks making their way into the Strip. 

"This will not reverse the fact that Gaza is being strangled," he added. 

Eight more aid trucks are expected in the Gaza Strip later today, according to the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Palestine. 

Not long ago, we heard from Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNWRA), who said the "handful" of trucks that had made their way across the border does not "change the fact that Gaza is being strangled". 

"We have gotten in approximately 74 trucks. We're expecting another eight or so today," Lynn Hastings said. 

In the past 24 hours Israeli forces have conducted targeted raids in the central area of the Gaza Strip and struck dozens of Hamas targets, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said.

Ground forces, which were accompanied by fighter jets and drones struck targets in the Shuja'iyya area of the Strip, an IDF statement read. 

The European Union will provide 50 million euros (around $52 million) in additional humanitarian aid for Gaza, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday.

Speaking at a news conference in Brussels following the first day of the EU leaders' summit, von der Leyen said the first 56 metric tons of aid from the EU have already been delivered to Gaza via two flights to Egypt, reported CNN.

During their meeting Thursday, European leaders expressed concern about the deteriorating situation in Gaza and called for aid to reach those in need via "humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs" — stopping short of calling for a ceasefire.

Von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel both emphasized the bloc's commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis. The EU is in contact "with the leaders in the region to encourage solutions on the humanitarian front and release of the hostages," Michel said. Asked whether Hamas representatives will be participating in an upcoming conference aimed at resolving the conflict, Michel said he "doesn’t see any role" for the group, citing its designation as a terrorist organization.

The relatives of a family of six Americans trapped in Gaza have reached out to the US government to help get their loved ones out of the area. Shamiss Kaoud, of Moreno Valley, California, said she and her sister have been appealing to the US State Department daily to try to get her 68-year-old father, Jamal, his four brothers and one of her cousins evacuated from the war zone.

"No one is listening. No one is helping. It's as if nobody cares," she told reporters at a news conference in Anaheim, California. "Shouldn't being a US citizen matter?"

The group travelled to Gaza late last month to visit family. They have since made the journey to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza three times but have been unable to get out, reported Sky News. Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in greater Los Angeles, said the State Department has estimated around 600 Palestinian-Americans are stuck in Gaza.

"The life of every citizen in America should be the priority of our government," he said.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the Prime Minister of Israel wrote, “PM Netanyahu visited the Tekuma Authority, which is responsible for carrying out the national mission of rebuilding and developing the communities in the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip, which were significantly harmed in the murderous terrorist assault by Hamas on 7 October.” 

PM Netanyahu visited the Tekuma Authority, which is responsible for carrying out the national mission of rebuilding and developing the communities in the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip, which were significantly harmed in the murderous terrorist assault by Hamas on 7 October. pic.twitter.com/SkaiEoFj5I

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 26, 2023

OPERATIONAL UPDATE: The IDF conducted strikes on Hamas terrorist targets over the last 24 hours. 

IDF ground troops, fighter jets and UAVs struck: 

🔴 Anti-tank missile launch sites
🔴 Command & control centers
🔴 Hamas terrorist operatives

The troops exited the area and no… pic.twitter.com/yNdiY6XTby

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 27, 2023

Israel has a right and responsibility to go after Hamas after what happened on October 7, White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby said on Thursday (local time). Addressing a press briefing, Kirby said US President Joe Biden on Wednesday stressed the need to be careful while targeting Hamas leaders in a way that minimizes risk to civilians and collateral damage, reported ANI. Kirby's remarks come amid Israel's ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas after the latter launched coordinated attacks in southern Israel on October 7.
 

Amid Israel-Hamas war, approximately 900 US troops have been deployed or are being deployed to the Middle East amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder said on Thursday (local time), reported CNN. He stated that deployed or deploying units include Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery from Fort Bliss Texas, Patriot batteries from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Patriot and Avenger batteries from Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

Addressing a press briefing, Ryder said, "I can confirm that since our initial Force posture announcement approximately 900 troops have subsequently deployed or are in the process of deploying to the US Central Command area of responsibility these include forces that have been on prepared to deploy orders and which are deploying from the continental United States."

Israel's Electric Authority said that income from the sale of the "Eshkol" power station will be transferred "first and foremost" to cover expenses caused by the war in Gaza. Emergency preparedness in the energy sector in general and the electricity sector in particular is carried out on an ongoing basis. Therefore, the electricity tariff also includes costs for emergencies. The electricity sector has been prepared for an emergency in recent years by government decisions dedicated to the issue as well as by the policy principle "Preparing the electricity sector for an emergency from June 23, 2019" established by the then Minister of Energy, Yuval Steinitz, and which were not published for security reasons.
 

Here are the top 4 things that have happened so far:

• Israel's military said it carried out a "targeted raid" overnight in northern Gaza using tanks. The move came hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was preparing for a ground offensive following the deadly October 7 Hamas attacks.
• The main United Nations agency aiding Palestinians said Wednesday it will have to halt aid operations within a day if fuel is not delivered, saying it would mark the end of a "lifeline" for civilians.
• Pressure is building on the international community to get Israel to allow desperately needed aid into Gaza, with more countries advocating for a "humanitarian pause" in fighting. New satellite images revealed the devastation wrought by Israel's bombs.
• Israeli forces said they have killed the deputy head of the Hamas’ intelligence directorate, who they say is partially responsible for planning the attacks earlier this month.

