Israel at war: What happened on days 21-22?

The Israel Defense Forces have entered the Gaza Strip and are operating on the ground with support from troops in the air and at sea, Israel's political and military leadership said Saturday night.

"Last night, additional ground forces entered Gaza, marking the beginning of the second stage of the war, whose goal is to destroy the military and political capabilities of Hamas and to bring our kidnapped citizens back," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an evening briefing. 

"We are only at the beginning of the road. The war will be tough and long," the prime minister said. But he stressed, "We are prepared for it. This is our second War of Independence. This is our mission, our purpose in life, and together we will prevail."

Netanyahu said that not only do "the people and the leadership stand behind our soldiers," but also the international community is rooting for Israel. 

"Our partners understand that if Israel doesn't win, they will be next," he said. "Many around the world understand well that Israel is not only fighting its war but a war for all of humanity, a war of humanity against barbarism."

An Israeli fighter jet attacked Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure Friday night in response to rocket fire that was aimed at Israel but landed in Syrian territory.

IDF warplanes attacked about 150 underground targets in the northern Gaza Strip over Friday night, according to Israeli media.

During the attack, Hamas terrorists were eliminated, and combat zones, underground combat zones, and other underground terrorist infrastructures were also destroyed.
 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are conducting arrest operations Saturday morning in several locations throughout Judea and Samaria, Israel media reported.

More than 10 Hamas activists have been arrested, the army said.

The operation is ongoing.

Rocket sirens were heard in Magen.

Rocket sirens were heard in Nahal Oz.

Rocket sirens were heard in Nir Oz.

Hamas stated early Saturday that their forces encountered Israeli forces and said that they are ready to fight with force against any ground invasion by Israel, Walla reported.

Palestinian reports stated earlier that there are battles between IDF personnel and Hamas terrorists between city of Beit Hanoun and the Bureij refugee camp in northern Gaza.

It was only hours earlier that Palestinian media also reported that Israeli tanks were taking their position within the Gaza Strip late Friday night.

Around the same time, Israeli Air Force began attacking Hamas targets in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday night.

Shortly before 2 a.m. Israel times, rocket sirens sounded in the moshav Netiv HaAssara that borders northern Gaza.

Hamas terror base built under main Gaza hospital (credit: MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

Blackouts and delays

Gaza has since faced an internet blackout since Friday night since NetStream, a primary internet provider in the Gaza Strip, has ceased providing services.

The IDF had been discussing and planning a ground invasion of Gaza for approximately two weeks, and much speculation has been raised as to what has been delaying the ground invasion.

This is a developing story.

The Israeli Air Force began attacking Hamas targets in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday night.

There are battles between IDF personnel and Hamas terrorists between city of Beit Hanoun and the Bureij refugee camp in northern Gaza, according to Palestinian reports.  

This is a developing story.

Israel's military has told international news organizations Reuters and Agence France Presse that it cannot guarantee the safety of their journalists operating in the Gaza Strip, under Israeli bombardment and siege for almost three weeks.

Gaza, a Palestinian enclave run by the terrorist group Hamas, has been under bombardment since Oct. 7 when Hamas gunmen burst through the Gaza border into Israel and killed some 1,400 people. Gaza's health ministry says around 7,000 people have been killed by Israeli strikes.

The Israel Defense Forces wrote to Reuters and AFP this week after they had sought assurances that their journalists in Gaza would not be targeted by Israeli strikes.

Letter sent by the IDF

"The IDF is targeting all Hamas military activity throughout Gaza," the IDF letter said, adding that Hamas deliberately put military operations "in the vicinity of journalists and civilians."

The IDF also noted that its high-intensity strikes on Hamas targets could cause damage to surrounding buildings and that Hamas rockets could also misfire and kill people inside Gaza.

A graffiti for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, October 27, 2023 (credit: SHIR TOREM/FLASH90)

"Under these circumstances, we cannot guarantee your employees' safety, and strongly urge you to take all necessary measures for their safety," the IDF letter concluded.

Hamas did not immediately comment when asked about the IDF’s allegation that it put military operations near where journalists in Gaza are known to be based.

Reuters could not verify how many other news organizations operating in Gaza had received the same letter from the IDF.

The IDF did not have any immediate comment.

Reuters and AFP said they were very concerned about the safety of journalists in Gaza.

“The situation on the ground is dire, and the IDF’s unwillingness to give assurances about the safety of our staff threatens their ability to deliver the news about this conflict without fear of being injured or killed," Reuters said in a statement in response to receiving the Israel military letter.

AFP Global News Director Phil Chetwynd said his news organization had received the same letter.

"We are in an incredibly precarious position and it's important that the world understands that there is a large team of journalists working in extremely dangerous conditions," Chetwynd said.

The Committee to Protect Journalists says at least 27 journalists have been killed since the war began, mostly in Gaza but also in Israel and southern Lebanon. As of Oct. 27, according to CPJ's latest update, 22 Palestinians, four Israelis and one Lebanese have been killed.