Israel says more IDF soldiers were killed inside Gaza as ground operation against Hamas continues

Former U.S. Army intelligence officer Abe Hamadeh joined "FOX News @ Night," where he said the Biden administration was sending "mixed signals" to Israel during its war with Hamas in Gaza.

On Wednesday, President Biden suggested Israel should "pause" its military operation against Hamas to allow people trapped in Gaza time to escape. He did not specifically call them to do so. The suggestion comes as the president faces pressure to address a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Biden's comment comes as a subtle shift from his initial and unequivocal support for Israel's right to self-defense after Hamas led an invasion into Israel on Oct. 7, slaughtering more than 1,400 people in Israeli communities.

During the "FOX News @ Night" segment, retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata suggested this pressure was a part of Hamas leaders' psychological strategy and messaging campaign to the West.

Israel's military said a battle with Hamas terrorists broke out in the northern Gaza Strip last night, as its forces were destroying terror infrastructure, leaving dozens of terrorists killed.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said terrorist cells in the northern Gaza Strip fired anti-tank missiles, detonated explosive devices, and hurled grenades at its troops when they confronted the cells.

The soldiers engaged with the terrorists, using artillery fire and tanks, as well as directing an aerial strike from a helicopter and a missile strike from a naval boat. "Dozens of terrorists were killed during the battles," the IDF said.

In a separate encounter, a terrorist cell fired at IDF troops, prompting retaliation.

"The troops directed an aircraft in a strike that killed the terrorists. IDF reserve troops, while receiving covering fire from the Israeli Navy, coordinated with aerial forces and directed an aircraft in a strike that neutralized an additional terrorist squad that planned to fire anti-tank missiles toward IDF soldiers," the IDF said.

IDF soldiers continue to target Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza and have directed airstrikes on terror targets, including weapons manufacturing and storage facilities, anti-tank missile launching posts, and UAV launching posts.

Fox News' Dana Karni contributed to this report.

Some Democrats in Michigan have have express worry that President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war could cost him re-election in Michigan, a state that he almost certainly can't afford to lose in 2024.

The president has reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, which the State Department has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. However, he faces pressure from the state’s prominent Democrats and others to alleviate tensions as they claim he is losing support within the Arab American community.

“The message has been relayed. We’ve had calls with the White House. We’ve had calls with DNC officials,” said Abraham Aiyash, the third-ranking Democrat in the state House of Representatives, referring to the Democratic National Committee.

Aiyash added: “We’ve been clear in saying the humanity should matter, but if that is not a calculation that you’re going to make in this moment, recognize that there will be electoral reverberations to this.”

"People are openly saying that the Biden administration and Democrats who agree with his position on the war do not deserve our votes next year in the election. That’s come across very clear from community activists and people who are on the ground,” said Dawud Walid, the executive director of Michigan’s Council on American-Islamic Relations.

A senior Michigan Democratic Party official who spoke with the Associated Press said Biden’s handling of the war has emerged in the state as a “huge” problem. It could become more vexing if the war stretches on, closer into the 2024 election, the official added.

Michigan remains critical to Biden's re-election strategy and is a component of the so-called blue wall of states that includes Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Biden won all three states in 2020, helping him win the White House. Since then, Democrats have felt more confident about their standing in Michigan, particularly after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer notched a commanding 10-point reelection victory last year.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could see this support falter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The State Department has confirmed that US citizens were among those who fled Gaza into Egypt after a deal was reached Wednesday to allow foreigners to leave the territory.

“An initial group of foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, departed Gaza through Rafah today, and we expect exits of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to continue over the next several days,” department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

Miller did not say how many Americans had made it to Egypt but said they were receiving assistance.

Roughly 400 American citizens in Gaza have told the State Department they want to leave the territory. U.S. officials say they are looking at about 1,000 people who are seeking to get out, Miller said.

“In the past 24 hours we have informed U.S. citizens and their family and family members with whom we are in contact that they will be assigned specific departure dates. We’ve asked them to continue to monitor their email regularly over the next 24 to 72 hours for specific instructions about how to exit,” Miller said.

