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Israeli army tanks move towards the Gaza Strip border in southern Israel Wednesday, Nov.1, 2023.  - Sputnik International

LIVE UPDATES: Basement Stocked With Weapons Found Under Gaza Hospital, Says IDF

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Hostilities have torn the Middle East apart for more than a month since early October, when Hamas launched a massive rocket attack from Gaza into Israel, breaching the border and killing and abducting people in nearby Israeli communities. Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip.
On 27 October, Israel launched a large-scale ground incursion into Gaza with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas and rescuing the hostages.
On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that the Palestinian movement Hamas ceased to exist as an organized military structure in the north of the Gaza Strip, after the Israeli military inflicted significant damage to the units of the movement.
The death toll from Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip has risen to 11,240 including 4,630 children, according to the region's media office. More than 50 percent of the housing units in the Gaza Strip have been reportedly damaged by Israeli strikes.
Follow Sputnik’s live updates to find out more.
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03:18 GMT 15.11.2023
This picture taken on November 12, 2023 from a position along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel shows a smoke plume erupting during Israeli bombardment on the Palestinian enclave amid ongoing battles.  - Sputnik International, 1920, 15.11.2023
World
Houthi Leader Threatens to Attack Israel's Ships in Red Sea
00:19 GMT 15.11.2023
IDF Announces 'Precise and Targeted' Op Against Hamas in Shifa Hospital
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Wednesday that its forces are carrying out a "precise and targeted" operation against Palestinian movement Hamas in the Shifa hospital — the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip — and are seeking to avoid harm to civilians.
"Based on intelligence information and an operational necessity, IDF forces are carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa Hospital," the IDF said in a statement on Telegram.
The IDF said Israel is "at war with Hamas, not with the civilians in Gaza," adding that it has facilitated "wide-scale evacuations of the hospital and maintained regular dialogue with hospital authorities."
"The IDF forces include medical teams and Arabic speakers, who have undergone specified training to prepare for this complex and sensitive environment, with the intent that no harm is caused to the civilians being used by Hamas as human shields," the IDF said.
Israel's army also called on Hamas members in the hospital to surrender, the statement read.
Earlier in the day, the media reported that the Israeli army had officially notified the medical personnel of the Shifa hospital of its intention to storm the medical facility.
23:31 GMT 14.11.2023
Belize Severs Diplomatic Ties With Israel Over Violation of Humanitarian Law in Gaza Strip
The government of Belize said on Tuesday that it is severing diplomatic relations with Israel over the violation of humanitarian law during the operation in the Gaza Strip.
"With the approval of the Cabinet... House of Representatives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration has implemented the following measures that are to take immediate effect: a. The Government of Belize is withdrawing its Agreement for the accreditation of H.E. Einat Kranz-Neiger, Israel’s Ambassador Designate to Belize; b. All activities conducted by the Israeli Honorary Consulate in Belize and the appointment of the Honorary Consul are suspended," the government said in a statement.
21:05 GMT 14.11.2023
This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip on November 11, 2023. - Sputnik International, 1920, 14.11.2023
World
US Says Has No 'Accurate' Gaza Death Toll, But Far Too Many Innocent Palestinians Killed
20:41 GMT 14.11.2023
US Has No Military Assets, Boots on Ground in Gaza Strip - Pentagon
The United States has neither military assets nor troops on the ground in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing hostilities, Defense Department deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh said on Tuesday.
"[We have] no assets or boots on the ground in Gaza," Singh said during a press briefing.
19:55 GMT 14.11.2023
Aftermath of Israeli Strike on Palestine - Sputnik International, 1920, 14.11.2023
Operation Breaking Dawn: IDF Strikes Gaza
Is Israel Using White Phosphorus Amid Gaza Crisis? Syria Calls for OPCW Probe
18:59 GMT 14.11.2023
Israel's Military Pauses Should Be Longer, US Will Continue to Engage on That - State Dept
The United States believes that humanitarian pauses in Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip should be longer than four hours per day and will continue to engage with Israel on the issue, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Tuesday.
"We've said before we think pauses ought to be longer. We will continue to engage in conversations about that with the government of Israel," Miller told a briefing.
Moreover, the US is calling on Hamas to allow for evacuations, the spokesman stated.
