Israel is now gearing up for a potential multi-front War days after a devastating onslaught from Gaza's Hamas regime. Over 1,200 Israelis have been killed in the Hamas attacks so far on the other hand 900 have been reported killed in Gaza which has come under intense bombardment from Israel's retaliatory strikes.

Israel-Palestine war: Gaza's strip low on supplies as blockade continues

President Joe Biden will make a landmark trip to Israel in an ironclad show of US support. A wartime trip will pose security risks and the US is seen as a less potential peace broker however Washington's angry Arab allies are pointing to US' failure to actively engage analysts.

Israel-Palestine war: Biden faces risks in Israel visit; crisis reshaping global balance of power

The Palestinian group Hamas unleashed terror on Israeli civilians through surprise attacks, marking a disturbing escalation of violence in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on October 7. It was a three-pronged assault, with Hamas terrorists striking from land, sea, and air, using guns and rockets to target both Israeli civilians and the military.

Now, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) has released&nbsp;raw Point of View (PoV) footage from a recovered camera of a terrorist, offering a chilling first-person perspective of the violence.

The video documented an armed Hamas operative ambushing an Israeli checkpoint and subsequently attacking Israelis with assault rifles. The confrontation ultimately led to the operative's demise at the hands of Israeli security forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-us-puts-2000-troops-on-prepare-to-deploy-orders-says-report-647772">Israel-Hamas war: US puts 2,000 troops on prepare-to-deploy orders, says report</a>

<h2>The assault on video</h2>

The horrifying video, lasting three minutes, captures the Hamas assault vividly. It shows several militants on bikes and pickup trucks, armed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and Kalashnikov rifles. They were seen heading towards the Gaza-Israel border wall in a convoy, seemingly prepared for a violent confrontation.

Watch the video here:

Trigger warning: Some viewers may find the video disturbing. Discretion is adviced.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
⚠️Trigger Warning ⚠️ 
 
RAW FOOTAGE: Hamas jihadists squad invasion and killing spree of an innocent Israeli community. 
 
The filmed terrorist was neutralized by Israeli security forces. <a href="https://t.co/4sKuxl9uRq">pic.twitter.com/4sKuxl9uRq</a>
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1713685914575044809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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As the operatives reached the border fencing, they crossed into Israeli territory, launching an ambush on Israeli forces using RPGs and assault rifles.

Their violent rampage extended to a civilian area, where they unleashed indiscriminate gunfire on houses, even targeting an ambulance parked in the vicinity. An Israeli citizen inside one of the houses fell victim to their attack.

Watch |&nbsp;Biden to visit Israel as Gaza war sparks humanitarian crisis

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The assailants proceeded to reload their weapons and forcibly entered another house. Inside, they encountered an unlocked phone on the dining table, lights still on, but no people in sight. Despite their search efforts, they found no one within the premises.

The Hamas operative's ambush ended in his death, as Israeli security forces mounted a counter-attack, ultimately neutralising him from a hidden location. The man was left on the ground, howling and screaming in pain.

<h2>Allegations of human shields</h2>

Israel has accused Hamas of preventing Gazans from escaping to safety, effectively using them as human shields to protect themselves from Israeli counter-attacks.

In an effort to mitigate civilian casualties, the Israeli military identified two specific roads in the Gaza Strip for residents to use while moving south, avoiding the potential danger of an impending ground offensive.

(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.)

&nbsp;

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The Palestinian group Hamas unleashed terror on Israeli civilians through surprise attacks, marking a disturbing escalation of violence in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on October 7.

