Israel has expanded its military operation in northern Gaza, including shelling to cut communications and internet connections, as military officials signal that an expected ground offensive against Hamas militants has begun.
“We moved to next stage of war” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in remarks broadcast on Saturday. “Last night, the ground in Gaza shook. We struck above ground and below ground,” he added.
“The instructions to our troops are clear: This campaign will continue until further notice,” Gallant said.
The Israel Defense Forces reiterated its call for residents to evacuate from northern Gaza, warning: “The window for action is closing. Please move south for safety.”
Aid and civil society groups said they were unable to contact staff and families in the Gaza Strip due to communications disruptions.
“Last night, ground forces moved in and continued operations.” Expansion of ground military operations. Infantry, engineers and artillery with heavy fire,” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Saturday. He said senior Hamas officials were killed, including the militant group’s air operations chief.
“Overnight, Israeli Defense Force fighter jets attacked Asem Abu Rakaba, the commander of Hamas’s air force. Abu Rakaba was responsible for Hamas’ unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, paragliders, air detection and defense,” the IDF said. said. Said on social media. Abu Rakaba participated in Hamas militants’ plan to attack Israel on October 7 and was “in charge of a drone attack on an IDF post,” the IDF said in a statement.
Israel’s increased military action has heightened fears that a widely anticipated ground invasion of Gaza is coming. Residents of the enclave have already suffered significant losses from airstrikes and targeted attacks.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization said on Saturday: ““Reports of heavy shelling in Gaza are extremely distressing,” it said, adding: “In such conditions it is impossible to evacuate patients and they are unable to find safe shelter.”
“The power outage has also made it impossible for ambulances to reach the injured. We have not yet been able to contact staff or medical facilities. We are concerned for their safety,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Said In a statement. He appealed to “all those who have the power to promote a ceasefire” to act now.
Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip were worried about what an intensified military operation would mean for their loved ones. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum said no one had explained “whether ground operations would jeopardize the well-being of the 229 hostages” in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to do everything possible to bring the hostages home. Defense Minister Gallant said he would meet with representatives of the group on Sunday.
The hostages were captured by Hamas militants in an October 7 attack in southern Israel that killed 1,400 people. Israel has retaliated with daily airstrikes on blockaded Palestinian enclaves, killing an estimated 7,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
United Nations General Assembly on Friday adopted The resolution on the Israel-Hamas crisis called for an “immediate, permanent and sustained humanitarian ceasefire leading to a cessation of hostilities.” The Israeli government rejected the UN resolution as follows: Israel will continue to defend itself. “Israel will do what it has to do to eradicate Hamas’ capabilities.” Said Gilad Erdan, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations
EU leaders agreed on Thursday to call for a “suspension for humanitarian needs” to allow aid to Gaza, with European Council President Charles Michel calling for “strong solidarity” among the region’s governments. I welcomed it.