He did not say how many U.S. citizens are among those held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Israel and Jordan again this week as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza continues to intensify, the State Department said Wednesday.

Blinken will depart Washington on Thursday and will be in Israel and Jordan on Friday. He previously visited the region shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. Blinken traveled to Israel three times and visited six Arab nations during that trip.

BLINKEN SAYS US IS 'READY' TO GET INVOLVED IN ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR IF LINE IS CROSSED: 'WE WON'T HESITATE'

Blinken will be entering a diplomatic maelstrom as the region remains tense with Israel warring against Hamas in Gaza and as regional leaders condemn the ongoing violence.

Jordan announced Wednesday that it had recalled its ambassador to Israel and would not permit Israel’s ambassador to Jordan to return to the country. It also said it would not revisit those moves until the Gaza conflict was over.

Blinken is expected to underscore the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself but also stress the importance of minimizing civilian casualties and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches innocent Palestinians in Gaza, according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

During Blinken's last visit to Israel, he met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran is poised to start a senior role on the U.N. Human Rights Council, despite the country's ties to terrorist groups such as Hamas.

The plan for Iran to serve as chair of the Human Rights Council Social Forum was announced earlier this year. It is slated to start tomorrow.

The U.S. objected to the plan in May, with Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council Michèle Taylor issuing a statement condemning the move.

"The United States is appalled that the Iranian Ambassador in Geneva may serve as the Chair-Rapporteur of the Social Forum, an annual meeting in Geneva established by a UN Human Rights Council resolution, to be held in November," the statement read.

"While we recognize the principle of regional rotation in such roles, such a practice should not take precedence over promoting respect for human rights and accountability," Taylor added. "The appointment of a representative to a country with such a deplorable human rights record severely undermines the credibility and purpose of both the UN Human Rights Council and the Social Forum."

It also comes as Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian threatened U.S. officials during recent remarks at the UN.

"If the genocide in Gaza continues, [the U.S.] will not be spared from this fire,” he said. “It is our home and West Asia is our region. We do not compromise with any party and any side, and we have no reservation when it comes to other homes’ security.”

Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

Presidents from nine universities in Israel signed and sent a letter to their international colleagues on Wednesday to express their "deep concern" over narratives from some academic institutions that "misrepresent" the conflict between Israel and Hamas, or even target Israelis and Jews.

On Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and murdered more than 1,400 people, including babies, children, Jews, Muslims and Christians, while also taking 240 people hostage.

In retaliation, Israel launched an offensive targeting Hamas leaders hiding among the people of Gaza. Some see the retaliation from Israel as murderous, while others say Israelis have the right to defend themselves after falling victim to a surprise attack.

Click here to read Greg Wehner's full article

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the leader spoke with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, on Wednesday amid the war against Hamas.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and expressed his sincere condolences over the murder and abduction of Thai nationals in the murderous terrorist assault by Hamas," Netanyahu's office wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The Thai Prime Minister expressed his sorrow over the terrible massacre that took place on October 7th."

At least 54 of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists are Thai, the Israeli military has said. Thailand is one of Israel's biggest sources of foreign labor.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel is making every effort to free all of the hostages including the citizens of Thailand, and noted that wounded foreign nationals, including the Thais, are receiving optimal care like all Israeli citizens," the social media post explained.

"The Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for the Thai workers and their contribution to the economy and expressed the hope that many of those who have left would return," the account added.

IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari delivered remarks on the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday, saying that Israeli forces "broke through" a Hamas perimeter.

"The ground campaign is continuing as planned in the northern Gaza Strip," Hagari explained. "In accordance with prior planning from the Intelligence Branch, specific intelligence from the Intelligence Branch, in a joint action of our ground, sea and air forces, our forces broke through the forward Hamas perimeter the northern Gaza Strip."

The spokesperson also announced that a Hamas leader was killed in an airstrike.

"Our forces, guided by precise intelligence from the Intelligence Branch and the ISA, killed the head of the Hamas anti-tank array, using fighter jets," he said. "The array is a deadly and capable anti-tank force and eliminating it will impact Hamas' future fighting capabilities."

Hagari then accused Hamas of dishonesty about the war, and said they will "continue to lie."

