AS civilians in Gaza desperately waited for food, water and fuel to get through, Israeli troops and tanks amassed at the border, waiting for the order to begin a bloody ground offensive against Hamas.
In a move unlikely to stop the onslaught, Hamas last night released two American hostages, Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie, on "humanitarian grounds".
In a Telegram post, Hamas said it was in "response to Qatari efforts" and "to prove to the American people and the world that the allegations of Biden and his fascist administration are false allegations that have no basis in truth".
The group claimed to be holding up to 250 hostages, while Israel has acknowledged 203 people were kidnapped in the Hamas atrocities of two weeks ago.
Air strikes on Gaza continued yesterday as Israeli towns in the north, close to Lebanon, and south, near Gaza, were evacuated in the countdown to a ground war.
In Israel, two miles from the border with Gaza, we saw every kind of armoured attack vehicle in battle formation, pointing towards the hellscape of the Gaza Strip.
Merkava main battle tanks stood with armoured personnel carriers, bulldozers for urban warfare and water trucks.
This story is from the October 21, 2023 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 21, 2023 edition of Daily Record.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Season has been HILL a slow burner but now we're fired up for the top six
Gers win was long time coming for Marley
Getting a here game is á tall order
Giant Merino - I'm one of Arsenal's little men
We should've had more time together
Husband savs treatment wait was 'ticking timebomb'
WAR & PAWS
Luna and Plusza rescued from heavy shelling
Drum might say..
Axed Oasis drummer Tony: Me &Gallaghers get on better now
Reign storm
Indigenous politician accuses King of genocide as royals visit Oz parliament
PENNE PINCHERS
Restaurant owners sickened’ as pair use handbag trick to dodge bill
News you had left us came up on my phone.I went cold
Nicola on shocking way she heard of tragic star's death
We work together but we are not friends... that's OK
Strictly's Nadiya opens up about split from Kai
No calm after storm
Chaos sees buses, trains and ferries cancelled while hillwalkers are condemned by rescuers