Israel Moves To 'Next Stage In War' As Communication Blackout In Gaza 'Paralyses' Health Network — Updates

Israel stated that the war against Hamas has entered a new stage while extensive bombardment knocked out most communications in Gaza, isolating its 2.3 million residents from the world.

People mourn as they collect the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli air raids on October 28, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza.

Source : Getty Images

Israel significantly escalated its ground operation in Gaza, deploying tanks and infantry backed by heavy airstrikes from both air and sea, marking a critical shift in its ongoing conflict with Hamas, according to Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The intensification of the assault has been described by Gaza residents as the most severe thus far, causing a near-complete disruption of communications in the besieged territory, which houses 2.3 million residents, news agency Associated Press reported.

• Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday stated that the war against Hamas has entered a new stage, characterising it as a significant escalation. “We moved to the next stage in the war,” he said, as quoted by AP. “Last evening, the ground shook in Gaza. We attacked above ground and underground. ... The instructions to the forces are clear. The campaign will continue until further notice.”
  
  
• Defense Minister Gallant signaled a gradual buildup toward an all-out ground offensive in northern Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said that its ground forces are still 'operating in northern Gaza' on Saturday, AFP reported.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after a crucial meeting with representatives of families whose loved ones are held captive in Gaza by Hamas, has committed to pursuing every avenue to secure their release. Israel will use 'every option' to free Gaza hostages, he said, as per AFP.
  
  During the meeting today, Netanyahu emphasised that securing the release of the hostages is among the primary objectives of the ongoing conflict, the Times of Israel reported. He also said, "The key is the level of pressure. The greater the pressure, the greater the chances [of freeing the captives]."

• The armed wing of Hamas, known as the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, claimed that an agreement regarding the hostages held by the Palestinian militant faction was close at hand, but negotiations have encountered delays on Israel's part, news agency Reuters reported.

  In a video statement, Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, outlined the group's position, indicating that they would consider releasing all the hostages in their custody, contingent upon Israel's release of all Palestinian prisoners. He emphasised that such a move would be the sole path to securing the release of the captives, as per Reuters.

  However, Abu Ubaida also mentioned that Hamas remains open to discussions concerning a "partial" agreement concerning the captives, potentially paving the way for further negotiations.

• The Israeli military has released grainy images showcasing the movement of tank columns in Gaza, particularly near the border. Simultaneously, warplanes have targeted numerous Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers, AP reported. These underground sites represent a key objective in Israel's campaign to dismantle the ruling group's infrastructure following their recent incursion into Israeli territory.

•  The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has risen to 7,703 people since October 7, with 377 deaths reported since late Friday, as per the Hamas-run health ministry. More than 3,500 children were among the dead, the ministry added, as per news agency AFP.
  
  
• The extensive bombardment knocked out most communications in Gaza, isolating its 2.3 million residents from the world. The blackout has hindered the population's ability to call for ambulances, leaving them in a state of darkness and fear, AP reported.
  
  The majority of casualties have been women and minors, with the health network suffering complete paralysis due to the disruption of communications. Ambulance services have been severely hampered, and emergency teams have had to rely on sound cues from artillery barrages and airstrikes to locate and assist those in need, AP's report mentioned.

• Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra emphasised that the disruption of communications has “totally paralyzed” the health network in the conflict-ridden region as people are left without any way of calling ambulances, the report stated. 

• The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed grave concerns over the ongoing ground operation in Gaza, warning that there is the potential for thousands more civilian casualties

  "Given the manner in which military operations have been conducted until now, in the context of the 56-year-old occupation, I am raising alarm about the possibly catastrophic consequences of large-scale ground operations in Gaza and the potential for thousands more civilians to die," Turk said, as quoted by CNN.

  "There is no safe place in Gaza and there is no way out. I am very worried for my colleagues, as I am for all civilians in Gaza," he added.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that health workers, patients, and civilians in Gaza experienced a night of darkness and fear due to a complete communications and electrical blackout across the Gaza Strip. Hospitals in Gaza are already operating at maximum capacity, unable to admit new patients, and also providing shelter to "thousands of civilians".
  
  “During a night of intense bombardment and ground incursions in Gaza, with reports of hostilities still continuing, health workers, patients and civilians have been subject to a total communication and electrical blackout,” WHO wrote in a post on X.
  
  [tw]https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1718222313231917167[tw]
  
  Urgent humanitarian assistance, including medical supplies, fuel, water, and food, is desperately needed in the region, and WHO reiterated its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the safe passage of these critical supplies into Gaza. The organisation also stressed the importance of the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians held captive.
  
  
• Notably, Saudi Arabia condemned "any ground operations" carried out by Israel "which would threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians and result in inhumane dangers".
  
  

With Israel's relentless bombardment continuing, it has inflicted severe damage on hundreds of buildings in the war that erupted three weeks ago after a deadly surprise attack by Hamas.