Tel Aviv: Thousands of Palestinians fled to southern Gaza in search of refuge Friday following a warning from Israel to evacuate ahead of an anticipated ground offensive against Hamas in response to the deadliest attack in Israel’s history.
The directive followed six days after a Hamas incursion through the heavily fortified Gaza Strip border, resulting in over 1,300 casualties, most of them civilians, drawing parallels to the 9/11 tragedy in the United States.
Here are the top 10 updates
- Following the secure evacuation of 212 Indian nationals from Israel, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv is coordinating additional flights, including one scheduled for Friday evening, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This evacuation is a part of Operation Ajay, undertaken by India to assist those who wish to return home
- The Israeli military has informed the United Nations that around 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza need to relocate to the southern part of the enclave within the next 24 hours, according to a UN spokesperson. “The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
- The social media platform X has taken action to eliminate numerous accounts linked to Hamas. “X is committed to serving the public conversation, especially in critical moments like this and understands the importance of addressing any illegal content that may be disseminated through the platform. There is no place on X for terrorist organisations or violent extremists groups and we continue to remove such accounts in real-time, including proactive groups,” stated Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of the social media platform.
- Hamas, the dominant militant group in Gaza, has issued a call to Palestinians, asking them to participate in protests on Friday against Israel’s airstrikes on the enclave. They urged Palestinians to rally towards East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque and confront Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank.
- Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions in Gaza and Lebanon military campaigns, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned violence against civilians.
- Britain deploys two Royal Navy vessels and surveillance aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel and enhance regional stability.
- Hamas’ weekend assault claimed 1,300 lives, marking the most devastating attack on Israeli civilians.
- Israel faces public pressure to oust Hamas, mobilizing 360,000 army reservists and warning of unprecedented retaliation.
- Israeli military reports casualties exceeding 1,300, including 222 soldiers, a death toll reminiscent of the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria.
- Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s October 11-15 trip includes visits to Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt to meet with senior officials, as per the US Department of State.