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30 INTERNATIONAL AWEMainta Dialuna, 9 October 2023
Israeli Forces Launch Operations to Rescue
Hostages and Repel Palestinian Militants
ISRAELI security forces have initiated a series of opera- one small community.
tions aimed at freeing hostages taken by Palestinian mili- Nevertheless, shootings persisted in communities near Gaza
tants from Gaza and regaining control of areas seized during through Sunday morning. In one dramatic incident near
a surprise attack on Saturday. The attack, orchestrated by Ashkelon, Israeli forces engaged Palestinian gunmen in a
hundreds of Hamas gunmen amidst a barrage of rocket fire, stolen car, resulting in their deaths.
has left a reported 600 people dead in Israel and over 310
in Gaza due to Israeli retaliatory strikes. The IDF continues to clear areas “clean of terrorism,”
including the towns of Sderot and Kfar Aza, where hostages
Israeli troops have secured 22 locations in southern are reportedly held. Concerns grow for the “significant
Israel but are still engaged in clearing another eight. The number” of Israeli soldiers and civilians held hostage in
Palestinian militants involved in the assault, estimated to Gaza.
be in the high hundreds, used various means to breach the
Gaza perimeter fence, including motorbikes, paragliders, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas that
and sea crossings. They launched more than 3,000 rockets Israel held it responsible for the hostages’ well-being and
towards Israeli cities and towns throughout the day, striking vowed to use all available strength to destroy Hamas’s capa-
numerous communities and military bases. bilities. Gaza has witnessed a change in atmosphere from
celebration to fear, with many residents staying indoors
Lt Col Jonathan Conricus, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) amidst explosions and smoke.
spokesman, revealed the brutal tactics employed by the
militants, including the execution of Israeli civilians in their The conflict has also spilled over into southern Lebanon, with
homes and the abduction of civilians and military personnel, the IDF striking targets in response to a Hezbollah attack.
including women, children, the elderly, and the disabled. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, two Israeli tourists and
their Egyptian guide were reportedly shot dead in Egypt, the
The death toll in Israel, which includes reports from Israeli motives of which remain unclear.
TV channels, has reportedly surpassed 600, with more than As the situation continues to escalate, the international
2,000 others injured. Israeli security forces have success- community watches with growing concern, hoping for a
fully rescued numerous hostages, with almost 50 found in swift and peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.
