Israel-Hamas War LIVE: Israeli embassy employee stabbed in Beijing, India increases security of Jewish centers

A UN spokesperson said that the Israeli army on Friday has instructed 1.1 million people of northern Gaza to leave within 24 hours. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the order risked ‘devastating humanitarian consequences’. This order has come at a time when Israel has intensified its retaliation against Hamas. The implication of this order may be that ground attacks may be intensified, although the Israeli Army has not given any information in this regard. On Thursday, the army had said that it is preparing for a ground attack but no decision has been taken in this regard at present.

The first flight from Israel carrying 212 Indian citizens has landed at Delhi airport. Union Minister Rajiv Chandrashekhar was present at the airport to welcome him. Rajiv Chandrashekhar said that our government will never leave any Indian behind. Our government and the Prime Minister are committed to their safety and to bringing them back home safely. We are grateful to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, the team of the Ministry of External Affairs, and the crew of this Air India flight who made this possible, brought our children back home safe and healthy and back to their loved ones.

India has launched Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of Indians who want to return home. The series of attacks by Hamas fighters on Israeli cities has created fresh tension in the area. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Thursday, said that America will never step back from its support for Israel. He highlighted the importance of taking every possible precaution to avoid harm to civilians.

On the other hand, the Israeli army is preparing for the next phase of war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza. This war has taken the lives of at least 2,800 people from both sides. Over the past five days, Israeli warplanes have attacked the Gaza Strip with a ferocity unlike anything the war-weary residents had ever experienced before. According to Hamas, more than 1,354 Palestinians have been killed in air strikes. The Israeli Energy Minister said that his country will not allow basic humanitarian aid or resources into Gaza until Hamas releases all hostages.