Israel-Hamas war day 22 highlights: Netanyahu declares 'second stage of war'

Israel announced on Saturday (Oct 28) that it would be recalling its diplomatic staff from Turkey following a fierce verbal attack by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Israel's military operation against Hamas militants in Gaza at a pro-Palestine rally attended by several thousands.

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Israel's Defence Minister Eli Cohen said that while it does not want the war to expand in the wider West Asian region, it is "prepared" if the circumstances so warrant. 

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared 'second phase of war' against Hamas in Gaza Strip and asserted that Hamas is using people as 'human shields'.

"This is the second phase of war," Netanyahu said, adding that "Gazans should move to safe areas."

The state of war in Israel has cast its shadow on the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced last month by the leaders of India, Saudi Arabia, United States, United Arab Emirates and Europe last month at New Delhi G20 summit. 

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday (Oct 28) that Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip was a product of the West, adding that Israel could not take any steps without its support. Addressing a pro-Palestinian rally in Istanbul, President Erdogan called Israel an "occupier and invader." "Our hearts are wrenching for what is happening in Gaza," Erdogan said.

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Israel's foreign minister Eli Cohen referred to Turkey's President Erdogan's comments to reason that the country is recalling its diplomats from Turkey.

"Given the grave statements coming from Turkey, I have ordered the return of diplomatic representatives there in order to conduct a reevaluation of the relations between Israel and Turkey," Cohen said. 

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell demanded on Saturday a "pause of hostilities" to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip after the intense overnight bombing of the coastal territory. 

"Gaza is in complete blackout and isolation while heavy shelling continues. UNRWA warns about the desperate situation of Gaza people without electricity, food, water," he said on social media.

"Far too many civilians, including children, have been killed. This is against International Humanitarian Law," he said.

"A pause of hostilities is urgently needed to enable humanitarian access," Borrell added.

Representatives of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) convened Saturday in Cairo to discuss the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. In a news conference held in the Egyptian Red Crescent headquarters, CEO of the Egyptian Red Crescent Rami al-Nazer said that cutting communications "hinders the abilities" of humanitarian organizations inside the strip.

Israel's war with Palestinian militant group Hamas "entered a new phase" with the intense overnight bombing of the Gaza Strip, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Saturday.

"We have entered a new phase in the war. Last night the ground in Gaza shook. We attacked above ground and below ground," Gallant said in a video statement, alluding to the newtork of military tunnels Hamas has built under Gaza.

"The instructions to the forces are clear: the action will continue until further notice."

"We know the game of the United States and European politics, we also know their hidden agenda. We have been witnessing this reality in Gaza. The West is trying to legitimize the murders of women and children," Erdogan said.

"We are announcing that Israel is a war criminal and we are prepared for that. We will introduce Israel as a war criminal. But Western leaders are not responding- not even calling for a ceasefire. I want to ask how many women, and how many children are to die further," he added.

The Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says the army has "accomplished a phase in the war" as Israel intensified its overnight bombardment and expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

"Our flag are risen high - we have many heroes who worked hard - I thank for their valuable efforts.   We are such a great Nation - thats why our challenges - cannt be limited to this geography. Our heart are wrench for what is happening in Gaza," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while addressing the crowds during pro-Palestinian rally.

A pro-Palestinian rally organised by the AK Party takes place in Istanbul. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to address the crowds during the protest.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in central London on Saturday (October 28) to demand the British government call for a ceasefire after Israel's military widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip. Aerial footage showed large crowds setting off on the march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, with the protest due to end outside the Houses of Parliament after passing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Downing Street office.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that Israel's bombardment of Gaza was against international law including indiscriminately using force against targets where civilians are known to be present. 

"If Gaza is destroyed and 2 million inhabitants are expelled, as some politicians in Israel and abroad propose, this will create a catastrophe for many decades, if not centuries," Lavrov told Belarusian state news agency Belta. 

The Hamas said on Saturday that at least 7,703 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the war with Israel that started on October 7. The death toll includes over 3,500 children.

A report by the news agency AFP said that that the overall figure is the highest number of war fatalities in Gaza since Israel unilaterally withdrew from the territory in 2005.

