Israel at War: What happened on day 20?

Israeli air strikes have killed approximately 50 Israeli hostages, Hamas's al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson, Abu Obaida, wrote on the terrorist group's Telegram channel on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Jerusalem Post reported that the IDF revealed Abu Obaida's true identity as Hudhayfah Kahlot.

"Al-Qassam Brigades estimates that the number of Zionist prisoners killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of Zionist bombing and massacres reached approximately 50 people," the Telegram statement said.

The spokesperson did not give any further details and the Jerusalem Post has not been able to verify the numbers.

Satellite images taken recently reveal the aftermath of the airstrikes from the IDF in Beit Hanoun and Atatra in the Gaza Strip, according to Maariv. Many Gaza residents have also been posting videos and pictures to social media, showing the damages caused by the Israeli Air Force.

Since the start of the war on October 7, the IAF has been striking targets, many of which include weapons depots and Hamas tunnels, and destroying them.

On October 11, Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler, the Israel Air Force's chief of staff, said that his forces were dropping thousands of bombs "around the clock" on Hamas terrorists "with no difference between day and night."

With pictures showing that  airstrikes were cutting in half or completely removing various Gaza neighborhoods where Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists were hiding, Tishler said the air force is hunting them everywhere "from invaders to anyone who steps outside in Gaza, to those terrorists hiding inside [civilian] residences." 

Before and After: Beit Hanoun

Satellite view shows the Palestinian city of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, October 10, 2023 (credit: MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

Satellite view shows damaged areas in the Palestinian city of Beit Hanoun, due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, northern Gaza Strip, October 21, 2023 (credit: MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

Before and After: Atatra

Satellite view shows Atatra, northern Gaza Strip, May 10, 2023 (credit: MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

Satellite view shows damaged areas in Atatra, due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, northern Gaza Strip, October 21, 2023 (credit: MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

Israeli ground forces operated within the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, attacking multiple Hamas targets before withdrawing, the military said in a statement on what Israel's Army Radio described as the biggest incursion of the current war.

Video of the overnight action issued by the military showed armored vehicles proceeding through a sandy border zone. A bulldozer is seen leveling part of a raised bank, tanks fire shells, and explosions are seen near or amid a row of damaged buildings.

Israeli soldiers around the destruction caused by Hamas terrorists when they infiltrated Kibbutz Be'eri, near the Israeli-Gaza border, southern Israel. October 25, 2023 (photo credit: YOSSI ZAMIR/FLASH90)

In preparation for the next stages of combat, the IDF operated in northern Gaza.

IDF tanks & infantry struck numerous terrorist cells, infrastructure and anti-tank missile launch posts.

The soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory. pic.twitter.com/oMdSDR84rU

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 26, 2023

The military statement posted online said the incursion was carried out "in preparation for the next stages of combat", a possible reference to the large-scale invasion that Israeli leaders have threatened as part of the war to destroy Hamas.

"The soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory," the military statement added.

Israel began localized ground incursions on Sunday as the war, triggered by an Oct 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas terrorists, entered its third week. Israel's Army Radio described Thursday's incursion as the biggest yet.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas in Gaza.

Russian-American rivalry prevented the United Nations Security Council from issuing its first ever condemnation of Hamas late Wednesday.

Both countries submitted resolutions to the UNSC on the Gaza war and the October 7 Hamas assault on Israel in which over 1,400 people were killed and over 220 taken hostage. 

The American resolution and the Russian one both condemned Hamas. The US resolution called for a humanitarian pause to the Gaza War, sparked by the October 7 assault and the Russian one called for a cease fire.

US Ambassadors to UN lashed out at Russia

United States Ambassadors to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Robert Wood both lashed out at Russia for failing to support their document in favor of one of their own which was submitted at the last moment.

THE UNITED NATIONS headquarters building in New York City, and the UN logo: Today’s UN needs to be reimagined and reformed to address the limited problems it can effectively handle, says the writer. (credit: CARLO ALLEGRI/REUTERS)

“It is disappointing that Russia would rather try and score political points and further divide this Council than address the current urgent needs of Israelis and Palestinians,” Wood stated.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan said that those who rejected the US text were blind to Israel’s agony. 

“Your decision shocks me to my core. In Israel we are fighting for our very survival,” Erdan said.

“You cannot condemn even these attacks on civilians perpetrated by terror organizations.

“if any of your countries endued a similar massacre, I am certain you would act with much greater force than Israel.

There would be no question in your mind, that such. barbaric slaughter requires a broad military operation against the terrorist who committed such inhumane atrocities,” Erdan said. 

“How would Moscow react if terrorist death squads wiped out entire neighborhoods in Moscow? How would Beijing respond if genocidal jihadist beheaded and murdered your babies?”

“Should the Security Council not condemn the terrorists and their crimes against their innocent civilians each of you would be just as shaken as I am.

“You would feel that there was a blatant double standard and the international community is blind to your agony.”

“Those who have voted against the US resolution have shown the world that this council is incapable of doing the most basic task, of condemning ISIS like terrorists and cannot confirm the right to self-defense of the victim of these heinous crimes.

The UNSC rejected the Russian text 4-2, with 9 abstentions. 

The US backed text had enough votes to pass the 15-member body. It was approved by ten member states, with another 3 abstaining. A resolution needs only nine votes for approval.

Russia and China vetoed the US text. They are among five countries with veto power to such action at the UNSC.

The US had amended its proposal to ensure passage. An initial text had stated that Israel had a right to defend itself and demanded that Iran stop exporting arms to militant groups.

These points were then taken out of the text in hopes of ensuring passage. 

