Israel – Palestine Conflict: Israel’s military, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), has initiated localised airstrikes in Gaza and is gearing up for a potential ground operation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicating that their response is just the initial phase, hinting towards a significant escalation.
Latest movement in Israel-Palestine conflict
Following Israel’s issuance of a 24-hour evacuation notice in anticipation of an impending ground offensive, tens of thousands of residents in northern Gaza have been fleeing south. This move was prompted by a surprise attack launched by the ruling Hamas militant group almost a week ago.
Starting on Saturday, October 7, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 1,300 casualties in Israel from Hamas attacks and over 1,900 fatalities in Gaza and the West Bank on the Palestinian side. As per the army spokesperson, their infantry units conducted search operations and successfully prevented squads armed with anti-tank guided missiles from infiltrating Israeli territory. Additionally, the troops were tasked with searching for any potential hostages.
What did the Israel PM Netanyahu say?
In his recent national address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his country’s forces were displaying tremendous resolve and emphasised that this marked only the initial phase of the Gaza attack, emphasising that they were just getting started. He said, “We’ll never forget the atrocities that our enemies carried out, and we’ll never forgive. And we’ll never let the world, or anyone, forget these atrocities that were not done to the Jewish people in many decades. …We’re hitting our enemies with unprecedented force. I stress: It’s only the beginning.”
Hamas, in response, accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians who were fleeing northern Gaza. They claimed that Israeli air raids on convoys heading south had resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people, predominantly women and children. Israel has not responded to these allegations.
Russia and Saudi Arabia’s stance
Following recent events, Saudi Arabia has reportedly halted discussions with Israel regarding the normalization of ties, placing these US-backed plans “on hold,” according to Reuters, which cited two sources familiar with the situation. This decision comes shortly after Saudi Arabia engaged in talks with Iran, marking a significant development since the normalization of their relations.
Hamas expressed its approval of Russia’s call for a ceasefire and its offer of mediation. In a statement, the organisation also commended Putin’s position on the conflict and acknowledged “Russia’s unwavering efforts.”
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