IDF Launches Major Ground Operation in Gaza, Amidst Communication Restrictions in the Strip

The IDF announced on Friday that they are escalating ground operations in the Gaza Strip, as the besieged area faces intense airstrikes and severed communication links. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the IDF, stated that they are operating aggressively on all fronts and will persistently target Gaza City. Civilians have been urged to evacuate, as previously cautioned.

According to Gaza residents who spoke to CNN, the airstrikes on the evening were the most severe they have encountered since Israel started retaliating against the October 7 terror attack by Hamas around three weeks ago. CNN spoke to Salem Ahmad Ammar, an eyewitness near Gaza's Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, who revealed that he and his wife had made the heartbreaking decision to separate, hoping that at least one of them would survive to take care of their children.

"I'm not sure if I'll make it to see the morning light tomorrow," Ammar expressed. "My wife and I have separated, and our children have gone to stay with her parents. I decided to come to the hospital in case we end up in different places and there's a chance that one of us, or our children, will survive. These are difficult choices we are making."

Following the attacks that resulted in over 1,400 casualties and around 200 individuals being taken hostage by Hamas, an extensive ground offensive has been anticipated. However, it remains uncertain whether the recent announcement by the IDF about an expanded operation signifies the beginning of that offensive.

Mark Regev, senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated to CNN that the Israeli army is intensifying its ground operations in Gaza as a means of exerting pressure on Hamas. He further expressed that this pressure will persistently escalate until their objective is achieved. This marks the third consecutive night of Israeli ground actions in Gaza, accompanied by the deployment of numerous troops along the border of the territory. These operations follow weeks of airstrikes and the implementation of a blockade on Gaza, leading to the emergence of a humanitarian crisis according to aid organizations.

Hamas has threatened retaliation if Israeli ground troops invade Gaza. Izzat al-Rishq, a senior member of the Hamas political bureau, declared that Hamas is prepared to defeat Israeli soldiers should they enter the territory.

Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas official, informed the Associated Press on Thursday that Hezbollah and other allies are anticipated to have a greater role as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies. "Hezbollah currently opposes the occupation," he stated, making a rare public plea: "We acknowledge this. Nevertheless, we require more assistance to halt the aggression on Gaza... We anticipate further support."

There are concerns that the Israeli army might target hospitals in Gaza following allegations that the largest medical center in the area, Al Shifa, is being used as a Hamas command and control center. Palestinian authorities in Gaza and Ramallah, as well as doctors at the hospital, have denied these claims. Hagari, who made the accusation, stated that Hamas is directing rocket attacks and commanding operations from bunkers beneath the hospital. He also suggested that hospitals used for terror purposes may no longer be protected from attack under international law.

Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, people tirelessly search for survivors and the remains of victims amidst the wreckage caused by Israeli bombardment. The devastating war, which began on October 7, 2023, was triggered by an unprecedented attack from Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, leading to a series of retaliatory bombings by Israel on Gaza. Since then, thousands of innocent civilians, both Palestinians and Israelis, have tragically lost their lives. This powerful image captures the relentless efforts of individuals amidst the chaos and destruction. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

Nations overwhelmingly vote for humanitarian truce at the UN, as Gazans say they have been left in the dark

Dr. Medhat Abbas, the Director General of the Gaza Health Ministry, clarified to CNN's Eleni Giokos that Gaza's hospitals solely serve the purpose of treating patients and not concealing anyone. Hamas further dismissed the accusation and urged the United Nations, Arab and Islamic countries to urgently step in and halt the devastating airstrikes that are targeting and devastating the medical system. Mustafa Barghouti, a representative of the Palestine National Initiative in Ramallah, denounced Israel's falsified claims, asserting that they continue to deceive in order to rationalize their heinous acts against innocent civilians, including those seeking refuge in hospitals.

Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian physician who has worked at Shifa hospital multiple times, including during three periods of conflict between Hamas and Israel, dismissed the allegations as "outdated." He stated, "We have heard these unsupported claims during the 2009 and 2014 attacks. However, we have never witnessed any evidence or indications of such restrictions on filming or photography at Shifa. Our access has never been hindered or monitored in any manner."

The world is facing a historic moment

The assault commenced on Friday evening, local time. A team from CNN situated in southern Israel, near the Gaza border, witnessed a sequence of significant explosions shaking Gaza City in the northern part of the territory. Additionally, they noted "abnormal, vigorous, and continuous" military operations, accompanied by the sound of intense machine gun fire.

According to Jawwal, a Palestinian telecoms company, Gaza seems to be largely isolated from the rest of the world due to the airstrikes, which have severely disrupted communications in the area. NetBlocks, a monitoring firm based in London, has also reported that Paltel, the last remaining major internet operator in the region, has suffered damage to its international routes.

On Friday, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh accused Israel of deliberately cutting off communication and internet access to Gaza. He believes this is an attempt to create a state of darkness, enabling crimes to be committed, as a precursor to an IDF ground operation.

