Israel-Hamas war: Israeli military to step up its strikes in Gaza

The Israeli military said on Saturday (Oct 21) that it will immediately step up its strikes in the Gaza Strip to increase pressure on Hamas. Speaking to reporters, military spokesperson Admiral Daniel Hagari said, "We have to enter the next phase of the war in the best conditions, not according to what anyone tells us. From today, we are increasing the strikes and minimising the danger."

Since Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7, Israel struck back with devastating air and ground bombardments of Gaza.

More than 1,400 people have died in Israel, and 4,385 people have died in Gaza. Israel is now preparing for a widely anticipated ground invasion, amassing tens of thousands of troops and hundreds of tanks along the Gaza border.

The military's announcement comes just hours after the first international aid to reach Gaza since October 7 crossed the border from Egypt into the territory.

'Israel army going into Gaza to destroy Hamas'

On Saturday, Israel's Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi told troops that the army would go into Gaza to destroy Hamas.

"We are going to go into the Gaza Strip, we will embark on a professional operational mission to destroy Hamas operatives and Hamas infrastructure and we will have in our mind the memories of the images and those who fell on Saturday two weeks ago," he said.

A day back, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee that the initial and current phase of incessant strikes across the Palestinian territory would be followed by "neutralising terrorists and destroying Hamas infrastructure".

The military campaign will "put in place a new security reality for the citizens of Israel", Gallant added.

Turkey's Erdogan discusses Gaza with Hamas leader

Also on Saturday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Erdogan told Haniyeh about Ankara's efforts for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and possible treatment of the wounded in Turkey.

The Turkish president has called on Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza, which he said amounted to genocide, and urged governments worldwide to work for a humanitarian ceasefire in the region.

"I repeat my call for the Israeli leadership to never expand the scope of its attacks on civilians and to immediately end its operations amounting to genocide," Erdogan said in a post on X on Friday.

Turkey supports Palestinians, backs a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and hosts members of militant group Hamas.

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