Palestinians scrambled to flee northern Gaza on Saturday after Israel ordered nearly half the population to flee south and carried out limited ground forays ahead of an expected land invasion.
Israel has ordered more than a million people to flee, including the entire population of Gaza City, despite warnings from the UN and aid groups that such an exodus would cause untold human suffering, with hospital patients and others unable to relocate.
Families in cars, trucks and donkey carts packed with their possessions crowded a main road heading southward from Gaza City as Israeli airstrikes continued to hammer the besieged territory.
Hamas's media office said warplanes struck cars fleeing south, killing more than 70 people. Israel's week-long campaign of bombing in Gaza has so far killed over 2,200 people in the besieged strip.
The Israeli military said its troops conducted temporary raids into Gaza to battle militants and hunted for traces of some 150 people – including men, women and children – abducted in Hamas's surprise 7 October attack that killed more than 1,300 people in Israel.
In urging the evacuation, Israel's military said it planned to target underground Hamas hideouts around Gaza City.
But Palestinians and some Egyptian officials fear that Israel ultimately aims to push Gaza's people out through the southern border with Egypt. The New Arab Staff
October 13, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir and the Norwegian Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Jon Anton Johnson on Thursday discussed the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
During the meeting, Kiir said his government was committed to supporting dialogue, describing as the best way to end the conflict which has caused destruction and displacements in a country already facing economic hardships.
Anton said they discussed the challenges facing South Sudan and its sub-regions.
“The president also provided an elaborate and comprehensive briefing on the current situation in Sudan, especially his effort through IGAD and other initiatives to ensure there is a cessation of hostilities in Sudan. He had also spoken about the humanitarian situation as a result of the military activities in the Sudan and the impacts on the region”, he told the state-owned television (SSBC).
The meeting also discussed the crisis in Sudan and regional matters of concern.
Kiir assured the visiting envoy of the commitment of his administration to implement all provisions of the 2024 Peace Agreement and preparation being undertaken for the conduct of elections at the end of the transitional period.
The elections, according to the South Sudanese leader and members of his administration, will allow the country’s citizens to choose leaders of their choices.
South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister James Pitia Morgan reiterated in a separate statement also broadcasted by the state-owned broadcasting corporation that the government would in the coming days establish the electoral institutions to prepare the country for the polls.
The meeting between President Kiir and Norway’s envoy is one of a series of meetings and engagements with foreign diplomats and heads of international organizations to provide them briefing about his efforts on the situation in Sudan.
The Troika countries, which comprises of the United States of America, Britain, Norway and some allied western countries, have condemned the widespread human rights violations, conflict-related sexual violence and targeted ethnic violence in Darfur, mostly attributed to soldiers of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias.
They reiterated calls for the rival factions to control their forces, ensure respect for human rights and hold accountable those responsible for attacks against civilians.
The Troika further expressed deep concern that increased fighting in Darfur, Kordofan, Blue Nile, and other periphery areas risked further broadening the conflict and urged leaders of armed movements inside Sudan to stay out of the fight and support peace and a negotiated end to the conflict.
They reiterated support for the Sudanese’ demands for freedom, peace and justice. - Sudan Tribune
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Wednesday that its armed drones have struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
The IDF said in a release that it carried out a drone strike against a Hezbollah post in southern Lebanon in response to an anti-tank guided missile attack on an army post on the border, which was claimed by the terror group.
“IDF drones struck a military observation post belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said.
The Israeli military says it also launched artillery strikes against the source of the missile fire.
Lebanese state media NNA reported that intense shelling had resumed near the border with Israel on Wednesday, and that gunfire could be heard in the Lebanese towns of Yarine, Marwahin and Al-Duheira. By Dylan Malyasov, Defense Blog
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