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LIVE UPDATES: Commander of Israeli Military Division Says Forces Stand 'at Gates of Gaza City'

Sputnik International

Hostilities rage in the Middle East for more than 3 weeks since October 7 when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing thousands of missiles and catching army off guard. Israeli government launched retaliatory strikes on Gaza Strip.

2023-11-01T05:08+0000

2023-11-01T16:57+0000

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LIVE UPDATES: Commander of Israeli Military Division Says Forces Stand 'at Gates of Gaza City'

05:08 GMT 01.11.2023 (Updated: 16:57 GMT 01.11.2023)

Being updated

Hostilities have raged in the Middle East for over three weeks since Oct. 7, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets and catching the army off guard. The Israeli government launched retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip.

As the conflict escalates, casualties are mounting on both sides. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has put the death toll in Gaza at over 8,500. Among these tragic losses are over 3,500 innocent children and more than 2,100 women. The IDF has lost over 300 soldiers, while some 240 people are being held hostage by Hamas.

Recently, the IDF carried out an attack on the Jabalia refugee camp, killing and injuring 400 people and calling it a "tragedy of war".

In the meantime, Washington has announced that Joe Biden would exercise his veto power on the House supplemental bill, which aims to provide $14.3 billion in aid to Israel. The reason behind this decision is to prevent the politicization of the assistance that the United States provides to its ally. The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act was introduced by US House Republicans on Monday and is anticipated to be brought to the House floor later this week.

Follow Sputnik’s live feed to learn more.

Table of contents

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06:17 GMT 02.11.2023

IDF Clashed With Militant Cells in Northern Gaza, ‘Dozens’ of Palestinian Fighters Killed - Statement

05:03 GMT 02.11.2023

Japanese Foreign Minister to Visit Israel, Palestine, Jordan From Thursday

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa will visit Israel, Palestine and Jordan from November 2-5 in an effort to calm the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Kamikawa is planning on meeting with senior government officials, in particular, the Israeli and Jordanian foreign ministers. The Japanese government is working on arranging a meeting between Kamikawa and key Palestinian diplomatic figures.

Kamikawa will be the first Japanese minister to visit the Middle Eastern region since October 7.

04:57 GMT 02.11.2023

Around 5,000-7,000 Foreign Nationals Might Be Allowed to Leave Gaza Strip Soon - Reports

Around 5,000-7,000 foreign nationals could be allowed to leave the Gaza Strip amid the escalation as part of the deal announced on Wednesday, US broadcaster has reported, citing US officials.

On Wednesday, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that more Americans would be anticipated to leave Gaza soon after a handful of citizens were expected to depart the area later that day.

A number of US officials expect some 5,000 foreign nationals to be allowed to cross from the Gaza Strip into Egypt, with one senior US official believing the total number will be at around 7,000 people, the report said, adding that the number is far from exact since the situation on the ground has been constantly changing.

Media reported on Wednesday that Egypt had announced the opening of the Rafah checkpoint terminal to allow the passage of about 90 wounded Palestinians and about some 450 foreigners and dual nationals. Sources told Sputnik also on Wednesday that at least 117 foreigners had crossed the Gaza-Egypt border via the Rafah checkpoint. Ambulances, carrying injured Palestinians, continued to arrive at hospitals in Egypt's North Sinai, the sources said.

04:48 GMT 02.11.2023

A picture taken from near the southern Israeli city of Sderot on October 28, 2023, shows smoke raising during an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip on October 28. - Sputnik International, 1920, 02.11.2023

World

West in UNSC Continues to Obstruct De-Escalation Efforts in Gaza – Russia’s UN Envoy

2 November 2023, 04:33 GMT

02:41 GMT 02.11.2023

Malaysian Foreign Minister Vows Response to US Demarche Over Position on Gaza - Reports

Malaysia will take appropriate measures in response to a demarche received from the United States over the county's position on the Israel-Palestine conflict since the matter should be taken seriously, Malaysian media reported, citing Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir.

On Tuesday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that the US attempted to put pressure on Muslim-majority Malaysia by issuing a demarche to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry because of its refusal to condemn the actions of Hamas in the latest escalation of the group's tensions with Israel.

The demarche should be considered in the right context, with necessary measures required to be taken by Malaysia in response, The Star newspaper reported, citing the foreign minister.

"We know that what is going on now is a very big crisis involving a major power. We cannot take it lightly. This is not the first time," the minister was quoted as saying, adding that his country had clearly stated its position on the conflict.

