Israel launches counteroffensives against Hamas on sixth day of war

The number of Israelis killed by Hamas terrorists exceeds 1,200. The Israeli Ministry of Health counted the number of injured at more than 3,000, of which about 28 are in critical condition and around 335 are in serious condition.

Regarding the number of hostages, the spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Daniel Hagari, announced that more than 97 Israelis are being held by the terrorists. This figure contrasts with Hamas' claims that they have more than 130 hostages.

The number of Israeli soldiers killed now stands at 220. In the last few hours, 31 soldiers lost their lives in the fight against Hamas terrorists, the IDF said.

Blinken meeting with Netanyahu

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv to convey his support in the conflict. After the meeting, the two held a press appearance.

"The message that I bring to Israel is this — you may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself, but as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to. We will always be there by your side," Blinken said. "That’s the message that President Biden delivered to the prime minister from the moment that this crisis began." The Secretary of State confirmed the deaths of 25 Americans.

Netanyahu once again thanked the support of one of his great allies in his fight against Hamas. "Thank you, thanks to President Biden, and thank you to the American people for your incredible support for Israel in our war against the barbarians of Hamas," Netanyahu declared. "Hamas is ISIS, and just as ISIS was crushed, so too should Hamas be crushed. And Hamas should be treated exactly as ISIS was treated."

Herzog confirms that they are not only fighting against Hamas, but also against ISIS

Israeli President Isaac Herzog appeared before the media on Thursday morning to speak on the military operation Israel is carrying out in its fight against Hamas and the Islamic State:

While addressing journalists in Beit HaNassi, the presidential residence located in Jerusalem, Herzog showed several slides with images of children kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.

Blinken in Israel

Secretary Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv this morning to convey the support of the United States government to the Israeli authorities. During his visit, he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and senior members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

"I’m in Israel today to make one thing clear: The United States stands with Israel and its people, and we will always stand — resolutely — against terrorism," the Secretary of State wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Blinken departed from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Upon his arrival in Israel, where he was accompanied by a strong security detail, he was received by Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen, who thanked the U.S. government and American citizens for their support:

Hamas attacks continue, Israel launches counteroffensive

The bombing by the terrorists stopped for about half a day. As of 10 p.m., no rocket fire was recorded from the Gaza Strip. Anti-aircraft alarms began to sound early this morning in various parts of central Israel, as confirmed by the IDF.

In the early hours of the morning, Israeli forces launched air counterstrikes against several Hamas terrorist locations in the Gaza Strip. The IDF posted footage of these airstrikes on X (formerly Twitter).

Given the sightings and infiltrations by Hamas terrorists, Israeli military authorities decided to deploy numerous soldiers in several cities near the border with Lebanon. "The forces are carrying out various defense tasks in the towns, which include patrols, ambushes, and the deployment of roadblocks, in order to ensure the safety of the residents," they said in statements reported by The Times of Israel.

The IDF found an Islamic State flag among the belongings of one of the terrorists they killed while defending Sufa, a kibbutz located very close to the border with the Gaza Strip.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari assured that Hamas's ability to control Gaza is being reduced by actions taken by Israel. He explained that the terrorist group "is mired in anarchy and chaos" and they have to take advantage to "increase their counteroffensives" to reduce their enemies' chances.

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, chief of the general staff of the IDF, stated during his first public appearance before the media that "they are fighting against ruthless terrorists who have committed unimaginable acts," thus defending Israel's military action.

University students will not return to class until Nov. 5

The start of the university school year has been postponed. Students will not begin classes until, for now, Nov. 5, the date scheduled by the Council of Directors of Universities, which revealed this information to The Times of Israel before making the official announcement.

The start was scheduled for Oct. 15 but, after Hamas began carrying out attacks against Israel, it was postponed to Oct. 22. Now, the start of the university school year has been delayed again.

Regarding education, preschools, elementary schools and high schools will teach their classes remotely starting Sunday.