The Palestinian group Hamas unleashed terror on Israeli civilians through surprise attacks, marking a disturbing escalation of violence in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on October 7. It was a three-pronged assault, with Hamas terrorists striking from land, sea, and air, using guns and rockets to target both Israeli civilians and the military. Now, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) has released raw Point of View (PoV) footage from a recovered camera of a terrorist, offering a chilling first-person perspective of the violence. The video documented an armed Hamas operative ambushing an Israeli checkpoint and subsequently attacking Israelis with assault rifles. The confrontation ultimately led to the operative's demise at the hands of Israeli security forces. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: US puts 2,000 troops on prepare-to-deploy orders, says report The assault on video The horrifying video, lasting three minutes, captures the Hamas assault vividly. It shows several militants on bikes and pickup trucks, armed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and Kalashnikov rifles. They were seen heading towards the Gaza-Israel border wall in a convoy, seemingly prepared for a violent confrontation. Watch the video here: Trigger warning: Some viewers may find the video disturbing. Discretion is adviced. ⚠️Trigger Warning ⚠️ RAW FOOTAGE: Hamas jihadists squad invasion and killing spree of an innocent Israeli community. The filmed terrorist was neutralized by Israeli security forces. pic.twitter.com/4sKuxl9uRq — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 15, 2023 × As the operatives reached the border fencing, they crossed into Israeli territory, launching an ambush on Israeli forces using RPGs and assault rifles. Their violent rampage extended to a civilian area, where they unleashed indiscriminate gunfire on houses, even targeting an ambulance parked in the vicinity. An Israeli citizen inside one of the houses fell victim to their attack. Watch | Biden to visit Israel as Gaza war sparks humanitarian crisis The assailants proceeded to reload their weapons and forcibly entered another house. Inside, they encountered an unlocked phone on the dining table, lights still on, but no people in sight. Despite their search efforts, they found no one within the premises. The Hamas operative's ambush ended in his death, as Israeli security forces mounted a counter-attack, ultimately neutralising him from a hidden location. The man was left on the ground, howling and screaming in pain. Allegations of human shields Israel has accused Hamas of preventing Gazans from escaping to safety, effectively using them as human shields to protect themselves from Israeli counter-attacks. In an effort to mitigate civilian casualties, the Israeli military identified two specific roads in the Gaza Strip for residents to use while moving south, avoiding the potential danger of an impending ground offensive. (Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

TRIGGER WARNING: Shocking GoPro-style footage shows Hamas gunman's rampage

The United States President Joe Biden will pay a solidarity visit to Israel on Wednesday following the Hamas attacks. Iran has warned of possible preemptive actions against Israel in the coming hours. As Tel Aviv gears up for a ground offensive on the Gaza strip, Hamas says they are ready and it does not scare them.

Israel-Palestine war | Biden faces risk in wartime visit to Israel

A five-judge bench rendered a verdict on Oct 17 that did not give any legal recognition to same-sex marriage in India. Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud said that the responsibility to establish laws pertaining to marriage lies with the Indian parliament.

Five-judge SC bench refuses to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages

Israel-Palestine War: WION's ground report from Israel amid raging war with Hamas in Gaza. WION's Sidhant Sibal brings you live reports from ground zero in Israel.

Israel-Palestine War: Indian caregiver recalls horror | WION Ground report

The situation in Gaza is grim the hospitals across the region face an alarming crisis they are perilously closed through running out of generators and fuel. The United Nations humanitarian office issued a dire warning stating that reserves of fuel in these hospitals are expected to last for only approximately 24 more hours.

Israel-Palestine war: Gaza hospitals at breaking point following Israeli blockade

Student groups at the Oxford University followed the steps of their Harvard peers as they released a joint statement which blames Israeli occupation as the root cause of the ongoing violence.

Israel-Palestine war: Oxford students blame Israel for all violence in Palestine

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: President Joe Biden will make a landmark trip to Israel in an ironclad show of US support. A wartime trip will pose security risks and the US is seen as a less potential peace broker however Washington's angry Arab allies are pointing to US' failure to actively engage analysts.

Israel-Palestine war | Antony Blinken: US President Joe Biden to visit Israel

As the Israel-Hamas war rages our correspondent is also caught up with an Indian-origin caregiver working in Israel's Ness Ziona who was present when militants barged into her house. She recalls how the Israeli Army wasted little time to arrive at the scene and how the ground situation is in Israel at the moment well for more, keep listening.

Israel-Palestine war | Survivor: Terrorists entered the house and started shooting

Israel-Palestine war: US President Joe Biden faces risks in wartime visit to Israel

Israeli fighters jets struck the Islamic University in Gaza City on Wednesday, an official with the Hamas-linked institution said.

