More than 800,000 Palestinians have been evacuated from the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli army spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said on social media X.
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“We are pleased to see that more than 800,000 Palestinians have evacuated from the northern Gaza Strip, the main battle zone,” he said in a video message posted on the Israel Defense Forces’ page.
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On October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented-scale rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement.
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After this, the organization’s fighters entered the border areas in southern Israel, where they opened fire on both military and civilians, and also took hostages. In Israel, according to local authorities, more than 1.4 thousand people were killed, including 300 military personnel, and more than 5 thousand were injured.
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In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Within a few days, the Israeli military took control of all populated areas near the border with Gaza and began carrying out air strikes on targets, including civilians, in the strip. Israel also announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip: the supply of water, food, electricity, medicine, and fuel was stopped.
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The number of victims in the Gaza Strip, according to the local Ministry of Health, exceeded 8 thousand people, half of whom were children, over 18 thousand were injured. As the conflict escalates, at least 20 Russians have died, three are believed to be held hostage, and several more remain missing. According to various sources, more than 200 Israelis are being held captive by Hamas.
