Israeli ground forces continue to advance on Gaza City from the north, supported by air and naval cover. According to the latest statements from the Israeli military, they have essentially completed the main fighting in the suburbs around Gaza City, achieving an encirclement from the north and south.
Armed members of Hamas are using underground tunnels and the terrain to launch surprise attacks on Israeli forces. Reporters within Gaza City have indicated that the area is still under relentless aerial bombardment by Israeli forces, severely affecting movement and communication signals, as the latest large-scale conflict between Israel and Palestine persists.
Israeli Military Completes Encirclement of Gaza City
The Israeli military's ground operations in the Gaza Strip continue. Meanwhile, armed members of Hamas persist in their strikes against Israeli forces.
To date, Israeli ground forces have been advancing on Gaza City from the north, under the protection of the air force and navy. The Israeli military has stated that they have largely finished the main combat operations in the suburbs around Gaza City, effectively encircling it from the north and south. However, a large-scale ground offensive on Gaza City has not yet been launched. The current focus of the ground combat includes strategic searches and occupation of areas around Gaza City, including operations in the northern Jebaliya area, which has many high-rise residences and requires further intelligence gathering and tactical clearance. Additionally, Israeli engineering units are continuously locating and destroying Hamas's underground tunnels.
Residents within Gaza City continue to suffer from the intense and ongoing aerial bombardment by Israeli forces. Their movements and communication signals are severely impacted, and they are currently taking shelter near Shifa Hospital, barely managing with limited electricity collected by solar panels during the day and relying on previously stored food to get by. Due to the Israeli encirclement of Gaza City, the disruption of fuel supplies, and the widespread destruction and damaged roads, they have no means to escape the city, which is the current situation for many civilians in Gaza City.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock late on Nov. 3 over an attack on an ambulance convoy outside Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. He stated that "this must stop."
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said on Nov. 3 that a medical convoy at the entrance to Shifa Hospital was struck by an Israeli air raid, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 60 injuries. Following the airstrike, the Israel Defense Forces claimed responsibility for the air raid on an ambulance in the northern Gaza Strip used by Hamas, killing several members of the group.
Hezbollah Leader Speaks: "Great War" Possible on Lebanese-Israeli Border
On the afternoon of Nov. 3, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivered his first speech since the outbreak of the new round of conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Nasrallah blamed the United States for the conflict, labeling Israel merely as an instrument and accusing the U.S. of hindering a ceasefire. He noted that recent clashes along the temporary Lebanese-Israeli border were unprecedented and that Hezbollah's actions are ongoing and escalating. He stated that Israel must first cease its military actions in the Gaza Strip to end regional conflicts.
Deutsche Welle reported on Nov. 3 that Nasrallah threatened that his organization would increasingly join the war against Israel. He mentioned that "all options are on the table."
The report highlighted Nasrallah's statement that "all options for the Lebanese front remain open." An escalation is a "real possibility," depending on how the war in the Gaza Strip continues and Israel's actions toward Lebanon. He warned that if a regional war occurs, U.S. interests and soldiers, as Israel's most important ally, would be the victims and biggest losers of this escalation.
Nasrallah also warned of a potential "great war" on the border between Lebanon and Israel, suggesting that battles between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces could have significant consequences. He said that the evolution of the Lebanese front into a major conflict is a "real possibility" and that restraint shown on their front should not be mistaken for satisfaction. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, the Lebanese-Israeli border has also seen repeated violent clashes.
Turkey and Two Other Countries Recall Ambassadors to Israel
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Nov. 4 that due to Israel's continued attacks on civilians and the crisis in the Gaza Strip, as well as Israel's refusal to heed calls for a ceasefire and resulting disruptions to aid supplies, Turkey has decided to recall its ambassador to Israel.
On the afternoon of Nov. 2, the Bahraini Council of Representatives announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain had decided to recall its ambassador to Israel, and the Israeli ambassador to Bahrain had already left the country.
The statement indicated that Bahrain decided to suspend economic cooperation with Israel. It pointed out that the escalation of Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip and its disregard for international law prompted the Bahraini parliament to take measures. At the time of the government's press release, Bahrain had temporarily heeded Israel's call and had not received any notification from the Bahraini government.
Following Bahrain's announcement, The Times of Israel reported on Nov. 2 that the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs released an official statement asserting the stability of relations with Bahrain. The ministry clarified that the news did not come from the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself and was not indicative of a significant change in relations. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it had not received any notice or decision about the Bahraini government recalling its ambassador.
Furthermore, on Nov. 3, the Honduran Foreign Minister announced that due to the "severe humanitarian situation facing Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip," the Honduran government had decided to recall its ambassador to Israel. Prime Minister Reina, in an interview with the media, mentioned the possibility of Honduras calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, allowing the establishment of corridors, and starting peace negotiations. The Honduran government will take a stance deemed appropriate based on the developments in Gaza.