The Israeli military has said it is aware of a security incident in an Egyptian Red Sea resort town near the border. It comes after Egypt's Al Qahera News reported that six people had been injured after a missile struck a medical facility early this morning. The blast in the town of Taba was reported by Al Qahera as being related to fighting between Israel and Gaza's Hamas militants. A witness in Taba, which is 136 miles from Gaza, reported hearing an explosion and seeing heavy smoke and dust rising. The missile reportedly struck an ambulance facility and a residential building for the administration of the Taba Hospital. 

Based on precise IDF and ISA intelligence, IDF fighter jets struck 3 senior Hamas operatives in the Daraj Tuffah Battalion. 

The battalion's operatives played a significant role in the invasion and murderous attack against Israel on October 7, and is considered to be the most… pic.twitter.com/WOnmE2Cv3O

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 26, 2023

These words will never compare to the torture and pain many victims underwent.

This is a testimony from a volunteer in Zaka—Israel’s disaster victim identification organization—regarding the Oct. 7 massacre. pic.twitter.com/sn2Kjiwcvn

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 26, 2023

The number of French citizens who died in Hamas’ attacks on Israel has risen to 35, France’s foreign ministry has said on Thursday. "France deplores the tragic deaths of new French nationals, which brings to thirty-five the number of French victims in the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel. We send our condolences to their loved ones," the ministry wrote on X. 

About 200 British nationals or dual nationals have registered with UK authorities to say that they are in Gaza, Downing Street has said on Thursday, The Guardian reported. “We obviously want to ensure that those British nationals that do want to leave can get out of Gaza. That’s something that we’ve been working on intensely over the past few days,” UK PM Rishi Sunak's official spokesperson told reporters. “In terms of whether all of the numbers that are registered do want to leave, I can’t be definitive. But clearly, we are working to enable crossings to be able to open so that people can leave should they wish," he added. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the West of indifference toward the suffering of Muslims. “How many more children must die before the EU Commission can call for a ceasefire?” he said in a televised speech that was later quoted on social media. “How many more tons of bombs must fall on Gaza for the United Nations Security Council to take action?”

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that a delegation from Hamas is currently visiting Moscow, RIA Novosti reported. Russia has ties to all key players in the Middle East, including Israel, Iran, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

Moscow has repeatedly blamed the current crisis on the failure of US diplomacy and called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the resumption of talks aimed at finding a peace settlement.

Separately, Zakharova also said that Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baghiri Kani was also currently visiting Moscow and had held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin. Baghiri Kani is Iran's chief nuclear negotiator.

The foreign ministers of nine Arab nations issued a joint statement in which they called on the UN Security Council to implement an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Morocco blast Israel for killing civilians in Gaza, arguing that “self-defence does not justify violations of international law, and deliberate disregard for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.” They also condemn the displacement of Palestinians and accuse Israel of implementing “collective punishment” against the Palestinians, The Times of Israel reported. 

On Thursday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met a "war hero" who saved 30 people amid the ongoing crisis. "I was greatly moved to meet an Israeli hero in Rahat, Youssef Alziadna, who on that dark day, with extraordinary courage and determination, saved at least 30 young people, including some already wounded, at attack on the music festival in Re'im," Herzog wrote on X. "I am an Israeli citizen and I knew I had to go in and save them," he told me. Thank you Youssef. You are part of the beautiful face of the State of Israel!," he added. 

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that while the military operation to eliminate Hamas is necessary, it needs to be carried out within the boundaries of international law. “Unfortunately, a military operation needs to take place to eliminate Hamas, there is no other way, otherwise Israel cannot survive in the long run,” Rutte said as he arrived in Brussels for an EU summit. “But this should be done with a minimum of damage to the civilian population," he added. 

The Israeli Defense Forces said that it has struck and killed the head of Hamas’s North Khan Younis rocket array, Hassan al-Abdullah. "IDF fighter jets carried out a precise air strike based on IDF and ISA intelligence and eliminated the Commander of Hamas' Northern Khan Yunis Rockets Array, Hassan Al-Abdullah," the IDF said. 

Amid the Israel-Hamas war, China said that it will provide approximately $2.05 million (RMB 15 million) in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. According to a statement from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), the country's foreign aid and development organization, the aid will be comprised of food, medicine and other emergency humanitarian aid supplies. It added that it comes on top of $1 million in aid China has previously provided.  

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that his country has "pre-positioned" border force teams in Egypt to help any British nationals trying to leave Gaza. "We're very keen to be able to bring them out and bring them home. What I can tell you is we've pre-positioned border force teams to Egypt. So that if there is a possibility for our nationals to cross the Rafah crossing, we're ready to get them in and bring them back," Sunak said. "So it's not something we can do immediately but when the moment arises, we'll be ready to take it quickly," he added. 

