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Update as of November 1, 2023

The Israel Defense Forces are currently engaged in ground operations in the Gaza Strip. Fighting is ongoing in the northern outskirts, particularly in Beit Hanoun and the northwest coastal area. To the south, the IDF has crossed the main route of the Salah ad-Din enclave and is advancing further east to completely disrupt land communications between the north and south of the sector. Satellite images released in the evening show IDF activity in the northern coastal strip, but the exact front configuration remains unclear at this time.

On the Israeli-Lebanese border, clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters continue. Today, the latter once again targeted IDF positions near Yiftah, Blida, and Shmula with ATGMs. The group's Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, who has been silent in recent weeks, is expected to speak on Friday. Despite the Israeli ground invasion into the Palestinian enclave, Hezbollah has refrained from opening a "northern front" and has instead resorted to targeted attacks on the IDF.

During the day, the Rafah checkpoint between Egypt and the Gaza Strip was temporarily opened to evacuate foreigners and severely wounded Palestinians. However, Egyptian authorities have still not opened the crossing to Palestinians in order to prevent a mass exodus of refugees into the Sinai Peninsula, which would serve Israeli interests. As a precautionary measure, Egypt has deployed several dozen pieces of equipment at the checkpoint.

Meanwhile, "activists" in Qatar and Tunisia are urging citizens to protest at Egyptian embassies, demanding the opening of the checkpoint and the admission of Palestinian refugees into the country.

For the past two days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) units, supported by armored vehicles, have been conducting operations in the Gaza Strip, aiming to advance both north and south.

Today, Hamas representatives claimed that these raids marked the beginning of a ground operation. However, the IDF has not made a clear announcement regarding this, keeping their plans flexible.

Currently, Israeli troops are attacking an area that has been devastated by previous attacks. This is evident in the footage of IDF tanks amidst destroyed houses, which can be seen here (https://t.me/infomil_live/1233).

According to reports from both sides, Israeli troops in the north have approached the outskirts of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. In the south, IDF units have once again attempted to advance towards the Salah ed-Din highway.

Hamas confirms the fighting in these areas and claims to have destroyed several units of Israeli armored vehicles using Yassin anti-tank missiles and artillery.

🔻In reality, the Israeli command is still assessing Hamas's capabilities and testing their combat readiness in the enclave. They have not yet committed to a large-scale deployment of troops, pending negotiations on the fate of the Gaza Strip.

In recent days, there has been an increase in the intensity of IDF attacks. However, the Israeli approach remains fundamentally unchanged. The Israeli military leadership understands the risks involved in launching a rapid offensive, considering Hamas's extensive network of underground tunnels and the potential for conflict escalation with neighboring countries.