Israeli operations: The Israeli military said it hit around 300 targets in Gaza, targeting “Hamas’ focal point.” Two soldiers were killed in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip, it said.
Explosions in the Gaza Strip: Airstrikes rocked an area near Gaza City, leveling residential buildings and causing hundreds of casualties, hospital officials said. The Israeli military said it targeted Hamas infrastructure and militants and killed a commander who took part in the Oct. 7 attacks.
Hostages: Israel said it rescued Pvt. Ori Megidish, a soldier captured on October 7th. A Hamas video showed three hostages held in Gaza. Israel increased the number of hostages held in the enclave to 240.
Humanitarian aid: Egypt said it could take in large numbers of wounded Palestinians from Gaza. Egypt’s prime minister has been pressured to accept Palestinian refugees and said his country remains committed to defending its territory.
US: The FBI fears that the October 7 attacks on Israel could serve as a collective term for terrorist attacks in the West. Jack Lew has been confirmed as the next US ambassador to Israel.
Losses: The Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza said more than 8,000 people had been killed. The US and Israel have acknowledged thousands of Palestinian deaths but have expressed doubts about the accuracy of the figures provided by Hamas. Some U.N. experts said the actual number could be higher. More than 1,400 people in Israel died in the attacks that sparked the war, including over 300 IDF soldiers.