A Hamas official reported to Reuters that "two members of the movement's political bureau, Jawad Abu Shamlah and Zakaria Abu Amr, were killed in an airstrike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza." The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed in a statement that Abu Shamlah was "killed in the shelling last night." In this context, Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for the military wing of Hamas, called on residents of Ashkelon to leave the coastal Israeli city by 5 PM local time (14:00 GMT) today, without providing further details. The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades announced that they "struck Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv with rockets in response to the targeting of civilians." The spokesperson for Ben Gurion Airport denied the claims of the al-Qassam Brigades, confirming that "operations at the airport are ongoing."
Meanwhile, as Israeli warplanes continued to bomb Gaza intensively, on the fourth day of operation "Storm of the Al-Aqsa," Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political bureau, stated that "Israel will pay a heavy price for its crimes and terrorism." Haniyeh noted that the movement informed those who contacted them regarding the captives that this issue would not be opened before the end of the battle, stating that the operation is "a Palestinian decision and execution, which does not diminish our belief in the necessity of the participation of all our nation’s members." The Gaza Health Ministry announced the death toll has risen to 788, including 770 in Gaza, along with 4,000 injuries. The report also mentioned the death of a young man, Ahmad Awad, from Israeli gunfire in the town of Bethlehem north of Hebron. The Palestinian Red Crescent appealed to the international community to protect civilians and medical teams.
The Israeli army reported that warning sirens sounded in Be'er Sheva in southern Israel, indicating possible rocket attacks. Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that "warning sirens are sounding in Ashkelon and Zikim." The Israeli Air Force announced on Tuesday that it had dispatched planes to Europe to bring back hundreds of Israelis to serve as reservists during the ongoing war in Gaza that began earlier this week.
The Israeli Air Force stated that Hercules aircraft participated in the emergency air bridge. The army has stated that "Hamas has no place to hide in Gaza, and we will reach them wherever they are," adding that the Air Force is conducting unprecedented intensive airstrikes on the territory in waves every four hours. Brigadier General Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesperson for the Israeli army, said on Tuesday that Israel "has regained control of the border fence with Gaza that was breached by Hamas militants, and is working to plant mines in the sections where the fence fell."
In statements broadcast by Israeli army radio, Hagari confirmed that there have been no new infiltrations from Gaza since Monday, reiterating that "we will reach them (Hamas) wherever they are." The Israeli army issued a modification to a statement made by one of its military spokespeople advising Palestinians fleeing from airstrikes in Gaza to head to Egypt, clarifying that the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is currently closed.
Hamas announced this Friday as "Day of the General Alarm in our Arab and Islamic world in solidarity with our people and their resistance."
The White House announced that U.S. President Joe Biden will speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss American support for Israel after reviewing the latest developments following the Hamas attacks. In the same context, John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, announced on Tuesday that the first batch of American security assistance is on its way to Israel. He added in an interview with MSNBC that more U.S. assistance for Israel will follow.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned of a "severe shortage" of drinking water in Gaza due to Israeli authorities cutting off water supplies. The office reported damage to 4 schools and 8 healthcare facilities in Gaza since Saturday, noting that displacement in Gaza has escalated to 187,500 people since Saturday, with expectations for more. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the office, stated at a press conference in Geneva: "The pace of displacement has significantly increased across the Gaza Strip, with the number exceeding 187,500 people since Saturday. Most of them are taking refuge in schools."
The United Nations Children's Fund expressed concern that the alarming cuts to water and fuel supplies will lead to a new level of suffering, stating that hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian children have been killed and more injured over the past three days. The UN Relief and Works Agency reported damage to 18 of its buildings. Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated today, based on information gathered by his office, that Israeli air operations in Gaza have hit residential buildings, including tall towers, as well as schools and UN buildings, resulting in civilian casualties.
Turk added in a statement: "International humanitarian law is clear: the obligation to take constant care to avoid the loss of civilian life and civilian objects must be upheld throughout the attacks." In response to comments by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tightening the blockade on Gaza, Turk stated that international law prohibits a "blockade" that endangers civilian lives.
Regarding Israeli captives, Mansour Abbas, head of the United Arab List, called on Hamas to release some of those taken captive by the movement's militants after their attack across the border earlier this week. In a statement on the platform "X," he said: "Islamic values command us not to take women, children, and the elderly as captives," adding that "releasing them is a humanitarian necessity immediately."
The World Health Organization revealed that medical supplies stored in Gaza have run out, stating: "There have been 13 confirmed attacks on health facilities in Gaza since the escalation began," calling for the opening of a humanitarian corridor.
