AGI – Israel advances in Gaza and enters “second phase” beyond 450 Hamas military targets were hit in various parts of the area. The army announced this morning that it had deployed new troops to “expand ground activities” that have already been ongoing for two days, including fighting inside the Palestinian enclave.
“Overnight we have expanded the armed forces’ entry into the Gaza Strip and they will combine their already fighting forces,” said armed forces spokesman Daniel Hagari. “THE Ground fighting in the northern Gaza Strip continues“We are moving through the phases of the war as planned, the ground activities are complex and also pose risks for our armed forces,” he added.
A statement that marks the start of fighting within the Palestinian enclave, parallel to the intensification of Israeli airstrikes that have not stopped since October 7, when the Islamic group Hamas carried out a surprise attack that claimed 1,400 lives in Israel.
Palestinians are trying to use international SIM cards or access satellite internet to spread news after Israel cut all communications networks to the besieged Gaza Strip.
Elon Musk says he will make Starlink available to veterinary charities. pic.twitter.com/pFpaHjBju7
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 28, 2023
In the attack, the Islamic group captured 230 hostages, who remain in their hands in the Palestinian Strip. In retaliation, Israel has since bombed the Gaza Strip continuously, killing at least 8,005 Palestinians. This is according to the latest count released today by the Ministry of Health of the Gaza Strip, which speaks of at least 3,342 minors, 2,062 women and 460 elderly people as victims.
“Hamas terrorists operate inside and under civilian buildings precisely because they know that the IDF distinguishes between terrorists and civilians.” – RAdm. Daniel Hagari pic.twitter.com/DWaa4R27No
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 29, 2023
The humanitarian crisis is worsening
An unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, with a situation that, as UN Secretary Antonio Guterres said this morning, is “worsening by the hour.” “I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” “along with the unconditional release of the hostages and the delivery of aid on a scale that meets the dramatic needs of the people of Gaza, where a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding before our eyes.” said Guterres.
An alarm also reinforced by the dramatic rush for food and basic needs. According to UNRWA reports, the humanitarian drama is currently accompanied by the “collapse of civil order”. In fact, thousands of people have entered various UN agency warehouses and distribution centers in the central and southern Gaza Strip. “It is a worrying sign,” UNRWA said in a statement, “that civil order is beginning to collapse after three weeks of war and a strict siege in the Gaza Strip.”
Apologies to the army
In a rare about-face, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later apologized for an earlier statement in which he appeared to blame the security services and military for failing to prevent the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack.
“I was wrong. The things I said after the press conference should not have been said and I apologize for that,” said a post by X. “I give my full support to all the heads of the security services. I support the head of State Major, the commanders and soldiers of the IDF who are on the front lines and fighting for us, together we will win.”
טעיתי. דברים שאמרתי בעקבות מסיבת העיתונאים לא היו צריכים להיאמר ואני מתנ צל על כך. אני נותן גיבוי מלא לכל ראשי זרועות הביטחון. אני מחזק את הרמטכ״ל ואת מפקדי וחיילי צה״ל שנמצאים בחזית ונלחמים על No. יחד ננצח.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 29, 2023
Raisi: “The red line has been crossed”
“The crimes of the Zionist regime have crossed the red line that could force anyone to act.” This is stated by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on X. “Washington asks us not to do anything, but they continue to fully support Israel. “The United States has sent messages to the Axis of Resistance (Iran-backed forces in the Middle East), but received a clear response on the battlefield,” the Iranian leader said.
The crimes of the Zionist regime have crossed the red lines, which could force anyone to act. Washington asks us not to do anything, but they continue to fully support Israel. The US sent messages to the Axis of Resistance, but received a clear response on the battlefield.
— سید ابراهیم رئیسی (@raisi_com) October 29, 2023
Communication is resumed and a water pipe is reactivated
Telephones, internet connections and telephone lines in Gaza are partially working again today after the communications blackout that cut off the Palestinian enclave from the world.
Another innovation is the renovation of the second of the three water pipes that supply the strip with water, which means that a total of around 28.5 million liters can flow per day, i.e. a little more than half of the around 49 million liters per day. Day that Israel had delivered before the war. Meanwhile, the WFP has announced that an additional 40 trucks carrying humanitarian aid could arrive in Gaza by today, but that will still not be enough for an emergency situation that would require at least double that number.
Reprint reserved © Agi 2023