Earlier in the week, the Malaysian prime minister said that Malaysia was called on by the US embassy official to warn a certain country via diplomatic channels to refrain from taking advantage of the escalated conflict. The prime minister did not disclose the name of the country.

02:35 GMT 02.11.2023

Israel Defense Forces Says Struck Site in Lebanon After Missile Launch

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck terrorists that had fired a surface-to-air missile from Lebanon toward an Israeli drone.

"Earlier tonight, a surface-to-air missile was launched from Lebanon toward an IDF UAV. In response, the IDF struck the terrorist cell that fired the missile and the launch site. There was no damage to the UAV. In addition, a number of launches were identified from Lebanon toward the area of Har Dov and Mount Hermon in northern Israel. They fell in open areas. IDF artillery struck the source of the launches in response," the IDF said on Telegram.

01:51 GMT 02.11.2023

Austrian Foreign Ministry Says 31 Austrians Evacuated From Gaza Strip

Добровольцы благодарят Бога после того, как грузовики с гуманитарной помощью для сектора Газа пересекли КПП Рафах - Sputnik International, 1920, 02.11.2023

World

Austrian Foreign Ministry Says 31 Austrians Evacuated From Gaza Strip

2 November 2023, 01:50 GMT

23:58 GMT 01.11.2023

At Least 195 Palestinians Killed in Israel's Strikes on Refugee Camp in Gaza - Reports

At least 195 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday and Wednesday, US media reported, citing Palestinian movement Hamas.

As many as 777 people have been injured in the strikes, with some 120 more missing, media added.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) called the airstrikes on the camp "carnage," saying that the scenes from the camp were "horrific and appalling."

"While we do not yet have estimates of the toll the attack has taken on children, people’s homes have been leveled, hundreds apparently injured and killed, with many children reportedly among the casualties," UNICEF said in a statement.

US media reported earlier, citing the head of the Indonesian hospital in the Gaza Strip, that at least 80 people have been killed in another airstrike conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the Jabalia refugee camp.

On Tuesday, the exclave's interior ministry said that at least 400 people in the refugee camp had been killed and injured after Israeli air attacks. IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said that the IDF had struck the Jabalia camp in an attempt to eliminate a Hamas commander, adding that the death of civilians was a result of the "tragedy of war." The IDF later confirmed the death of the commander of Hamas' Central Jabalia Battalion, Ibrahim Biari.

23:09 GMT 01.11.2023

Palestinians check the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the Jabaliya camp for Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, on November 1, 2023. - Sputnik International, 1920, 01.11.2023

World

UN Denounces Israeli Bombing of Gaza Refugee Camp as Possible 'War Crime'

1 November 2023, 23:08 GMT

22:46 GMT 01.11.2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and US Vice-President Joe Biden pose for the media prior to a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016. - Sputnik International, 1920, 01.11.2023

World

Biden Reportedly Doubts Netanyahu Will Last Long as Israeli Prime Minister Amid Conflict

1 November 2023, 22:46 GMT

22:35 GMT 01.11.2023

Yemen's Houthis Say Will Continue to Attack Israel Until Country Stops War in Gaza Strip

22:04 GMT 01.11.2023

At Least 80 People Killed in Another Israeli Strike on Refugee Camp in Gaza - Reports

At least 80 people have been killed in another airstrike conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, US media reported, citing the head of the Indonesian hospital in the Gaza Strip.

The bodies are being recovered from the debris, with women and children accounting for most of the deaths, the reports said, adding that hundreds of people have also been injured.

20:16 GMT 01.11.2023

IDF Attacks Hezbollah Military Infrastructure, Anti-Tank Missile Launch Site

19:59 GMT 01.11.2023

Israeli Forces Break Through First Defense Line of Hamas in North of Gaza Strip - IDF

The Israeli ground forces on Wednesday broke through the first defense line of Hamas fighters in the north of the Gaza Strip, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

"The ground operation is proceeding according to plan. The offensive of our forces is developing in the north of the Gaza Strip. Through careful planning, precise intelligence, and combined and coordinated attacks from land, sea and air, we broke through Hamas's front line of defense in the north of Gaza Strip," Hagari told a briefing.

According to the IDF, at least 16 Israeli soldiers were killed over the past two days of fighting in the Gaza Strip.

19:20 GMT 01.11.2023

Волонтеры у пункта пропуска Рафах на границе Египта и Газы - Sputnik International, 1920, 01.11.2023

Analysis

Israel 'Already Lost' Gaza Battle Even Before Eviction Plan Leaked - Journo

1 November 2023, 18:47 GMT

18:27 GMT 01.11.2023

Over 8,700 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Strip Since Escalation of Conflict - Health Ministry

Israeli strikes have killed more than 8,700 Palestinians and injured over 22,000 more in the Gaza Strip over the past 25 days, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Martyrs in Palestine: Gaza Strip - 8730, West Bank - 130," the ministry wrote on social media, adding that the number of injured people has reached 22,000 in the Gaza Strip and about 2,100 in the West Bank.