After a long political tussle, 12 aid trucks entered Gaza today,  bringing food, water and medicine, Channel 12 reported. This brings the total number of trucks to have entered the Strip in recent days to 74.

Image: Maxar

The Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister calls Israel’s offensive in Gaza a “war of revenge,” as he called for a ceasefire in the conflict. “This time the war that Israel is waging is different. This time… it’s a war of revenge,” Riyad al-Maliki said during his key note speech in The Hague. “First we need to end this one-sided aggression and then we need to call for a ceasefire," he added. 

On Thursday, The Israel Defense Forces said that its troops have detained 46 members of the Hamas terror group in overnight arrest raids across the West Bank. There have been numerous clashes between IDF forces and Palestinians in the West Bank in the past two weeks, and several attempted terror attacks, The Times of Israel reported. According to the Palestinian Authority health ministry, around 100 West Bank Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, and in some cases settlers, since October 7.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Pope Francis that the world's silence on the "Gaza massacre" is embarrassing. All countries must raise their voice against the humanitarian crisis in the region, Erdogan said. "Israel's attacks on Gaza, for both itself and those supporting them, amount to murder and mental illness," he averred. 

Saleh al-Arouri, the Lebanon-based deputy head of the Hamas political bureau issued a new warning to the Israeli forces and said that “the battles have not begun yet.” In a phone interview with al-Manar, the TV channel of Hezbollah, al-Arouri says that Hamas leaders are in constant communication with Hezbollah. deputy chief, Saleh al-Arouri, in Beirut, Lebanon. (Hezbollah Media Relations Office, via AP )
Saleh al-Arouri, the Lebanon-based deputy head of the Hamas political bureau, says that “the battles have not begun yet.”

In a phone interview with al-Manar, the TV channel of Hezbollah, al-Arouri says that Hamas leaders are in constant communication with Hezbollah, and reveals that he met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on October 7, the day of Hamas’ onslaught on Israel, and that not all their meetings are made public. “Our battle is also Hezbollah’s battle,” he added. 

The World Health Organization has said that it has supplies on standby across the border in Egypt and called for "immediate and uninterrupted" access into Gaza. "Across the border in Egypt, WHO has enough supplies on standby for Gaza to provide:

▪️ Surgical interventions for 3700 trauma patients

▪️ Basic and essential health services for 110,000 people

▪️Medical equipment for 20,000 patients suffering from chronic diseases," the International body wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. 

The leaders of the European Union are set to call for the establishment of "humanitarian corridors and pauses" to deliver aid to Gaza. "The European Council expresses its gravest concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses," the final draft of the text approved by Brussels reads, Sky News reported. Some Western countries, including the UK, have called for pauses instead of a ceasefire - as the latter would, they say, hamper Israel's attempt to take on Hamas. 

British deputy PM Oliver Dowden has said that the British cabinet will convene an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss its approach towards the Israel-Gaza war.

The October 7 terrorist attack has left a scar on Israel and it is a fresh one. Israel's Health Ministry has disclosed that 267 people are still hospitalized. Out of these 267, 50 innocents are in serious condition. 

Red Cross has said that it hopes it'll be able to send 8-10 trucks of medical aid into Gaza today. An official of the Red Cross, William Schomburg said that “this is a small amount of what is required, a drop in the ocean if you will, given the severity of the consequences of the violence in the last two and a half weeks". 

Hamas is asking its supporters around the world to carry out mass protests on Friday, to demand the reopening of the Rafah border crossing. “We call on our people throughout the homeland and outside, and on all the members of the Arab and Islamic nation, and the free people of the world, to intensify the popular mobilization in the coming days, and to demonstrate actively on Friday and Sunday under the slogan ‘Open the Rafah crossing’ and ‘Stop the genocidal war on Gaza,’” a statement from Hamas reads, as per a report from Times of Israel. 

Israeli media is reporting that evacuation of communities from border areas will be extended up until 31st December. This is being done to ensure they don't come in harm's way, when the war escalates.

Australia's PM, during a joint news conference with US President Joe Biden, announced an additional $15 million in aid to Gaza, which takes the total amount promised by Australia to $25 million.  

IDF has carried out a brief ground incursion into Gaza, with armoured vehicles. This information was disseminated by Galatz. The Guardian is reporting that it was a relatively "large" ground incursion.

In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, the United States is witnessing a disturbing spike in anti-Semitic incidents, with reports of harassment, vandalism, and assaults surging by 388% compared to the same period last year, according to a new report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). This sharp increase in antisemitism has raised concerns among experts who fear the emergence of hate crimes targeting both Jewish and Muslim communities.

The ADL Center on Extremism released early figures that demonstrate a troubling rise in anti-Semitic cases following the Israel-Hamas conflict. The conflict, characterized by the ADL as an "attack in Israel," appears to have ignited the surge in reported incidents. Between October 7 and October 23, 2023, the ADL documented a total of 312 anti-Semitic cases. Of these, 190 were directly linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

This dramatic increase stands in stark contrast to the same period last year when the ADL recorded preliminary reports of only 64 incidents, with just four related to Israel. The numbers indicate a 388% year-over-year rise in anti-Semitic incidents, painting a worrisome picture of the current situation in the United States.

