Israeli military intensifies call for Gazans to evacuate south as offensive escalates

The Israeli military is intensifying its plea for residents in northern Gaza to relocate to the south, as stated on Sunday. This comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the commencement of the "second stage" of the conflict with Hamas. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), reiterated this plea in a video released on Sunday morning, despite objections from the United Nations (UN) and humanitarian organizations who highlight the difficulties of internal displacement amidst ongoing attacks on Gaza.

The extent of reception of the recent call in Gaza is unclear, as communication has been partially restored in certain areas since Friday night. Netanyahu made a rare statement and held a press conference on Saturday, stating that the war within Gaza will be long and challenging. This comes after a escalation of ground operations in Gaza, where residents are struggling to survive amidst increased bombardments.

He stated that his government's objectives were to dismantle the "military and governing capabilities" of Hamas and liberate the over 200 hostages that were taken by the militant group in the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, which instigated the current conflict. On Saturday, Israeli authorities verified a notable escalation of what was previously referred to as "targeted raids" in Gaza, which is under Hamas control, revealing that ground forces had entered the territory during the night of Friday.

However, there is currently no indication of a major ground offensive in progress to capture and control substantial portions of the territory.

"We have conducted attacks both on the surface and underground, targeting terrorist operatives at various levels and locations. Our forces have received clear instructions: The operation will persist until further notice," stated Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during a joint press conference with Netanyahu on Saturday.

CNN reporters in the vicinity of the Israel-Gaza border witnessed a significant surge in activity. In Sderot, Israel, Nic Robertson reported the presence of fighter jets, artillery fire, and noticeable bursts of light on the horizon towards Gaza on Saturday evening, indicating a heightened level of activity compared to the previous night.

As calls for a ceasefire become more pronounced internationally, with 120 nations at the United Nations urging for a lasting humanitarian truce in Gaza, the ground incursion and intensified bombardment persist.

The dire conditions within the strip worsened even more when communications ceased, adding to the difficulties faced by medical services in this densely populated territory. With a population of over 2 million people and shortages of fuel, water, and supplies, the situation is increasingly challenging. The latest data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah indicates that at least 7,650 individuals have lost their lives and over 19,450 have been injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. This information is sourced from within the Hamas-controlled enclave.

Hamas initial surprise attacks on Israel earlier in the month killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

A destroyed area in northern Gaza on October 28 following Israeli airstrikes.

Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Fate of hostages unclear

Healthcare facilities in Gaza have been deprived of electricity and the residents of the enclave have been effectively isolated from the rest of the world due to Israeli airstrikes, the United Nations announced on Saturday.

According to the UN, implementing a humanitarian ceasefire could greatly assist in significantly expanding the delivery of aid to the people residing in Gaza. Despite a few aid trucks managing to enter Gaza via Egypt during the ongoing crisis, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees emphasized on Friday that these efforts were insufficient in meeting the needs of the population in Gaza. Following the October 7 assault, Israel imposed a comprehensive blockade on Gaza.

IDF spokesperson Hagari announced in a video shared on the group's official social media on Sunday that the humanitarian endeavors to Gaza, spearheaded by Egypt and the United States, would be expanding the next day. However, no additional information was provided.

On Sunday morning, communications in Gaza were partially reinstated. This development, confirmed by two service providers and a monitoring group, ended a blackout that had previously hindered aid agencies from connecting with their staff on the ground and impeded medical communications.

The UN stated on Saturday that a ceasefire might aid in the liberation of Israeli hostages detained in Gaza. Israel is presently conducting efforts to ascertain the precise number of individuals being held captive in Gaza. However, the IDF announced on Saturday that they have informed the families of 230 individuals believed to be currently held captive there.

Brig. Gen. Yehuda Fox, the commander of the Gaza division in the Israeli army, is shown on a visit to the vicinity of the Israeli kibbutz of Kissufim on February 2, 2018. The photo captures Brig. Gen. Fox inspecting the tunnels constructed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which were discovered and subsequently destroyed in recent months. These tunnels, diligently dug by Gaza militants over a number of years, are being steadily sealed by Israel as part of an underground-barrier project that carries a hefty price tag of almost $1 billion. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/The New York Times)--PART OF A COLLECTION OF STAND-ALONE PHOTOS FOR USE AS DESIRED IN YEAREND STORIES AND RECAPS OF 2018 --

Uriel Sinai/The New York Times/Redux

The Gaza metro: The mysterious subterranean tunnel network used by Hamas

The Israeli government is facing public pressure to guarantee the safety of the hostages amidst its escalating attacks on Hamas. Senior officials have framed the intensifying campaign as a strategic move to secure their release.

"The greater the military pressure becomes, the more we will ramp up our firepower and strike Hamas. This will bring us closer to a point where they will be willing to engage in discussions that will help us bring your loved ones, our friends, and our loved ones back home," stated Gallant, the defense minister, on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Netanyahu had a meeting with the families of the hostages. They were advocating for a deal that would guarantee the prompt release of all hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians presently imprisoned in Israeli jails. Meirav Leshem Gonen, the mother of Romi Gonen, spoke on behalf of the families, stating that they addressed the prime minister directly and emphasized their firm belief in a comprehensive agreement based on the principle of "everyone in return for everyone." Furthermore, Gonen mentioned that this proposal has the unanimous support of the entire nation of Israel.

Serious implications on regional peace

Chief of Hamas in Gaza offers extensive prisoner exchange proposal, potentially sparking controversy in Israel.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday condemning and denouncing the Israeli forces' ground incursions into Gaza. The statement expressed concern over the impact on civilians and warned of potential destabilization in regional security if Israel continues its operations.

The statement emphasized that any Israeli military operation targeting the Palestinian people, who are considered brothers to Saudi Arabia, would have significant consequences for the stability of the region as well as global and regional peace and security.

On Saturday, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt cautioned that the Middle East would potentially become a volatile situation and that expanding the conflict would not serve the interests of the region.

The Foreign Ministry of the country issued a warning about the severe risks and unprecedented humanitarian and security consequences of the Israeli incursion into Gaza. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged the leaders of Arab nations to hold an emergency Arab League summit in response to Israel's operation in Gaza in a speech delivered from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Saturday.

Citing the UN resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, Abbas said Israel responded "with more bombing and destruction."

This story is developing and is being updated.

CNN reporters Eyad Kourdi, Benjamin Brown, Chris Liakos, Sarah Sirgany, Jomana Karadsheh, Abeer Salman, Paul Murphy, Lucas Lilieholm, Amarachi Orie, Zahid Mahmood, Ivana Kottasová, Kareem Khadder, and Lauren Said-Moorhouse provided the report.