"But absent that, if they refuse to remove their command centers from hospitals, as they seem likely to do - they've been burying their command centers under hospitals for years - the step that we think would be appropriate for them to take would be to allow evacuation and yes we would very much encourage them to do," Miller stressed.
The US would support an independent third party evacuating civilians from the Gaza Strip, including from hospitals, the spokesman emphasized.
"We would support an independent third party or respected third party to conduct those evacuations. We know the government of Israel would support such a step as well," Miller said.
"The question is will Hamas allow patients to be evacuated from hospitals or will they continue to use them as human shields? We think an appropriate step would be to support those evacuations so babies and other vulnerable populations are not in harm's way," the spokesman added.
18:51 GMT 14.11.2023
Israel Holding 2,570 Palestinians in Prisons Since October 7 - Reports
Israeli security forces have been arbitrarily holding 2,570 Palestinians in jail since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on October 7, a Palestinian nonprofit keeping the count of detentions said Tuesday.
"The number of detentions has reached 2,570 since October 7," the Palestinian Prisoners Society said on social media.
The watchdog accused Israeli security forces of routinely torturing and threatening the detainees and members of their families.
Amnesty International said last week that the number of Palestinians detained without charge had increased dramatically across the Israel-occupied West Bank in the days following the Hamas attack on Israel.
Palestinian prisoners have been subjected to torture and various forms of ill-treatment, including severe beatings and deliberate humiliation, Amnesty said. It interviewed two former female detainees who said they had been humiliated, strip-searched, mocked and asked to curse Hamas.
18:46 GMT 14.11.2023
Israel, Hamas Preparing Deal on Release of Hostages, Including Long Truce - Reports
Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas are preparing a deal on the release of hostages, which will include a long truce, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing a senior US official familiar with the mater.
"It’s closer but it’s not done," the official said, adding that the talks remain precarious.
Some hostages could be released in the coming days or weeks, a European diplomat told CNN.
18:35 GMT 14.11.2023
Netanyahu Says Instructed Military to Get Ready for Any Scenario With Hezbollah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for any scenario in the event of an escalation of the conflict with the Lebanese movement Hezbollah in the north of the country.
"There is a serious exchange of fire in the north at the moment. We are hitting Hezbollah, but my instruction to the IDF is to prepare for any scenario. I suggest Hezbollah not to test the State of Israel, as it would be the mistake of their whole life," Netanyahu said at a meeting with the heads of northern municipalities.
18:06 GMT 14.11.2023
Russia and Egypt Discuss Situation in Gaza Strip
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov discussed with Egyptian Ambassador to Russia Nazih el Nagari the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
"During the conversation, the main attention was paid to the current situation in the Gaza Strip, with an emphasis on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave. Gratitude was expressed to the Egyptian side for the assistance provided in ensuring the safe departure of Russian citizens from the zone of armed conflict," the ministry said in a statement.
The officials also touched upon a number of issues of bilateral cooperation, including maintaining an active political dialogue and coordination of actions at the UN and other international structures, the ministry added.
17:55 GMT 14.11.2023
Biden Believes Release of US Hostages in Gaza 'Going to Happen'
US President Joe Biden said Tuesday he believed that US hostages held in Gaza would be released, although he did not offer any details.
"I've been talking with people involved every single day. I believe it’s going to happen but I don't want to get into any detail," the president stated in response to a question at a press briefing.
When asked if he had a message for families of the hostages, Biden replied, "Hang in there, we’re coming."
The US said on Sunday that there remain nine American citizens unaccounted for since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. Hamas released two Americans, Judith and Natalie Ranaan, last month.
17:30 GMT 14.11.2023
IDF Says Established Operational Control Over Al-Shati Refugee Camp in Northern Gaza Strip
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Tuesday that it established operational control over the Al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
"Combat forces and the commando combat forces obtained operational control at Shati Camp in the last few hours," the IDF said on Telegram.
Numerous targets on the outskirts of the camp were hit, including "central buildings and government institutions" of the Palestinian movement Hamas, and a number of fighters of the movement were detained during the operation, the Israeli military added.
17:17 GMT 14.11.2023
Israeli Universities Delay Reopening Until December 24 Due to Hostilities - Reports
Israeli research universities will not reopen until at least December 24 in light of the ongoing conflict, Israeli media reported Tuesday.