"We will continue to share with the world with concrete and thorough evidence, as we did with the [al-Alhi] al-Madani Hospital, which Hamas lied about, and as we did when we exposed Shifa hospital and its infrastructure," he added.

The Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) cancelled their annual ball amid escalating situation in the Middle East, Military.com reported.

A spokesperson said that the cancellation was due to "unforeseen operational commitments and the nature of our current mission" and was a "prudent measure."

"Regretfully and with a strong sense of duty, I write to inform you of a decision that I had to make regarding the Marine Corps 248th Ball, scheduled for 16 November 2023," Maj. Gen. Christopher McPhillips said in a statement. "Due to unforeseen operation commitments and the nature of our current mission, it is with great regret that we must cancel this year's event."

MARCENT spokesperson Capt. Joe Wright told Military.com that there were "no major operational changes or changes in force posture," but confirmed that the decision was made because of uncertainty in the Middle East.

"The intent of the letter from the outset was to inform folks that were planning on going to the ball to let them know, regrettably, it's not going to happen this year," Wright explained. "And just to give them notice, well ahead of time, so that they can recoup the money that they might have committed to the planning or reservations."

A Hamas terrorist told an Israel Securities Authority (ISA) official he and another man shot and killed crying children who were inside a safe room, until the sounds could no longer be heard, while acknowledging he entered the house simply to kill.

In a video posted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the Hamas terrorist is seen wearing prison garb while sitting in a chair with an Israeli flag behind him.

The unnamed man tells the ISA official, who cannot be seen in the video, that he and other members of Hamas entered a house through the window. While checking the house, he told the official, they heard sounds of young children in the safe room and shot at the safe room.

Click here to read Greg Wehner's full article

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Doron Spielman appeared on "America Reports" to discuss recent Israeli strikes against Hamas, as the war between the two militaries continues.

Host Sandra Smith asked Spielman about a recent attack that killed a Hamas commander in the Jabalia refugee camp, but also several civilians in the process.

"This was a pinpointed strike against the Hamas commander that has been controlling and commanding the anti-tank warfare unit in the Gaza Strip, which they've been employing both in the Gaza Strip, towards our tanks, towards people, towards our soldiers," Spielman explained. "In fact, one of those did result in some of the deaths that we experienced. He was a senior commander and he is confirmed dead, along with a number of other terrorists that were with him."

The official also explained that Hamas terrorists have been fleeing into civilian areas amid the fighting.

"They are fleeing, I can tell you, into underground bunkers," Spielman said. "We see them inside of medical clinics, inside of schools. They go in, you open the doors, you can't find anybody. You walk a few feet in, you pull up a hatch and they're underneath the ground."

"They are so embedded within the civilian structures," he added.

Fox News has learned that 5 Americans are part of the civilian group that left Gaza for Egypt on Tuesday.

The evacuation was conducted with the help of the Special Operations Association of America, which worked with the U.S. State Department.

The Americans were all aid workers, part of a group of around 30. The other 25 workers had different nationalities.

The civilians departed through the Rafah crossing after a deal was struck between Egyptian and Palestinian authorities, amid Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Click here to read the full article

Fox News Digital's Trey Yingst contributed to this report.

Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant released a statement on civilian losses in Gaza amid the Israeli military's war against Hamas terrorists.

The statement was released as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continues airstriking the Jabalia refugee camp for the second day in a row, killing an unknown number of Palestinians.

"The IDF is advancing on the way to defeating Hamas," the official said. "War has a heavy price, I share in the sorrow of the families who lost their loved ones in the hard battles in Gaza City."

In the press release, Gallant also referenced Israel's determination to secure victory over Hamas.

"We are determined to win. The enemy has only two options: die or surrender unconditionally - there is no third option," the statement read. "The arena of the war is wider, we are on the attack in the Gaza Strip area, but we are defending in the north and are prepared in additional fronts."

"We are at the forefront of the free world against a world of darkness and all evil," Gallant concluded. "We must win."

Fox News Digital's Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.

Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said in an interview that Hamas will repeat terrorist attacks against Israel "again and again" until the Jewish nation is destroyed.

