In a strike in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly killed Shadi Barud, the deputy head of Hamas intelligence. Barud is suspected of conspiring with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to carry out attacks in southern Israel on October 7. He led a battalion in the Khan Yunis area and was responsible for plotting multiple terrorist attacks on Israeli citizens during his time there.
For the first time in recent memory, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has stated that it has sent tanks on a “targeted” incursion into the northern part of the enclave before withdrawing. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, had previously warned the government was “getting ready” for a ground assault without providing details.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified over the past 24 hours, the IDF has attacked 250 targets there. Due to a scarcity of gasoline, which Israel has failed to allow over the border, the United Nations has warned that the medical system is on the verge of collapse and may be forced to suspend humanitarian services.
Israel has rejected even a “pause” and expressed anger at U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres’ comments on the fighting, despite international pleas for a truce that would allow for aid. The organization’s security council couldn’t agree on a plan to get help to the Palestinians.
The Palestinian Health Ministry provided a list of roughly 7,000 individuals, including over 2,500 children, who it said had perished in Gaza. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, has stated that Israel should “do all in its ability” to protect civilians while also noting that he has “no faith” in the death toll of Palestinian civilians reported by Hamas. Some Arab inhabitants of Israel say they are not speaking out or posting on social media about the Israel-Hamas battle out of fear of reprisal for their opinions.
