• Source:JND
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Israel-Hamas War News: As Israel steps up its ground invasion in Gaza, Hamas said on Saturday that they will release the Israeli hostages if Israel frees all Palestinians. Meanwhile, Gaza continues to be under blackout in the absence of any communications with the outside world amid Israeli jets dropping bombs and suggestions of a long-threatened ground offensive against Hamas militants. According to the Times Of India, the former chief of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, virtually addressed a pro-Palestine rally held in the Malappuram district of Kerala on Friday. BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala has called it unfortunate.

Here Are Top Updates:

1. Israel said that it was recalling its diplomatic staff from Turkey after President Recep Tayyip lashed out at its military campaign in Gaza. "Given the grave statements coming from Turkey, I have ordered the return of diplomatic representatives there in order to conduct a reevaluation of the relations between Israel and Turkey," Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

2. Gaza was under intense raids last night, with an Israeli leader claiming a top Hamas commander was killed in air strikes. 

3. Israel's defence minister said that “the ground shook in Gaza” and that the war against the territory's Hamas rulers had entered a new stage. According to Reuters, the bombardments described by Gaza residents as the most intense also knocked out most communications in Gaza.

4. The military released grainy images showing tank columns moving slowly in open areas of Gaza, several apparently near the border.

5. “We moved to the next stage in the war,” Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in remarks broadcast Saturday. “Last evening, the ground shook in Gaza. We attacked above ground and underground. ... The instructions to the forces are clear. The campaign will continue until further notice.”

6. Egypt said that "Israeli obstacles" are impeding the delivery of aid to the Palestinian Gaza Strip. "It is unfortunate that the process of transporting aid to the Gaza Strip faces major logistical problems imposed by the Israeli side," an Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.

7. The Hamas leadership has reportedly agreed to free eight hostages holding Russian-Israeli dual citizenship. A delegation of Hamas led by Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook has held discussions with the Russian side led by Vladimir Putin's special envoy to the Middle East and Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhael Bigdanev. Iran's Foreign Minister, Ali Bhageri Kani, was also part of the discussions.

8. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry released a statement on Saturday condemning any ground operations by Israeli forces that may threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians.

9. PM Modi and Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi exchanged views on the latest developments in the "Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip" and the danger of continuing the current escalation, a spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency said in a Facebook post. 

10. Despite the ongoing efforts, human rights organisations have expressed concerns that insufficient aid has reached the Palestinian enclave.

(With input from agencies)