Israel at War - What happened on day 27?

Over 130 terrorists have been killed by the IDF during recent ground operations in Gaza, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said on Thursday.

The IDF also took out terror infrastructure in Gaza and destroyed many weapons caches alongside Hamas operating bases.

"IDF fighters continue to wage fierce battles against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip," the IDF spokesperson said.

The IDF struck Hamas bases using a combination of air, ground and sea forces.

The Israeli Air Force is bringing less than half of its capabilities to bear in Operation Swords of Iron, IDF Chief-of-Staff Herzi Halevi said in a televised statement on Thursday afternoon.

The IDF significantly advanced and is now "in the heart" of the ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces have been operating in Gaza city, Halevi said, adding that it has been surrounded and encircled by the forces.

Fuel will move into Gaza with supervision, IDF chief says

Fuel will be moved into hospitals across the Gaza Strip only under strict Israeli supervision, Halevi also said.

Spain plans to evacuate between 140 and 170 Spanish citizens and their family members from the Gaza Strip on Thursday or Friday, acting Defense Minister Margarita Robles told reporters on Thursday.

Elhanan Klein was killed in a shooting attack on Thursday near the Beit Lid intersection, near the towns of Einav and Shavei Shomron in the West Bank.

Magen David Adom reported that a 35-year-old man was in his car when the shooting occurred, causing the vehicle to overturn. MDA tried to treat his wounds but had to declare his death at the scene.

Elhanan Klein, a father of 3 children ages one to five, was on his way back from the reserves when he was murdered.

The Israeli Air Force is bringing less than half of its capabilities to bear in the Gaza war, IDF Chief-of-Staff Herzi Halevi said in a televised statement on Thursday afternoon.

The IDF significantly advanced and is now "in the heart" of the ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces have been operating in Gaza city, Halevi said, said it was surrounded and encircled by the forces.

This is a developing story.

No less than a billion shekels will be allocated for payments and grants given to Israelis serving in reserve duty during Operation Swords of Iron, the Finance and Defense ministries announced Thursday.

As part of the funds, reservists will receive a one-time payment of up to NIS 1,100. Reservists with children under the age of 14 will receive an additional grant of NIS 2,000.

Ships sailing for Israel face a 10-fold jump in war risk premiums as the conflict in Gaza intensifies, prompting industry calls for the government to help ensure vital imports keep coming.

Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas after its terrorists stormed through Israeli towns from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing 1,400 people and seizing more than 240 hostages.

Israeli forces have hit back with deadly air strikes and now a ground offensive on the narrow coastal strip, with growing fears the conflict could escalate and pull in the whole region.

Israel, which relies on seaborne trade for its economy, said last week it would provide compensation for ships damaged due to the war. But industry officials worry that may not be enough.

Israel has asked foreign countries to send hospital ships to help treat wounded Palestinians who are allowed to leave the war-ravaged Gaza Strip to neighboring Egypt, the Israeli ambassador to Germany said on Thursday.

France said last week it was sending a naval vessel, "Tonnere," to the eastern Mediterranean on what it described as a mission to support Gaza hospitals. Egypt this week began admitting limited numbers of wounded across its Gaza border.

In a Kan radio interview, Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, was asked whether Israel had asked France and other European countries to send hospital ships to receive Gazans wounded at Al-Arish, an Egyptian port close to the Palestinian enclave.

He described the scenario posited in the question as correct, saying he had submitted such a request to Berlin.

Israel has made the request, the ball is in Europe's court

"I don't know yet if it is happening," said Prosor, a former director-general of Israel's Foreign Ministry. "We asked for this. I suppose it is being discussed. There is a leaning, here in Europe, to help in humanitarian matters in any way possible."

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Ron Prosor speaks at a conference organized by Jerusalem Post, in New York City, USA. April 29, 2012. (credit: Marc Israel Sellem/POOL/FLASH90)

An official who declined to be identified by name or nationality said the "Tonnere" has 70 hospital beds as well as two operating theaters.

Israel also asked Italy to send a hospital ship but has yet to hear back, the official added.

Lt.-Col. Salman Habaka, 33, from Yanuh-Jat, a commander in the 53rd Battalion of the 188 Barak Brigade, fell in battle in the northern Gaza Strip, the IDF announced on Thursday.

Habaka leaves behind a wife and a two-year-old child.

During fighting between IDF ground forces and Hamas terrorists through Wednesday night, Habaka led his armored unit while covering for Golani soldiers, the IDF announced. Habaka was killed on the spot.

People gather and light candles to show solidarity with Israel and remember the victims following an attack by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, at Dizengoff square in Tel Aviv, Israel October 12, 2023. REUTERS/JANIS LAIZANS

Over 300 IDF soldiers killed

Since October 7, over 300 IDF soldiers have been killed and 18 have died since the IDF launched its ground invasion of Gaza this week in fierce battles with Hamas terrorists. 

The IDF attacked a terrorist squad that tried to launch anti-tank missiles from the southern Lebanon territory towards Israel in the Livna region on Thursday, according to an IDF statement.

Terrorists also fired anti-tank missiles at an IDF post in the Manara region. The IDF reported no casualties.