Israeli govt accuses Gigi Hadid of turning a 'blind eye'

It is day 10 since the militant group Hamas attacked Israel the Israeli military is preparing for the next stages of the war against the Hamas militant group. While the humanitarian crisis still looms over Gaza. US President Joe Biden said in an interview- that any move by Israel to occupy the Gaza Strip again would be a big mistake.

Israel-Palestine war: Amid Israel's power outrage and food scarcity

President Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show solidarity with America’s closest ally in the Middle East, in a wartime trip to bolster the country’s resolve to eradicate Hamas but also to urge limits on what seems bound to be a casualty-filled ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Biden Faces Risks in Wartime Visit to Israel

Heart-wrenching stories of victims are continuing to emerge in the aftermath of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Among them is a family of five who died&nbsp;in each other's arms.&nbsp;The Kutz family, consisting of Aviv (54), Livnat (49), Rotem (19), Yonatan (17), and Yiftach (17), were found&nbsp;lifeless in their bed in their Kfar Aza residence near the Gaza border, hugging each other, Israeli media reported.

Aviv, an agricultural worker and deputy director of a consulting firm, used to organise an annual kite festival near the Gaza fence to promote a message of peace.

Livnat was a graphic designer born during the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Rotem, an IDF soldier, played a role in training new recruits. Yonatan and Yiftach were students at Kfar Hayarok boarding school, participating in the Hapoel youth basketball programme, Times of Israel reported.

"They were all amazing kids with huge hearts. They had their whole lives ahead of them,"&nbsp;their devastated aunt, Adi Levy Salama, told the Times of Israel.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-us-puts-2000-troops-on-prepare-to-deploy-orders-says-report-647772">Israel-Hamas war: US puts 2,000 troops on prepare-to-deploy orders, says report</a>

<h2>A love story cut short</h2>

In another tragic case from Kfar Aza, IDF officers Niral Zini (31) and Niv Raviv (27) lost their lives just before they could fulfill their dreams. Zini had planned to propose to Raviv on October 10, but the engagement ring was later found in the ruins of their home in the kibbutz.

Before the attack, Zini sent a chilling message to his family: "They're here. I'm putting the phone down—pray." He attempted to defend against the terrorists with a knife while blocking the shelter door, under which Raviv had taken refuge.

Their families learned of their fate after days of uncertainty. Mourners gathered in Netanya for their funerals. Both Zini and Raviv served in the military reserves, holding the ranks of major and captain, respectively.

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel Defence Forces' Sergeant 'Y' on WION

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The couple commemorated Zini's survival following an injury in Hebron on October 10, 2015, with a special annual meal. Zini had plans to study law to assist physically and mentally injured soldiers, while Raviv was pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist.

Amid the harrowing situation, some people&nbsp;survived due to the actions of IDF soldiers. A video released by the IDF showcased the Oketz Unit's special forces rescuing a woman and her son who had been trapped in their home for hours.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.)

&nbsp;

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Heart-wrenching stories of victims are continuing to emerge in the aftermath of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Among them is a family of five who died in each other's arms.