The decision was announced by the Committee of University Heads in Israel, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Tel Aviv University stated on its website that studies would not begin before December 24 and urged students to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command.
"In light of the difficult security situation, please note the opening of the school year has been postponed and won't begin before December 24th," it said.
The Post reported that universities would notify students and faculty staff at least two weeks before the academic year began.
13:30 GMT 14.11.2023
Israel Bans Visits to Palestinians Arrested Since October 7 - ICRC
Israel has not allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Palestinian prisoners since October 7, while at least 1,500 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank since then, ICRC spokeswoman Fatima Sator said on Tuesday.
Last week, the Israel Defense Forces said it had arrested over 1,540 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7, including more than 930 people linked to Hamas.
"Since October 7, Israel has not permitted the ICRC to visit Palestinians under arrest in the country. We regret this situation and keep reminding [Israel] of its international obligations," she said during a briefing in Geneva, when asked if the ICRC could check on the health of those arrested.
13:22 GMT 14.11.2023
Israeli Forces Took Control of Gaza Gov’t Institutions Used by Hamas - IDF
The Israeli military has secured control over government institutions in the Gaza Strip that were used by Hamas for military purposes, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday.
“In recent days, forces from both the 7th Brigade and the Golani Brigade conducted operations in Sheikh Ijlin and Rimal, securing control over government institutions that Hamas utilized for military purposes,” the IDF wrote on its Telegram channel.
The IDF said that its units took control of legislative and government buildings used by Hamas, the police headquarters of the Palestinian movement, and other facilities.
13:15 GMT 14.11.2023
US Sanctions Additional Hamas-Linked Individuals, Entities Over October 7 Attack on Israel
The United States targeted Hamas-affiliated individuals and entities in a new batch of sanctions in connection with the October 7 attacks on Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.
"The United States is announcing today its third round of sanctions targeting Hamas-affiliated individuals and entities in connection with the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel," Blinken said in a statement.
The Department of State is designating Akram al-Ajouri as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for being a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
Separately, the Department of the Treasury is designating seven individuals and two entities that have provided support to or acted on behalf of Hamas or PIJ, the statement added.
The statement also accused Iran of enabling Hamas and PIJ's activities, "including through the transfer of funds and the provision of both weapons and operational training."
13:15 GMT 14.11.2023
IDF Secured Control of Government Buildings Used By Hamas As Result of Operations in Gaza
13:14 GMT 14.11.2023
Only 1 Hospital Still Operating in Gaza City as Blockade Drags On - Red Crescent
Al-Muamadani Hospital remains the only operating hospital in Gaza City after the Israeli siege of the Gaza exclave and continued bombardment cut off supplies to all medical facilities, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said Tuesday.
"The work continues at the injury assessment point organized by the PRCS in collaboration with Al-Muamadani Hospital in Gaza – the only hospital currently operating in Gaza," the Palestinian aid charity said on X.
PRCS staff are helping the hospital handle mild and moderate injuries to ease the burden on Al-Muamadani’s emergency unit after Al-Quds Hospital went out of service over the weekend due to a depletion of fuel and medical supplies.
13:11 GMT 14.11.2023
Number of Attacks on Health Care Facilities in Gaza Strip Unprecedented - WHO
The number of attacks on health care facilities in the Gaza Strip has reached an unprecedented level in the history of conflicts, World Health Organization Spokesperson Margaret Harris said on Tuesday.
The WHO has recorded at least 137 attacks on medical institutions in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in 521 deaths, including 16 of health workers on duty since October 7.
"It’s currently the largest number of attacks in such a short period. And I heard this is the worst we’ve ever seen, because what we’re also seeing is an increasing trend of many attacks on healthcare, we’ve seen this in Sudan, we’ve seen this in Ukraine," Harris told a briefing.
13:11 GMT 14.11.2023
IDF Says Uncovered Hamas' Tunnel Shaft in Gaza Strip Mosque
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday that it had uncovered a Hamas' tunnel shaft in a mosque in the Gaza Strip, while Israeli fighter jets and helicopters struck a terrorist cell in the area.
"During ground operations, IDF troops uncovered a terror tunnel shaft located in a mosque in the Gaza Strip. Following the guidance of ground troops, IDF fighter jets and helicopters struck a terrorist cell that launched anti-tank missiles at the soldiers," the IDF wrote on Telegram.