Hamas is trying to locate eight Russian-Israelis that it had taken had taken as hostages in order to release them, the news agency AFP reported on Saturday citing Russian media. 

According to Russian media, senior Hamas representative Moussa Abu Marzook said, "From the Russian side, via the foreign ministry, we received a list of citizens that have dual citizenship."

"We are looking for those people... It is hard but we are looking. And when we find them, we will let them go," Marzook added.

Russia has good relations with Hamas and does not consider it to be a terror group. AFP reported that Moscow had started a diplomatic effort to try to free hostages held in Gaza. 

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will address one of the largest pro-Palestinian rallies in Istanbul. Citing political analysts, a report by the news agency Reuters said that his address aimed to reinforce his growing criticism of Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip. 

Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas militants on Saturday demanded a government explanation about the fate of the captives after the Israeli army intensified strikes on the war-torn region. Read more

Hundreds of buildings were destroyed by the Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip overnight, stated the civil defence service in the Palestinian territory.

"Hundreds of buildings and houses were completely destroyed and thousands of other homes were damaged," said Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the Gaza Civil Defence while speaking AFP. He further stated  that the intense bombardments had "changed the landscape" of northern Gaza.

The Israeli military stated that they entered into northern Gaza and their military operations expanded as armoured corps and infantry entered the besieged Palestinian enclave.

However, military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated Israeli forces were still present "in the field", without further stating. Hagari added that they were "broadening the humanitarian effort" on Saturdy and trucks filled with food, water and medicine will be allowed to enter southern Gaza, Reuters reported.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made public appeal again and has urged Israel to "immediately stop the madness" an end "attacks" in Gaza. His latest comments have come after Israel intensified strikes in the enclave

"The Israeli bombardments on Gaza intensified last night and once again targeted women, children and innocent civilians and worsened the ongoing humanitarian crisis," Erdogan said on X. "Israel must immediately stop this madness and end its attacks." 

Families of Israeli hostages who are held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza have demanded an immediate explanation from the Israeli government about fate of the captives in light of intensified Israeli strikes in Gaza.

A group representing the hostage families has sought immediate meeting with ministers.

In a statement, the Hostages and missing Families Forum said that relatives of the hostages were angry about "absolute uncertainty regarding the fate of the hostages held (in Gaza), who were also subject to the heavy bombings".
 

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Movement of Israeli military vehicles including tanks was seen in southern Isarael near border with Gaza enclave. The Associated Press reported that military vehicles were seen on a hill. Some vehicles carried troops and these were moving along a road.

Thousands of people rallied in New Zealand capital Wellignton in support of Palestinian people and marched to Parliament House. Placards like "free Palestine" and Palestinian flags were seen.

Meanwhile, health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza has said that a tota704 Palestinians including 305 children were killed on Tuesday (24). According to UN Office for the Co-ordination of Hunaitarian Affairs said that this was the highest reported toll in a single day.

A statement from IDF said the sites that were targeted in overnight raids included “terror tunnels, underground combat spaces and additional underground infrastructure. Furthermore, several Hamas terrorists were killed.”

Israeli Defense Forces struck 150 underground targets in the northern Gaza Strip overnight, a spokesperson for the IDF claimed Saturday (Oct 28).

“Today, here in the General Assembly, in the world’s parliament, countries of principle & conscience, peace-loving nations stood up & proved that the int. community has not forsaken humanity (Cont.),” posted State of Palestine’s Mission to the UN on X.

“The State of Palestine welcomes the overwhelming support for the General Assembly resolution calling for the protection of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip from Israel’s onslaught and massacres and the unequivocal call for immediate humanitarian truce and unimpeded humanitarian assistance as well as the unambiguous rejection of any attempts at the forced transfer of the Palestinian population,” said the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in a statement.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has warned that "many more will die" from looming shortages of essential items in the Gaza Strip.

“People in Gaza are dying, they are not only dying from bombs and strikes, soon many more will die from the consequences of [the] siege,” Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA chief, said.

The US defense secretary Lloyd Austin told Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant during a phone call that protecting civilians was important during operations in Gaza. The phone call came even as the Gallant reiterated that Israel was prepared for a long and difficult ground offensive. "We are at war for the nation - it's either us, or them" the defence minister said in a video on X.

