• Source:JND
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Israel-Hamas War Updates: As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the "reprehensible assault" by Hamas can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, reports UN News, as quoted by news agency ANI. He made these remarks during the Cairo Peace Summit in Egypt, which was convened by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to de-escalate hostilities following the deadly Hamas attack.

"The grievances of the Palestinian people are legitimate and long, but nothing can justify the reprehensible assault by Hamas that terrorized Israeli civilians. At the same time, these abhorrent attacks can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," UN News quoted Guterres as saying.

The UN Chief also stressed that the near-term goals must be clear, repeating his call for immediate, unrestricted and sustained humanitarian aid to Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages by Hamas, and a humanitarian ceasefire now.

Here Are Top Updates:

1. Twenty trucks carrying aid crossed into Gaza on Saturday, the first convoy of humanitarian supplies since Israel attacked Hamas. US President Biden had said that an agreement had been reached for the aid trucks to enter via the southern Gaza Strip's Rafah border point with Egypt.

2. The Hamas militants, who carried out a surprise attack on October 7, were found to be under the influence of Captagon, a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant, as reported by Channel 12.

3. A top official with Hezbollah vowed that Israel will pay a high price whenever it starts a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip and added that his militant group based in Lebanon is already “in the heart of the battle”.

4. Hamas officials have said that Israel will start a ground offensive against Gaza and that Hezbollah will join the fighting.

5. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that the day of attack by Hamas (October 7) will be remembered as the day on which "the final and complete destruction of Hamas began".

6. He also said that the main objective of the expected invasion of the Gaza Strip will be the destruction of the Hamas government and the terror group.

7. The government in Israel has been under pressure to ensure that the army will not become bogged down in the fight with the Gaza Strip. In response, it has set its war aims to ensure there is no protracted fighting while guaranteeing the end of the Hamas presence in Gaza.

8. According to various media reports, the IDF continues to prepare for the ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. According to IANS, IDS said that the troops are conducting training in accordance with the approved operational plans.

9. The IDF has deployed tens of thousands of troops to the Gaza border in recent days, ahead of a major ground incursion that officials have said will begin "soon," the Times of Israel reported.

10. Hamas declared war on Israel on October 7, killing 1400 people and seizing 250 hostages of all ages.

(With input from agencies)