Heart-wrenching stories of victims are continuing to emerge in the aftermath of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Among them is a family of five who died in each other's arms. The Kutz family, consisting of Aviv (54), Livnat (49), Rotem (19), Yonatan (17), and Yiftach (17), were found lifeless in their bed in their Kfar Aza residence near the Gaza border, hugging each other, Israeli media reported. Aviv, an agricultural worker and deputy director of a consulting firm, used to organise an annual kite festival near the Gaza fence to promote a message of peace. Livnat was a graphic designer born during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Rotem, an IDF soldier, played a role in training new recruits. Yonatan and Yiftach were students at Kfar Hayarok boarding school, participating in the Hapoel youth basketball programme, Times of Israel reported. "They were all amazing kids with huge hearts. They had their whole lives ahead of them," their devastated aunt, Adi Levy Salama, told the Times of Israel. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: US puts 2,000 troops on prepare-to-deploy orders, says report A love story cut short In another tragic case from Kfar Aza, IDF officers Niral Zini (31) and Niv Raviv (27) lost their lives just before they could fulfill their dreams. Zini had planned to propose to Raviv on October 10, but the engagement ring was later found in the ruins of their home in the kibbutz. Before the attack, Zini sent a chilling message to his family: "They're here. I'm putting the phone down—pray." He attempted to defend against the terrorists with a knife while blocking the shelter door, under which Raviv had taken refuge. Their families learned of their fate after days of uncertainty. Mourners gathered in Netanya for their funerals. Both Zini and Raviv served in the military reserves, holding the ranks of major and captain, respectively. Also watch | Israel Defence Forces' Sergeant 'Y' on WION The couple commemorated Zini's survival following an injury in Hebron on October 10, 2015, with a special annual meal. Zini had plans to study law to assist physically and mentally injured soldiers, while Raviv was pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist. Amid the harrowing situation, some people survived due to the actions of IDF soldiers. A video released by the IDF showcased the Oketz Unit's special forces rescuing a woman and her son who had been trapped in their home for hours. (Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Israel-Hamas war: A family attacked on Gaza border was found dead hugging each other

The Israel-Hamas War has been dragged on for over 11 days now over 1,400 Israelis and at least 2,750 Palestinians have been killed so far. Both sides are still exchanging fire, and Grim in Gaza remains where over 1 million people have been displaced ahead of a possible ground offensive. Hamas has meanwhile said that a possible Israeli offensive doesn't scare them.

Israel-Palestine war: EU to launch humanitarian air bridge to bring aid to Gaza

Israel-Palestine war: Iran backs Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza

Hamas, the militant outfit which has been engaging in a bloody war with Israel, has been barred from most of the social media platforms. However, there has been a sudden surge in its following on the popular messaging app Telegram&nbsp;since it launched the sudden and brutal October 7 terror attack on Israel.

One of the accounts which belongs&nbsp;to the armed wing of the Hamas movement, al-Qassam Brigades, saw its following triple, and a ten-fold increase was seen in the number of views garnered over videos and other content shared by the account. &nbsp;

In the United States, Hamas has been designated as a foreign terror organisation, and as per the new internet laws introduced in the European Union, social media platforms can be charged penalties for sharing terroristic content.&nbsp;

The accounts of Hamas have been prohibited on Meta and Google, however, Telegram - a social media company founded by a Russian entrepreneur who is now based in Dubai - took the decision to permit the group to continue the use of its service.&nbsp;

X, which was formerly known as Twitter, said that it has placed a ban on Hamas and has deleted “hundreds” of “Hamas-affiliated accounts.” However, last week, the European Union stated that it has started an investigation into the company regarding illegal content and disinformation being spread about the Israel-Hamas war on its platform.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-historical-conflict-between-israel-palestine-amid-unprovoked-escalation-by-hamas-644471">Revisiting Israel-Palestine historical conflict amid new escalation by Hamas</a>

<h2>Proliferating audience of Hamas&nbsp;</h2>

The Telegram channel for the military wing of Hamas, al-Qassam Brigades, garnered around 200,000 followers at the time of the attack. The following of the channel has since tripled, as per an analysis by the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab.

Before the attack was launched, the channel's posts were viewed on average about 25,000 times. Now, the posts are getting viewed more than 300,000 times, which is a 10-fold increase in its viewership.&nbsp;

Another channel, which posts video messages from a spokesperson of Hamas, had around 166,000 followers before October 7 and now its followers have increased to more than 414,000, according to Memetica, a threat analysis company.

WATCH |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: Rafah border crossing shut | What does Egypt fear?

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Since Telegram has very lenient content moderation rules, it has become popular among far-right groups in the United States and among extremist groups internationally, stated Brian Fishman, who earlier headed a team at Meta which tackled terrorist and other dangerous organisations.&nbsp;

The popularity of Telegram in the US started to increase after the US Capitol attack on January 6 when the platform started being used by prominent peddlers of election conspiracy theories&nbsp;after they were kicked from social media sites like Twitter (now X) and Facebook. Globally, around 800 million people have been using Telegram, said its founder.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Hamas, the militant outfit which has been engaging in a bloody war with Israel, has been barred from most of the social media platforms. However, there has been a sudden surge in its following on the popular messaging app Telegram since it launched the sudden and brutal October 7 terror attack on Israel.

Hamas, the militant outfit which has been engaging in a bloody war with Israel, has been barred from most of the social media platforms. However, there has been a sudden surge in its following on the popular messaging app Telegram since it launched the sudden and brutal October 7 terror attack on Israel. One of the accounts which belongs to the armed wing of the Hamas movement, al-Qassam Brigades, saw its following triple, and a ten-fold increase was seen in the number of views garnered over videos and other content shared by the account. In the United States, Hamas has been designated as a foreign terror organisation, and as per the new internet laws introduced in the European Union, social media platforms can be charged penalties for sharing terroristic content. The accounts of Hamas have been prohibited on Meta and Google, however, Telegram - a social media company founded by a Russian entrepreneur who is now based in Dubai - took the decision to permit the group to continue the use of its service. X, which was formerly known as Twitter, said that it has placed a ban on Hamas and has deleted “hundreds” of “Hamas-affiliated accounts.” However, last week, the European Union stated that it has started an investigation into the company regarding illegal content and disinformation being spread about the Israel-Hamas war on its platform. Also read: Revisiting Israel-Palestine historical conflict amid new escalation by Hamas Proliferating audience of Hamas The Telegram channel for the military wing of Hamas, al-Qassam Brigades, garnered around 200,000 followers at the time of the attack. The following of the channel has since tripled, as per an analysis by the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab. Before the attack was launched, the channel's posts were viewed on average about 25,000 times. Now, the posts are getting viewed more than 300,000 times, which is a 10-fold increase in its viewership. Another channel, which posts video messages from a spokesperson of Hamas, had around 166,000 followers before October 7 and now its followers have increased to more than 414,000, according to Memetica, a threat analysis company. WATCH | Israel-Hamas war: Rafah border crossing shut | What does Egypt fear? Since Telegram has very lenient content moderation rules, it has become popular among far-right groups in the United States and among extremist groups internationally, stated Brian Fishman, who earlier headed a team at Meta which tackled terrorist and other dangerous organisations. The popularity of Telegram in the US started to increase after the US Capitol attack on January 6 when the platform started being used by prominent peddlers of election conspiracy theories after they were kicked from social media sites like Twitter (now X) and Facebook. Globally, around 800 million people have been using Telegram, said its founder. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

As Hamas fights Israel, militant group's social media sees unexpected surge in followers

Israel-Palestine war: Exchange of fire continues between Israel and Hamas

Israel-Hamas war: Civilians near border settlements evacuated

Israel-Hamas war: Fresh bombardment by Isreal of Egypt-Gaza border

Israel on Sunday said that it had resumed water supply to the southern part of the Gaza Strip to encourage evacuation of the northern part of the enclave.

Israel-Palestine war: Gaza is witnessing unprecedented human catastrophe says UN

As a war between Israel and the Hamas militant group escalates, Israel's Defense Forces are now preparing for a ground offensive in Gaza. Israel is poised to launch an attack into the northern half of the Gaza Strip. It is an attack that is filled with uncertainty and whose potential humanitarian consequences are grim as Israel vows to destroy and eliminate Hamas completely.

Israel-Palestine war: Hamas' secret tunnel complicates Israel's Gaza offensive

The Rafah border crossing, located at the southern end of the Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, holds immense significance for the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza.

It represents their primary potential exit point and serves as the territory's sole remaining link to the outside world. Under a 2007 agreement with Israel, Egypt controls the crossing, and any supplies entering Gaza through Rafah require Israeli approval.

<h2>Challenges of leaving Gaza</h2>

For the majority of Gazans, leaving the 365 square kilometre&nbsp;territory is exceedingly difficult. While Rafah offers the possibility of exiting Gaza, the reality is that most Gazans have never left their home region. Getting permission to depart is a complex and rigorous process.