"The world is facing a historic moment" Shtayyeh told CNN, and called on the global community to act to stop "aggression and massacres" to come.

Rescuers and search teams sift through the wreckage of buildings decimated by Israeli airstrikes in Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip on October 26, 2023. These efforts are taking place amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. The situation has resulted in a significant loss of life, with both Palestinians and Israelis falling victim to the violence. This wave of violence was sparked by a first-of-its-kind attack when Hamas militants crossed into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas, leading to retaliatory bombings in Gaza. The attached photo is credited to Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images.

Explosions seen over Gaza City as humanitarian concerns mount

Several United Nations agencies say they have now lost contact with local staff in Gaza.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed that the organization has lost communication with its staff, health facilities, health workers, and other humanitarian partners in the field.

Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, expressed her deep concern for her team in Gaza, whom she has been unable to contact. Taking to X, previously referred to as Twitter, Russell emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and protection of all humanitarian workers, as well as the children and families they serve.

Since the violent attack on October 7, the continuous bombardment of Gaza has resulted in a severe crisis in this densely-populated and impoverished area. The main UN agency in Gaza, UNRWA, issued a warning on Friday that over 2 million people are suffering the consequences. The region is experiencing shortages of food and water, with overflowing sewage on its streets. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, more than 7,300 people have lost their lives, and 18,500 people have been injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7.

According to the ministry, 70% of the casualties are comprised of children, women, and the elderly.

In the past 24 hours, there have been 14 fatalities among UN staffers, bringing the total number of UN staff deaths to 53 since the start of the conflict, as stated by the UN Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Friday.

Gaza hospitals are struggling with limited resources and power outages. Eyewitnesses at Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital reported that the facility was plunged into darkness. According to one witness, Gaza has been isolated from the outside world and the hospital has already received 11 bodies and numerous injured individuals due to increased bombardment. The number of casualties is anticipated to increase.

Explosions are seen near the Israel-Gaza border, October 27, 2023.

Reuters

Another eyewitness, Alla Majhool, said she came to the hospital because her four-year-old niece was injured in a previous strike.

Majhool expressed a profound sense of fear and apprehension as he shared, "I am overcome with terror, and my body trembles uncontrollably. I am unable to reach out to my family and sisters in order to ensure their safety. The only sounds we hear are the deafening explosions, and the situation is exacerbated by the darkness that engulfs us. Our communication channels have been severed, leaving us oblivious to the targets of the airstrikes and artillery bombardment."

According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, they are currently facing a complete breakdown in communication with the operations room in Gaza, alongside their teams deployed in the area.

Efforts to free hostages ongoing

Earlier today, UNRWA's chief, Phillipe Lazzarini, expressed his dissatisfaction with the current aid situation in Gaza. Lazzarini mentioned that although some assistance has entered the region from Egypt via the Rafah crossing, the delivered aid can only be described as "insignificant."

Jordan's foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, urged nations to support a United Nations resolution urging an end to the fighting as the bombardment started. Safadi warned on social media that any Israeli ground operation would lead to a long-lasting humanitarian catastrophe of enormous proportions. He emphasized that millions of people around the world would closely monitor every vote, and history would be the ultimate judge.

A vast majority of 120 nations voted in favor of the resolution, which demands an immediate halt to the hostilities between Israel and Hamas. It also calls for unrestricted aid to be allowed into the affected territory. However, the United States and Israel openly criticized the resolution for its failure to explicitly condemn Hamas.

The Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, questioned the assembly as to why they were supporting individuals who have committed murder. He highlighted that Israel recently experienced its biggest loss of Jewish lives since the Holocaust, yet it is being denied the right to protect itself by a majority of nations.

Israel's decision to escalate their ground operation is driven by the ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Earlier today, there were reports indicating "significant progress" in the negotiation process. However, when questioned about the possibility of a deal, IDF spokesperson Hagari urged reporters to disregard any rumors. He emphatically refuted claims that a hostage agreement was on the verge of being brokered, deeming it as nothing more than "psychological terror" and a cruel exploitation of Israeli civilians by Hamas.

The White House refrained from commenting on Israel's military campaign, deeming it inappropriate.

"We have observed Israel engage in different operations recently," stated National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Friday. "Nevertheless, we will not intervene or make judgments regarding their actions."

Kirby chose not to disclose whether Israel had informed the US prior to their expanded ground operation in Gaza on Friday. He also refrained from commenting on whether the Biden administration believes Israel has thoroughly assessed the consequences of a ground incursion.

Nevertheless, Kirby confirmed that the US has engaged in "active conversations" with Israel regarding a humanitarian pause for the purpose of releasing hostages. Kirby expressed dedication to working diligently towards bringing these hostages home, stating, "We are exerting the same level of effort today as we were yesterday and the days preceding."

This story is developing and will be updated.

CNNs Jeremy Diamond, Andrew Carey, Ibrahim Dhaman, Jonny Hallam, Kevin Liptak, DJ Judd, Priscilla Alvarez and Sam Fossum contributed reporting.