Israel-Hamas War Day 21: 7,000 Palestinians killed so far as IDF launches ground raid in Gaza

The war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian-based terrorist group, has now entered its 21st day, with the situation deteriorating rapidly.

According to Palestine’s Health Group, the death toll has reached 7,000 Palestinians, as Israel has initiated a ground invasion against Hamas following days of aerial bombardment.

What's happening

• Israeli forces have launched a limited ground raid on the coastal strip, purportedly in preparation for a more sustained ground offensive against Hamas.
• Backed by bulldozers and tanks, infantry moved into the area late on Thursday (October 26), engaging Hamas targets in an hours-long raid.
• Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that alongside heavy bombing in Gaza, "we are preparing for a ground invasion."

• Israel preparing the ground for ground invasion of Gaza.
  
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• Videos of the ground invasion depict Israeli tanks advancing into Gaza's border. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) confirmed the late-night ground incursion.

• "Overnight, the IDF conducted a targeted raid using tanks in the Northern Gaza Strip, as part of preparations for the next stages of combat," the IDF stated. It further mentioned, "The soldiers exited the area at the end of the activity," as reported by Al Jazeera.

• The IDF also claimed that it had specific targets in mind during the operation, asserting to have eliminated several Hamas militants and destroyed crucial infrastructure that could have been used by Palestinian groups for attacks against Israel.

Israeli Hostages killed

• The Israeli ministry has confirmed that Hamas has been holding 224 Israeli hostages.
• The incursion on October 7 saw Hamas breach Israel's borders during an air bombing, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people and the abduction of several others.
• Hamas's armed wing in Gaza reported on Thursday that at least 50 Israeli hostages have been killed due to Israel's airstrikes on Palestine since October 7, 2023.

  

   

The entire Middle-East in turmoil 

• The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has thrown the entire Middle East into chaos.
• Arab nations are backing Palestine and its right to self-determination, while Western nations, including the US, UK, France, and Australia, are supporting Israel's retaliation against Hamas.
• Despite calls from some world leaders for Israel to halt the attacks to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the offensive has continued for the past 21 days.
• Consequently, the entire Middle East is in turmoil, with the prices of oil expected to rise amid this uncertainty.

Israel warns Hezbollah

• Israel's ground invasion against Hamas also raises concerns about Lebanon's Hezbollah group intervening in the conflict, as reported by CNN.
• Israel has issued a warning to Hezbollah not to involve itself in the situation.
• Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah met with top officials from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad on Wednesday, according to a statement released by Hezbollah.
• Additionally, UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for a brief pause in the offensive against Palestine to facilitate aid delivery to the people.

Also read: The Israel-Palestine conflict explained for dummies

Read: Israel-Hamas war has claimed lives of 24 journalists, including Al Jazeera chief's family

Read: What's the poor man's cocaine that Hamas terrorists were high on when they attacked Israel?