Israel has declared a new stage in a war against Hamas after weeks of ferocious airstrikes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his statement, warned that the new stage would be long and difficult. A significant number of tanks, infantry and artillery have been operating in Palestinian territory. The heavy fighting between Hamas & Israeli troops inside northern Gaza pushed the residents to flee southward.
According to the Israeli military, they have struck over 450 targets that they claimed to be operational command centres, observation posts, and anti-tank missile launch posts.
Israel said that it has taken a vow to free the hostages and eradicate Hamas. The attacks sparked a growing international concern about the toll of Israel’s campaign on Gaza as people were unable to leave and only a limited amount of humanitarian aid could enter the premises. The United Nations reported that several of its warehouses got ransacked as people were desperate to secure food, flour, oil and hygiene supplies.
UN added that only 33 trucks had entered Gaza on October 29 carrying water, food, and medical supplies. Karim Khan, International Criminal Court lead prosecutor, called out Israel and said that preventing access to humanitarian aid could be a crime.
The health ministry in Gaza reported that the most intense bombing campaigns by Israel have caused over 8,000 deaths, which mainly include civilians.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism for commenting on the incompetence of the Israeli security forces. In a post on X, Netanyahu stated:
“At no time and no stage was a warning given regarding the war intentions of Hamas. On the contrary, all security officials, including the head of army intelligence and the head of the Shin Bet, estimated that Hamas was deterred and interested in an arrangement.”
He later had to apologise for the post and stated that he was wrong to make such comments when unity is paramount.