Furthermore, the Israeli naval forces launched a strike against a Hamas' training camp, the IDF added.
"Overnight, Israeli naval soldiers struck a military camp used by Hamas’ naval forces for training and weapons storage," it said.
The IDF also said that during the day, the Israeli military had struck "200 terror targets, including terrorist operatives, weapon production sites, anti-tank missile launchers and operational command centers."
12:28 GMT 14.11.2023
IDF Announces 4-Hour Humanitarian Pause for Gaza Residents to Evacuate South
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday announced a four-hour humanitarian pause in its military operation in Gaza City in order to conduct an evacuation of civilians to the southern part of the Gaza Strip and urged the Gazans to move south to the Salah al-Din Road.
"There will be a tactical pause of military operation for humanitarian purposes between 10:00-14:00 [08:00-12:00 GMT] in the the neighborhoods of Al-Daraj and Al-Tuffah. During this time, civilians should move south to the Salah Al-Din route," the IDF said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Israeli military also said that the evacuation corridors for civilians through the Salah al-Din Road and from there to the south of the Wadi Gaza coastal wetlands would remain open between 10:00 and 16:00.
"Additionally, all those located on the northern coastline, from 10:00-16:00, the evacuation corridor will remain open from Youssef Al-Azmeh Street to the Salah Al-Din route and from there to the south of Wadi Gaza," the IDF added.
12:26 GMT 14.11.2023
Gaza Strip Health Ministry Accuses UNRWA, Red Cross of Complicity in Massacre in Enclave
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are "complicit in the massacre" of the population of the Gaza Strip and no longer provide services in the enclave, Munir al-Boursh, the undersecretary of the enclave's health ministry, said on Tuesday.
"These organizations [the UNRWA and the ICRC] are complicit in the massacre, they take orders from Netanyahu, not from the UN Secretary General, they left hospitals, aid stations, they even left their headquarters... they no longer provide services in the Gaza Strip," the official said in an interview with Al Arabiya TV channel.
11:46 GMT 14.11.2023
Palestinians look at the site of the explosion at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. - Sputnik International, 1920, 14.11.2023
World
Israeli Strikes on Gaza Hospitals Should be Investigated as 'War Crimes' - HRW
11:08 GMT 14.11.2023
Over 30 Patients of Largest Hospital in Gaza Strip Die Due to Power Cuts - Red Crescent
As many as 32 patients of the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, Shifa, have died because of power cuts, a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) representative said on Tuesday.
"Thirty-two patients at the Shifa hospital died due to a power outage," the PRCS representative told the Sky News Arabiya broadcaster.
10:18 GMT 14.11.2023
UNRWA Warns of Possible Telecommunications Blackout in Gaza Strip From November 16
The Gaza Strip may start to face a telecommunications blackout from November 16 when the internet provider companies run out of fuel to operate their data centers and connection sites, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has said.
"In some areas, the telecommunications companies have stopped operating. It is expected that communications will start to fail as of Thursday 16 November, when telecommunications companies run out of fuel to operate their data centres and major connection sites," the UNRWA said in a statement.
The agency said that currently "serious communication breakdowns" hinder the operation of telecommunication services in the Gaza Strip and obtaining updated figures and information is becoming "increasingly challenging, especially in the Middle area."
On November 5, UNRWA said that it could not get in touch with most of its members of its staff in the Gaza Strip due to a communications breakdown. Palestinian telecoms company Paltel said earlier the same day that mobile and internet services in the Gaza Strip had been down once again, due to Israel cutting off the main routes. On November 6, internet services and telecommunications were restored in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.
09:28 GMT 14.11.2023
Number of Civilians Evacuated From Northern Gaza Strip Likely Exceeds 1Mln - IDF
The number of civilians who evacuated southward from the northern Gaza Strip may have surpassed 1 million people, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, said on Tuesday.
"For several weeks, we have been trying to encourage people, the civilians to get out of northern Gaza, to go south towards the southern area … over the different periods of time, I can say that we have had quite a substantial success with several hundreds of thousands, some estimates [suggest that] over million people have evacuated from the northern areas and headed down south," Lerner told a briefing.
The evacuation of civilians has provided the Israel Defense Forces with "room for maneuver," Lerner said, adding that the Israeli troops destroyed about 15,000 targets and seized more than 6,000 weapons since the start of the Hamas–Israel conflict escalation.