Given that both Russia and the US have veto power, both countries would have to support the same text for any resolution on the Gaza war to be approved.

The UNSC meeting followed three failed attempts to pass resolution on the October 7 Hamas assault and the Gaza war it sparked.

Two previous resolutions by Russia and one by Brazil had in the last weeks been rejected.

Reuters contributed to this report.

The Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in New York late Wednesday night and will hold talks about the war in Gaza, according to Israeli media.

This is a developing story.

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed recent developments in Gaza, humanitarian aid, and the hopeful release of American hostages held by Hamas in a telephone call, according to a statement released by the White House early Thursday morning.

The statement also alleged that the two discussed the evacuation of foreign nationals in Gaza.

President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that Israel's conflict with Hamas could spread well beyond the Middle East and said it was wrong that innocent women, children, and old people in Gaza were being punished for other people's crimes.

Putin, who made the comments in a Kremlin meeting with Russian religious leaders of different faiths, said bloodshed in the region had to stop. He said he told other world leaders in phone calls that if it did not, there was a risk of a much wider conflagration.

"Our task today, our main task, is to stop the bloodshed and violence," said Putin, according to a Kremlin transcript of the meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an interview with China Media Group anchor Wang Guan at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, in this image released October 16, (SPUTNIK/SERGEI BOBYLEV/POOL VIA REUTERS)

"Otherwise, further escalation of the crisis is fraught with grave and extremely dangerous and destructive consequences. And not only for the Middle East region. It could spill over far beyond the borders of the Middle East."

Unnamed forces seeking to provoke escalation

In remarks that criticized the West, he said that certain unnamed forces were seeking to provoke further escalation and to draw as many other countries and peoples into the conflict as possible.

The aim, he said, was to "launch a real wave of chaos and mutual hatred not only in the Middle East but also far beyond its borders. For this purpose, among other things, they are trying to play on the national and religious feelings of millions of people."

Putin conveyed his condolences to the families of Israelis and citizens of other countries who were killed or wounded by Hamas in its bloody Oct. 7 attack.

Moscow, he said, continued to advocate for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue, something he said was the only way to reach a long-term settlement.

He made it clear though that he thought Israel was wrong to keep bombing Gaza in retaliation for the slaughter and hostage-taking of Israeli citizens by Hamas.

"It is also clear to us that innocent people should not be held responsible for crimes committed by others," said Putin.

"The fight against terrorism cannot be conducted according to the notorious principle of collective responsibility when old people, women, children, entire families and hundreds of thousands of people are left without shelter, food, water, electricity and medical care."

Israeli ground forces carried out a relatively large incursion into the Gaza Strip overnight to attack Hamas positions, Israel's Army Radio reported on Thursday.

It described the raid as larger than previously carried out during the Gaza war, now in its third week.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted for the first time that he will have to answer for the military failure that occurred on October 7, when Hamas caught the IDF by surprise and invaded southern Israel, murdering over 1,400 people.

“This failure will have to be investigated to the last degree. Everyone will have to give answers,” he said. “Myself included.”

The admission came on the 19th day of the war, after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other top brass in the military had already admitted to one of the biggest military fiascoes since the creation of the state.

“Citizens of Israel, October 7 was a black day in our history,” but the issue of accountability can only occur after the war is over, Netanyahu said.

"Everyone will have to give answers, myself included."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the October 7 Massacre

“As prime minister I am responsible for securing the future of the country, and now my role is to lead the State of Israel and the people to a crushing victory over our enemies.

“Now is the time to join forces for one goal: to charge forward to victory,” Netanyahu said.

A view shows a rocket being launched from the Gaza Strip towards central Israel, as seen from Ashkelon in southern Israel October 25, 2023 (credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)

Israel to set official days of mourning

Israel's government will set official days of mourning across the country, in commemoration of the October 7 massacre, Netanyahu also announced on Wednesday night.

Netanyahu spoke during a public address in which he pledged an IDF ground campaign to oust Hamas from Gaza. He didn’t, however, give a start date. Earlier in the day the Wall Street Journal reported that the US had pressured Israel to delay a Gaza ground campaign.

“We are preparing for ground entry. I will not detail when, how and how much, nor the set of considerations that we take into account, the vast majority of which are not known to the public at all - and it should be,” Netanyahu said.

US President Joe Biden told reporters in Washington that he had pointed out to Netanyahu the wisdom of holding off on a ground invasion to see if he could first secure the release of the hostages.

“I have indicated that if it’s possible to get the folks out safely, that is what he should do,” Biden said.

In Israel, Netanyahu stressed in his public address that, “We are in the midst of a battle for our existence.” Netanyahu spoke after the security cabinet met on the 19th day of the war as the question of a ground campaign has slowly become more a question of not when, but if.

There are two goals to the war, Netanyahu said.

The first is to “eliminate Hamas by destroying its military and governmental capabilities, and to do everything possible to return our captives home,” he emphasized.

Biden also said he had “no notion” that the Palestinians were telling the truth about how many had been killed. “I’m sure innocents have been killed, and it’s the price of waging a war.”

Defense Minister Gallant, Minister Benny Gantz, the Security Cabinet, the IDF Chief of Staff and the heads of the defense branches have worked around the clock to organize a victorious military campaign, he said.

“We do this without political considerations. What stands before our eyes is only one thing – saving the country, the achievement of victory,” Netanyahu said.

IDF air defense fighters intercepted an air-to-ground missile launched from Lebanese territory at a remotely-manned IDF aircraft on Wednesday night, the IDF spokesperson declared.

The IDF responded by attacking the source of the shooting in Lebanese territory.