Overnight Ground Raid
The Israeli army conducted a “targeted raid” in Gaza, supported by fighter jets and drones, while maintaining its bombardment campaign. This ongoing military action has resulted in over 7,000 Palestinian casualties, including at least 2,900 children.
On Friday, the Israeli army released a statement confirming the operation. It involved the identification and targeting of numerous terror sites, including anti-tank missile launch sites, military command centers, and engagements with Hamas terrorists.
The troops subsequently withdrew from the area upon completing the operation. This operation followed a similar ground raid conducted the previous night in the northern part of the Palestinian territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced preparations for a ground offensive. According to Palestinian sources, Israeli forces conducted a “very limited incursion” into the outskirts of Beit Hanoun and the al-Bureij refugee camp. Overall, overnight ground raid in Gaza has been conducted by the Israeli army, supported by fighter jets and drones, with significant casualties.
Palestinian Ministry Releases Names of Deceased Individuals
Israeli air and artillery strikes in the narrow Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 7,028 Palestinians, including 2,913 children, since October 7. The ongoing bombing, occurring within a complete siege of Gaza, has persisted for 21 days.
Israel’s stated objective is to ‘annihilate’ the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, following its surprise offensive, which claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis and led to the kidnapping of 224 others. The number of casualties in Gaza is the highest since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the Palestinian territory in 2005.
Loss of Captives in Israeli Bombardment
The Russian newspaper Kommersant quoted a Hamas official, Abu Hamad, who called for a ceasefire before the captives can be freed. Hamas has reported that approximately 50 of the captives taken in the surprise raid have been killed due to Israel’s ongoing airstrikes in Gaza.
According to the official, a calm environment and time are needed for Hamas to locate the captives before they can be released.
Israel has requested that Russia expel the visiting Hamas delegation, referring to their visit to Moscow as “deplorable.” Russia maintains diplomatic ties with key players in the Middle East, including Israel, Iran, Syria, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas.
Russia has consistently attributed the current crisis to a failure of U.S. diplomacy and has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as the resumption of talks aimed at finding a peaceful settlement.
