KEY POINTS

  • Blinken has arrived in Israel as more than 360 Americans are expected to depart Gaza Friday
  • Gaza City has been surrounded by Israeli ground forces
  • Russia's Wagner Group is reportedly considering to supply Hezbollah with an air defense system
  • Hamas' Ghazi Hamad said the terror group is now willing to make a "full compromise" for hostage release
Live Updates
People from Gaza enter the Rafah border crossing to Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip on November 1, 2023
People cross over into Egypt from Gaza at the reopened Rafah border crossing on Nov. 1, 2023. AFP

On the 28th day of the bloody Israel-Hamas war, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the Iran-backed Imam Hussein militia is supporting Hezbollah in confrontations with the Israeli army on the Lebanon border.

The Israeli army also announced that its ground forces have encircled Gaza City, which is the largest city in Gaza Strip. Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said the terror group was finally "ready" for a "complete compromise" with Israel to facilitate the release of 242 hostages.

Russian mercenary group Wagner is reportedly planning to supply Hezbollah with an air defense system as per intelligence obtained by the U.S.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has landed in Israel and is expected to focus on discussions about the release of hostages, as well as the continued flow of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza caught in the middle of conflict stemming from centuries of territorial disputes.

Blinken's arrival came as more than 360 American citizens were included in the list of foreign passport holders who will be allowed to leave Gaza today.

More than three weeks after Israel-Hamas tensions flared up following the carnage in southern Israel by Hamas operatives, the Israeli army has lost more than 300 soldiers and on Thursday announced the death of its highest-ranking official yet since the Oct. 7 attack.

The live update has ended.

Blinken speaks to media as Hezbollah leader delivers speech

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is holding a press conference as Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah delivers his speech to hundreds of spectators.

Hezbollah leader speaks for the first time since Oct. 7

Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah's leader Nasrallah, is speaking for the first time since Israel-Hamas tensions exploded on Oct. 7 when Hamas operatives launched a surprise attack in Israel that killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

Israelis attend funeral of soldier killed in northern Gaza

Dozens of Israelis attended the funeral of tank driver Sgt. Maj. Gil Pishitz of the 401st Brigade, who was killed Thursday night while battling terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip. He is among more than 20 Israeli fighters who have fallen since Israel expanded its ground operations across the strip.

Four other Israeli soldiers were killed Thursday night in ground clashes against Hamas in northern Gaza.

Scottish first minister's in-laws leave Gaza

The parents-in-law of Scottish First Minister Hamza Yousaf have departed Gaza, Yousaf confirmed in a statement on X Friday.

Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, the parents of Yousaf's wife Nadia El-Nakla, were among the many foreign nationals stranded in the Gaza Strip since Israel-Hamas conflict started on Oct. 7.

"These last four weeks have been a living nightmare for our family, we are so thankful for all the messages of comfort and prayers that we received from across the world," he said.

Blinken holds meeting with Israel's 'war cabinet'

Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the day. Currently, Blinken is attending an "expanded meeting together with the War Cabinet," which consists of Netanyahu, defense minister Yoav Gallant and minister without portfolio Benny Gantz.

Metula gate shut down until further notice

The gate to the northern Israeli town of Metula was shut down Friday until further notice amid a "situation assessment," local authorities said.

Metula was the target of rocket launches on Tuesday. The town is situated next to Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where some fire exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have been happening in the past few days.

Israeli soldiers are positioned near the northern Israeli town of Metula along the border with Lebanon on April 25, 2022, following overnight rocket fire from Lebanon into northern Israel
Israeli soldiers are positioned near the northern Israeli town of Metula along the border with Lebanon on April 25, 2022, following overnight rocket fire from Lebanon into northern Israel. AFP / JALAA MAREY

More pressure on Hamas, higher chances of getting them released: former chief of Israel strategic affairs

Questions are emerging about the safety of hostages as Israeli forces demolish Hamas tunnels in Gaza City. Former Director General of Israel's strategic affairs ministry Yosef Kuperwasser said Friday that military experts in general believe there will be more positive outcomes if the terrorists are pressured further.

"The more pressure we put on Hamas, the better it is also for the point of view of the chances of releasing the hostages because they become more precious assets to Hamas in order to survive," he said.

Fire exchanges in Lebanon border: IDF

The exchange of fire continues in the Israel-Lebanon border, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Friday local time. Israel fired back after an anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanese territory that targeted an IDF post near Mata in central Israel.

No casualties were reported from the exchange, the IDF said in a Google-translated post on X.

