Israel Palestine Conflict: The war between Israel and Hamas entered its 22nd day on Saturday (28 October). Hamas launched a deadly attack in southern Israel on October 7, since then the war between the two sides has been going on. More than 9 thousand people have lost their lives so far from both the sides.
The Israeli army has previously said that it will launch a ground operation to destroy Hamas. Now the IDF has said that it is moving forward into the next phase of the war, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also said that the ongoing ground campaign in Gaza is the second phase of the war with Hamas with very clear objectives.
At the same time, its ground attacks as well as air attacks in Gaza have intensified. People in northern Gaza have been asked to evacuate to safe places. Media reports have expressed the possibility that in view of Israel’s action, there are indications of an all-out operation against Hamas in Gaza. Let us know the big things about this entire incident.
1. Israel Defense Forces Chief of Defense Staff Herzi Halevi gave a four-minute video update, in which it was told that Israel is moving into the next stage of the war. He said, “Our forces are currently working on the ground in the Gaza Strip. Halevi further said that the IDF’s best soldiers and commanders are on the ground in Gaza and that over the past few days, Israeli forces have continued to target and eliminate Hamas commanders. He also said that Israel’s objectives required a ground campaign.
2. According to BBC report, Israel has dropped leaflets in northern Gaza, which say that it is a ‘warzone’ which is not safe. It says that people should vacate the place and go south.
3. On Saturday (28 October), a large number of rockets were again fired from Gaza into southern Israel. According to local media reports, some rockets have fallen in the southern city of Ashkelon. According to Israeli news website Ynet, a rocket fell into a car park in Kiryat Ono just outside Tel Aviv, causing an explosion in several cars. However, no casualties have been reported in these rocket attacks yet.
4. According to the BBC report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara met representatives of the families of people taken hostage by Hamas and assured them that the Israeli government is doing everything possible. PM Netanyahu told him, “We will try to bring them (hostages) back at any cost and will use every possibility.” Netanyahu said that bringing back the hostages is one of the goals of the war.
5. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed a rally in Istanbul in support of Palestine and lashed out at Israel. He described Israel’s attacks in Gaza as ‘genocide’. Erdogan also said that Western allies are the main culprits behind war crimes through Israel. Erdogan said that he will declare Israel a war criminal in front of the world and is preparing for it. The Turkish President also said that he does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization. He said that Israel should immediately come out of madness and stop the war. At the same time, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu hit back without taking Erdogan’s name. “Don’t accuse us of war crimes,” Netanyahu said. It’s hypocrisy if you think you can charge our soldiers with war crimes. We are the most moral army in the world.”
6. Israeli Ambassador to the US Gilad Erdan gave a sharp reaction to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks at a rally in support of Palestine. According to the India Today report, Erdoğan even said, “A snake will remain a snake.” The Israeli ambassador accused Erdoğan of being anti-Semitic.
7. In the war that has been going on for almost three weeks, so far more than nine thousand people from both sides (Israeli-Palestinian) have lost their lives. According to Al Jazeera’s report, at least 7,703 Palestinians have been killed so far in Israeli attacks in Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have lost their lives in Hamas attacks.
8. According to news agency AP, Israeli bombardment and artillery shelling overnight and on Saturday disrupted communications in Gaza and almost caused a blackout of information. The increase in attacks indicates Israel is moving closer to a full-scale ground offensive in Gaza. Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said the bombing had completely disrupted internet, cellular and landline services and left the region’s 2.3 million people largely cut off from the outside world. However, some satellite phones are working.
9. Meanwhile, the Israeli Army has claimed that Hamas has set up its headquarters beneath Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, from where it is carrying out terrorist activities. On Saturday, the IDF claimed through a post with the handle The post said that Hamas is using them for terrorism. A day before this (on October 27), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had also confirmed these allegations regarding Hamas.
10. On Friday (27 October), the United Nations General Assembly adopted by majority vote a resolution calling for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. 120 votes were cast in favor of the proposal and 14 against it, while 45 members did not take part in the voting. India also abstained from voting because it did not include a clear condemnation of the terrorist attack by Hamas.