Hinting the long-term plan for Gaza, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday said Israel does not plan to control “life in the Gaza Strip” after destroying Hamas.
Ahead of launching ground attack, Gallant said there are three phases of its war with Hamas. Firstly, there would be an attack on the Hamas group with airstrikes and ground operations and secondly would defeat pockets of resistance. Finally, he added that it would cease its “responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip”, reported Associated Press.
Meanwhile, over 4,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7. According to Gaza Health Ministry, 4,137 people have lost their lives, while more than 13,000 people have been injured.
Also, Israel military said that most among the 200 people kidnapped by Hamas were still alive. Israel had claimed that around 206 people were taken as hostages by Hamas.
"The majority of the hostages are alive. There were also dead bodies that were taken...to the Gaza Strip," an army statement said. The military said more than 20 hostages were children.
According to Israel media reports, Hamas has released two American hostages.
Rafah crossing likely to open today
The UN secretary-general, António Guterres, visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with Gaza to oversee preparations for the delivery aid to the war-torn region.
Dozens of trucks with humanitarian aid and medical supplies wait outside the gate for the crossing to reopen.
Cargo plans and trucks have been bringing humanitarian aid to Rafah for days but none were delivered to due to Israeli airstrikes around the area.
"We are actively engaging with all the parties, with Egypt, Israel, the United States... in order to have these trucks moving as soon as possible," said Guterres.
“There is an absolute need to have these trucks moving as soon as possible and as many as necessary...this must be a sustained effort,” Guterres added.
“We are not looking for one convoy to come but we are looking for convoys to be authorised in a meaningful number to have enough trucks to provide support to Gaza’s people,” the UN chief said.
Meanwhile, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border intensifies. An Israeli airstrike on Friday targeted three Hezbollah militants near the Lebanese border, said Israel military.
"Three Hezbollah terrorists were identified in the area of the border with Lebanon. Israel Defence Forces aircraft struck the terrorists,” it said. “In addition, a short while ago, IDF snipers opened fire toward gunmen that were identified operating in the area of the border with Lebanon,” it added.