Cross-border shelling on the Israel-Lebanon frontier has raised fears of a wider conflict
Israel and terrorists from Lebanese territory have been exchanging fire in recent days amid fears of a regional conflict amid the Israel-Hamas war. AFP

Over 360 Americans to leave Gaza Friday

A total of 367 individuals have been placed under the "USA" section of a new list of people who will be allowed to exit the war-torn Gaza Strip today, as per NBC News.

Other foreign passport holders included in the list of more than 550 foreigners were citizens of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Mexico and Indonesia.

The outlet noted that it has not verified the names on the list.

Hostages' families at IDF HQ, demand 'no ceasefire' until all were released

The loved ones of 241 hostages being held by Hamas were seen outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv Friday, local media reported. They are demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly announce there won't be a ceasefire until all hostages are released.

Swedish citizens died in Gaza in the last month: foreign ministry

Sweden's foreign ministry said Friday that several Swedish citizens died in Gaza in the last month, citing information from local authorities. However, no further details were provided regarding the number of casualties or the circumstances that led to their deaths.

"The Foreign Ministry received the information after Oct. 7. Sweden's general consulate in Jerusalem is dealing with the cases," the ministry said in an emailed statement.

People search for survivors and bodies in the rubble of buildings destroyed in a strike on the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on November 2, 2023
Pictured: people search for survivors and bodies in the rubble of buildings destroyed in a strike on the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. AFP

Hostage count drops

There are 241 hostages being held by Hamas, the IDF said Friday. The previous number was 242, and former coordinator of Israeli security services agency Shin Bet, Gonen Ben Itzhak, explained that hostage numbers "will change a bit" because some the abducted individuals were being held not just by Hamas but also Gaza residents.

Ben Itzhak explained that some Gazans may have taken the abducted individuals from the militant group as "merchandise" after Israel asked Gaza civilians to help provide information about the hostages.

US flying drones over Gaza to help in hostage search: officials

The U.S. army has been flying surveillance drones over the besieged Gaza Strip for more than a week to help in the search for 242 hostages being held by Hamas, two U.S. officials said.

There are 10 Americans who remain missing and are believed to be among the individuals abducted by Hamas militants on Oct. 7.

Balloons mark each of the hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attack, in the auditorium of the Jerusalem Convention Centre on November 2, 2023
Balloons mark each of the hostages held by Hamas since the Oct. 7 attack, in the auditorium of the Jerusalem Convention Center on Nov. 2, 2023. AFP

Hezbollah stepped up weapon use in attacks against Israel: IDF

Hezbollah has increased the "quantity and quality" of weapons it is using to attack Israel, IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus said Friday.

On the other hand, he warned the Iran-backed militant group that the Israeli army has only used "less than half of our air force" and its troops were "locked and loaded" with military capabilities that are "focused specifically on Hezbollah" if the attacks targeted at Israel continue.

Conricus' comments came ahead of a speech by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Friday.

Russia's Wagner Group may be planning to provide air defense system for Hezbollah: US intel

The Russian mercenary organization Wagner Group is planning to provide Iran-backed Hezbollah with the Pantsir-S1 air defense system – known as SA-22 by NATO – as per intelligence obtained by the U.S., The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed U.S. officials.

The air defense system is reportedly expected to be sent over to the Lebanese militant group through Syria. U.S. officials are currently monitoring talks between Hezbollah and Wagner, the report added.

The Wagner Group, whose private mercenaries have been accused of brutalities as they helped Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, was led by Yevgeny Prigozhin until his death on August 23
The Wagner Group carried out a short-lived mutiny against the Vladimir Putin government earlier this year. AFP

Blinken arrives in Israel

Blinken has arrived in Israel, telling reporters upon his arrival that he will discuss "concrete steps" to help protect civilians amid escalated confrontations between Israel and Hamas.

He acknowledged that civilian protection would be "incredibly challenging" due to the underground tunnels and hiding places Hamas operatives built around public settlements, but he noted that it was the responsibility of democracies around the world to "protect civilians who may be caught in harm's way."

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'Intense' fighting in Gaza City amid 'escalated' attacks from Hezbollah: IDF

Fighting around Gaza City is currently "intense," Conricus said Friday. Israeli troops continue to move deeper into the surrounded city, he added.

On the northern border with Lebanon, Conricus said Hezbollah militants have "escalated" their attacks against Israeli forces and civilians alike in recent days. He reiterated that Israel "did not ask" for armed conflict with the Iran-backed group, but it will defend itself if a war "is forced upon us."

5 Israeli soldiers die in ground clashes with Hamas: IDF

Five more Israeli soldiers died Thursday night amid ground clashes with Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza and around the occupied West Bank, according to the latest update on the IDF's tribute page for its fallen fighters.

