Israel-Gaza live updates: Israeli officials on reports of Russian airport protesters

Gaza's internet was 'gradually' returning on Sunday, a telecom provider said.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: October 29, 2023, 4:44 PM EDT

Thousands of people have died and thousands more have been injured since the militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel retaliated with a bombing campaign and total siege of the neighboring Gaza Strip, leaving the region on the verge of all-out war.

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Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Mar 1, 6:03 am

What we know about the conflict

The latest outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip, has passed the four-month mark.

In the Gaza Strip, at least 30,228 people have been killed and 71,377 others have been wounded by Israeli forces since Oct. 7, according to Gaza's Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health.

In Israel, at least 1,200 people have been killed and 6,900 others have been injured by Hamas and other Palestinian militants since Oct. 7, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

There has also been a surge in violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli forces have killed at least 395 people in the territory since Oct. 7, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The ongoing war began after Hamas-led militants launched an unprecedented incursion into southern Israel from neighboring Gaza via land, sea and air. Scores of people were killed while more than 200 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. The Israeli military subsequently launched retaliatory airstrikes followed by a ground invasion of Gaza, a 140-square-mile territory where more than 2 million Palestinians have lived under a blockade imposed by Israel and supported by Egypt since Hamas came to power in 2007. Gaza, unlike Israel, has no air raid sirens or bomb shelters.

Oct 29, 2023, 4:52 AM EDT

Gaza internet 'gradually' returns

As internet service returned to Gaza on Sunday, several people inside the enclave spoke with ABC News, detailing an increase in aerial bombardments and tank shelling over the last two nights.

"When the internet went out, I felt very afraid and thought we would die and no one would know anything about us," said one resident, who asked not to be named for safety reasons.

A view of the remains of a mosque and houses destroyed by Israeli strikes in the central Gaza Strip Oct. 29, 2023.
Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa/Reuters

Internet and telecommunications in Gaza, which had been disrupted Friday, were being "gradually" restored, Paltel Group, a local provider, said on social media early Sunday.

"For a moment, we thought it's the end," said another Gaza resident, who also asked that they not be identified.

People search through buildings that were destroyed during Israeli air raids in the southern Gaza Strip on October 29, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza.
Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

The person added, "No way out. Complete darkness, no communication and the loud sound of missiles and bombardment."

-ABC News' Zoe Magee

Oct 28, 2023, 5:11 PM EDT

Netanyahu: War will be 'long and difficult'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza "will be long and difficult" as Israel expands its ground operations in the enclave.

"This is the second stage of the war, the goals of which are clear: Destroying Hamas's military and governing capabilities, and bringing the captives back home," Netanyahu said in a statement Saturday.

Smoke rises from an explosion in Gaza on Oct. 28, 2023, seen from Sderot, Israel.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Netanyahu said the War Cabinet and Security Cabinet both decided to expand ground operations "based on a commitment to ensure both the destiny of the state and the security of our soldiers."

The prime minister said aerial strikes have intensified in recent days to "assist our forces in making a safer ground incursion."

"We have eliminated countless terrorists, including arch-terrorists, and we have destroyed many terrorist command posts and infrastructure. We are only just getting started," he said.

Oct 28, 2023, 11:17 AM EDT

Netanyahu meets with families of hostages for 1st time

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the families of hostages held in Gaza for the first time on Saturday, on the heels of Israel's expanded ground operation.

Among those in attendance were the families of abducted children.

"My heart was broken. I reiterated to them: At every stage up to now and at every stage from now, we will exhaust every possibility to bring our brothers and sisters back to their families," Netanyahu said in a statement following the meeting.

According to Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, 229 people captured in Israel are being held hostage in Gaza.

Oct 28, 2023, 9:56 AM EDT

Israel pressure on Hamas to 'continue to rise' amid ground operation

ABC News' Ian Pannell speaks to Mark Regev, the advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Nentayahu and a former ambassador, on Israel's expanded ground operation in Gaza. Regev said the land operation could be long, with many challenges.

"We are continuing to beef up the pressure on Hamas," said Regev. "It will continue to rise in the coming days and weeks until we achieve our goal which is the total dismantlement of the Hamas military machine and the end of their political structure in Gaza."

Mark Regev, Israel's former U.K. ambassador, spoke to ABC’s Ian Pannell about the expanding ground operations in Gaza.
6:17

Israel will ‘beef up the pressure on Hamas,’ Netanyahu advisor says

Mark Regev, Israel's former U.K. ambassador, spoke to ABC’s Ian Pannell about the expanding ground operations in Gaza.
ABCNews.com

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