07:12 GMT 14.11.2023
Sole Power Generator at Al Amal Hospital in Gaza Stops Working - Red Crescent
The sole power generator at Al Amal Hospital in the Gaza Strip has stopped working, which put lives of 90 patients under threat, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said on Tuesday.
"Today, the sole power generator at Al-Amal Hospital, affiliated with the PRCS in Khan Younis, stopped working. This threatens the lives of 90 patients receiving treatment, including 25 in the medical rehabilitation section who now face the risk of death at any moment. Additionally, around 9,000 displaced individuals have sought refuge in the PRCS premises and the hospital," the society wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The hospital is currently using a small generator to supply power to the maternity ward and for emergency lighting, however, the remaining fuel is expected to run out within the next 24 hours, the PRCS said.
Both the PRCS headquarters and Al Amal Hospital were relying on the generator as an electricity supply source, and the failure is affecting all operations rooms located around the enclave due to the cessation of VHF communication services, the statement read.
05:56 GMT 14.11.2023
Israel Supports Including Gaza Into US's Aid Package With 'Specific' Conditions - Reports
Israel has supported US President Joe Biden's inclusion of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip in the $106 billion support security package for Israel and Ukraine presented in October, but the assistance package should meet "specific" criteria, The Times of Israel newspaper reported, citing sources.
A senior Israeli official has told the newspaper that the Jewish country expects the Gaza aid to be differentiated between short-term and emergency assistance that should be coordinated with Israel. The package will possibly include funding for rebuilding the Gaza Strip after the conflict, the report said.
The aid may also involve funds for the reinforcement of Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip to ensure that the enclave is not re-militarized in a "post-Hamas Gaza," the report also said.
This is reportedly the first time Israel voiced its stance toward the possibility of including Gaza into Washington's assistance package.
05:53 GMT 14.11.2023
Five Dead, 9 Injured by Israeli Forces in Refugee Camp in West Bank - Reports
Five people died and nine others got injured during an Israeli operation in the Tulkarm Refugee Camp located in the West Bank, Beirut-based Al Mayadeen channel has reported.
Israel carried out an airstrike on the camp, the channel reported. Three Israeli vehicles have been damaged and a bulldozer was blown up, according to the report.
05:50 GMT 14.11.2023
Ankara Sees No Assistance From West on Mediation Efforts in Gaza Strip - Diplomatic Source
Turkey has not yet seen Western countries' assistance in Ankara's mediation efforts to resolve the situation in the Gaza Strip, but hopes to see a clear picture during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Berlin later this week, a diplomatic source in Ankara told Sputnik on Tuesday.
"We do not see any assistance from the West. On the contrary, we see support for the aggressor. Turkey is trying to bring the parties to the negotiating table and provide all possible mediation in the hostage exchange process. There is no support from Western countries," the source said, adding that Erdogan's visit "will clarify the situation."
Erdogan will pay a visit to Germany on Friday to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz . The agenda will include a wide range of political topics — regional issues, aspects of bilateral relations, issues pertaining to interaction within NATO, as well as migration problems.
05:11 GMT 14.11.2023
IDF Will Coordinate Transfer of Incubators for Infants to Shifa Hospital
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday that it would coordinate the transfer of incubators for newborns to Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip.
"Following the IDF's offer of humanitarian assistance to the director general of the Shifa Hospital, the IDF initiated a humanitarian effort to coordinate transfer of incubators from a hospital in Israel to the Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip … The IDF is willing to work with any reliable mediating party to ensure the transfer of the incubators," the IDF said on Telegram.
05:11 GMT 14.11.2023
IDF Says Found Basement With Weapons Under Hospital in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has discovered underground infrastructure beneath Rantisi Hospital in Gaza that was allegedly used by Hamas to store weapons and hold hostages, IDF spokesperson RDML Daniel Hagari said on Monday.
"I just got back from Gaza, where I joined an operation inside the Rantisi Children’s Hospital. I went to the hospital with a video camera and personally documented more concrete evidence … that Hamas uses hospitals as an instrument of war. Underneath the hospital, in the basement, we found: a Hamas command-and-control center; suicide-bomb vests; grenades; AK-47 assault rifles; explosive devices; RPGs and other weapons, computers, money … And we also found signs that indicated that Hamas held hostages here," Hagari told a briefing.
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