  • Yonatan Yosef Brand, 28 – Jerusalem
  • Benny Weiss, 22 – Haifa
  • Gil Pishitz, 38 – Harish
  • Uriah Mash, 41 - Telamon
  • Elhanan Ariel Klein, 29 – Einav
Israeli soldiers and relatives attend the funeral of a soldier on November 1, 2023, in a military cemetery in Jerusalem
Israeli soldiers and loved ones attend the funeral of a fallen soldier on Nov. 1, 2023 in a military cemetery in Jerusalem. AFP

Terrorist squad eliminated in Lebanon: IDF

Israeli troops eliminated "a terrorist squad" operating from within the Lebanon compound of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed, Lebanese militant group that Israel has had skirmishes with since the war started, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a Google-translated post on X Friday.

Hagari said Israeli forces struck the squad in response to a "shooting" attack into Israeli territory from Lebanon.

Hamas battalion commander killed: IDF

Mustafa Dalul, the Hamas commander of the Zabra Tel Elhua Battalion, was assassinated Thursday night, the IDF said Friday. Dalul allegedly commanded troops that fought against Israeli forces and "held key positions" in the terror group's Gaza City Brigade.

The news came hours after the IDF encircled Gaza City, which it said was "the focal point" of Hamas operations.

Hamas ready for a 'complete compromise' for hostage release: official

Hamas is "now ready" to facilitate a "complete compromise" with Israel for the release of "all" hostages, Hamas official Ghazi Hamad told NBC News' Matt Bradley in an interview published late Thursday.

Hamad reiterated that if the 242 hostages being held by Hamas are released, Israel needs to free all Hamas prisoners in Israeli detention centers.

Maayan Zin shows pictures of her daughters Ela, 8, and Dafna, 15, who are believed to be among the hostages Hamas militants took during the October 7 attack
In photo: Maayan Zin shows pictures of her daughters Ela, 8, and Dafna, 15, who are believed to be among the hostages Hamas militants took during the Oct. 7 attack. AFP

Nearly 100 Britons included in Friday Gaza evacuees list

A total of 92 British nationals are listed among the foreign passport holders who will be allowed to leave the war-torn Gaza Strip Friday. Sky News U.S. correspondent Mark Stone said that not all of the listed Britons may cross over into Egypt "because of the chaos" in the recently reopened Rafah border crossing.

UAE warns of real risk in regional tensions spilling over

The United Arab Emirates on Friday warned of a real risk that Israel-Hamas tensions may extend in other parts of the Middle East as Israel now fights not just on the south with Hamas but also in the north against Lebanon's Hezbollah.

"The risk of regional spillover and further escalation is real, as well as the risk that extremist groups will take advantage of the situation to advance ideologies that will keep us locked in cycles of violence," Noura al-Kaabi, UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, said in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Map of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Map or Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. AFP

Israel shows 'the Gaza City you can't see' in video

The IDF released a video early Friday that showed what it said was "the Gaza City you can't see" wherein Hamas militants built an "underground labyrinth" that housed numerous rockets terrorists stockpiled to attack Israel with.

"Thousands" of Hamas operatives and leaders hide "beneath homes, schools, and hospitals, while the people of Gaza involuntarily provide them with cover," a voiceover can be heard saying in the video.

IDF reiterates it has repeatedly urged Gaza civilians to evacuate

Amid growing concerns about the civilian casualties in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Israeli army reiterated that it was "only operating against the Hamas terrorist organization" for the safety of both Israelis and Gaza residents.

It also released videos and images to prove that it has repeatedly urged Gaza civilians to evacuate to the south and communicated to the people "in various forms – spoken, printed, or televised."

Israeli army surrounds Gaza City

The Israeli army has "completed the encirclement of Gaza City," Hagari said in a briefing late Thursday.

"The issue of a ceasefire is not even on the table right now," Hagari noted, adding that at this point the IDF was "conducting war to dismantle Hamas," as per a Bloomberg translation.

Iranian proxy, Imam Hussein militia, backing Hezbollah: IDF

The Iran-backed Imam Hussein Brigade, which was initially founded in Syria, has deployed to southern Lebanon "in an attempt to support Hezbollah," the IDF said late Thursday.

The said militia "is involved in confrontations with the IDF" and has also participated in terror attacks against Israel, the IDF added.

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said Israel will ultimately defend itself if Hezbollah militants continue to fire missiles from the Lebanese border.

"The question that needs to be asked isn't if we are capable of defending ourselves, it is 'Are the enemies willing to pay the price that they will pay?'" he said in an interview with Sky News.