On the 38th day of the war in Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continue their ground invasion of Gaza City, with no immediate signs of a ceasefire. Simultaneously, tensions have flared on Israel's northern border with Lebanon, following anti-tank fire by Hezbollah, targeting both civilians and soldiers, which resulted in over 22 Israelis injured. The situation remains complex, with external allies pressuring for a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF spokesperson reported that ground operations in Gaza are ongoing, with a focus on the northern Gaza Strip. Troops have been meticulously searching buildings and uncovering caches of weapons. In a statement released, it was revealed that the soldiers of the 401st Brigade's combat team conducted a successful raid on the outskirts of the Shati refugee camp. During this operation, they discovered a significant quantity of weapons, incendiary materials, explosives, and operational plans belonging to Hamas. These hidden caches were found within various civilian structures, including schools, universities, mosques, and even private residences belonging to members of the organization.
Our troops risked their lives to hand-deliver 300 liters of fuel to the Shifa hospital for urgent medical purposes.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 12, 2023
Hamas forbade the hospital from taking it.
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has been warning for weeks that its hospitals are running out of fuel. If so, why… pic.twitter.com/u6XaLvdr8x
Furthermore, reserve IDF soldiers from the 551st Brigade executed a targeted operation at the residence of a high-ranking member of the Islamic Jihad. In a startling discovery, they found an arsenal of weapons within a children's room, alongside photographs of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and the late Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. In another operation, the brigade located a tunnel shaft and gathered intelligence materials related to the terrorist organizations, as well as additional weapons, in the Beit Hanon area.
Hamas uses the residents of Gaza as human shields, prevents them from going south, and shoots those who try to escape. Compared to them, this is how the IDF takes care of them!
— יוסף חדאד - Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) November 12, 2023
If someone tells you the IDF is harming the innocent residents of Gaza, send them this video! pic.twitter.com/pZ4IXw0UOK
During the night, reports emerged of airstrikes in the vicinity of the Shifa hospital, with "ongoing clashes" occurring in its vicinity. Notably, the IDF released a recording in which an Israeli official offered to provide fuel for urgent medical purposes at Shifa. However, Hamas reportedly prevented the hospital from accepting this offer, raising questions about the organization's priorities during the conflict.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagari emphasized the IDF's commitment to ensuring security on the northern border with Hezbollah. He stated that the army would not tolerate a situation where residents of the area are afraid to return to their homes. "We will not leave the northern border in a state where the citizens of the north do not feel safe returning to it," he asserted.
The IDF is distributing leaflets to the residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate northward, and already tens of thousands have fled. The notice states that any house where terrorist activity is found will be destroyed. pic.twitter.com/O3NYw5Cfib
— Real Palestinian 🇮🇱 (@shim_rational) November 13, 2023
Meanwhile, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, which is known to have affiliations with Hezbollah, reported that negotiations for a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas are approaching conclusion. These talks are mediated by the United States and Qatar. Sources suggest that a key point of contention is the duration of a ceasefire. Palestinians are pushing for a five-day ceasefire, while Israel has yet to agree to a comprehensive cessation of hostilities. The discussions are currently being conducted with the involvement of an Israeli intelligence delegation in Cairo, alongside separate negotiations concerning the release of kidnapped civilians and soldiers, who are expected to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody.
