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Live Updates: Israel’s Army Intensifies Ground Operations in Gaza

by Chloe Baker
10 comments
Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that they will escalate their ground operations in the Gaza Strip as of Friday night. This revelation came shortly after a second ground incursion within as many days, and following comments from Israel’s Defense Minister suggesting a protracted and challenging ground assault on the Hamas-controlled region is imminent.

The disclosure also followed an internet outage in the Gaza Strip, resulting from extensive Israeli aerial bombardment that illuminated the nighttime sky over the territory.

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, controlled by Hamas, the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 7,300 due to Israeli airstrikes initiated in response to a deadly attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7. The ministry provided a comprehensive list of the casualties, inclusive of names and identification numbers, on Thursday. Additionally, over 110 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, occupied by Israel, due to violence and military operations since the inception of the conflict three weeks ago.

Hamas has taken hostages, including foreigners, children, and seniors, who are still in captivity in Gaza. Four hostages have been previously released.

Current Developments:

  1. The U.S. retaliates against Iran-affiliated locations in Syria following attacks on American troops.

  2. Analysis: The recent Israel-Hamas conflict challenges established assumptions.

  3. Gaza Health Ministry data, scrutinized in the wake of a hospital explosion, has proven reliable in the past.

  4. Families await news as approximately 30 children are held hostage by Hamas militants.

  5. The European Union aims to restart peace negotiations as a military resolution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict appears elusive.

  6. For more comprehensive coverage, visit AP’s dedicated webpage on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In-Depth:

Israeli Military Ramps Up Ground Operations in Gaza

JERUSALEM — The IDF stated Friday that it is “intensifying its activities” on the ground in the Gaza Strip, indicating a possible full-scale ground invasion. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the military spokesperson, detailed that airstrikes had been aimed at destroying Hamas tunnels and other military installations.

Israel has mobilized a considerable number of troops along its border with Gaza, in anticipation of a ground offensive against the Hamas militant group.

Pope Francis Holds Special Prayers for War-Afflicted Regions

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis led prayers on Friday, specifically addressing the “dark hour” the world faces due to the potential of expanding conflict. He did not explicitly mention the Israel-Hamas conflict but focused his prayers on countries and regions in turmoil.

Internet Service in Gaza Disrupted

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian telecom company Paltel confirmed that internet services in the Gaza Strip were disrupted following extensive Israeli airstrikes. The interruption has impacted communication with journalists and rights groups.

Additional Reporting:

  1. UN Calls for Humanitarian Truce: The United Nations General Assembly has scheduled a vote on a resolution calling for a “humanitarian truce” in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

  2. US Organization Ready to Aid: Project HOPE, an American humanitarian organization, has medical supplies staged near the Gaza border in Egypt, prepared to support up to 60,000 people for three months.

  3. Turkish Foreign Minister Urges Israel for Peace: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned Israel that escalating violence would not bring peace, urging the nation to respect Palestinian rights.

  4. Closure of Hamas-Affiliated Telegram Accounts: Messaging app Telegram has shut down several accounts related to Hamas and its military wing.

  5. Tragic Outcome of Pre-Dawn Airstrike in Gaza: At least two people were killed in an early morning Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, a town in the Gaza Strip, adding to the escalating death toll and destruction.

Note: The text has been corrected to indicate that Ayman Safadi is Jordan’s U.N. Ambassador, not the country’s Foreign Minister.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israel-Hamas Conflict

What is the current status of Israeli military operations in Gaza?

The Israeli military has announced that it will be expanding its ground operations in Gaza. The expansion comes after a series of airstrikes and a second ground raid by Israeli forces in the Hamas-ruled territory.

What has been the impact of the conflict on Palestinian civilians?

The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 7,300, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. More than 110 Palestinians have also been killed in the occupied West Bank since the conflict began three weeks ago. Civilian infrastructure, including internet services, has been disrupted due to Israeli airstrikes.

Are there hostages involved in the conflict?

Yes, Hamas has taken hostages, including foreigners, children, and older adults, during their incursion into Gaza. Four hostages have been released, but others remain in captivity. Among the hostages is a 9-month-old Argentine baby.

What is the international response to the Israel-Hamas conflict?

The European Union is seeking to revive peace talks as no military solution is seen to be viable for the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The United Nations General Assembly has scheduled a vote on a resolution calling for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza.

What is the U.S.’s involvement in the Middle East in the context of this conflict?

The U.S. has conducted strikes on Iran-linked sites in Syria as a retaliation for attacks on U.S. troops. While this is not directly related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, it adds another layer to the complex situation in the Middle East.

How reliable is the data from the Gaza Health Ministry?

Data from the Gaza Health Ministry has withstood past scrutiny, even after questions arose following a hospital explosion in Gaza.

What is the status of humanitarian aid in the region?

The American humanitarian organization, Project HOPE, has medical supplies positioned in Egypt near the Rafah border crossing. The supplies include emergency surgical equipment and basic medical items designed to support a significant number of people for a duration of three months.

What are other countries doing in relation to the conflict?

Turkey has called on Israel to heed calls for peace, warning of a growing spiral of violence. Argentina is seeking the release of its citizens who are among the hostages being held by Hamas.

Has social media played a role in the conflict?

Yes, social media platforms like Telegram have shut down several Hamas-affiliated accounts. These accounts had been used to release messages and videos related to the Israel-Hamas war.

What are the implications for wider regional conflict?

There is growing concern that the Israel-Hamas conflict could escalate into a wider regional war in the Middle East. Pope Francis has led special prayers for countries and regions affected by war, highlighting the urgency and gravity of the situation.

More about Israel-Hamas Conflict

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10 comments

Megan Clark October 27, 2023 - 7:02 pm

This is the kind of journalism we need. In-depth, fact-based and not shy of hitting the hard questions. Keep it up!

Reply
Emily Brown October 27, 2023 - 8:37 pm

well that’s quite an eye opener. makes u wonder how much we dont actually know about international politics. scary.

Reply
Ryan Adams October 27, 2023 - 9:35 pm

Whoa, so much info to digest. Gonna take me a while to really get it all.

Reply
Jake Miller October 27, 2023 - 10:53 pm

Man, the role of social media in all this can’t be understated. It’s like a warzone on Twitter too.

Reply
Tim Roberts October 28, 2023 - 12:58 am

UN resolutions, peace talks, nothing works. What’s the solution then? So frustrating.

Reply
John Smith October 28, 2023 - 3:05 am

Wow, this is seriously deep stuff. Didn’t even knw half of this was happening. What’s the world comin to?

Reply
Olivia Davis October 28, 2023 - 4:11 am

Isn’t there a peaceful way out? I mean c’mon, its 2023 and we still havn’t figured out how to solve conflicts without loss?

Reply
Nancy Lee October 28, 2023 - 10:34 am

Important to read and kno, but where are the actionable insights? Seems like the same old news again.

Reply
Mark Johnson October 28, 2023 - 11:56 am

Are these numbers even accurate? I mean, how can we trust any info these days, right.

Reply
Sara Williams October 28, 2023 - 2:07 pm

its hard to wrap my head around these numbers. its like, real people behind every stat. Just awful.

Reply

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