Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, indicated that the current phase of the Gaza operation could extend for weeks. He described the timeline as a matter of weeks before this phase would be concluded, though he did not reveal specifics about what might follow, signaling that the next stage remained undecided. (Attribution: CNN)
That same day, Hamas, the Palestinian faction in control of Gaza, asserted its hold over the territory’s central dynamics. (Attribution: Associated Press)
Following the operation’s developments, the Israeli Defense Forces announced progress in seizing government buildings that were under Hamas control, marking a significant milestone in the on-the-ground effort. (Attribution: Reuters)
The broader regional crisis intensified after thousands of Hamas militants crossed into Israel from Gaza on October 7, an action accompanied by Hamas declaring the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war, setting the stage for a sustained military campaign. (Attribution: BBC News)
The stated objectives of Israel’s response to the attacks included repelling the incursion, securing the release of more than 200 hostages, several of whom were foreign nationals, and dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities. To pursue these aims, Israel issued a wave of rocket strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip from the outset of the operation. In parallel, the National Security Council decided to halt the supply of essential resources, including water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel, to Gaza. Humanitarian aid convoys began moving through the Rafah crossing only after October 20, but officials noted that the aid volume was insufficient to meet urgent needs. (Attribution: Reuters)
By late October, Israel announced an expansion of the ground operation within Gaza. The exact start date of this expanded phase remained unclear, even as regional civilians faced mass displacement, with hundreds of thousands fleeing homes and seeking refuge in southern areas. (Attribution: Al Jazeera)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to dismantle Hamas, reiterating a commitment to neutralize the organization as part of Israel’s broader security strategy. (Attribution: The Guardian)