IDF's Spokesperson LTC Jonathan Conricus has said that, "Hamas which governs the Gaza Strip stores fuel - both diesel fuel, benzene and other types of fuel. It is all inside the Gaza Strip and there is enough for many days for hospitals and water pumps to run. Only the priorities are different. Hamas prefers to have all the fuel for its war-fighting capabilities, leaving civilians without it..." 

The draft resolution by the US affirmed the right of member states to defend themselves against threats to peace and security posed by acts of terrorism. It called for all measures  specifically humanitarian pauses  to allow for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered access into Gaza, territory ruled by Hamas militants.

The Council's permanent members Russia and China vetoed the US-led resolution.

US has finally elected its House Speaker, after days of chaos. The first measure that passed was a resolution in support of Israel, in its war against Hamas. Other than 9 Democrats and one Republican who voted against it, and 6 lawmakers who just voted present, every lawmaker voted in favor of it. The final tally was 412 to 10.

On Wednesday, Israel rejected  Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s assertion that the Palestinian militant group Hamas was “not a terrorist organization”. “Israel wholeheartedly rejects the Turkish president’s harsh words about the terrorist organization Hamas,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat wrote on social media. “Even the Turkish president’s attempt to defend the terrorist organization and his inciting words will not change the horrors that the whole world has seen,” Haiat wrote.
 

The time has come for India to proscribe Hamas as a terrorist organisation like many other nations have done, Israeli ambassador Naor Gilon said on Wednesday.

The Israeli envoy, at an interaction with journalists, also thanked India for its "100 per cent" support to Israel in its anti-terror operations against Hamas.

Gilon said Israel conveyed to relevant Indian authorities to declare Hamas as a terrorist organisation following its brutal attack on Israel on October 7.

At the same time, he indicated that the matter was taken up earlier as well.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among first world leaders to condemn the terror attack... India is a very important moral voice in the world and the important countries for us are with us," Gilon said.

"It is time for India to declare Hamas as terrorist organisation in India," he said, adding many countries have already done that.

Source: PTI

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the US of “directing” Israel’s attack on Gaza, The Guardian reported, Speaking in Tehran Khamenei said “America is a definite accomplice of criminals. The US is in some way directing the crime that is being committed in Gaza.” He added that the US was “tainted with the blood of the oppressed, children, patients, women and others.”
 

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that he supports a pause in the ongoing conflict to allow aid to be delivered to both Israelis and Palestinians.

Sunak said that Israel has the right to respond militarily to Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack as long as it follows international law.

He tells lawmakers in the House of Commons that the United Kingdom is working to get aid into besieged Gaza, including a Royal Air Force plane carrying 21 tons of aid that is flying to Cyprus on Wednesday bound for the region.

He says that British officials and allies at the United Nations had discussed “specific pauses, as distinct from a ceasefire” to allow aid into Gaza and let UK citizens and other foreign nationals leave.
 

Irate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a speech Wednesday whitewashed the terrorist group Hamas saying that they are a “liberation group” and not terrorists. Erdogan labelled Hamas terrroists who led the Oct. 7 atrocities on the Israeli civilians as “mujahideen fighting to protect their land and citizens.”

“The West got together and sees Hamas as a terror organization. Israel, you may act like an organization, because the West owes you a lot. But Turkey doesn’t owe you,” Erdogan said at the Turkish parliament.

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Cairo on Wednesday following his visit to Jordan, the Élysée Palace was reported saying. 

As the Israel-Hamas war continues to rage on for 19 days straight, the UK's Royal Airforce is en route to Egypt to deliver vital aid to the Palestinians stuck in Gaza. "A @RoyalAirForce C-17 aircraft is en route to Egypt to deliver vital humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, including 76,800 wound care packs, 1,350 water filters and 2,5560 solar lights," the British Ministry of Defence wrote on X, sharing the video of the flight taking off. 

As the Israel-Hamas war continues to rage on for 19 days straight, An Israeli airstrike has targeted Syria's Aleppo airport for a fourth time in two weeks, according to Syrian state TV. A Syrian military source said the Israeli "enemy" carried out an "air attack" from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, Sky News reported. Israel has reportedly struck the airport several times since the start of the conflict - with Syria's Damascus airport also coming under fire.
 

The Israeli foreign ministry on Wednesday said that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's comments "tarnished the UN's image". It said in a statement that Mr Guterres's comments at the UN Security Council yesterday "provoke anger and astonishment and tarnish both him and the organisation he heads".

The ministry went as far as accusing the UN chief of "supporting the monstrous violence" of Hamas in its 7 October attacks.

"The UN secretary-general must retract his words, implement deep personal soul-searching and apologise for his statement," it said in the statement posted to X.

