The Israeli army began heavy artillery attacks and massive raids against the Jabalia refugee camp in the north of the Gaza Strip. Heavy shelling could be heard during the night.
Hamas wants a ceasefire lasting a few days and is demanding the release of its supporters in Israeli prisons in exchange for 100 Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Important points
00:44
Hamas: “No negotiations after recent raids”
00:26
Hamas wants a ceasefire and proposes a prisoner exchange
03:09
The US government is calling on its compatriots to leave Lebanon immediately
The US State Department has asked American citizens in Lebanon to “immediately leave” the country due to a “situation that has become unpredictable.” The announcement appeared on the State Department’s website, raising the warning to “4,” the maximum on the risk scale
03:05
Media: “US State Department ignored Israeli plan”
There is uncertainty about Israel’s current military plan and whether the expansion of ground operations portends a full-scale ground invasion.
ABC News reports that the US State Department was unaware of the expansion of ground operations until it was announced by the Israeli military.
Two US officials told American media that the US government had “urged Israel to limit the scope of its offensive and adopt a more gradual approach.” A source told ABS News that Israeli forces are expected to remain on the ground in the Gaza Strip longer during the current attack than in recent nights. However, if the attack does not intensify, it could be a sign that the American government supports their cause. “At this point, there is no clarity from the United States as to whether this is the planned major ground offensive – or just part of the preparation” for the announced attack, ABC News reported
02:53
New York, thousands in Grand Central call for a ceasefire
Thousands of people demonstrate at New York’s Grand Central train station, in the heart of Manhattan, to demand an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. They are representatives of all communities, including Jews and Muslims. With the cry “No more weapons, no more wars, we demand a ceasefire”. The video went viral online and shows the protesters, all wearing black T-shirts with calls for peace, clapping their hands in time and chanting the slogan “No more guns/No more war/Ceasefire is what we demanded.”
02:46
Protest demonstration in front of Netanyahu’s house banned
Police have banned a demonstration against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned for Saturday evening. Haaretz reports it. The protest initiative was planned near the Israeli Prime Minister’s house in Caesarea: the police told the organizers that demonstrations on political, diplomatic or security issues were prohibited in wartime. “We will not allow public unrest or the use of amplifiers,” a police statement said, adding: “Officers will disperse any protests or demonstrations in Caesarea.”
02:43
Hamas tunnels in Gaza are attacked by Israeli forces
Hamas tunnels in Gaza are being targeted by Israeli forces. CNN reports this, citing Israeli sources
02:41
Human Rights Watch: “Disrupting communications can cover up atrocities”
The disruption of telecommunications and internet in Gaza due to intense Israeli bombing runs the risk of “serving as a cover for mass atrocities.” This was stated by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW). “This information blackout – explains HRW official Deborah Brown – risks serving as a cover for mass atrocities and contributing to impunity for human rights violations.”
02:35
UNRWA: “53 UN staff killed in Gaza”
The number of UN staff killed in Gaza has risen to 53 after 14 lost their lives in the last 24 hours. This was reported by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), according to which almost 640,000 of the 1.4 million internally displaced people in the Gaza Strip have sought refuge in 150 UNRWA facilities across the Gaza Strip.
02:33
Israel: “We will bring the 229 Hamas hostages home”
There are 229 people held hostage by Hamas. This was stated by Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari. “Israel – he added – is committed to the national mission to bring all hostages home.”
02:30
Al-Qassam, clashes with Israeli forces in Gaza
Hamas’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, is reportedly fighting Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. This is reported by the Times of Israel, citing the Palestinian group, according to which “violent clashes” are taking place near Beit Hanoun in the northeastern part of the Gaza Strip, just six kilometers from the Israeli city of Sderot, and in Bureij. in the central area, where there is a Palestinian refugee camp.
02:22
So far, at least 29 journalists have died in the conflict
At least 29 journalists have lost their lives in the war between Israel and Hamas since October 7. This is what we read in a statement from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), according to which “the last three weeks have been the bloodiest period in decades for journalists covering conflict. Of the journalists killed, at least 24 were Palestinian, four were Israeli and one was Lebanese.
The CPJ also said it was “deeply disturbed” by reports of a communications blackout in Gaza: “As the media loses contact with its crews and journalists in Gaza who are testifying independently to provide information about the developments and costs of this war , the world is in panic. “We are losing insight into the reality of all parties involved in this conflict.”
02:15
Israel: “Targets hit in the basement”
“The Air Force is attacking underground targets to a significant extent,” said Israeli Defense Force spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. “In addition to the attacks of the last few days,” he added, “the ground forces are expanding their activities. The Israeli defense is deploying great force to achieve the war goals.”
