Israel has extended its military operation further into the northern Gaza Strip, as U.N. officials and medical personnel expressed concern over airstrikes that were hitting hospitals where tens or thousands of Palestinians had sought refuge alongside thousands of injured. Relief workers say that the largest humanitarian convoy to reach Gaza is still far from meeting needs.
The recent movements, including the larger ground operations north and east from Gaza City, indicate a focus on this city.
Israel’s military announced late Monday that an Israeli female soldier who was captured by Hamas during its massive Oct. The first rescue operation since the war began was conducted by Israel’s military during the ground operation on Oct. 7.
(AP Photo/Oded Balilty) The Israeli Iron Dome system intercepts a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip in central Israel on Monday, October 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
According to Hamas’ Health Ministry of Gaza, the death toll for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict has reached 8,306 according to Hamas. More than 110 Palestinians were killed by Israeli raids and violence in the West Bank.
In Israel, more than 1,400 people have died. Most of these were civilians killed in the initial Hamas rampage which started the fighting on Oct. 7. The militant group also took 240 Israeli hostages into Gaza.
Currently:
- 1. Internet and phone service slowly returns to Gaza
- 2. Putin calls a meeting following a mob that storms the Dagestan Airport in search of Israelis flying from Tel Aviv.
- 3. Israeli Media, traumatized after Hamas’ attack, now communicate Israel’s message.
- 4. Biden said that Mideast leaders should consider a Two-State Solution when the war is over.
- 5. Watchdog group says attack that killed videographer‘explicitly targeted’ Lebanon journalists.
CANADA’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER SAYS HUMANITARIAN ACCORD URGENTLY NEEDED TO AID PEOPLE OF GAZA STRIP
TORONTO – Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly stated Monday that an urgent humanitarian agreement was needed to assist the people of Gaza Strip.
Joly, speaking to the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto, called for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict to allow more aid into Gaza.
“The humanitarian situation of the Palestinians, including women and children, has been dire,” she said.
Joly reaffirmed Canada’s unambiguous condemnation of Hamas’ attacks against Israelis. She said Israel had a right to defend themselves against terrorism “in accordance with the international law.” She also criticised attacks by extremist Israelis towards Palestinians in West Bank.
UNWRA HEAD WARNS OF THAT
Further Breakdowns of Civil Order Endanger Agency’s Operations in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS – The head of U.N. agency responsible for Palestinian refugees warns that a humanitarian ceasefire is a matter of “life and death” for millions of people, stressing that the “present and future of Palestinians as well as Israelis depends on it.”
Philippe Lazzarini warned, during a Monday emergency meeting of U.N. Security Council, that the collapse of civil order following recent breaks-ins to the warehouses of the largest U.N. organization in Gaza by panicked Palestinians looking for food and aid will make it very difficult for them to continue working.
In a virtual briefing, he said that he was worried about the spillover effect of the conflict. He urged the 193 U.N. members nations to “change the trajectory of this crise.”
UNRWA commissioner-general said that 64 members of staff had been killed within the last three weeks, the latest just two hours before when UNRWA’s head of security was murdered in mid-Gaza with his wife and 8 children.
Lazzarini stated that most Palestinians living in Gaza feel “trapped in a conflict they had nothing to do with,” and “they believe the world is equating them all to Hamas.” Lazzarini also stressed that Israel’s obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians, are not absolved by the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, 2007.
ISRAEL REVERSES ITS DECISION TO REFUSE TO GRANTS ENTRY VISAS TO UN OFFICIALS
GENEVA – Israeli officials have reneged on their promise to refuse entry visas to U.N. official.
Martin Griffiths is the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ head. He tweeted on Monday that he had arrived in Israel, less than a fortnight after Israel told the U.N. Ambassador it “refused to” grant Griffiths visa.
Israeli officials have expressed their outrage at comments made by U.N. Sec-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday that the deadly attack by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, “didn’t happen in a void.”
Gilad Erdan – Israel’s U.N. Ambassador – accused Guterres of justifying an atrocity on Israel’s Army Radio, demanded his resignation, and said Israel “would refuse to grant visas for U.N. officials.”
Stephane Dujarric, U.N. spokesperson said Guterres stands by his remarks.
Meirav Eilon Shahar, Israel’s Ambassador in Geneva, stated on Monday that “We haven’t categorically said we don’t give visas.” We’re… we understand their need to go there.”
