Jerusalem: While awaiting the political nod for Gaza ground offensive, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday shared satellite images to show the extent of devastation in the country after the multi-pronged terror attacks.
“The lengths Hamas is willing to go in order to commit war crimes are visible even from outer space,” the IDF posted on X while sharing the image.
Around 6.30 am on October 7, Hamas fired a huge barrage of rockets into southern Israel with sirens heard as far away as Tel Aviv and Beersheba. The multi-pronged attack also included blowing up parts of Israel’s fortified separation fence, and infiltrating Israeli communities along the Gaza frontier, terrorising residents and trading fire with Israeli soldiers. At least one Hamas soldier was filmed flying over in a powered parachute. A motorboat carrying fighters was also seen heading to Zikim, an Israeli coastal town with a military base.
Israeli authorities have updated the death toll in Hamas’ attack on Israel to 1,200.
Meanwhile, Israel, which has vowed to “demolish Hamas”, has denied having agreed to halt fire in southern Gaza to allow the Rafah border crossing to open to let aid into the Strip. “At the moment there is no ceasefire for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and the exit of foreigners,” says a terse statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau’s office.
The Reuters news agency, citing two Egyptian security officials, had earlier reported that Israel had agreed to halt fire from 9 am in a deal agreed on with Egypt and the US. Rafah, which is on the border between Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Hamas-governed Gaza, is the only crossing into the territory not controlled by Israel.
The Israeli army also informed that it was evacuating residents living along its northern frontier with Lebanon amid rising tensions there. Residents of 28 communities that lie within 2 kilometres (1.24 miles) of the border will be moved “state-funded guesthouses”. Israel has also announced another “safe corridor” in Gaza as it urged civilians to move to the south of the territory from the north.
Gaza witnessed the heaviest overnight strikes since fighting began last week, Reuters reports, citing Palestinians on the ground. Bombardments were most intense in Gaza City, where bombs struck areas near two hospitals, the report claimed.
