Hamas announced on Saturday that its fighters in Gaza were prepared to confront Israeli attacks with full force as Israel’s military escalated its air and ground offensives on the Palestinian enclave.
The group, which controls Gaza, stated earlier that its fighters were clashing with Israeli troops near the border after Israel reported an increase in attacks in the area.
During a televised news briefing on Friday evening, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced that ground forces were expanding their operations, suggesting the beginning of a long-anticipated ground invasion of Gaza. He also mentioned that Israel’s air force was conducting extensive strikes on Hamas tunnels and infrastructure.
Late on Friday, the armed wing of Hamas reported that its fighters were clashing with Israeli troops in the town of Beit Hanoun and in the central area of Al-Bureij. Hamas stated on Saturday that its forces were fully prepared to confront Israel’s aggression and frustrate its incursions.
The group also expressed confidence that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his army would not achieve any military victory.
Israeli ground forces had already gathered outside Gaza, where Israel had been carrying out intense aerial bombardments since a deadly attack on Israeli communities near the strip by Hamas gunmen on October 7. Israel claimed that 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed and over 200 were taken hostage, including foreign nationals and individuals with dual Israeli nationality.
Al Jazeera reported that Israeli air strikes targeted areas around Gaza’s main hospital, although Reuters was not able to verify these reports.
Israel’s military accused Hamas of using the hospital as a shield for its tunnels and operational centers, an allegation that Hamas denied.
UN Assembly Backs Humanitarian Truce
On Friday, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution drafted by Arab states calling for an immediate humanitarian truce and requesting aid access to Gaza as well as protection for civilians. The resolution, although not legally binding, carries political weight and received applause with 121 votes in favor, while 44 abstained, and 14, including Israel and the United States, voted against.
After Israel announced an escalation in their operations, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby expressed support for a pause in Israeli military activity to provide humanitarian aid, fuel, and electricity to civilians in Gaza.
Kirby refrained from commenting on the expanded ground operation but affirmed the United States’ support for Israel’s right to self-defense, stating that they were not setting any red lines for Israel. Kirby also added that the United States supported a localized temporary pause to retrieve over 200 hostages abducted by Hamas from Gaza.
In Gaza, telecommunication firms and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that Internet and phone services were cut off due to Israeli bombardments.
According to Paltel, the largest telecommunication provider in Gaza, the region was currently experiencing a blackout. The Red Crescent Society stated that they lost contact with their operations room and teams in Gaza, while the Hamas-run government claimed that rescue crews could not receive emergency calls.
Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) expressed concern about the safety of their Palestinian colleagues, particularly for the patients, medical staff, and families taking shelter at Al Shifa hospital and other health facilities.
The head of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, indicated that the agency could no longer communicate with staff in Gaza, emphasizing her worries about the safety of 1 million children in Gaza.
Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declared that Israel was starting its retaliation against Hamas, stating that “Gaza will feel our wrath tonight.” Regev also stated that they would continue to strike until Hamas’ military capabilities were dismantled and their political structure dissolved. He added that Gaza would be significantly different after the conflict ends.
Israeli leaders have vowed to eliminate Hamas and target the leaders and planners of the October 7 attack, which caught Israel by surprise. While Israel has mentioned preparations for a ground invasion, the United States and Arab countries have urged them to delay the operation due to concerns about civilian casualties and a potential wider conflict.
Hamas, backed by Iran, has had years to fortify its defenses, including a sophisticated network of tunnels, and has been launching missile attacks against Israel throughout this month’s conflict.
Palestinian health authorities claim that over 7,000 Palestinians have already been killed by Israeli airstrikes.
In recent days, concerns about the risk of a broader Middle East conflict have increased, with the United States sending more military assets to the region and Israel targeting Hamas supporters in Lebanon and Syria while bombing Gaza. The infrastructure of Gaza, which has been under blockade by Israel and Egypt since 2007, has been severely damaged by the ongoing Israeli bombardment. Power has been cut off, affecting treatment facilities and access to fresh water, while approximately half of the housing stock has been damaged and 20,000 residential units have been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable, according to Hamas.
Palestinians have reported receiving renewed warnings from the Israeli military to relocate from the north to the south of Gaza to avoid the deadliest areas of the conflict. However, making the journey south remains perilous due to ongoing airstrikes, including in southern areas. Many families have refused to leave, fearing they will not be able to return after previous conflicts.
