North Gaza becomes a "war zone" as Israel initiates its "second wave" of war against Hamas.

Israel's army claims the destruction of over 150 underground tunnels and bunkers in the Gaza Strip is part of its strategy against Hamas.

This Saturday marked the 23rd day of Israel's lethal fight with the Palestinian terror organization, Hamas, yet that didn't stop Israeli forces from bombing the Gaza Strip throughout the day. The Times of Israel reported the Israeli military's statement stating their assault on approximately 150 tunnels and hideouts tied to Hamas.

As they intensify their aerial assault against Hamas militants, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have declared North Gaza a "war zone" within the Palestinian Territories.

These are the latest updates on the clash between Israel and Hamas:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at a press conference in Tel Aviv this Saturday that the "second wave" of the battle in Gaza against Hamas has begun. He vowed to shatter them both "above and under the ground." In his speech, he suggested that this second-wave operation in Gaza would be a "long and difficult" fight. He qualified the war between Israel and Hamas as an existential struggle. Now put to the test, Netanyahu confidently assumes that they will prevail. At the brisk press meeting, Netanyahu emphasized, "We will do this, and we will be victorious."

Additionally, Netanyahu mentioned releasing hostages into the "warm embrace of their families," saying that "Israel will take every opportunity." He labeled the abductions of Israelis and other nationals as a "crime against humanity." He referred to the IDF as a "moral army" for avoiding damage to "non-combatants." Once again, Netanyahu appealed to the citizens of Gaza to evacuate the area.

The health ministry of Hamas reported over 8,000 casualties in Gaza since Israel's military assault commenced. On October 7, Hamas launched a sudden and unanticipated attack on Israel, resulting in the loss of 1,400 Israeli lives so far.

Israel announced the return of its diplomatic staff to Turkey in response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's criticism of Israel's actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Erdogan dedicated an hour during a rally to branding Israel a "war criminal" and an "occupier" while refusing to label Hamas as a terror group.

Erdogan also disapproved of the Western countries' "unconditional support" for Israel. This news is a considerable setback to better political and economic relations between these states, which were already agreed upon for new postings in 2022. According to AFP, recent discussions between Israel and Turkey about a US-funded natural gas pipeline project could have paved the way for a stronger, longer-lasting partnership. 

Due to current military actions, many families of Israeli captives worry about their loved ones' safety in Gaza. Several hundred of these families protested this Saturday on Tel Aviv streets, demanding a meeting with the cabinet official. Following a hastily arranged meeting with the families, Netanyahu pledged that every possible action would be taken to secure the hostages' freedom.

This Saturday, as Israeli airstrikes continued bombarding the Gaza Strip and ground forces initiated their assault, they also declared an expansion of the same operation. The latest report from Reuters cited Palestinian media, saying some services were being restored in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas' deputy, Saleh al-Arouri, had a meeting with Nabih Berri, Lebanon Parliament Speaker and Hezbollah ally, in Beirut on Saturday. It was reported by The Times of Israel that other members of the terror group accompanied the leader of Hamas. They discussed their conflict with Israel and the necessity of allowing aid convoys into Gaza. According to The Times of Israel, Berri approved of Hamas' assault on Israel that commenced on October 7.

Mammoth rallies were held in the West Bank this Saturday and in various Muslim and European nations, showing solidarity with the residents of the Gaza Strip. During these protests in the West Bank, the flags of other Palestinian factions were flown along with Hamas banners. Protests in Iraq and Jordan were also reported, at which demonstrators held signs labeling Netanyahu, the French president, and US Vice President Joe Biden as "war criminals," according to AFP and The Times of Israel.

In Paris, France, hundreds of demonstrators violated a ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations and found themselves cornered by police officers. Protests were also conducted in London, Norway, Italy, and Switzerland. On Saturday evening at New York City's Grand Central Station, several individuals were spotted wearing black T-shirts reading "Jews say ceasefire now" and "Not in our name." Disturbances of a similar nature were noted in Asian countries like Indonesia and Pakistan.

This past Saturday, negotiations between Hamas and Israel continued under the mediation of Qatar, according to a source that Reuters cited. Despite slower progress due to the recent escalation on Friday night, mediation efforts haven't stopped completely. Hamas released four prisoners, including a mother-daughter team from the United States and two Israeli grandparents, as a result of these efforts spearheaded by Qatar. 

On Thursday, the IDF released "never-seen-before footage" showing Israeli forces firing on a car reportedly controlled by Hamas militants on October 7. The IDF asserts that its soldiers shot and killed the driver, whose vehicle later rammed a lamppost.

One question keeps popping up that nobody seems to ask: Who opened the gates of hell first?