Israel-Hamas War: Netanyahu rejects ceasefire calls, over 8,300 dead in Gaza

The Israel-Hamas, on Tuesday (October 31) entered its 25th day with a severe toll on Gazans, with the death toll exceeding 8,300.

With PM Benjamin Netanyahu's recent rejection of a ceasefire, conditions for Gazana have deteriorated rapidly, with hospitals struggling due to power shortages and limited supplies.

The UN's efforts to provide humanitarian aid have also been challenged further as the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) pushes deep into the besieged  Palestinean enclave in its "second stage" onslaught, AP reported.

A captive freed

• With more than 240 hostages, still in Hamas' custody, an IDF operation using tanks and armoured vehicles carried out its first successful rescue mission since the war began on October 7.
• The soldier, Pvt. Ori Megidish was reported to be in good condition after her rescue.

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• Hamas has so far released four Israeli captives, including the Private, reported AP.

Pressure mounts, Netanyahu undeterred

• Pressure has mounted on Netanyahu to secure the release of Israeli captives as Israel seeks to annihilate Hamas and its hold over Gaza, reported AP.
• Hamas has offered to release the hostages in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, but Israel has dismissed this offer.
• The intense shelling of Gaza and the humanitarian crisis has intensified international calls for a ceasefire.

• The US has also joined other countries and the UN in urging both sides to halt the fighting to allow more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. However, Netanyahu remains determined to press ahead with Israel's objectives.

• Netanyahu, early on Tuesday, October 31, rejected calls for a ceasefire, stating Israel would not surrender to Hamas.

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Civilian impact

• After the IDF directed the Gazans to vacate the north, it left around 1,17,000 people taking shelter in and around hospitals and UN-run facilities, AP reported.
• According to Al Jazeera, the IDF has reportedly not spared the hospitals and their surroundings, as it has bombed the so-called safe zones too.
• The Gaza Health Ministry, which the US and its allies do not take seriously, said most of the casualties are women and children, with 1.4 million internally displaced.

• Lazzarini told AP that 64 of the agency’s staff have been killed since October 7.

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Hamas retaliates

• In response to Israel's advances, Hamas in Gaza fired anti-tank missiles at Israeli forces, according to the group's armed wing, the al-Qassam brigades.

The war continues to evolve, and the situation in Gaza remains highly precarious as international efforts to broker a ceasefire persist. Saudi Arabia Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud met the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss an immediate ceasefire, early on Tuesday, October 31.

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