Qatar is hopeful for a breakthrough soon on negotiations to release hostages held by Hamas, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Wednesday. “If we will be able to get along between the two parties, I think we will see some breakthrough hopefully soon,” he told a news conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. “The negotiations are still ongoing,” Al Thani said.  Meanwhile, Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi lauded Qatar's effort amid the ongoing war. "I’m pleased to say that Qatar is becoming an essential party and stakeholder in the facilitation of humanitarian solutions. Qatar’s diplomatic efforts are crucial at this time," Hanegbi wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that the only outcome of the Israel-Hamas war is either peace or a world war. "We are at a turning point in history. Either we reach a lasting peace or a world war will break out. We call on all parties, regional and international stakeholders, to listen to the voice of reason. And those who are encouraging Israel to continue its crimes are also liable. If we don’t act fast, we will have darker days to come," he said, as per the reports by The Guardian. "Israel must realise it cannot have peace and security with violence. Today’s victory might lead to future defeat. The only solution is to have an independent Palestinian state established on the basis of the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital," he added. 
 

Israeli PMO spokesperson Eylon Levy shared the Republic's exclusive interview with the Chief Sergeant of Israeli Special Forces. "Israeli special forces paramedic describes the aftermath of the brutal rape and execution of Israeli girls in Be’eri during the October 7 Massacre. via @republic," Levy wrote on X, sharing the snippet from the interview. 

Amid the Israel-Hamas war, IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said that his "heart weeps" for the civilians of Gaza who got caught up in the ongoing crises. "I watched the dramatic images you showed [from Gaza] and my heart weeps for all of the civilians that are caught up in this," Lerner told Sky News. "I hope that the people of Gaza will have the peace they deserve just as the people of Israel deserve," he added. The IDF spokesperson noted that the body is  "making necessary preparations" for the upcoming ground incursion. "With every day that goes by, we are getting more information, more intelligence," he said. 
 

As the Israel-Hamas war continues to escalate for 19 days straight,  the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said that the relief operation in Gaza may be forced to halt by Wednesday. "🛑@UNRW warning: If we do not get fuel urgently, we will be forced to halt our operations in the📍#GazaStrip as of tomorrow night.🆘 @UN agency says its #Gaza operation will end tomorrow 'if we don't get fuel'," the body wrote on X formally known as Twitter.

Intelligence shared with the United States suggests a small cell of Hamas operatives planning the deadly surprise attack on Israel communicated via a network of hardwired phones built into the network of tunnels underneath Gaza over a period of two years. The phone lines allowed the operatives to communicate with one another in secret and were not under the radar of the Israeli intelligence officials, the sources told CNN. They avoided using computers or cell phones during the two-year period to evade detection by Israeli or US intelligence, the sources said.

“An assessment was made of…what the parties of the resistance axis must do at this sensitive stage to achieve a real victory for the resistance in Gaza and Palestine and to stop the treacherous and brutal aggression against our people,” the statement reads, as per a report from CNN.

Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong has argued for a humanitarian pause. “We call for humanitarian pauses on hostilities, so food, water, medicine and other essential assistance can reach people in desperate need, and so civilians can get to safety,” she said. 

The IDF and ISA have released a joint statement, disclosing that Commander of a prominent battalion under Hamas was killed.

"IDF soldiers, based on IDF and ISA intelligence, killed the Commander of the North Khan Yunis Battalion of the Hamas terrorist organization, Taysir Mubasher. In the past, he served as the Commander of Hamas' naval forces and held several positions in weapons manufacturing.

Mubasher has extensive experience in the military and as a commander, directing terror attacks, and he is a relative to senior Hamas operatives, including Mohammed Deif, the supreme commander of the military wing of Hamas.

Mubasher was responsible for numerous terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers throughout the years including the terror attack in "Atzmona" Mechina, in which five of the Mechina students were killed and several more were injured.

Furthermore, intelligence shows that Mubasher manufactured the explosive devices used to explode a tunnel under an IDF post in Gush Katif in 2004, which killed an IDF soldier a injured several more, In addition, Mubasher directed the terror attack in the Vered Post in 2003, and was involved in the infiltration into Zikim beaches during Operation "Protective Edge".

During the war, 300 rockets and mortar shells were launched from Khan Yunis toward Israeli territory,'' reads the statement. 

Israel has said it refused visa to UN humanitarian affairs chief Martin Griffiths due to the comments made by UN Secretary General during the UNSC meeting. Israel's ambassador to UN, Gilad Erdan said during an interview to Galatz, said that "Due to his remarks we will refuse to issue visas to UN representatives. We have already refused a visa for under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs Martin Griffiths. The time has come to teach them a lesson."

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has met Hamas deputy head Saleh al-Arouri and Palestinian Islamic Jihad Chief Ziyad al-Nakhalah

Meeting took place in Beirut, Lebanon.

SANA, the Syrian state news agency is claiming that 8 Syrian soldiers were killed as a result of Israeli airstrike on the nation's southwestern region. IDF has said its fighter jets have carried out airstrikes on Syrian military infrastructure.

According to a report from CNN news, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the ground offensive is "coming". 

UNRA is saying that it may be forced to close its operations in Gaza by tonight if no fuel is delivered. 

