31-10-2023 (GAZA) Israeli ground forces made significant advances into Gaza on Monday, entering the territory’s main city and successfully freeing a soldier who had been held captive by Hamas militants. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a cease-fire, stating that Israel is committed to freeing all hostages and that a cease-fire would amount to surrendering to Hamas.
The military announced the successful rescue of Private Ori Megidish, 19, who had been captured during Hamas’ brutal incursion on October 7. While few details were provided, military officials stated that Megidish was in good health and had been reunited with her family.
Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed Megidish’s return and emphasized Israel’s dedication to securing the release of all captives. He also stated that the ongoing war with Hamas would be long and challenging, dismissing calls for a cease-fire.
Currently, Hamas and other militant groups are believed to be holding approximately 240 captives, including men, women, and children. Pressure has been mounting on Netanyahu to secure their release while simultaneously crushing Hamas and ending its rule over the territory, which has lasted for 16 years.
Hamas has released four hostages so far and has expressed willingness to release the remainder in exchange for the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including those involved in deadly attacks against Israelis. Israel has rejected this offer, and Netanyahu believes that the ground invasion provides an opportunity to exert pressure on Hamas to release the captives.
On Monday, Hamas released a video showing three female captives, with one of them delivering a statement criticizing Israel’s handling of the hostage crisis. It remains unclear when the video was recorded.
The Israeli military has been operating in Gaza with limited transparency regarding troop numbers and locations. While Israel has declared a new phase in the war, it has not officially declared a full-scale ground invasion.
Large-scale ground operations have been initiated north and east of Gaza City. Israel has identified Gaza City as the location of many of Hamas’ forces and militant infrastructure, including an extensive network of tunnels. The city, which had a population of over 650,000 people prior to the war, has become a major focus of the Israeli military’s operations.
Despite Israel’s orders for Palestinians to evacuate the northern areas, where Gaza City is located, many people have remained due to ongoing Israeli strikes in what were designated as safe zones. Approximately 117,000 displaced individuals seeking refuge from the attacks are currently staying in hospitals in northern Gaza, alongside patients and staff.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reports that nearly 672,000 Palestinians have sought shelter in its schools and other facilities across Gaza, which are now operating at four times their capacity. UNRWA’s head, Philippe Lazzarini, accused Israel of collectively punishing Palestinians and forcing their displacement from northern Gaza to the south, where safety is still not guaranteed.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the death toll among Palestinians has surpassed 8,300, with the majority being women and children. This figure is unprecedented in decades of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Over 1.4 million people in Gaza have been displaced from their homes.
On the Israeli side, over 1,400 individuals, mainly civilians killed during Hamas’ initial attack, have lost their lives.
UNRWA reported that 64 of its staff members have been killed in the past three weeks, with the most recent death occurring just hours before Lazzarini addressed an emergency UN Security Council meeting. The agency’s security official, along with his wife and eight children, were killed.
Amid the intensifying conflict, an Israeli tank and bulldozer were seen blocking the main north-south highway in central Gaza, as shown in a video circulating on social media. The video depicted an explosion engulfing a car that approached an earth barrier across the road. The car was later reported to have had three occupants who were killed in the attack.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari declined to disclose specific deployment details but confirmed the entry of additional infantry, armored, engineering, and artillery units into Gaza. He stated that operations would continue to expand and intensify.
The military has reported killing dozens of militants who launched attacks from buildings and tunnels. In recent days, over 600 militant targets, including weapons depots and anti-tank missile launching positions, have been struck by Israeli forces. Palestinian militants have continued to launch rockets into Israel, including toward Tel Aviv, the country’s commercial hub.
Hamas claimed that its fighters clashed with Israeli troops in the northwest, but independent verification of these battlefield claims is challenging.
As the conflict escalates, hospitals in northern Gaza are facing increasing threats. Video footage shared by Gaza’s Health Ministry showed an explosion near the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, which serves cancer patients. The hospital’s director, Dr. Sobhi Skaik, reported damage to the facility as a result of the strike.
All ten hospitals operating in northern Gaza have received evacuation orders from the UNand other humanitarian organizations due to the heightened risk of further attacks. The evacuation orders have raised concerns about the availability of medical care for the displaced population.
International calls for a cease-fire have grown louder as the death toll and humanitarian crisis continue to worsen. The United States, European Union, and various other countries have expressed their deep concerns over the escalating violence and its impact on civilians. They have urged both sides to de-escalate the situation and engage in immediate negotiations to reach a cease-fire.
However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has remained steadfast in his commitment to continue the offensive until all Israeli captives are freed and Hamas’s military capabilities are significantly degraded. He has also emphasized that Israel has the right to defend itself against rocket attacks and other threats from Gaza.
