Day 23: Israel Says War In Gaza Entered New Phase And Will Be ‘Long And Difficult’ (image-instagram/motaz_azaiza)

Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu says that the war in Gaza has progressed to the ‘next phase’ of operation by sending ground forces into Gaza and expanding attacks from the ground, air and sea. He also added that the war is going to be ‘long and difficult’.

Gaza residents has described the ongoing bombardment on Gaza as the most intense of the three-week-old war. The 2.3 million people are in peril as they are unable to communicate with the outside world after communication and internet connections cut down. The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 7,700, according to the Health Ministry of Palestine.

As per the Sunday morning report, Internet connectivity is getting restored in the Gaza strip. But it is uncertain for how long the internet connectivity will remain. Phone connections and the internet were largely cut off on Friday.

Netanyahu in his speech announcing the ‘second phase’ of Israel’s Gaza offensive, Netanyahu said that the country was ‘more united than ever’, reports Al Jazeera. But there has been a small friction within the Israel”s premier’s administration. Israel’s army and defense leaders wanted to launch a full-scale ground invasion but at the same time Netanyahu have pressure from the US to buy time to release the captives held in Gaza.

Israel continues with their night raids in occupied West Bank. It has been reported that there are armed confrontation taking place in Jenin and Israeli forces are storming into the neighborhoods of the city.

The USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier and its strike group has moved through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean. US has already declared it support to Israel in the war. The expansion of US forces in the Middle East also comes amid a series of attacks against US personnel on basis in the region.

Due to the communication black out on Saturday, the information regarding the airstrikes were not able to reach out to the world. According to a freelance journalist Anas al- Sharif in Gaza has shared the photos of a damaged Indonesian hospital in Beit Lahia in the airstrike.

UN Security Council meeting called by the United Arab Emirates has been officially scheduled to be held for Monday. The UAE has requested the meeting on Saturday as the ground invasion in Gaza expanded.

Thousand of protestors has gathered across the World showing their solidarity to the people of Gaza and demanding ceasefire.