JERUSALEM -- Israel's military spokesman Avichay Adraee said on Friday that the Israeli military has begun the preliminary operations and initial stages of the attack on Gaza City, and is operating with great intensity on the outskirts of the city.
In a video message posted on social media platform X, Adraee said that the military will intensify its strikes and will not hesitate until it brings back all the hostages and dismantles Hamas. (Israel-Gaza City-Attacks)
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GAZA -- The number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, has surpassed 63,000, with at least 48 fatalities reported on Friday, according to Gaza's health authorities and civil defense.
In a press statement, the health authorities said that 59 bodies and 244 wounded were brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 24 hours, adding that many victims remain under the rubble as ambulances and civil defense crews face difficulties reaching them due to continued bombardments and a shortage of resources. (Gaza Strip-Hamas-Israel)
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JERUSALEM -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Friday that it had killed a senior member of the Islamic State (IS) group in the Gaza Strip over the past week.
The IDF identified the man as Muhammad Abd al-Aziz Abu Zubaida, who served as head of the Palestine District of the IS in the Gaza Strip -- the most senior position within the group in the territory. (Israel-Gaza Strip-IS Militant Killing)
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JERUSALEM/GAZA -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday that it recovered the body of an Israeli hostage from the Gaza Strip as it pushes ahead with its offensive on the city.
The hostage was identified as Ilan Weiss, 55, from the village of Be'eri near the Gaza Strip border. His wife and daughter were abducted in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and were released alive after 50 days in captivity as part of a ceasefire-hostage deal. (Israel-Hostage-Gaza Strip) ■
