Title: Israel Strikes 450 Targets in Gaza, More Than Dozens Killed in Intense Bombardment
Date: November 6, 2023
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Monday that they had targeted 450 Hamas sites in Gaza within the past 24 hours, while the Gaza health ministry reported that dozens of people were killed in the airstrikes. The overnight bombardment, involving air, ground, and sea attacks, was described as one of the most intense since the conflict began.
The war between Israel and Hamas started a month ago when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people and the seizure of 240 hostages. According to health officials in Gaza, over 9,770 Palestinians have been killed since then.
Despite growing international pressure to seek a ceasefire, Israel has refused until the hostages are released. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to discuss the situation with his Turkish counterpart, following a pro-Palestinian protest in southern Turkey that turned violent as hundreds attempted to storm an air base housing U.S. troops.
Blinken had also made an unannounced visit to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who joined calls for an immediate ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there would be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages.
Reports indicate that telecommunications and internet services were disrupted in Gaza, while the health ministry confirmed that dozens of people were killed in Gaza City and other neighborhoods by Israeli airstrikes. The IDF stated that their strikes targeted tunnels, terrorists, military compounds, observation posts, and anti-tank missile launch posts. Ground troops also eliminated several Hamas fighters while capturing a militant compound with underground terror tunnels and observation posts.
In addition to diplomatic efforts, the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns is expected to visit Israel and other Middle Eastern countries to discuss the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to discuss the situation and humanitarian aid with foreign leaders.
The war has triggered increased violence between Israelis and Palestinians in other regions. In East Jerusalem, a 16-year-old Palestinian stabbed and wounded two Israeli police officers before being shot dead. In the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian was killed and three others injured by Israeli army fire. Lebanese authorities also reported that three children and their grandmother were killed by an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah responded by firing rockets into northern Israel, claiming to defend civilians and warning of a strong and firm response to any attacks.
As the conflict continues, the international community remains concerned about the escalating violence and civilian casualties, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Note: Reuters correspondent Nidal al-Mughrabi, who has extensive experience covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, contributed to this report.
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Ali Sawafta and Simon Lewis in Ramallah, Dan Williams in Jerusalem, and Costas Pitas in Los Angeles; Writing by David Lawder in Washington; Editing by Lincoln Feast & Simon Cameron-Moore, William Maclean)