Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel expanded on Sunday its ground operation in the Gaza Strip and intensified the airstrike in the besieged enclave, as the death toll in Gaza rose to 8,005.
Two days after sending soldiers into the Gaza Strip, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari told a press briefing that the military "expanded the entry of IDF troops into the Gaza Strip."
He said that the current ground operations are focused on the northern Gaza Strip, and they are "gradually expanding the ground activity and the scope of our forces in the Gaza Strip."
The move came as Israel massed tens of thousands of troops along the Gaza border ahead of a massive ground offensive.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday met with representatives of families of about 230 people kidnapped by Hamas during their Oct. 7 attack on Israel. He said that the expected ground offensive is "part of the effort to return the hostages."
Palestinian militants approached the Erez Crossing, the main pedestrian crossing point between Israel and Gaza. The Israeli army said in a statement that they exited a shaft of a tunnel near the crossing, adding the soldiers killed and injured the "terrorists" following identification.
Additionally, aircraft guided by IDF troops struck two staging grounds of Hamas and killed several militants, according to the military.
Also in the day, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement the death toll of Palestinians from Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip rose to 8,005, while more than 20,000 Palestinians have been injured since the fighting broke out.
About 1,400 Israelis were killed, the majority of them in the Hamas offensive that occurred three weeks ago, while about 230 people are being held captive by Hamas.
Meanwhile, in the West Bank, at least four Palestinians were killed by gunfire from Israeli security forces during clashes in various areas, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held two separate phone talks with his Saudi and Qatari counterparts on Sunday to discuss the latest situation in Gaza, calling for collective efforts to stop Israeli attacks against civilians in Gaza, and "constant and extensive" aid delivery to the enclave.
On the Israeli-Lebanese border, confrontations expanded at nightfall as several rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Rosh Pina, a town in the Upper Galilee, marking the farthest point to date to which rockets from Lebanon have been fired. However, the Israeli military stated in a release that they were intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defense system.
Meanwhile, Israel also struck targets in southern Lebanon, saying they were Hezbollah posts or areas from which rockets were fired at northern Israel. ■
Smoke rises from the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2023 shows an Israeli armored vehicle deployed near the Israel-Gaza border. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
A man inspects a damaged house after an Israeli military raid in a refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
People inspect a damaged house after an Israeli military raid in a refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
A boy is seen among the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
A boy is seen among the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
A man is seen among the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023 In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
A boy looks at rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
This photo shows the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
Smoke rises from the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Smoke rises from the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
People inspect a damaged house after an Israeli military raid in a refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Smoke rises from the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2023 shows an Israeli armored vehicle deployed near the Israel-Gaza border. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
A man inspects a damaged house after an Israeli military raid in a refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
People inspect a damaged house after an Israeli military raid in a refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
A boy is seen among the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
A boy is seen among the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
A man is seen among the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023 In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
A boy looks at rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
This photo shows the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
Smoke rises from the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Smoke rises from the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes, as seen from Israel's border with Gaza Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
People inspect a damaged house after an Israeli military raid in a refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus Oct. 29, 2023. In 23 days, at least 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly people, have lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Members of Israeli security force and emergency service stand guard in the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona after being hit by a rocket from Lebanon on Oct. 29, 2023. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
Members of Israeli security force and emergency service stand guard in the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona after being hit by a rocket from Lebanon on Oct. 29, 2023. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
Members of Israeli security force and emergency service stand guard in the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona after being hit by a rocket from Lebanon on Oct. 29, 2023. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
