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On Israel-Hamas War Day 6, new footage reveals how Hamas planned attack, India launches Operation Ajay

DailyBiteOctober 12, 2023 | 10:43 IST

With destruction mounting and the situation rapidly evolving in the Israel-Hamas war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival Benny Gantz formed a wartime cabinet on Wednesday, October 11, to oversee the offensive in Gaza.

According to the Associated Press, the war, which has already entered its sixth day, has resulted in a death toll of 2,300, with several thousand people injured and missing.

Hamas attack preparations

  • According to India Today TV, an undated video released by Hamas has revealed how the attack preparations were conducted at a training camp near the Gaza-Israel border well in advance.
Attack preparations by Hamas. Photo: India Today

Operation Ajay

  • To help the Indians stranded in Israel, the Government of India, on Wednesday announced the launch of Operation Ajay to bring them back home.
  • According to India Today TV, there are around 18,000 Indians in Israel.

Unity government in Israel

  • Israeli opposition politician Benny Gantz has announced that he has reached an agreement to join a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during this wartime situation.

  • Gantz has released a joint statement with Netanyahu, confirming their intent to establish a five-member "war-management" Cabinet. The two are already joined by the current Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in the cabinet.

  • The move toward unity came as the Israeli military contemplates a possible ground offensive in Gaza.

Air strikes in Gaza

  • Persistent Israeli air strikes in Gaza have caused extensive damage and led to mass evacuations, with hundreds of thousands seeking shelter, primarily in UN schools.
  • The death toll in Gaza has risen to 1,200, with thousands injured.
  • The situation in Gaza remains dire as power outages persist due to fuel shortages, and hospitals struggle with dwindling supplies.
  • Gaza's only power plant was shut on Wednesday.
  • Efforts and negotiations to establish humanitarian corridors into Gaza are underway, but logistical challenges and Israel's blockade persist.

Diplomacy

  • Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden warned Iran against getting involved in the conflict, expressing concerns about a wider regional escalation.
  • Biden has dispatched Secretary of State Antony Blinken to West Asia to reinforce US support for Israel and seek the release of more than dozens of captives.
  • Biden referred to the attack as the "deadliest day" for the Jewish community since the Holocaust.
  • He added that the Hamas terrorist assault has resurfaced painful recollections of countless centuries endured by Jewish people.

Potential ground offensive

  • Israel is reportedly preparing for a ground offensive in Gaza, which could result in a surge of casualties on both sides.

No aerial invasion from Lebanon

  • Israeli Home Front Command, late on Wednesday (October 11) denied a reported aerial invasion from Lebanon, citing a malfunction in the rocket alert system.
  • Earlier, yesterday (October 11), Israel had asked people in the northern cities of Beit Shean, Safed and Tiberias to seek shelter, after reports of a "hostile aircraft" crossing its border with Lebanon had emerged.
  • Later, the Home Front Command ruled out the suspected invasion and asked the civilians in the northern cities to follow any future instructions.
Last updated: October 12, 2023 | 11:48
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