18:20 GMT 01.11.2023

Scholz Tells Netanyahu About Importance of Protecting Gaza Civilians

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and spoke about the importance of protecting the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, the German government stated.

During the conversation, Netanyahu updated Scholz on the situation in Israel and its military’s next moves in fight against Hamas.

"The chancellor reaffirmed Germany's unwavering solidarity with Israel. For his part, he emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and providing humanitarian assistance to the population of the Gaza Strip," the government said in a statement.

18:02 GMT 01.11.2023

US Working to Ensure Israel Minimizes Civilian Casualties, But No Ceasefire - Kirby

The United States is working very hard to press Israel on minimizing civilian casualties in Gaza but a ceasefire is not the solution to the conflict right now, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.

"We're working very, very hard to continue to make sure that our Israeli friends are prosecuting these operations with as much due care to minimizing civilian casualties as possible," Kirby told reporters. "A ceasefire right now, a general broad ceasefire right now is not the right answer," the spokesman added.

The United States is still interested in pursuing a deal to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and Riyadh has indicated it is willing to as well, Kirby stated.

"We're still interested in pursuing this normalization arrangement between Israel and Saudi Arabia... Saudi Arabians have indicated a willingness to continue in that regard," the spokesman clarified.

The official stressed that the US still believes that an integrated Israel is good for the Middle East region and will not give up on that goal.

The US has no plans to place American troops on the ground in Gaza now or in the future, Kirby emphasized.

"There's no plans or intention to put US military troops on the ground," the spokesman stated.

Kirby also mentioned that there are no decisions made at present regarding plans for governing Gaza once the current conflict ends.

"We are talking to our partners about what post-conflict Gaza should look like, and clearly, you know that if that means some sort of international presence, then that's something we're talking about, but there's been no decisions about that," the official stated.

Later today, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington has sent a "very clear message" to Israel that settler violence in the West Bank is unacceptable and those responsible for it should be held accountable.

"We have made quite clear to the Government of Israel that we are very concerned about settler violence in the West Bank. We find it incredibly destabilizing, counterproductive to Israel's long-term security," Miller said during a press briefing. "We have sent a very clear message to them that it's unacceptable, it needs to stop, and those responsible for it need to be held accountable," the spokesman added.

17:36 GMT 01.11.2023

China's UNSC Presidency to Focus on Palestine-Israel Conflict - Envoy to UN

The Chinese presidency of the UN Security Council will focus on addressing the Palestine-Israel conflict, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun said on Wednesday.

"The top priority for our presidency and also for the Security Council as a whole currently is to tackle the Israeli-Palestinian question, namely the Gaza conflict," Zhang told a press conference.

China as the President of the United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting on Palestine-Israel conflict later this month, the Permanent Representative stated.

“We will have a meeting later this month, but I'm sure that definitely this meeting will not be the only one on the Middle East - on the Israeli-Palestinian question,” Zhang said.

China is disappointed by the current deadlock at the UN Security Council regarding the Palestine-Israel conflict but will not give up on efforts to tackle the issue during its presidency for the month of November, the Chinese diplomat stressed.

"I know that the current deadlock... is disappointing but for the Chinese Presidency, we have no intention to give up," Zhang emphasized.

Earlier today, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stated that Russia is working with the authorities of Israel, Egypt and representatives of Palestine in order to ensure that Russian citizens can leave the territory of the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border checkpoint.

The Security Council went through several unsuccessful attempts to vote on a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. There were, as of now, four attempts and a fifth resolution is on the way which is drafted by the ten non-permanent members.

17:31 GMT 01.11.2023

UNRWA Chief Says Sending 'Firm Message' Agency to Remain in Gaza as Staff Deaths Hit 70

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) will not leave the Gaza Strip amid its 70 personnel killed, Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated via Twitter on Wednesday.

"My firm message to all our staff and to the people in Gaza: @UNRWA is staying," Lazzarini said.

The Agency said that Lazarini visited earlier Gaza today to meet Palestinian communities and UNRWA colleagues, and stressed that 70 UNRWA colleagues have been killed in Gaza since October 7.

"He was in the southern part [of Gaza], not too far from Rafah," UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric stressed, adding that he went into and out of the enclave through the Rafah crossing.