Eilon Shahar confirmed that Griffiths, along with other officials including Han Kluge the regional director of the World Health Organization, was in Israel.
She continued to express Israel’s frustration at the fact that U.N. institution heads did not speak out more strongly against Hamas militants who “butcher civilians and women” in such a brutal way.
Eilon Shahar continued, “The United Nations let down the Israeli people.” When I refer to the United Nations I mean the multilateral organizations that have let the people of Israel down.
ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES DAMAGED OXYGEN SYSTEM AND WATER SUPPLY AT TURKISH PALESTINIAN HOSPITAL, DIRECTOR SAYS
CAIRO – Doctor Sobhi Skeik of the Turkish Palestinian Hospital located just south of Gaza City said that his hospital had been damaged by an Israeli attack at 6:30pm Monday evening. The explosion damaged the oxygen and water system of the hospital’s third floor. It also partially destroyed two rooms.
Skiek explained, “It was just a stroke of luck that no one else was in the room at the time.” Before the attack, there was no evacuation order issued by the Israeli army.
Skeik has said that in the last few days dozens of missiles have been fired at the area and atmosphere surrounding the cancer-treatment hospital. Skeik said that the hospital currently houses 100 to 150 patients and 200 staff, as well as 100 displaced persons.
ISRAEL WARNS CITIZENS OF THE NORTHERN CAUCASUS TO LEAVE AFTER A MOB STORM DAGESTAN AIRPORT
JERUSALEM – Israel has warned its citizens not to travel to the north Caucasus region after a mob stormed a Russian airport in Dagestan when an Israeli flight landed.
According to Russian media reports, hundreds of men, many carrying banners with antisemitic messages, rushed onto tarmac at the airport in Makhachkala on Sunday night. They were looking for Israelis on the flight that had left Tel Aviv.
The attack was partly motivated by anger over Israel’s actions against Hamas in Gaza. Israel has been at war there since a deadly Hamas incursion earlier this month. The mob was waving Palestinian flags.
Police arrested 60 people and injured more than 20 others, including two who were in critical condition.
Israel has raised its travel alert level to the highest level. It urges citizens to avoid travel to Dagestan or neighboring areas and to leave immediately if they are already there.
US CONTINUES to Provide Israel with Weapons Shipments Almost Daily, PENTAGON Says
WASHINGTON – The Pentagon continues to ship weapons to Israel almost daily, Pentagon deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh informed reporters on Monday.
Singh stated that despite the increasing number of civilian deaths, “we do not put any limits on Israel’s use of weapons.” It is up to the Israeli Defense Force how it will conduct its operations.
Singh refused to answer the question of whether the Pentagon was concerned about the use of the weapons, but did say that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had repeatedly emphasized Israel’s need to adhere to the laws governing armed conflict in order for it not cause civilian casualties.
NETANYAHU SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE PLANS TO REIGN AND WON’T AGREE TO A CEASE FIRE
TEL AVIV (Israel) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he does not plan to resign despite the public outcry over the deadly Hamas raid on Oct. 7, which killed more than 1,400 Israelis. The raid sparked off the current Israel-Hamas conflict.
At a Monday news conference, Netanyahu was asked if he had considered stepping down.
Hamas is the only thing I want to see resigned. He said, “We’re going resign to them the dustbins of history.” “That’s what I want to do.” “That’s my goal.”
Netanyahu said that he also would not accept a ceasefire. He claimed it would be the same as “surrendering to Hamas or terrorism. It would be like surrendering to barbarism.” This will not happen.”
He accused Hamas of being responsible for the high death rate in Gaza and accusing it of using civilians to shield itself.
According to Hamas’ Health Ministry in Gaza, the death toll for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict has reached 8,306 according to Hamas. More than 110 Palestinians were killed by Israeli raids and violence in the West Bank.
GERMAN CHANCELLOR SAYS HAMAS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF GERMAN ISRAELI CITIZENS AND OTHERS
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Hamas should be held responsible for the death German-Israeli dual national Shani Louk, and other militants killed in the Oct. 7, attack on Israel.
Scholz wrote, “The news about Shani Louk’s death is terrible,” on X (formerly Twitter). “Like so many others, she too was brutally murdered. It is clear that Hamas was responsible for the attack.
Louk’s mom told German news agency dpa on Monday that the Israeli military had informed her of the death of 22-year old daughter who was missing since the attack.