<h2>Rafah: A tightly controlled crossing</h2>

On the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing lies the area of Rafah, a mix of city and farmland. Over the past decade, this region has experienced conflict between the Egyptian military and jihadist militants.

In an effort to prevent civilians and militants from returning to the area, the Egyptian military essentially razed large parts of Rafah.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-israel-was-formed-a-nation-whose-history-can-be-traced-back-to-iron-age-647305">How was Israel formed? The nation's history can be traced back to the Iron Age</a>

<h2>Why Egypt closed the crossing?</h2>

Egypt has historically imposed tight restrictions on the Rafah crossing and has kept it closed during previous Israeli military operations in Gaza, including in 2021, 2014, and 2008.

Since 2013, during a period of heightened conflict between the Egyptian military and jihadists in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt has significantly curtailed movement through the crossing. It has&nbsp;also banned the entry of aid organisations and journalists into northern Sinai.

Palestinians accuse Egypt of contributing to Israel's 16-year blockade by effectively closing the only exit route from Gaza.

Egyptian officials have been hesitant to allow Palestinians to enter northern Sinai, as they fear it could lead to a permanent resettlement of over 2 million people.

These Palestinians, whom Israel will not allow to return to Gaza, settling in Sinai is a scenario Egypt wishes to avoid. President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi has expressed concerns about the potential consequences of a Gaza exodus, stating that allowing them to settle in Sinai, even temporarily, would effectively grant Israel control over an emptied Gaza Strip.

Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, shares these concerns and has affirmed that there will be no mass migration from Gaza to Egypt. He stated that Egypt welcomes the Palestinian people but not on the basis of migration or exodus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hate-crime-in-us-man-stabs-6-year-old-muslim-child-over-ongoing-israel-hamas-war-tensions-647335">Hate crime in US: Man stabs 6-year-old Muslim child over ongoing Israel-Hamas war tensions</a>

<h2>Historical fears&nbsp;</h2>

Egypt has long harboured concerns that Israel or international partners could pressure them into accepting millions of Palestinians settling in Sinai.

Such proposals have been made in the past, and Egyptian officials have consistently rejected the idea. Life in northern Sinai has been challenging for decades, with a lack of basic infrastructure, energy, and habitable land.

There is a significant area near the Gaza border that was designated as a "buffer zone",&nbsp;resulting in the destruction of homes and farmland. Civilians have been prevented from returning to this area.

Egypt is facing a significant economic crisis, which includes the devaluation of its currency, making the prospect of accepting refugees even more challenging. While Cairo has rejected mass displacement from Gaza into Sinai, it has been under pressure from Western countries offering economic incentives to reach an agreement.

Egypt is on the brink of accepting an agreement that would permit foreign and dual nationals to cross from Rafah, as long as humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza.

Decision-making circles in Egypt may be inclined to accept a large influx of Palestinians into Sinai if international partners provide economic incentives. However, the prospects of long-term financial support for Palestinians in Egypt, either from Cairo or internationally, appear remote, reported the Guardian.

<h2>Situation on ground&nbsp;</h2>

The escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip has created a critical situation in its hospitals, with their generator fuel supplies running dangerously low.

The United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) has issued a stark warning, estimating that the fuel reserves in these hospitals will last only about 24 more hours, reported Reuters.

The shortage of generator fuel is not just a logistical challenge; it is a life-and-death matter. If the backup generators were to fail, thousands of patients, including severely injured children and adults, would be left without essential medical care, and their lives depend on uninterrupted electricity.

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war stumps tech sector

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This crisis unfolds against the backdrop of an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, a besieged coastal enclave struggling with food and water shortages, as well as safety concerns.

The situation is further compounded by the looming threat of an Israeli ground offensive in response to a deadly attack by Hamas. The Israeli military, backed by an increasing presence of US warships in the region, is assembling along Gaza's border, preparing for a major operation to dismantle the militant group.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

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The Rafah border crossing, located at the southern end of the Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, holds immense significance for the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza.

