Israel expands entry of IDF troops into Gaza

Tel Aviv: Last night (October 28-29, 2023), Israel expanded the entry of IDF troops into the Gaza Strip. They joined the forces already fighting there. The ground operations in the northern Gaza Strip continue. “We are progressing through the stages of the war according to plan. We are gradually expanding the ground activity and the scope of our forces in the Gaza Strip,” IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said today. He acknowledged that the operations on the ground are complex and include risks to our forces.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today visited the southern sector Navy base in Ashdod where he spoke with naval commandos and fighters from various units who took part in the fighting. He then proceeded to a briefing at sea aboard a Dvora-class patrol boat off Israel’s southern coast, together with navy fighters, who also accompanied him in other vessels.

Earlier today (IST), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as well as Minister Benny Gantz in a joint statement said that additional Israeli ground forces entered the gates of Gaza on Friday evening. “This is the second stage of the war, the goals of which are clear: Destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, and bringing the captives back home,” they said, adding that the decision to expand ground operations was taken unanimously, both in the War Cabinet and in the Security Cabinet. “We did this in a balanced and considered way, based on a commitment to ensure both the destiny of the state and the security of our soldiers. The commanders and soldiers are now fighting on enemy territory knowing that the people and the leadership of the people are behind them,” the joint statement said.

As the joint statement mentioned, since Friday, October 27, 2023, night,  the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) intensified the military response overnight by entering the northern Gaza Strip and expanding ground activities. IDF infantry, armour, engineer corps, and artillery forces, all supported by aerial elements, took part in these activities.  

“We will do everything we can from the air, sea and land to ensure the safety of our forces and achieve the goals of the war,” Rear Admiral Hagari said today.

In response to the fire from Lebanon toward the northern border, during the night Israel struck military targets, infrastructure and posts belonging to the Hezbollah which it said, continues to operate against Israel in the north. “We are striking all those who are acting against us. Any Hezbollah terrorist cell that comes near the fence will be struck,” he said.

Attacks on northern Israel continue with attempted rocket and anti-tank missile fire at Israeli positions, IDF said. On Saturday, October 28 morning, IAF forces identified an aerial threat in the area of the Red Sea. The IAF intercepted the hostile target – no threat was posed to civilians and no infiltration into Israeli territory was identified. “So far, we have notified the families of 311 IDF fallen soldiers, and 230 abducted. Bringing home the hostages remains a top priority and a national effort,” Lieutenant  Colonel Richard Hecht, IDF Spokesperson to International Media, said. In the north, he said, overnight the IDF struck Hezbollah military infrastructure, in response to fire towards the State of Israel. 

IDF said overnight on October 27-28, over 150 military targets, including underground sites and tunnels, were struck by the Israeli Air Force. During these strikes, two senior Hamas leaders were targeted and eliminated. They were Ratib Abu Tzahiban, Commander of Hamas’ Naval Forces of the Gaza City Brigade, and Asem Abu Rakaba, the Head of Hamas’ Aerial Array.

IDF claimed that while Tzahiban had planned a naval infiltration on October 24 that was prevented by the Navy, Rakabawas responsible for Hamas’ UAVs, drones, paragliders, aerial detection and aerial defence and had taken part in planning the October 7 massacre, specifically directing the terrorists who infiltrated with paragliders.

– global bihari bureau