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Live Updates: IDF Prepares to Launch Ground Operation in Gaza Strip

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On October 7, the Palestinian group Hamas initiated a substantial and unexpected assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip. This led Israel to... 14.10.2023, Sputnik Africa

2023-10-14T09:37+0200

2023-10-14T19:14+0200

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Live Updates: IDF Prepares to Launch Ground Operation in Gaza Strip

09:37 14.10.2023 (Updated: 19:14 14.10.2023)

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On October 7, the Palestinian group Hamas initiated a substantial and unexpected assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip. This led Israel to announce a state of war on the following day and initiate retaliatory attacks.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Palestinian movement Hamas is holding captive more than 120 civilians in the Gaza Strip.

"Over 120 civilians are being held captive in Gaza by the Hamas terrorist organization," the IDF said on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Earlier reports said about 150 Israelis could be held captive by Hamas; there was no exact information how many of them were civilians and military personnel.

On October 9, Israel ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to more than 2 million people, cutting off supplies of water, food and fuel. Both Israel and Palestine have reported over 1,000 deaths and thousands of injured as a result of the escalation.

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19:13 14.10.2023

IDF Prepares to Launch Ground Operation in Gaza Strip

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it is preparing to expand its offensive in the Gaza Strip, adding that the focus will be on a ground operation.

"Israeli army battalions and soldiers are deployed all over the country and are prepared to increase readiness for the next stages of the war, with an emphasis on a significant ground operation," the IDF said in a statement quoted by Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

17:45 14.10.2023

Israel conducting large-scale strikes at Hamas targets in Gaza Strip, the IDF announces

17:28 14.10.2023

IFRC, ICRC Say Their Volunteers Refusing to Leave Northern Gaza Strip, Local Residents

Volunteers of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) refuse to leave the northern part of the Gaza Strip in the Israeli-ordered evacuation in order to continue helping local civilians, IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain and ICRC Director-General Robert Mardini said in a joint statement on Saturday.

"We are deeply alarmed by the call for relocation in Gaza. Our volunteers refuse to leave and abandon those who need them most. They must be protected so that they can protect others," the statement read.

16:04 14.10.2023

US Allows Some Diplomats, Families to Leave Israel Due to Security Threats

The US State Department on Saturday authorized its "non-emergency" employees and their families in Israel to leave the country due to existing and anticipated security threats.

"The Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from U.S. Embassy Jerusalem and U.S. Branch Office Tel Aviv due to the unpredictable security situation in Israel," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The State Department also warned that possible attacks continue to be planned throughout Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which could target tourist destinations, transportation infrastructure, shopping malls and local government offices.

15:50 14.10.2023

Palestine's Islamic Jihad Says Carrying Out Strikes at Israeli Cities of Ashkelon, Sderot

Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, said on Saturday that they were carrying out missile strikes at the Israeli cities of Ashkelon and Sderot in the southern part of the country.

"Al-Quds Brigades are conducting missile strikes at the cities of Ashkelon, Sderot and [the kibbutz of] Zikim," the statement read.

13:08 14.10.2023

Egypt-Gaza Border Crossing May Reopen on Saturday, Reports Say

Palestinian families with their belongings flee following the Israeli army's warning to leave their homes and move south before an expected ground offensive, in Gaza City on October 13, 2023. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 14.10.2023

Israel-Palestine Escalation

Egypt-Gaza Border Crossing May Reopen on Saturday, Reports Say

14 October 2023, 13:07

12:43 14.10.2023

UNICEF Believes Displacement in Gaza to Provoke Humanitarian Crisis

Palestinians take shelter in a UN-run school from the ongoing Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip in Nuiserat refugee camp on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 14.10.2023

Israel-Palestine Escalation

UNICEF Believes Displacement in Gaza to Provoke Humanitarian Crisis

14 October 2023, 12:43

11:54 14.10.2023

Israel Defense Forces Says Prepares for Further Steps on Operation in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intends to continue launching massive strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, further steps in the operation are being prepared, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Saturday.

"We intend to continue massive attacks on Gaza. We are preparing the next steps in the Gaza war and are ready to deploy forces in all arenas. Anyone who approaches the security fence will die," Hagari said in a televised address.

Hundreds of thousands of residents of northern Gaza have heard the IDF's call and have fled the area, he said, adding that the IDF continues to distribute leaflets about evacuation routes and paths.

11:50 14.10.2023

Death Toll in Gaza Strip From Israeli Strikes Exceeds 2,200, Palestinian Health Ministry Says

The death toll in the Gaza Strip from Israeli strikes has exceeded 2,200, while more than 8,700 people have been injured, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Saturday.

"The death toll from Israeli aggression has reached 2,215 and 8,714 people have been injured," the health ministry said on social media.

09:48 14.10.2023

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Says May Contact Hamas on Hostages During Visit to Qatar

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Sputnik he might have contacts with Hamas representatives, including on the issue of the release of hostages, during his next week's visit to Qatar.

"I don't rule it [meeting Hamas representatives] out. We usually met with the Hamas leadership there every time I was there. If they have the will, we always maintain contacts. Especially in this situation it [the meeting] is useful for solving practical issues, including the release of hostages," he said.

09:36 14.10.2023

Protesters chant slogans while holding Palestinian flags during a protest to show their solidarity with the Palestinians, in Istanbul, Turkey. Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 14.10.2023

Israel-Palestine Escalation

Hamas Highly Appreciates Putin's Position on Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

14 October 2023, 09:35

09:14 14.10.2023

Death Toll in Gaza Strip From Israeli Strikes Reaches 1,900: Palestinian Health Ministry

The death toll in the Gaza Strip from Israeli strikes has reached 1,900, including 614 children, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Friday.

"As a result of Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip... the death toll has reached 1,900, including 614 children and 370 women, and 7,696 were injured," the ministry said on social media.

09:13 14.10.2023

Israel Defense Forces Says Attacked Hezbollah Positions in Southern Lebanon

The IDF said it had attacked the positions of Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon after an unidentified object infiltrated Israel.

"A short while ago, the IDF struck a Hezbollah terror target in southern Lebanon in response to the infiltration of unidentified aerial objects into Israel and fire on an IDF UAV. The IDF intercepted the infiltrating aerial object and the fire on the IDF UAV," the IDF said on Telegram.

09:11 14.10.2023

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Says Condemned Hamas' Attack on Israel in Talks With Abbas

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he condemned Palestinian movement Hamas' attack on Israel in talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"I spoke with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, today. I condemned Hamas' attack against Israel, discussed the importance of protecting Palestinian and Israeli civilians, and stressed the need to ensure humanitarian access to Palestinian civilians," Trudeau wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Trudeau's office said in a statement after the talks: "Prime Minister Trudeau and President Abbas discussed their deep concerns with the current situation, including potential for further violence in the West Bank, the humanitarian impacts of the conflict, and implications for the region."

09:08 14.10.2023

Rallies in Support of Israel, Palestine Held in Washington

Rallies in support of both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict were held in the center of Washington, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Both protests involved at least several hundred people: the pro-Israel one took place near the White House (Freedom Plaza), the pro-Palestinian one took place near the Washington Post building. The police did not interfere.

Pro-Palestinian rallies took place not only in the US capital. Similar events were held in Chicago, New York and Portland.