• Over 1.4 million people have been displaced, seeking shelter in overcrowded schools and facing shortages of necessities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Saturday October 28, 2023 that the Israeli military had initiated a "second stage" in its conflict with Hamas by launching a ground offensive into Gaza.

Netanyahu warned that the operation would be protracted and challenging but emphasized Israel's readiness to confront the situation.

"It will be long and difficult. We are ready," he said.

The bombardment, described by Gaza residents as the most intense of the war, severely disrupted communications within the territory, isolating the population of 2.3 million people from the outside world.

Israeli military footage released on Saturday showed tank columns moving slowly in open areas near the Gaza border. The military also reported airstrikes targeting numerous Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers.

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The escalation of the conflict has increased domestic pressure on the Israeli government to secure the release of dozens of hostages captured during an October 7 attack by Hamas.

Desperate family members met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, expressing support for a potential exchange of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel for the hostages. Hamas' top leader in Gaza has also floated the idea of a prisoner swap.

Netanyahu emphasized that the expanded ground operation aimed to dismantle Hamas' military and governmental capabilities while rescuing the hostages.

He acknowledged the need for a thorough investigation into the earlier incident, which resulted in significant civilian casualties.

The World Health Organization called for an immediate end to the fighting, highlighting the growing number of casualties, including women and children, and the strain on healthcare and burial services.

Over 1.4 million people have been displaced, seeking shelter in overcrowded schools and facing shortages of necessities.

The conflict has raised concerns of a potential broader war in the region, with Arab nations expressing alarm, including countries that have normalized ties with Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Israel's actions and announced plans to declare Israel a "war criminal." Efforts to de-escalate the conflict are underway, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi engaging in talks with the parties involved.