Alarms continue to sound in towns near the Gaza Strip. In the early hours of Wednesday, air raid sirens warned the inhabitants of Kissufim, a kibbutz located a few miles from the border with Gaza, and those of Ashkelon, a city that has been the target of numerous bombings by the Hamas terrorist group.

For its part, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continue to respond with air counterattacks with the aim of reaching Hamas operating bases. In one of them, Taysir Mubasher, a high-ranking member of the terrorist group who "served as commander of the terrorist organization's naval force and held several positions in the munitions' production system," died, according to what the army published on its social media.

On Monday, the IDF confirmed that it attacked more than 400 targets, in which it managed to kill three Hamas leaders. They also managed to disable some of the terrorist group's weapons and strategic infrastructure. The Air Force published images showing Israeli Army soldiers preventing Hamas terrorists equipped with diving suits from infiltrating Israel.

The United States warns Iran: Washington would react "quickly and decisively"

In the wake of attacks on U.S troops deployed in Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq and Syria in recent days, the White House warned Iran or its allied forces that it would react "swiftly and decisively" if they aggravated the conflict in the region and involved Western countries.

"The United States does not seek conflict with Iran. We do not want this war to widen. But if Iran or its proxies attack U.S. personnel anywhere, make no mistake: we will defend our people, we will defend our security - swiftly and decisively," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in remarks reported by Reuters before the Council. Security Council on Tuesday.

As reported by The Washington Post, 24 US soldiers were injured in attacks against US bases in Syria and Iraq.

IDF: "Iran directly helped Hamas"

In a press conference, Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the IDF, assured that Tehran collaborated with Hamas before the terrorist group carried out its first attacks on October 7. "Iran directly aided Hamas before the war, with training, supplying weapons, money, and technological know-how. Even now, Iranian aid to Hamas in the form of intelligence and online incitement against the State of Israel continues," he said in a statement collected by The Times of Israel.

Hamas: "This enemy of yours is a disease that has no cure"

The Israel Air Force posted on social media an image of a handwritten Hamas note found among the belongings of a downed terrorist. It reads: "Know that this enemy of yours is a disease that has no cure, other than beheading and extracting the hearts and livers!". It is "an order [given by Hamas senior ranks] to kill Jews and encouragement to decapitate their victims and tear out their hearts and livers," the Israeli Army said.

Israel calls for Guterres' resignation for justifying Hamas attacks

Meanwhile, the more than controversial words of António Guterres, have provoked strong criticism from Jerusalem, from where his resignation is even being called for. During an appearance, the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) suggested that the terrorist group's attacks were justified saying that "it is is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum" and that "the Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation."

These statements led Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, to request Guterres' resignation. "The shocking speech by the UN Secretary-General, proved conclusively that the Secretary-General is completely disconnected from the reality in our region and that he views the massacre committed by Nazi Hamas terrorists in a distorted and immoral manner," he said in a post on social networks. "I call on him to resign immediately. There is no justification or point in talking to those who show compassion for the most terrible atrocities committed against the citizens of Israel and the Jewish people. There are simply no words."

Erdogan: "Hamas is not a terrorist organization"

The one who has justified Hamas' actions is Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to The Times of Israel, the Turkish president noted in Parliament that "Hamas is not a terrorist organization," but rather "it is a group of mujahideen defending their lands."

"Israel can view Hamas as a terrorist organization along with the West. The West owes you a lot. But Turkey does not owe you anything," Erdogan said, adding that he will not travel to Israel.

IDF reveals identity of Abu Obaida, Hamas spokesman

The Israeli armed forces claimed Wednesday to know the identity of the spokesman of the Al Qassam Brigades, Abu Obaida. According to the Israeli military, Obaida's real identity is Hudhayfah Kahlot. Along with this name, the IDF also revealed what he looks like.

"Hudhayfah Kahlot, you have been unmasked," IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Adraee wrote with an accompanying video revealing the terrorist's face. "It's time to stop covering up for yourself. The mask and keffiyeh (Palestinian headscarf) won't help you."