01:56
CNN: “US troops in Middle East attacked 20 times in 11 days”
American troops in the Middle East have faced 20 attacks in the past 11 days. CNN reports this, citing Pentagon sources.
01:49
New, telephone blackout in Gaza, people in panic
Telephone lines in the Gaza Strip are on the verge of collapse. The New York Times reports on it. The two largest Palestinian phone companies, Jawwal and Paltel, said their internet and phone services were disrupted. This situation is leading to increasing panic among people who feel isolated and under siege. Reached via WhatsApp, Belal Khaled, a Palestinian freelance photographer, described the scenes of panic among residents gathered at Nasser Hospital. “People are afraid, they feel in limbo, they don’t know what’s happening around them.”
01:45
Loses family members to bombs, journalist broadcasts from Gaza
Al Jazeera journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh continues to report live on events in Gaza despite losing a dozen members of his family in an Israeli airstrike two days ago. The Arab channel’s Gaza bureau chief, the journalist, was live on air for several hours on Friday while explosions could be heard in the background.
Last Wednesday, Al-Dahdouh’s wife, son, daughter and grandson were killed in an airstrike on a house in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. As Al Jazeera reports, his family had sought refuge there after their expulsion. A total of twelve members of his family, including nine children, were killed in the explosion.
01:43
Hamas is ready to respond with “full force.”
Hamas has said its militants in Gaza are ready to meet Israeli attacks with “full force” after the Israeli army expanded air and ground attacks on the Palestinian enclave. The Israeli army has intensified bombing raids in the Gaza Strip and is expanding its ground operations.
After dark, a widespread series of explosions lit up the sky over Gaza City, and an Al Jazeera correspondent said northern Gaza had been hit by airstrikes and artillery.
00:54
USA: “Very concerned about possible escalation of war”
The government is “very concerned” about a possible escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas. John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, said this on CNN.
00:44
Hamas: “No negotiations after recent raids”
“There were negotiations and also political efforts to reach an agreement” on the ceasefire and prisoner exchange, but “after the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza,” there are no more talks. This was stated by Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan, quoted by al Jazeera.
00:34
Gaza, social appeal to Musk: “Give the Internet like for Ukraine”
At the same time as the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip began
Today it would serve to provide the Palestinian population with an internet connection and thus be able to communicate with the outside world.
Many organizations, including the Palestinian Red Crescent, Unicef, WHO and Doctors Without Borders, have confirmed that they have lost contact with their operators and therefore expressed concern for the civilian population. Reporters Without Borders also expressed concern about the risks faced by reporters in Gaza.
00:31
Tajani: “Italians in Gaza have priority”
“The protection of Italian citizens staying in the south of the Gaza Strip is our priority. The consulate in Jerusalem contacted them this morning, now I believe they are no longer available. Our embassy in Cairo is ready to go there.” Rafah border crossing, should a decision be made to allow foreigners to leave the Gaza Strip and from there take them to the Egyptian capital and then to Italy,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
00:26
Hamas wants a ceasefire and proposes a prisoner exchange
Hamas wants a ceasefire of a few days and is demanding the release of its followers in Israeli prisons in exchange for 100 Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip. This was reported by the Palestinian agency Maan, citing the Russian agency Tass.
00:24
Italy abstained from UN membership because Hamas was not condemned
“Italy abstained from voting on the UN resolution on the ceasefire in Gaza,” “because if, on the one hand, it recognizes the efforts of the Arab parties,” “these were not enough to vote for it.” “There is no clear condemnation of Hamas’ attacks. Israel does not recognize the right of an attacked state, in this case Israel, to self-defense and does not mention the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages of October 7th.” This was said by Ambassador Maurizio Massari, permanent representative of Italy to the United Nations.
00:06
Kirby: “The US is not drawing ‘red lines’ for Israel”
The White House Department of Homeland Security spokesman, John Kirby, stressed that the United States “draws no red lines for Israel.” “We will continue to support them,” but “we have had discussions from the beginning and will continue to do so.” Kirby says the U.S. is still assessing the impact of airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias and “we will not hesitate to to take further self-defense measures.”
00:04
White House: “Biden is following events very closely”
The White House is following events in Gaza and Israel “very, very closely.” A senior administration official provided more details about the White House’s response. Speaking to CBS, the source said President Joe Biden was briefed by the National Security Council this morning. “He will of course keep up to date with what is happening on site throughout the weekend,” he said. “We are of course monitoring the situation very, very closely and will remain in contact with our Israeli colleagues.”
00:02
Israel: “No ceasefire against Hamas-Isis”
“By openly rejecting the despicable call for a ceasefire, Israel intends to eliminate Hamas, just as the world did against the Nazis and ISIS.” This is what Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen wrote on X after the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly .