From Gaza (AP)
Middle East
The most violent hours since the outbreak of the war on October 7, witnessed by the Gaza Strip during the last hours of the night, described as terrifying.
Israel launched violent raids on multiple areas of the Gaza Strip, north and south, with a more deadly frequency in the northern regions, in which around 100 aircraft participated, as confirmed by the Israeli army, targeting 150 underground targets.
Groups of its ground forces also entered the Gaza Strip and clashed with members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in an apparent rehearsal of the planned “invasion”, according to what numerous experts and military analysts. .
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Riyad Qahwaji, Al Arabiya/Al Hadath advisor for military affairs, explained on Saturday that what happened was like the first test for the Israeli army units, to determine their readiness, and also a test for the fighters of Hamas and their positions.
According to Qahwaji, the most important objective of this major incursion is to reach the tunnels, where Hamas’ military command centers, missiles, offensive weapons and infrastructure are located.
Ready for comparison
Meanwhile, Hamas confirmed on Saturday that its fighters in Gaza are ready to face Israel’s attacks with “full force” after the Israeli military expanded its air and ground attacks.
It is also indicated that “the Qassam Brigades face and counter the incursions”.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said Friday evening that its fighters clashed with Israeli forces in the town of Beit Hanoun, in northeastern Gaza, and in Bureij, in the Central Strip.
From Gaza (AFP)
Has the invasion begun?
This came after Israeli army spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed in a televised statement last night that ground forces had expanded their operations, raising doubts about whether the long-awaited ground invasion had begun.
He added that the Air Force carried out intensive strikes on Hamas-dug tunnels and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have gathered outside Gaza, where Israel has conducted an intense aerial bombardment campaign following the attack launched by hundreds of Hamas fighters on Israeli settlements and military bases in the Gaza Strip on October 7.
Israeli forces near the Gaza fence (AFP)
White phosphorus
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Information Center reported today that Israeli planes dropped white phosphorus bombs in central Gaza.
Following the violent air and ground bombardment of Gaza, telecommunications companies and the Palestinian Red Crescent announced that internet and telephone services had been disrupted due to Israeli bombing.
The Red Crescent said it had completely lost all communications with its operations room in Gaza, as well as with its teams working there.
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While the Hamas-led government in the Strip announced that rescue teams could not receive emergency communications.
“complete break”
In turn, the Palestinian Telecommunications Company (Paltel), the largest provider of cable and wireless communications in Gaza, confirmed “the complete interruption of all communications and Internet services with the Strip.”
MSF also indicated that it was unable to reach some Palestinian colleagues and expressed particular concern for “the patients, medical staff and thousands of families who have found refuge in Al-Shifa hospital and other health facilities”.
“Night of Terror”
Catherine Russell, executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), also revealed that the organization is no longer able to communicate with its employees in Gaza. “I am deeply concerned for their safety and for another night of unspeakable horror for a million children in Gaza,” she wrote on X. “All aid workers and the children and families they serve must be protected.” .
Interestingly, in addition to the violent bombing of a besieged and densely populated strip, the disruption of communications and the Internet can constitute a humanitarian catastrophe as it prevents communication between medical teams and ambulances for transporting the wounded and injured, which aggravates the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and increases the death toll, as confirmed by numerous international and humanitarian organizations.
It also pushes thousands of Palestinians into the depths of despair and anxiety because they are unable to communicate with each other to check on their families.
This step also prevents or limits the dissemination of information around the world about developments taking place on the ground inside the Strip and the extent of human and material damage.