במהלך תקיפות נרחבות ברצועת עזה ביממה האחרונה, צה"ל בהכוונת שב״כ חיסל פעילים ותשתיות טרור של חמאס. בין המטרות שהושמדו: פירי מנהרות, מפקדות צבאיות, מחסני אמצעי לחימה ועמדות שיגור פצצות מרגמה וטילי נ"ט. pic.twitter.com/LN09zMc87Z

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 25, 2023

“Look how many I killed with my own hands! Your son killed Jews!”

Listen to a phone call of a Hamas terrorist calling home, bragging about how many people he massacred.

The whole world needs to hear this. pic.twitter.com/Xv0ykyxvrF

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 24, 2023

In a recent address to the United Nations Security Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered some of his most resolute comments on the situation in Gaza, denouncing what he termed "clear violations of international law." The Secretary-General's statement came as mounting international pressure was being exerted on the Israeli government to temporarily halt its bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip and allow essential humanitarian aid to reach the affected population.

Guterres acknowledged that the deadly assault by Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern Israel on October 7th did not occur in isolation. He underscored the broader context of a Palestinian population that has endured 56 years of what he termed a "suffocating occupation." However, Guterres maintained that these grievances could not justify the "appalling attacks" witnessed in the region.

The UN Chief's remarks immediately elicited a sharp and furious response from Israeli officials. Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, characterized Guterres' comments as "shocking" and went so far as to call for the Secretary-General's resignation. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen registered his protest by canceling a scheduled meeting with the Secretary-General.

In a strategic move, the United States is leveraging Israel's delay in launching a ground offensive in Gaza to reinforce its defensive capabilities in the region. This decision stems from growing concerns that Iran and its proxy forces may intensify attacks on US troops and allied interests once Israel's military invasion commences.

The move to strengthen security in the region and establish a robust defense capability as a deterrent against Iran comes in the wake of approximately a dozen attacks on US military personnel since October 18, resulting in injuries to two dozen US personnel. With Israel preparing for its impending military assault on Gaza, Washington is bracing for more attacks on its troops and interests.

While Israeli officials have cited internal disagreements within their security apparatus as a contributing factor to the delay in the planned invasion, the US has played an active role in scrutinizing Israel's strategy, seeking to enhance its effectiveness. This collaboration between the two allies has allowed the Israeli military to refine its plans for the offensive.

When questioned about whether the US was urging Israel to delay the ground invasion, President Joe Biden emphasized Israel's autonomy in making such decisions. Nevertheless, officials and military strategists in Washington view the delay positively, as it has afforded the US time to deploy air defense systems, additional personnel, and ships to the region, bolstering its capacity to safeguard its personnel and discourage Iranian aggression amid rising tensions in the region.

In a significant diplomatic move, India has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in Israel and Palestine, highlighting the deteriorating security situation and the substantial loss of civilian lives. During a recent meeting at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India's Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador R. Ravindra, called for immediate action to address the mounting humanitarian crisis and foster conditions conducive to peace.

Ambassador Ravindra's remarks at the UNSC meeting underscored India's apprehension regarding the ongoing conflict and the alarming loss of civilian lives. He emphasized the dire humanitarian situation, exacerbated by the recent escalation of hostilities, and reiterated the fragile nature of the ceasefire in the region.

Of particular concern to India are the civilian casualties resulting from the conflict, especially among women and children. Ambassador Ravindra called on all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians and address the unfolding humanitarian crisis. India urged the conflicting parties to create the necessary conditions for peace and to restart direct negotiations by de-escalating the situation and ending violence.

In an interview with Republic, a spokesperson for the Israeli PMO has said that the ground invasion will happen soon. US wants Israel to delay the ground invasion, although, it isn't clear how much say US has on the issue.   

"In my ideal view of this, Israel should be able to make the decisions of how it defends itself and its national self-existence. And we provide a diplomatic Iron Dome for Israel to be able to carry that out. And that's it. No money," Ramaswamy said in a recent interview.

"Tell Iran, tell its proxies in public, in private, through every means. Do not open another front against Israel in this conflict. Do not attack Israel's partners," Blinken said to the Security Council.

The US has issued a stern warning to Iran. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, whilst addressing the UNSC, said that "If Iran or its proxies attack U.S. personnel anywhere, make no mistake, we will defend our people."

Following the initial report, two launches were identified from Syria towards Israeli territory, which fell in open areas, said Israel Defense Force (IDF). The IDF is responding with artillery fire at the sources of the launch, the IDF added. 

Riyad al-Maliki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine* at the UNSC meeting said that the Security Council and the international community has a duty and an obligation to save lives.

“Continued failure at this [Security] Council is inexcusable,” he stressed.

He emphasized that only “international law and peace” were worthy of unconditional support by countries, adding that “more injustice and more killing, will not make Israel safer.”

“No amount of weapons, no alliance, will bring it security – only peace will, peace with Palestine and its people,” he said, stating: “the fate of the Palestinian people cannot continue to be dispossession, displacement, denial of rights and death. Our freedom is the condition of share peace and security.”

Al-Maliki stressed that avoiding an even greater humanitarian catastrophe and regional spillover, “it must be clear that this can only be achieved by putting an immediate end to the Israeli war launched against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Stop the bloodshed.”

Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen calls Hamas atrocities and it holding hostages as "living nightmare" at the UN Security Council meeting. Recalling the 7 October attacks on Israel, he said the day “will go down in history as a brutal massacre” and a “wake-up call” against extremism and terrorism.

"Hamas are the new Nazis,” he said, calling for immediate access to hostages and their unconditional release. “You, members of the international community, should demand Qatar to do just that,” he said. “The meeting should conclude with a clear message: Bring them home.”

UN Security Council is holding debate on Middle East over Israel-Hamas conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned "all acts of terrorism are unlawful and unjustifiable” at UN.

"Let us not forget that among the more than 1,400 people that Hamas killed on october 7 were citizens from more than 30 UN member states. The victims included at least 33 american citizens. Every one of us has a stake – and a responsibility – in defeating terrorism" he asserted.

Israel PMO spokesperson said that Hamas is "evil organisation," and that "enough is enough." Speaking to Republic TV, Eylon Levy said that Israel is fighting the Hamas in order to “live peacefully with palestinians.”

"The people of Israel were attacked in the most brutal way.  Once we free our territory then we can create a space that's peaceful," said Levy.  

#BurningQuestion | Hamas is an enemy of humanity and civilization: Israel PMO spokesperson @EylonALevy

Tune in- https://t.co/2qaLPoaDn5#Israel #IsraelHamasWar #IsraelHamasConflict #Gaza #GazaStrip pic.twitter.com/H52bxFywcC

— Republic (@republic) October 24, 2023

Levy labelled Hamas "an enemy of humanity and civilization." He continued that Iran backed Hezbollah "is an another terror organisation" that is threatening the Middle East region.

"Our aim is to go after Hamas. We don't want to fight Hezbollah and Hamas at the same time but we are getting ready for the next stage," said Levy. 

Israel's PMO spokesperson Levy said Hamas has committed crimes against humanity. "I saw burnt bodies of women, men and babies. That's the crime that Hamas committed. The war that was started by Hamas will definitely end."

“The situation in Gaza is such that Hamas has embedded deep into the Gaza Strip. So we request the people to move to a safer place. When we destroy Hamas, a new reality will come to the fore. We need to build a new reality in the Gaza Strip," said Israel PMO spokesperson.

“Not going to speculate but ground incursion is going to happen. This war is going to end when there is no organization or Hamas that is able to harm our people. Every Hamas terrorist and everyone who is involved in the October 7 massacre is a legitimate military target,” Israel PMO spokesperson Levy told Republic TV in an exclusive interview.

"Israel is going to destroy hamas. We don't have a choice as they have tortured and killed our people," Eylon Levy, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesperson said in an exclusive interview with Republic TV.

#BurningQuestion | Israel is going to destroy Hamas. We don't have a choice as they have tortured and killed our people. This time we are going to get Hamas...We are also getting support internationally: Israel PMO spokesperson @EylonALevy 

Tune in- https://t.co/2qaLPoaDn5… pic.twitter.com/OuDf2ZGIgg

— Republic (@republic) October 24, 2023

Eylon Levy, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesperson in an exclusive interview with Republic TV said that Israel was focused on rushing Hamas. "This time we're going to get Hamas," Levy told Republic TV. "Israel needs to win this war. We are also getting support internationally," he added.

#BurningQuestion | Republic's @shawansen speaks to Israel PMO spokesperson @EylonALevy in an exclusive conversation 

Tune in- https://t.co/2qaLPoaDn5#Israel #IsraelHamasWar #IsraelHamasConflict #Gaza #GazaStrip pic.twitter.com/5A01Nq1XZm

— Republic (@republic) October 24, 2023

Deputy Commander of the Sheikh Radwan Battalion has said that over the past few hours, IDF acted on precise ISA intelligence and killed a number of Hamas terrorist organization operatives. It included Abed Alrahman, the Deputy Commander of the Nuseirat Battalion, who took part in the Kibbutz Be'eri massacre, Khalil Muhajez, Deputy Commander of the Shati Battalion, Khalil Tatri, the Deputy Commander of the Sheikh Radwan Battalion.

12 British nationals were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said.

“We can confirm at least 12 British nationals were tragically killed in last week's terrorist attacks,” the spokesperson said. At least five Britons were still missing. Spokesperson ontinued that UK cannot be "more specific” on the number of UK nationals captured by Hamas.

“United States remains committed to the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and to self-determination. The actions of Hamas terrorists don’t take that right away,” Biden has said.

Secretary Antony Blinken at the UN Security Council meeting remarked on the situation in the Middle East. “Will reaffirm Israel’s right to defend itself and discuss work to secure the release of hostages, prevent the conflict from spreading, and enhance humanitarian support for Gaza,” Blinken said.

Prominent Lebanese Christian politician Gebran Bassil, allied with Hezbollah said Tuesday that Lebanon would not initiate a war with Israel but would defend itself if attacked.

The comments by Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement of former President Michel Aoun, came as sporadic clashes continue on the Lebanese border with Israel between Hezbollah and armed Palestinian groups in Lebanon on one side and Israeli forces on the other.

