(23 Oct 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Southern Israel – 23 October 2023
1. Various of explosions and large plumes of smoke over skyline of northern Gaza Strip following Israeli airstrikes
STORYLINE:
Explosions and large plumes of smoke were seen over northern Gaza Strip following Israeli airstrikes on Monday afternoon.

Israel ramped up its airstrikes Monday in Gaza, where the death toll is rising rapidly, and the United States advised Israel to delay an expected ground invasion to allow more time to negotiate the release of hostages taken by Hamas militants.

Heavy airstrikes demolished buildings across Gaza, including in areas where Palestinians have been told to seek refuge, killing hundreds and sending new waves of wounded into already packed hospitals, according to Palestinian officials and witnesses.

Israel is widely expected to launch a ground offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 rampage into southern Israeli communities.

Tanks and troops have been massed at the Gaza border, and Israel says it has stepped up airstrikes in order to reduce the risk to troops in the next stages.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed — mostly civilians slain during the initial Hamas attack. At least 222 people were captured and dragged back to Gaza, including foreigners, the military said Monday, updating a previous figure.

More than 5,000 Palestinians, including some 2,000 minors and around 1,100 women, have been killed, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said Monday.

That includes the disputed toll from an explosion at a hospital last week.

The toll has climbed more rapidly in recent days, with the ministry reporting 436 additional deaths in just the last 24 hours.

This is the deadliest by far of five wars fought between Israel and Hamas in less than 15 years.

AP video shot by Kostya Manenkov

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