Israel says the war against Hamas has “entered a new phase” after the ground advance in Gaza.
The Israeli military command said on Saturday morning (28) that the war against Hamas had entered a new phase and that Israeli soldiers remained in Gaza territory after the invasion last night. According to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the ground in Gaza shook.
Also this Saturday, Israeli forces published leaflets warning that the north of the Gaza Strip was now a combat zone and again recommended that residents leave the region. The Israeli military showed images of attacks on Hamas from the air and on the ground, with tanks.
1 in 4 Israeli forces dropped leaflets to warn that northern Gaza is now a combat zone Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction Israeli forces dropped leaflets to warn that northern Gaza is now a combat zone Photo : TV Globo/Reproduction
The military said they had hit 150 goals on the territory, including a number of tunnels built by terrorists. But today the Gaza Strip could only be seen from a distance, as telephone and internet communications with the area have been interrupted since Friday (27).
The World Health Organization (WHO) said it had lost contact with medical teams in Gaza. The Red Crescent also said that the lack of communication was hindering humanitarian aid.
International news agencies that had reported on the conflict within the territory were unable to broadcast images.
- In a statement, the Associated Press said the disruption of communications in Gaza could affect the agency’s ability to send photos and videos from the enclave.
- The Portal agency said the area was isolated from the world and that the few journalists still able to communicate said the situation was the worst so far.
The Associated Press managed to obtain photos from Gaza:
2 of 4 Associated Press photo from Gaza. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction photo sent by Associated Press from Gaza. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction
The Brazilian embassy in Palestine reported that it had managed to restore contact with Brazilians in the southern Gaza Strip, in the towns of Rafah and Khan Yunis. The news is that everyone has enough food, water and gas for the next few days.
Residents of the other Palestinian territory, the West Bank, have complained that they cannot know what is happening to families in Gaza.
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari was asked whether Israel had cut off communications in Gaza and said Israel would do whatever was necessary to protect its troops and would not comment further on the matter.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League and appealed to the international community to help prevent a new catastrophe.
Hamas fired rockets again, hitting Israeli cities such as Ashkelon, Ramat Gan and Tel Aviv, leaving no casualties.
Relatives returned to the streets of Tel Aviv to demand more action from the government to release those abducted. Families fear that ground attacks could put hostages in danger.
At a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, representatives of the families called on the government to accept a hostage exchange for Palestinians in prisons in Israel.
Eli let the kidnappers take his 18yearold daughter along with six friends. The terrorists have already shown pictures of them alive on social media and he is pleading for the government to do whatever is necessary to free the hostages.
Maayan is worried about her 72yearold aunt, who has heart problems. She says 100 of the 400 residents of the kibbutz where her aunt lived have been killed or are missing.
Relatives told Benjamin Netanyahu that everyone would accept a prisoner exchange: 229 people, including children, women and the elderly, were in the hands of the terrorists.
3 out of 4 relatives of the hostages are campaigning for their release. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction Family members of hostages are campaigning for their release. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction
According to the Times of Israel newspaper, Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida said in a statement that the group was ready to reach an agreement to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
After the meeting, Netanyahu held the first press conference since the confrontation began. In it, he did not talk about the exchange of prisoners, but said that negotiations were continuing and that the land operation could even contribute to the release of the hostages.
The Prime Minister explained that the ground operation is the beginning of the second phase of the war, which will be long and difficult. He again accused Hamas of using hospitals as command centers and called those who accuse Israel of war crimes hypocrites and liars. He said Israeli forces would do everything they could to prevent civilians from being harmed.
4 of 4 Netanyahu spoke about the new phase of the war against Hamas. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction Netanyahu spoke about the new phase of the war against Hamas. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction
According to the Prime Minister, Israel is waging “humanity’s war against barbarism.” And allies in the Western world and partners in the Arab world know that if Israel does not win, they will be next in the campaign of conquest and murder on the axis of evil and that this is Israel’s second war of independence.”
In central Tel Aviv, families again held vigils, holding signs that read, “Bring them back.”