On day six of the war with Hamas, the IDF continues to conduct targeted bombing attacks on terrorist sites in the Gaza strip and, despite preparing for it, has not yet committed its forces to a ground invasion.

Over 5,000 rockets have launched from the Gaza strip into Israel so far, and over 300,000 IDF reservists have been drafted. Ninety-seven families have now been notified that their loved ones have been abducted.

The Israeli embassy in London understands that at least 100 reservists and active-duty soldiers have gone back to Israel from the UK to serve in the IDF.

Over 1,200 Israelis have been killed since Saturday morning’s attack, including 222 IDF soldiers who were killed in action, while over 1,300 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel’s response.

Israel tanks

A convoy of Israeli tanks at sunset near the southern Israeli border with Gaza, October 12, 2023 (Credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

On Wednesday, sites affiliated with the Hamas Nukba commando force, as well as senior Hamas leaders, have been the focus of these strikes. Also targeted were command and control centres, rocket launch sites, and key Hamas financial and government institutions that contribute to its military operations. Israel also struck Gaza University, which was used for military intelligence and weapons research and development training purposes.

The IDF reports that it thwarted at least two new infiltration attempts at the border with Gaza, while the breaches in Israel’s security fence are nearly all repaired.

Following an anti-tank missile attack on forces along the Blue Line in northern Israel, the IDF struck a Hezbollah outpost and fire artillery in response.

Israel has conducted simultaneous air strikes on Damascus and Aleppo International airports, blocking oncoming Iranian flights that contain smuggled weapons for Iran’s proxies.

Egypt has rejected any proposals to open humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from the Gaza strip, according to Reuters. Cairo has insisted that both Israel and the Palestinians resolve the conflict within their borders.

It has also been confirmed, as reported by the Jerusalem Post, that Israeli babies were indeed beheaded.