Israel Says its Forces Surround Gaza City

Palestinians search for casualties at the site of Israeli strikes on houses, in Jabalia refugee camp

By Farah Najjar and Joseph Stepansky

2 Nov 2023

The Israeli military says it has surrounded Gaza City and is pressing forward, with a spokesman adding that a ceasefire is “not on the table” despite international pressure.

The army’s advance is pushing more Palestinians in Gaza City to desperately seek a safe haven, including at al-Shifa Hospital.

United Nations experts say they “remain convinced that the Palestinian people are at grave risk of genocide” amid Israel’s unrelenting attacks.

Fighting across the Israel-Lebanon border intensifies, with attack hitting Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel.

A White House spokesman says the US is exploring the idea of “humanitarian pauses” to the fighting in order to get humanitarian aid into Gaza and allow people to leave.

At least 9,061 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. More than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel.