Israel reports killing armed infiltrators from Lebanon, increasing concerns of regional escalation following a recent Hamas attack from Gaza. The Israeli military has called up an unprecedented 300,000 reservists and imposed a total blockade on Gaza, indicating a potential ground assault against Hamas. Hamas fighters remain active in Israel two days after their Gaza incursion, causing significant casualties and taking hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows a response that will “change the Middle East.”
In response to the Gaza situation, Israel conducts intensive retaliatory strikes, resulting in over 500 casualties since Saturday. Israel tightens its blockade on Gaza, preventing the flow of essential supplies. There are fears that conflict may spread to other areas.
Israel claims to have killed armed infiltrators from Lebanon, and there are reports of artillery shelling and gunfire at Lebanon’s southern border with Israel. Hezbollah, a powerful militant group in southern Lebanon, denies involvement.
In southern Israel, where the Hamas attack occurred, the military regains control of overrun communities, but isolated clashes persist as some gunmen remain active.
The unprecedented activation of 300,000 reservists fuels speculation about a potential Israeli ground assault on Gaza, which it evacuated nearly two decades ago. Palestinians receive warnings to leave specific areas in Gaza as the army plans operations.
Hamas justifies its attack due to the long-standing blockade on Gaza and recent Israeli crackdowns in the West Bank. Mainstream Palestinian groups condemn the attacks, highlighting the frozen peace process and far-right Israeli leaders’ talk of annexation as contributing factors. Israel and Western nations denounce the intentional mass killing of civilians.