About our Israel/Gaza News
Latest news on the Israel/Gaza situation, which is part of the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict, including the death and suffering of many innocent civilians. The situation has escalated with Israel taking control of northern Gaza in response to Hamas' deadly cross-border attack on 7 October 2023. The Israeli military has conducted a ground offensive against Hamas, targeting key figures and infrastructure.
On Saturday, 7 October 2023, Palestinian militants launched an unprecedented assault into Israeli territory, using tunnels and boats to infiltrate the border and capture dozens of Israeli soldiers and civilians. They also fired thousands of rockets into Israel.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his country was "at war" and vowed to respond with "full force" to the attack. He said Israel had "more or less" secured the border with Gaza despite reports of gunmen still on Israeli territory. Israel also launched hundreds of airstrikes on Gaza, targeting Hamas leaders, infrastructure, and rocket launchers. The Israeli military strikes have resulted in the deaths of thousands, including many civilians.
Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza, said it had "decided to say enough is enough" and that it was defending the Palestinian people from Israeli aggression. It claimed that it had placed the Israeli captives in secure places and tunnels, but did not reveal their location or condition. It also warned that it had more surprises in store for Israel.
The international community has expressed grave concern over the situation, with calls for humanitarian pauses and efforts to reduce violence. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis but failed to agree on a joint statement. The US, Israel's main ally, said it supported Israel's right to self-defense but also urged it to avoid civilian casualties and de-escalate the conflict. The UK has expressed its support for Israel and called for humanitarian support in Gaza, without officially calling for a ceasefire. Other European countries and international players have also expressed concern and sought to mediate, but a resolution has yet to be found.
Initial raids into the Gaza Strip began on 13 October with the goals of attacking Hamas militants and rescuing hostages. These raids were not part of a larger ground invasion but were temporary incursions. The largest offensive occurred between 25 and 26 October, involving tanks, armored vehicles, and IDF Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozers, including a follow-up raid in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza City.
The full-scale invasion commenced on 27 October, targeting the towns of Beit Hanoun and Bureij in the Gaza Strip. This assault was accompanied by large-scale Israeli airstrikes that disrupted mobile communications and internet access in Gaza. As of 6 November 2023, the Israeli military reportedly divided the northern and southern parts of Gaza, and communications across the territory were temporarily cut for the third time since the conflict began. The Israeli Army announced that "significant strikes" are being carried out and that the Gaza Strip has been "cut in half".
Recent developments include Israeli raids on Gaza's largest hospitals, Al Shifa and Al-Quds, suspending their operations. The World Health Organization has condemned these raids as "totally unacceptable." Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 11,200 people, with many civilians among the casualties. The Israeli military has struck over 4,300 Hamas targets since the start of the war, including the home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza.