The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have conducted ground raids in Gazan territory to eliminate the threat of terrorist cells and infrastructure. Soldiers collected evidence that will aid in locating hostages, it said.
The Israel Air Force (IAF) continued striking Hamas terrorist targets and anti-tank missile launchers in Gaza immediately after they were used to attack Israel.
This comes after Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to completely destroy the enemy saying, “This is just the beginning… we will end this war stronger than ever… we will destroy Hamas.”
The ground raids have come after Israel ordered immediate evacuation of Palestinians as it planned to advance local targets in a bid to eliminate Hamas terrorists and its affiliation.
As Israel began its ground operations, thousands of Palestinians are now rushing to evacuate the region. According to Hamas officials, around 70 people, mostly women and children, were killed during Israeli airstrikes as they were trying to rush out of the war-torn Gaza city.
Hamas’ media office says the cars were struck in three places as they headed south from Gaza City. It was not immediately clear who the target of the airstrikes was, or whether militants were among the passengers.
Meanwhile, the WHO has called for ‘immediate reversal’ of Israel’s evacuation order. “Moving more than one million people across a densely populated warzone to a place with no food, water, or accommodation, when the entire territory is under siege, is extremely dangerous — and in some cases, simply not possible,” the world health body said.
Second flight carrying 235 Indians landed in Delhi
The second flight carrying Indian nationals from war-torn Israel landed in New Delhi early on Saturday morning. The second flight consisting of 235 Indian nationals took off at 11.02 pm local time.
The passengers were chosen on a “first come first serve” basis after a drive launched by the Indian embassy for all Indians to register at the mission’s database. The government is bearing the cost of their return. There are about 18,000 Indian nationals living and working in Israel including caregivers, students, several IT professionals, and diamond traders.
The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv had scheduled another flight for Friday evening to rescue Indians stranded amid the conflict with Hamas. “The Embassy has emailed the next lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight today. Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights,” said the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv on X.
As chaos erupted following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel and the latter’s furious retaliation, India launched ‘Operation Ajay’ on Thursday to facilitate the return of those who wished to return home. The first charter flight to facilitate the return of Indian citizens wishing to return from Israel landed at Delhi Airport on Friday morning.