Scholz wrote: “This is terrorism, and Israel has a right to defend themselves.”
ISRAEL SAYS HAMAS CAPTURED FEMALE SOLDIER HAS BEEN RELAUNCHED
Israel claims that a female Hamas soldier who was captured during the militants’ Oct. 7 attack has been freed during Israel’s operations on the ground in Gaza. She appears to be Israel’s first captured captive since it intensified its ground war. The military gave few details. The military said Private Ori Megish “was checked medically, is doing fine, and she has met her family.”
UN SPECIAL ENVOY for SYRIA WARNS of a ‘potentially worsening escalation’
UNITED NATIONS – The Israeli-Hamas war has spilled over into Syria, which is “at its most hazardous situation in a long time,” fueled primarily by violence and growing instability as well as a lack progress towards a political resolution to the 12-year conflict.
Geir Pdersen, a Norwegian diplomat, told the U.N. Security Council on Monday that he is “sounding the alarm” about the “terrifying prospect” of a wider escalation. He cited airstrikes attributed by Israel to hit Aleppo and Damascus Airports multiple times as well as U.S. retaliation for what the U.S. claims are multiple attacks by groups on its forces.
She warned that the United States would continue to respond to any attacks against U.S. personnel or facilities in Syria.
Ambassador Vassily Beizia, the Russian ambassador to Syria and its closest ally in the region, has accused Israeli forces for striking civilian airports and other sites in Syria. He also called U.S. strikes in Syria “illegitimate” and “a gross breach of Syria’s sovereignty.”
5 PEOPLE KILLED BY THE OCCUPIED WHITE BANK
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that five Palestinians died in clashes on Monday with Israeli forces, in the West Bank occupied.
The ministry reported that another Palestinian died from wounds received in an attack last week on a Jewish settler near Ramallah.
Heavy clashes broke out after dozens military vehicles and bulldozers invaded the town of Jenin, and its adjacent refugee camp with the same name to conduct an arrest raid. Israeli media reported drone attacks in the West Bank, a mode of attack that was once uncommon but is now more common.
A military raid near Hebron resulted in the death of another Palestinian.
Since the outbreak of the war between Israel & Hamas on October 7, violence has increased in the West Bank. According to the Health Ministry, Israeli forces have killed 122 Palestinians since then.
KEY Events – Full Report
- According to reports, on 28 and 29 Oct, the vicinity of Shifa, Al Quds, and the Indonesian hospitals in Gaza City and northern Gaza were reportedly bombed and damaged. The Israeli military had repeatedly called for the immediate evacuation of these facilities. In recent days, all ten of the hospitals that are still operating in Gaza City and Northern Gaza have been repeatedly ordered to evacuate. These facilities are home to thousands of patients, medical staff and approximately 117,000 internally-displaced people (IDPs).
- The World Health Organization (WHO), on 28 October, called for “all parties in the conflict to take every precaution to protect civilians” and “civil infrastructure”, including health workers, ambulances, patients and health facilities. WHO also reiterated that it was “impossible to evacuate patients safely without putting their lives at risk.” Lynn Hastings stated, “for those who cannot evacuate, because they are stuck or have nowhere else to go, advance warnings do not make a difference.”
- On 28th October, thousands broke into UNRWA distribution centres and warehouses in the middle and south areas of Gaza and stole wheat flour, hygiene products and other items. Tom White, UNRWA Operations Director, stated on 29 October that this was a “worrying sign” that civil order had begun to crumble after three weeks war and the tight siege of Gaza.
- At least 33 trucks with water, food and medical supplies crossed the Rafah border crossing into Gaza on 29 October. It is the biggest delivery of humanitarian assistance since limited deliveries resumed on 21 October. This increase in aid is welcomed, but a larger amount of assistance is required on a more regular basis to avoid further deterioration of the dire humanitarian conditions, including civil unrest. Fuel is needed urgently to run medical equipment, water and sanitation systems and other facilities.
- After being cut off on 27 October evening, telecommunications in Gaza including internet and cellular services had been largely restored as of the morning of the 29th.
- According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 302 Palestinians died in Gaza between 18:30 on 28 October until noon on 29 Oct. The cumulative death toll reported in Gaza since hostilities began now stands at 8,005. Of these, 67 percent are women and children.
- On 29 October, there were more than 1.4 millions people internally displaced in Gaza, and 671,000 of them were sheltering in UNRWA facilities. The average number IDPs in each shelter is more than three times the intended capacity.
- No fatalities have been reported in the last 24 hours as a result of Palestinian armed group’s indiscriminate firing of rockets at Israeli population. According to Israeli authorities, approximately 1,400 Israelis, as well as foreigners, have died in Israel. The vast majority of these deaths occurred on 7 October.
- According to Israeli authorities, there are 239 captives in Gaza. These include Israelis as well as foreigners. 40 people remain missing. According to media reports, about 30 of these hostages are children. On 20 and 23 Oct, four adult hostages were freed. Hamas claimed on 26 October that Israeli airstrikes had killed 50 hostages.
- Between the afternoon of the 28th and the evening of the 29th, Israeli forces in the West Bank killed four Palestinians. Another Palestinian died from wounds he had sustained earlier during this period. The total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and settlers or Palestinians since 7th October is now 115. This includes 33 children as well as one Israeli soldier.
- Since 7 October, nearly 1,000 Palestinians were forced to leave their homes in West Bank. At least 98 Palestinian families, totaling more than 800 people, were forced out of 15 herding/Bedouin villages in Area C due to increased settler violence and restrictions on access. 121 Palestinians have also been displaced after their homes were demolished by Israeli authorities for lack of building permits issued by Israel or as a punitive measure.
- The Israeli military continued its significant ground operations in Gaza for the fourth day running on 30 October. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 304 Palestinians died in Gaza on 30 October. The cumulative death toll in Gaza reported by the MoH since the beginning of hostilities is now 8,309 deaths, 70 percent of which are women and children.
- The second day in a row, two hospitals in Gaza City and Northern Gaza were reportedly bombed. This caused damage. In recent days, Israel has repeatedly ordered the evacuation of all 13 hospitals still operating in these areas. These facilities are home to thousands of patients, medical staff and 117,000 IDPs. delivered remarks to the Security Council on behalf of Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. stated that we are deeply concerned about allegations of military facilities in close proximity to hospitals and by Israeli authorities requesting hospitals to be evacuated, including Al Quds & Shifa. There is no safe place for patients and there would be death for babies and those on life-support.
- 26 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza on 30 October through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The increase in aid into Gaza over the last two days was welcome. However, the current amount is a fraction what is required to stop the humanitarian crisis from worsening, and civil unrest. In his message to Security Council, Griffiths said that it was “urgent” to replenish fuel supplies. Fuel is vital to powering the most essential services including hospitals and desalination plant water, as well as to transport humanitarian aid inside Gaza.
- The water supply from Israel into southern Gaza ceased on 30th October, for reasons unknown, and the repair of a pipeline from Israel towards the Middle Area was not completed in time to be reactivated. The water supply to central and southern Gaza has gradually improved over the past few days after fuel was distributed in Gaza at key water facilities. As of the date this article was written, Israel does not provide any water to Gaza.
- On 30 October, there were more than 1.4 millions people internally displaced in Gaza, and nearly 672,000 of them found shelter in UNRWA’s 150 facilities. The average number IDPs in each shelter is more than three times the intended capacity.
- No fatalities have been reported in the last 24 hours as a result of Palestinian armed group’s indiscriminate firing of rockets at Israelis. According to Israeli authorities, approximately 1,400 Israelis, as well as foreigners, have died in Israel. The vast majority of these deaths occurred on 7 October.
- As part of their operations on the ground, Israeli forces freed a female Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza. Hamas had released four civilian hostages between 20 and 23 Oct. Israeli authorities claim that 238 hostages, both Israelis and non-Israelis, are being held in Gaza. According to media reports, about 30 hostages are children. Hamas claimed on 26 October that Israeli airstrikes had killed 50 hostages.
- Between the afternoon of the 29th and the evening of the 30th, Israeli forces and settlers killed six Palestinians in the West Bank. The total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since 7 October is now 121. This includes 33 children. One Israeli soldier was also killed by Palestinians.
- Since 7 October, nearly 1,000 Palestinians were forced to leave their homes in West Bank. At least 98 Palestinian families, totaling more than 800 people, were forced out of 15 herding/Bedouin villages in Area C due to increased settler violence and restrictions on access. Another 121 Palestinians have been displaced after their homes were demolished by Israeli authorities for lack of building permits issued by Israel or as punitive measures.