Footage released on social media showed hundreds of people chanting in protest outside New York's Grand Central Terminal on Friday (October 27), demanding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and forcing officials to shut down one of New York City's major transit hubs. 

Hamas has rejected claims made by Israel that the Palestinian terrorist group has underground installations beneath hospitals. Hamas political official Ezzat El-Reshiq on Friday denied the allegations and said there is “no basis in truth”.

New US House Speaker Mike Johnson held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed his support for the country fighting war with Hamas. 

“The House of Representatives stands with Israel and I reaffirmed our strong support,” Johnson wrote on X.

Hundreds of protesters, including those from Jewish Voice for Peace, have forced officials to close Grand Central Terminal, one of New York City's major transit hubs, on Friday. 

"Grand Central Terminal is closed until further notice due to a protest," said the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on its website. Authorities also urged commuters to use alternate stations and plan for extra travel time.

Images on social media showed protesters pouring out of the train station and onto 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan. According to New York Times, the demonstration was organised by the JVP. 

(Image credit: @jvplive)

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Committee to Protect Journalists have expressed concerns and slammed the communications blackout in Gaza after Israel announced that it is "expanding" its ground operations in Gaza. 

The near-total telecommunications blackout in Gaza risks providing cover for "mass atrocities", said HRW's senior technology and human rights researcher, Deborah Brown, in a statement, adding that it is also "contributing to impunity for human rights violations." 

Meanwhile, CPJ, said "communications blackout is a news blackout" which would lead to "serious consequences" including the spread of misinformation.

"At this dark hour, we stand with journalists, with those truth seekers whose daily work keeps us informed with facts that shed light on the human condition and help to hold power to account," said the CPJ.

Oxfam also said it was "deeply concerned" over the loss of communications in Gaza and demanded an immediate ceasefire. 

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a statement on Friday ahead of the UNGA vote said that "an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering" due to lack of food, water and power amid Israel's bombardment of the Palestinian territory. 

"I repeat my call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of life-saving supplies," said Guterres.

He added, "Misery is growing by the minute. Without a fundamental change, the people of Gaza will face an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering."

Prior to the war, about 500 trucks a day rolled into sealed-off Gaza to bring in supplies but in recent days the average is down to only 12, which enter from the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

The UN chief said that the need is now "far greater than at any time before." 

"The humanitarian system in Gaza is facing a total collapse with unimaginable consequences for more than two million civilians," Guterres added. 

Israeli army told international news organisations Reuters and Agence France Presse (AFP) that they cannot guarantee the safety of their journalists operating in the Gaza Strip which has been under constant bombardment by the Israeli forces. 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote to Reuters and AFP this week after they had sought assurances that their journalists in Gaza would not be targeted by Israeli strikes. 

"The IDF is targeting all Hamas military activity throughout Gaza," the IDF letter said, according to Reuters, adding that Hamas deliberately put military operations "in the vicinity of journalists and civilians".

The IDF also noted that its high-intensity strikes on Hamas targets could cause damage to surrounding buildings and that Hamas rockets could also misfire and kill people inside Gaza.

Reuters and AFP said they were very concerned about the safety of journalists in Gaza.

A number of aid groups including United Nations' agencies - World Health Organization and UNICEF  - said they have lost contact with its personnel working on the ground in Gaza. This comes after Hamas said Israel had cut "communications and most of the internet" across the Gaza Strip. 

"We have lost touch with our staff in Gaza, with health facilities, health workers and the rest of our humanitarian partners on the ground," said WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus, in a post on X. 

Additionally, a number of humanitarian groups, including Palestine Red Crescent Society and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that they have also lost contact with their staff in Gaza. 

Hamas and the Palestinian Authority welcomed a UN General Assembly resolution Friday calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza. 

"We demand its immediate application to allow the entry of fuel and humanitarian aid for civilians," said Hamas, in a statement. 

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority said as Israel's campaign against Palestinian people "reaches a new peak of brutality", there was "a solid international position rejecting Israel's unhinged aggression". 

"The international community has spoken in a clear and united voice against Israel's ongoing crimes and deliberate violations of the international law." 

