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Operation al-Aqsa Storm

Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, has dismissed as ridiculous the Israeli threats for a ground offensive and occupation of the Gaza Strip. The spokesman for the movement's military wing, known as al-Qassam Brigades, says it is ready for a prolonged battle and any possibility. Abu Ubaida said the Israeli regime is helpless after 60 hours of conflict and Hamas fighters are in control of the battle. He warned that all options are on the table as part of Operation al-Aqsa Storm. Abu Ubaida also stressed that Hamas will not enter into negotiations for the release of Israeli captives under threats and bombardment. Earlier, the Hamas spokesman had warned that the group will kill one Israeli captive each time the regime targets civilians in Gaza without prior warning.

Gaza under attack

Israel says it has conducted a barrage of airstrikes and artillery fire on Gaza, targeting over one thousand locations. The regime says the strikes have hit many multistory buildings, causing significant damage. Israeli assaults on the Gaza Strip have claimed over 700 lives since Saturday. This includes 140 children and over 100 women. Nearly 3,900 Palestinians have also been injured. The UN says the number of displaced individuals in Gaza has surpassed 123,000 since the conflict erupted. Meantime, Hamas resistance movement says its fighters have captured more Israeli soldiers on the second day of Operation al-Aqsa Storm. Resistance fighters have targeted Israeli cities with thousands of missiles. They have also breached the Gaza barrier fence and infiltrated into Israeli-occupied territories gaining control over vast areas near the barrier. The unprecedented offensive has left at least 900 Israelis dead and nearly 2,500 injured.

Slamming West double standards

Iran has defended the Palestinian military operation against Israel as legitimate and inevitable given the regime’s relentless crimes. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the comments in a phone call with EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell. The top Iranian diplomat also denounced Western inaction regarding Israel’s systematic atrocities against Palestinian people. He said Palestine would not be in the current situation, if the West had stopped the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s crimes and not sought to justify them through double standards. Earlier, the Iranian foreign minister also held a phone call with his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. Amir-Abdollahian demanded that the foreign ministers of Islamic countries hold an emergency meeting as soon as possible to discuss the regime’s atrocities.

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