The interview took place on Lebanese television channel LBC TV on October 24, according to the Middle East Media Research Institute.

"Israel is a country that has no place on our land," Hamad argued. "We must remove that country, because it constitutes a security, military, and political catastrophe to the Arab and Islamic nation, and must be finished. We are not ashamed to say this, with full force."

The official argued that Hamas was willing to repeat the attacks until they achieved victory, calling Palestine "a nation of martyrs."

"We must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do this again and again," he explained. "The Al-Aqsa Flood is just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth, because we have the determination, the resolve, and the capabilities to fight. Will we have to pay a price? Yes, and we are ready to pay it. We are called a nation of martyrs, and we are proud to sacrifice martyrs."

"We are the victims of the occupation. Period," Hamad added. "Therefore, nobody should blame us for the things we do. On October 7, October 10, October 1,000,000 – everything we do is justified."

Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip after winning elections in 2006, a year after Israeli occupation of Gaza ended.

The only hospital in the Gaza Strip that treats cancer patients has reportedly gone out of service Wednesday after running out of fuel.

The development surrounding the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital now means 16 out of the 35 hospitals in Gaza are not operating, Reuters is reporting, citing Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila.

"The lives of 70 cancer patients inside the hospital are seriously threatened," she was quoted by the news agency as saying. "The number of cancer patients in the Gaza Strip is about 2,000 living in catastrophic health conditions as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Strip and the displacement of a large number." 

The Israeli government has maintained a blockade over Gaza in response to terrorist attacks from Hamas fighters, who have launched around 8,000 rockets since the war began.

Click here to read Greg Norman's full article

Jordan recalled its ambassador from Israel in protest of the "humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. 

Jordan’s deputy prime minister, Ayman al-Safadi, who is also the foreign minister, said the return of the ambassadors is linked to Israel “stopping its war on Gaza … and the humanitarian catastrophe it is causing.”

Jordan signed a peace deal with Israel in 1994, the second Arab country after Egypt to do so.

King Abdullah II of Jordan has called for peace between Gaza and Israel but said Israeli-Palestinian relations could never be stable without a "two-state solution."

Such a proposal includes Palestinian people getting their own land and country, which Israel opposes.

"There will be no security, no peace, no stability without just and total peace that comes through a two-state solution," King Abdullah II told the Jordanian parliament earlier this month, calling for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King of Jordan has also mobilized medical and humanitarian aid teams to the blockaded Gaza Strip through Egypt.

Fox News Digital's Lawrence Richard and the Associated Press contributed to this update.

The Democratic Party is divided over pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian factions in a major split that may tear the party apart for a "generation," according to a recent Wall Street Journal report.

Some of the biggest names in progressive and leftist politics are expressing concerns that the Democratic Party is no longer unified as politicians and commentators continue to battle it out in the public square over Israel. The article, headlined "The Left Is Tearing Itself Apart Over Israel," was published on Tuesday.

"It has been an incredibly clarifying and terrifying moment at the same time for many progressive Jews," Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt told the WSJ's Molly Ball. "They’re calling me, tweeting, messaging, expressing shock and sadness that the people they marched with, the causes they marched for, have abandoned them in their hour of need."

Others were disappointed that the Democratic Party was not doing enough for pro-Palestinian factions. 

"If you are Arab-American, Muslim-American or Palestinian, you feel like you don’t matter, you feel invisible," said Waleed Shahid, former spokesman for the Justice Democrats. "If you are advocating at all that Palestinian and Israeli lives should be treated equally, there’s a feeling that the party doesn’t care about you at all."

Shahid also pointed to flagging poll numbers for President Biden among "young and minority voters," according to the story. A recent Gallup poll found that Biden's "job approval rating among Democrats has tumbled 11 percentage points in the past month to 75%, the worst reading of his presidency from his own party. This drop has pushed his overall approval rating down four points to 37%, matching his personal low."

"It shouldn’t be that hard to condemn the murder of innocent women and children and seniors, yet many have either said nothing or equivocated," said Maryland state delegate and congressional candidate Joe Vogel. "We have a serious problem in our party right now."

Fox News Digital's Jeffrey Clark contributed to this update.