“No one can drag us into war unless the Israeli enemy attacks us, and then we will be forced to defend ourselves,” Bassil said after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, another Hezbollah ally. Bassil also spoke by phone to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Monday. “All the Lebanese agree that they do not want war, but that does not mean that we should allow ourselves to be attacked without a response," he added. 

Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have killed more than 700 people in the past day, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza said Tuesday.

That represented a massive increase in the death toll amid widening Israeli bombing attacks in the territory.

Israel has been bombing Gaza since Hamas militants attacked southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7.

That has brought the death toll from the war to 5,791, including 2,360 children, ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement. At least 16,297 others were wounded, he said.

He said they have received 1,550 reports of missing people, including 870 children, suggesting that those missing could still be under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

(AP Input)

The World Health Organization said 12 hospitals out of a total of 35 in Gaza were not functioning as of Monday. It said 46 out of 72 health care facilities across Gaza, or 64%, were not operating, mostly in Gaza city and northern Gaza.

Al-Qidra said the health facilities went out of service because of the attacks or because of a lack of fuel to keep them operating. “The Health Ministry announces a total collapse of hospitals in Gaza Strip,” he said.

Al-Qidra called for the Egyptian government to open the Rafah crossing point and ensure the delivery of medical supplies and fuel to Gaza and allow the wounded to be treated in Egypt. Egypt says it didn’t close the crossing, but Israeli airstrikes on its Palestinian side forced its closure.

US is issuing a new warning to ships traveling through the Red Sea after a drone and missile attack launched from Yemen during the Israel-Hamas war. The US Maritime Administration warning on Tuesday urged vessels to “exercise caution when transiting this region.” The US Navy says it shot down missiles and drones believed to have been launched by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in recent days amid wider tensions across the Middle East over the war.

(AP Input)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the United States sent at least two urgent messages to Iran about the escalating tensions and attacks on its military bases in the Middle East.  “The first message said that the United States is not interested in expanding the war, and the second message asked Iran to have self-restraint and insisted that Iran should also ask other countries and other sides to have self-restraint,” Abdollahian said during a news conference in Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel’s fight against Hamas “could be a long war” and that the terrorist group ”must be destroyed" as it has has taken lives of more than 1,400 people since its raid. Speaking at a news conference in Jerusalem alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Netanyahu said that Israel will inflict the defeat Hamas or “we will all lose.” "I hope they heed our warning. They will suffer horrible consequences,” Netanyahu said during the press conference.

A prominent Lebanese Christian politician allied with Hezbollah said Tuesday that Lebanon would not initiate a war with Israel but would defend itself if attacked.

The comments by Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement of former President Michel Aoun, came as sporadic clashes continue on the Lebanese border with Israel between Hezbollah and armed Palestinian groups in Lebanon on one side and Israeli forces on the other.

“No one can drag us into war unless the Israeli enemy attacks us, and then we will be forced to defend ourselves,” Bassil said after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, another Hezbollah ally. Bassil also spoke by phone to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Monday. “All the Lebanese agree that they do not want war, but that does not mean that we should allow ourselves to be attacked without a response.”

(AP Input)

Speaking at the investor conference, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga said that the Israel-Hamas war can cause a "serious" blow to the world economy. "What just happened recently in Israel and Gaza - at the end of the day you put all this together, I think the impact on economic development is even more serious," Banga asserted. "I think we're at a very dangerous juncture,' he added. The war has already hit Israel's economy, prompting the Bank of Israel to cut growth forecasts, Sky news reported. 

On Tuesday, families of Israeli hostages and victims of Hamas conducted a joint press conference to share their plight. British-Israeli Ayelet Svatitzky, whose mother and brother were taken hostage to Gaza and whose other brother was murdered, said her life at the moment is spent worrying about her missing relatives, Sky News reported. It is "too painful" to deal with the loss of her brother at the moment, she said.

Ofri Bibas Levi, whose brother, wife and children were snatched from their home, and David Bar, who lost his sister-in-law in Hamas's attack, are also at the news conference.

Macron says that he and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu "had great precise discussion" about the ongoing situation in Israel.

French President Macron has said that he has come to Israel "to express my support" in country's fight against Hamas. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Jerusalem and was hosted by Israeli President Isaac Herzog who said that Israel is “committed to overcome, and we are committed to destroying our enemies.”

“The situation is extremely complicated and fragile,” said Herzog, adding that the terror group massacred 1,400 people in southern Israel on October 7 and took some 220 hostage. Herzog stressed that “we are demanding the full and immediate release of all our citizens.”

Israel’s prime minister Netanyahu says that French president Emmanuel Macron "is here and standing with us!"

Pentagon has sent military advisers, including a Marine Corps general versed in urban warfare, to Israel to aid in its war planning and is speeding multiple sophisticated air defense systems to the Middle East days ahead of an anticipated ground assault into Gaza.

One of the officers leading the assistance is Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, who previously helped lead special operations forces against the Islamic State and served in Fallujah, Iraq, during some of the most heated urban combat there, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss Glynn’s role and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Glynn will also be advising on how to mitigate civilian casualties in urban warfare, the official said.

(AP Input)