Israel-Hamas has entered its 11th day and in fresh developments from the war front, Hamas signaled an olive branch gesture by releasing a video of Israeli captives being treated as guests amid the deadliest air strike overnight that killed over 70 Palestinians.
Iran has warned that Israel-Hamas escalation could spread into a wider conflict and that TelAviv should stop the air strikes in Gaza.
The top U.S. general overseeing American forces in the Middle East made an unannounced trip to Israel on Tuesday amid escalated air strikes by Israel Air Force on the already devastating Gazan people who are facing the wreath of its neighbour country from land, sea, and air since the Hamas surprise attack.
He ensured Israel that the US military had what it needed as it fought a deepening war against the Palestinian group Hamas.
The trip by Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, is the latest by a senior U.S. official to Israel ahead of an expected ground invasion by Israel's military in Gaza despite international condemnation and violation the international laws.
US President Joe Biden is also about to visit the Wednesday in Israel.
Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck:
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 17, 2023
❌ A Hamas military headquarters and neutralized a Hamas military operative.
❌ A bank utilized to fund Hamas terrorist activity in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/fBC76MZa4P
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The IDF said Tuesday morning that over the past 24 hours, it had launched strikes against more than 200 terror targets belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
The US military is increasing its firepower in the region, aiming to prevent Iran and other Iran-backed groups from getting involved in the conflict as international fears of a wider, regional war grow.
Reuters reported Pentagon is also rushing weaponry, including air defenses and munitions, to Israel. "I'm here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Kurilla told Reuters, which is traveling with him, in brief remarks before landing.
A U.S. official told Reuters Kurilla was scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Israel's military leadership, ensuring a clear understanding of the close U.S. ally's defense requirements.
Kurilla was also expected to outline U.S. military support aimed at avoiding an expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Death Toll
Gaza
Killed: 2,808
Injured: 10,859
Occupied West Bank
Killed: 57
Injured: 1,200
Israel
Killed: 1,400
Injured: 3,500
Israel thwarts infiltration bid from Lebanon, killing four: army
Israeli troops killed four militants attempting to infiltrate from Lebanon, the army said Tuesday, as tensions run high along the border between the two countries.
"A short while ago, IDF (Israeli army) observation troops spotted a terrorist squad attempting to infiltrate the security fence with Lebanon and plant an explosive device," the army said in a statement. "Four terrorists were killed."
Earlier the army said it had carried out strikes overnight on Hezbollah "terrorist" targets inside Lebanon.
ran Warns Expansion of Israel-Hamas War Becoming ‘Inevitable’
Iran said Monday that an expansion of the war between Israel and Hamas was increasingly becoming unavoidable, a signal the main backer of the Palestinian militant group was preparing for a wider conflict.
“The time for political solutions is running out and the possible expansion of the war on other fronts is approaching the inevitable stage,” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote on X.
Security Council rejects Russian resolution on Gaza
The Russian-led draft resolution received five votes in favour (China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates) and four against (France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), with six abstentions (Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland).
For the Council to adopt a resolution, the proposal must receive at least nine votes in favour, with none of its five permanent members opposing or casting a veto.
The draft text had called for a humanitarian ceasefire, release of all hostages, aid access, and safe evacuation of civilians. Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN expressed regret over the Security Council’s failure to adopt the resolution, blaming the “selfish intention of the western bloc.”
The UN Security Council on Monday evening failed to adopt a resolution proposed by Russia that would have called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which has been ravaged by almost 10 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas militants
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) October 17, 2023
➡️ https://t.co/B76Qy3ZfLe pic.twitter.com/RndOc3UZCW
Hamas releases first video of Israeli hostage in Gaza
חמאס שחרר סרטון של חטופה ישראלית.
— Fadi Amun | فادي أمون | פאדי אמון (@FadiAmun) October 16, 2023
- פרסום לאחר אישור המשפחה. pic.twitter.com/YJlMWeapzT
IDF Chief pens letter to fellow soldiers, commanders, reservists ahead of 'Gaza invasion'
A meaningful letter from the IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, to fellow soldiers, commanders and reservists: pic.twitter.com/aV4YXBznMt
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 17, 2023
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Japan announces $10m aid to Gaza civilians: FM
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has announced on Tuesday that Tokyo will provide $10 million in assistance for civilians in Gaza.
Kamikawa told reporters in a press conference that she also informed her Israeli counterpart that Tokyo hopes that the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories will calm down as soon as possible.
