In escalating violence, rockets were launched at the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon from Gaza, following the expiration of a deadline set by Hamas. This deadline had ominously warned Ashkelon residents to evacuate by 5pm local time.
Hamas’s armed wing, the al Qassam Brigades, stated this move was in retaliation to what they termed the “crime of the enemy”.
Meanwhile, rockets were also fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel, reportedly by Palestinian factions. The Israeli military retaliated with artillery fire, confirming the interception of several rockets from the barrage originating in Lebanon.
US authorities have confirmed their support to Israel regarding the hostage crisis, offering assistance in rescue planning and intelligence sharing, though without direct involvement of US troops on the ground.
Amidst these events, accounts of families being abducted and taken hostage have surfaced. Hamas has issued warnings of potential harm to hostages if Israel conducts airstrikes without prior warnings for civilian safety.
The Israeli air force has intensified its assault on “terror targets” in the Gaza Strip, leading to substantial Palestinian casualties. Israel’s retaliation has also encompassed a comprehensive siege on Gaza, impacting its 2.3 million residents. This has led to critical shortages in essentials such as food, power, and water.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has indicated a strong retaliatory stance, with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) mobilizing an increased number of reservists.
