07 Oct 2023 | 02:17 PM UTC
Israel/PT: Ground clashes near the Gaza border and rocket attacks persist late Oct. 7 /update 3
Ground clashes near the Gaza border and rocket attacks into southern and central Israel continue late Oct. 7. Violence is likely to persist.
Event
Fighting between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel and Gaza-based militants continues near the Gaza-Israel border late Oct. 7. Hundreds of Gaza fighters crossed the border earlier in the day and occupied positions within Israel. Gaza-based militants also continue to fire rockets into central and southern Israel. Approximately 2,500 rockets have been fired since the start of hostilities. Emergency sirens have sounded across southern Israel to Tel Aviv in central Israel for much of the day.
Fighting and rocket fire has left at least 44 people dead and 700 injured within Israel. Gaza militants have also reportedly kidnapped an unconfirmed number of civilians and Israeli security personnel and taken them to Gaza. The Nepal government has stated that 17 of its nationals are being held by Hamas. Damage to infrastructure and power outages have been reported near the Gaza border in southern Israel. IDF retaliatory strikes have been reported across Gaza. The Israeli response forms part of 'Operation Swords of Iron'. Hamas officials have indicated that 198 people have been killed and 1,610 injured since the start of hostilities.
Several airlines, including Lufthansa (LH), Swiss Air (LX), Austrian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines (TK), have canceled flights to and from Israel. Officials in Israel have reportedly closed airports in the south of the country. Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) serving Tel Aviv remains operational; however, delays have been reported. Officials have banned all sports and leisure flights nationwide. IDF has reportedly closed roads near the border with the Gaza Strip, including Route 4 from the Zikim junction to Netiv Ha'asara, Route 34 from the Yad Mordechai junction to Nir Am, and Route 232 from Mefalsim to Sa’ad and Nir Yitzhak to Kerem Shalom. Authorities have also closed Zikim beach on the Gaza border and suspended train services between Ashkelon and Sderot. Officials have closed schools in central and southern Israel on Oct. 8.
Israeli officials have also declared a state of readiness for war and started large-scale activation of reserved military personnel and nationwide mobilization of the police force. A state of national emergency is also in place. Authorities have asked people in affected areas to remain in their homes. A ban on all gatherings is in place in areas 80 km (50 miles) from the Gaza Strip.
Heightened security measures and transport disruptions are almost certain in the affected regions. The status of airports, ports, roads, and rail services may change at short notice in response to security assessments. Further armed clashes and rocket attacks are likely over the coming days, particularly in the south of the country. Precautionary measures, such as evacuations, are possible in impacted areas. Opportunistic attacks by anti-Israel militants in the West Bank, southern Lebanon, or Israeli cities and towns, may occur during this period of heightened tension. Civil unrest in response to the violence may also occur, particularly in Palestinian locations such as East Jerusalem and the wider West Bank. The threat of violence at all such gatherings is elevated.
Advice
Reconsider nonessential travel to Israel and the Palestinian Territories until the situation stabilizes, particularly to central and southern Israel. Monitor local media and abide by security forces' directives. If incoming mortar rounds or rockets are reported or warning sirens sound in the general vicinity, report to the nearest bomb shelter and await further instructions from authorities. If there is no shelter nearby, stay indoors, away from windows and exterior walls. If possible, move to a ground floor or basement. Maintain contact with diplomatic missions. Avoid all protests and concentrations of security personnel.
