Bombing of Gaza Intensifies as Two Israeli Hostages Released

Facts

• Israel intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that in the last 24 hours, it launched strikes at 400 targets in the territory — up from 320 strikes the previous day.¹
• After Palestinian militants from the enclave — mostly from Hamas but also other groups — entered Israel on Oct. 7 and killed more than 1.4K people, Israel has since launched a persistent bombing campaign of the Gaza Strip. Tel Aviv's response has now killed more than 5.7K people, the territory's health ministry said in a statement on Tuesday — about 40% of those killed are children, the ministry said.²
• The ramping up of Israeli air strikes comes despite Hamas releasing two additional hostages late on Monday, taking the total figure of those released to four. Israeli citizens Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 79, were taken out of Gaza at the Rafah crossing into Egypt before being transported back to Israel. Some 220 people — mostly Israelis, but also citizens of other countries and dual nationals — are still being held as hostages by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.¹
• Hamas said it had freed the two women for humanitarian reasons following mediation with Qatar and Egypt. Analysts, however, suggested the move was intended to demonstrate that Hamas could be trusted as a negotiator; the two women have given a number of interviews recounting their experiences since their release.³
• Meanwhile, the Israeli military reiterated its readiness posture for an anticipated ground invasion of Gaza. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Tuesday that the military was 'ready and determined' for the next stage in the war and was awaiting political instruction.⁴
• It comes amid earlier reports in US and Israeli media which said that US officials advised Israeli counterparts to delay plans to invade Gaza in order to better secure their hand in hostage negotiations.⁵

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²Al Jazeera, ³The Guardian, ⁴Reuters and ⁵The Times of Israel.

Narratives

• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by JNS. Following Hamas' terror attack in Israel, the IDF is continuing to strike the network's targets in Gaza as it maintains its war against the terror organization. The IDF will not rest until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages in Gaza are safely returned. Israel's armed forces are ready and determined to launch a ground invasion of the territory but await a political decision.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Associated Press. Despite Hamas releasing two additional hostages, and aid groups vocally warning that the Gaza territory is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe, Israel has continued to pound the Palestinian civilian population. More than 5K people are now dead, most of those women and children.

Predictions