On Israel-Hamas War Day 6, new footage reveals how Hamas planned attack, India launches Operation Ajay

With destruction mounting and the situation rapidly evolving in the Israel-Hamas war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival Benny Gantz formed a wartime cabinet on Wednesday, October 11, to oversee the offensive in Gaza.

According to the Associated Press, the war, which has already entered its sixth day, has resulted in a death toll of 2,300, with several thousand people injured and missing.

Hamas attack preparations

• According to India Today TV, an undated video released by Hamas has revealed how the attack preparations were conducted at a training camp near the Gaza-Israel border well in advance.

Operation Ajay

• To help the Indians stranded in Israel, the Government of India, on Wednesday announced the launch of Operation Ajay to bring them back home.
• According to India Today TV, there are around 18,000 Indians in Israel.

Unity government in Israel

• Israeli opposition politician Benny Gantz has announced that he has reached an agreement to join a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during this wartime situation.

• Gantz has released a joint statement with Netanyahu, confirming their intent to establish a five-member "war-management" Cabinet. The two are already joined by the current Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in the cabinet.

• The move toward unity came as the Israeli military contemplates a possible ground offensive in Gaza.

Air strikes in Gaza

• Persistent Israeli air strikes in Gaza have caused extensive damage and led to mass evacuations, with hundreds of thousands seeking shelter, primarily in UN schools.
• The death toll in Gaza has risen to 1,200, with thousands injured.
• The situation in Gaza remains dire as power outages persist due to fuel shortages, and hospitals struggle with dwindling supplies.
• Gaza's only power plant was shut on Wednesday.

• Efforts and negotiations to establish humanitarian corridors into Gaza are underway, but logistical challenges and Israel's blockade persist.

Diplomacy

• Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden warned Iran against getting involved in the conflict, expressing concerns about a wider regional escalation.
• Biden has dispatched Secretary of State Antony Blinken to West Asia to reinforce US support for Israel and seek the release of more than dozens of captives.
• Biden referred to the attack as the "deadliest day" for the Jewish community since the Holocaust.

• He added that the Hamas terrorist assault has resurfaced painful recollections of countless centuries endured by Jewish people.

Potential ground offensive

• Israel is reportedly preparing for a ground offensive in Gaza, which could result in a surge of casualties on both sides.

No aerial invasion from Lebanon

• Israeli Home Front Command, late on Wednesday (October 11) denied a reported aerial invasion from Lebanon, citing a malfunction in the rocket alert system.
• Earlier, yesterday (October 11), Israel had asked people in the northern cities of Beit Shean, Safed and Tiberias to seek shelter, after reports of a "hostile aircraft" crossing its border with Lebanon had emerged.
• Later, the Home Front Command ruled out the suspected invasion and asked the civilians in the northern cities to follow any future instructions.