The Rafah border crossing, located at the southern end of the Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, holds immense significance for the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza. It represents their primary potential exit point and serves as the territory's sole remaining link to the outside world. Under a 2007 agreement with Israel, Egypt controls the crossing, and any supplies entering Gaza through Rafah require Israeli approval. Challenges of leaving Gaza For the majority of Gazans, leaving the 365 square kilometre territory is exceedingly difficult. While Rafah offers the possibility of exiting Gaza, the reality is that most Gazans have never left their home region. Getting permission to depart is a complex and rigorous process. Rafah: A tightly controlled crossing On the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing lies the area of Rafah, a mix of city and farmland. Over the past decade, this region has experienced conflict between the Egyptian military and jihadist militants. In an effort to prevent civilians and militants from returning to the area, the Egyptian military essentially razed large parts of Rafah. Also read | How was Israel formed? The nation's history can be traced back to the Iron Age Why Egypt closed the crossing? Egypt has historically imposed tight restrictions on the Rafah crossing and has kept it closed during previous Israeli military operations in Gaza, including in 2021, 2014, and 2008. Since 2013, during a period of heightened conflict between the Egyptian military and jihadists in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt has significantly curtailed movement through the crossing. It has also banned the entry of aid organisations and journalists into northern Sinai. Palestinians accuse Egypt of contributing to Israel's 16-year blockade by effectively closing the only exit route from Gaza. Egyptian officials have been hesitant to allow Palestinians to enter northern Sinai, as they fear it could lead to a permanent resettlement of over 2 million people. These Palestinians, whom Israel will not allow to return to Gaza, settling in Sinai is a scenario Egypt wishes to avoid. President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi has expressed concerns about the potential consequences of a Gaza exodus, stating that allowing them to settle in Sinai, even temporarily, would effectively grant Israel control over an emptied Gaza Strip. Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, shares these concerns and has affirmed that there will be no mass migration from Gaza to Egypt. He stated that Egypt welcomes the Palestinian people but not on the basis of migration or exodus. Also read | Hate crime in US: Man stabs 6-year-old Muslim child over ongoing Israel-Hamas war tensions Historical fears Egypt has long harboured concerns that Israel or international partners could pressure them into accepting millions of Palestinians settling in Sinai. Such proposals have been made in the past, and Egyptian officials have consistently rejected the idea. Life in northern Sinai has been challenging for decades, with a lack of basic infrastructure, energy, and habitable land. There is a significant area near the Gaza border that was designated as a "buffer zone", resulting in the destruction of homes and farmland. Civilians have been prevented from returning to this area. Egypt is facing a significant economic crisis, which includes the devaluation of its currency, making the prospect of accepting refugees even more challenging. While Cairo has rejected mass displacement from Gaza into Sinai, it has been under pressure from Western countries offering economic incentives to reach an agreement. Egypt is on the brink of accepting an agreement that would permit foreign and dual nationals to cross from Rafah, as long as humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza. Decision-making circles in Egypt may be inclined to accept a large influx of Palestinians into Sinai if international partners provide economic incentives. However, the prospects of long-term financial support for Palestinians in Egypt, either from Cairo or internationally, appear remote, reported the Guardian. Situation on ground The escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip has created a critical situation in its hospitals, with their generator fuel supplies running dangerously low. The United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) has issued a stark warning, estimating that the fuel reserves in these hospitals will last only about 24 more hours, reported Reuters. The shortage of generator fuel is not just a logistical challenge; it is a life-and-death matter. If the backup generators were to fail, thousands of patients, including severely injured children and adults, would be left without essential medical care, and their lives depend on uninterrupted electricity. Also watch | Israel-Hamas war stumps tech sector This crisis unfolds against the backdrop of an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, a besieged coastal enclave struggling with food and water shortages, as well as safety concerns. The situation is further compounded by the looming threat of an Israeli ground offensive in response to a deadly attack by Hamas. The Israeli military, backed by an increasing presence of US warships in the region, is assembling along Gaza's border, preparing for a major operation to dismantle the militant group. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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