"We’ve lost touch with our colleagues in #Gaza, who, like many thousands of Palestinians, are under #Israeli bombardment," said the United Nations Human Rights Office in Palestine in a post on X. 

It added, "Deeply concerned about the protection of civilians and #HumanRights of #Palestinians in Gaza." 

This comes after Hamas said that Israel had cut "communications and most of the internet" across the Gaza Strip. 

Hamas' media office accused Israel of taking the measure "to perpetrate massacres with bloody retaliatory strikes from the air, land and sea."

Hamas' armed wing said that it fighting with Israeli forces in two areas inside Gaza, after Israel said it had "extended ground operations" in the Palestinian territory.

"We are confronting an Israeli ground incursion in Beit Hanoun (in the northern Gaza Strip) and in east Bureij (in the centre) and violent engagements are taking place on the ground," said the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades. 

Following the adoption of the Jordanian resolution, Indian representative to the UN said that dialogue is the only way for a solution described terror attacks in Israel as "shocking" and "deserve condemnation". 

India calls for "immediate and unconditional" release of hostages taken by Hamas after it attacked Israel on October 7. 

India also calls for protection of civilians in Gaza. "This humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed," said the Indian representative to the UN. 

"We welcome the international community's de escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. India too has contributed to this effort". 

"India is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict, the escalation of hostilities will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis."

India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue and for an independent Palestinian State "living side-by-side and in peace with Israel."

Gilad Erdan, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, reiterated Israel's right to defend itself and slammed the resolution which does not mention Hamas' October 7 attacks on southern Israel. 

"This ridiculous resolution has the audacity to call for a truce, the goal for this resolution's truce is that Israel should cease to defend itself, so Hamas can light us on fire," said Erdan. 

"Why are you defending murderers? Why are you defending terrorists…? What is going on here?" said the Israeli representative since Hamas' attacks were not mentioned in the resolution passed. 

"Israel is closely monitoring humanitarian situation in Gaza and we know that there is no humanitarian crisis in accordance with humanitarian law trusting the reports coming out of is exactly like trusting reports from ISIS."

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safad during a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly ahead of the vote on the country's resolution warned that Israeli ground invasion of the Gaza Strip would spell "catastrophe" for the Palestinian territory for years to come.

"Israel just launched a ground war on Gaza. Outcome will be a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions for years to come," said the Jordanian FM, on X ahead of the vote.

He added, "Millions will be watching every vote. History will judge."

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a Jordanian resolution which calls for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce”, and demands all parties comply with international humanitarian law and “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision to supply aid to Gaza. 

It also calls for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all civilians held captive. However, the resolution passed does not mention the Palestinian militant group Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7. 

Here's what happened: 

In favour: 120 

Against: 14

Abstentions: 45

Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis fails to pass at the United Nations General Assembly after it did not garner enough votes. 

For a resolution to be adopted, the proposal requires two-thirds majority. 

Here's what happened: 

In favour: 88
Against: 55
Abstentions: 23

"#Gaza has lost contact with the outside world amid reports of intensified bombardment," said United Nations Humanitarian coordinator in Palestine Lynn Hastings in a post on X.

It added, "Phone lines/internet/mobile networks cut. Hospitals & humanitarian operations can't continue without communications, energy, food, water, meds." 

"Safety of civilians, incl health workers/journos/UN staff at grave risk. Wars have rules. Civilians must be protected," said the UN official. 

A top official from the Palestinian militant group said that Hamas is "ready" for an Israeli invasion of Gaza over the October 7 attacks. This comes after the Israeli army said they are "expanding" its ground operation. 

"If (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu decides to enter Gaza tonight, the resistance is ready," said Ezzat al-Rishaq, a senior member of the Hamas political bureau, on social media platform Telegram.

"The remains of his soldiers will be swallowed up by the land of Gaza."

The United States has backed pauses in hostilities between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel, said the White House on Friday (Oct 27).

"We would support humanitarian pauses for stuff getting in, as well as for people getting out, and that includes pushing for fuel to get in and for the restoration of electrical power," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

The Israeli military said on Friday that it will extend its ground operations in the Gaza Strip later tonight. 

"Following the series of strikes of the last days, the ground forces are extending the ground operation tonight," military spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters.