Israel Hamas War Live Updates: The Israeli military said it’s expanding ground operation in Gaza with infantry, and armored vehicles, backed by ‘massive’ fire. Israeli military said “Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck Asem Abu Rakaba, the Head of Hamas’ Aerial Array who was responsible for Hamas’ UAVs, drones, paragliders, aerial detection and defense. He took part in planning the October 7 massacre and commanded the terrorists who infiltrated Israel on paragliders and was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts.”
Earlier today, India abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas War and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip. This resolution followed Israel’s counter-offensive against Hamas after significant attacks on October 7 that resulted in a high number of casualties.
Amid the information blackout, it remained unclear how many casualties resulted from the latest airstrikes. The Red Crescent reported difficulties in reaching their medical teams, while residents were unable to call for ambulances, leaving rescuers reliant on sound cues from explosions to locate the injured. International aid organizations could only maintain limited contact with their staff using satellite phones.
In anticipation of an imminent ground offensive, Israel has amassed a significant number of troops along the Gaza border. Earlier, the military disclosed that ground forces had carried out their second lengthy incursion into Gaza in as many days, targeting numerous militant sites over the past 24 hours. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also revealed that Israel anticipates a protracted and challenging ground offensive in Gaza, which will involve the dismantling of Hamas’ extensive tunnel network and the elimination of “pockets of resistance” in a lengthy phase of lower-intensity conflict.