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Operation al-Aqsa Storm

The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, says its fighters have captured more Israeli soldiers on the second day of their anti-Israeli operation. The spokesperson for al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said on Sunday that a new group of Israeli captives have been taken to Gaza. Abu Ubaida added that Israeli troops killed some of the soldiers captured by Palestinian fighters. According to the spokesman, Palestinian fighters recorded video footage of Israel killing its own soldiers. He added that Palestinian fighters withdrew safely from the Urim base, which houses the Israeli regime's Intelligence Unit 8200 after killing a large number of enemy forces. On Saturday, Hamas launched a large-scale operation with a heavy barrage of rockets in response to Israel’s desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. More than 700 Israeli settlers and troops have been killed and over 2,000 injured in the operation. Israeli media outlets have reported approximately 750 Israeli soldiers and settlers missing so far.

'Palestinians humiliated Israel'

The leader of the Gaza-based resistance movement, Islamic Jihad, says the only way for Israel to cut its losses is to admit defeat and give in to Palestinian demands. In a televised address, Ziyad al-Nakhala said resistance fighters are holding dozens of Israelis, including 30 by the Islamic Jihad alone. He said they will only be released if Israel frees all Palestinian prisoners. Nakhala said the Israeli army is weaker than many believe and Palestinian resistance fighters humiliated it during Operation al-Aqsa Storm. He added that Israel cannot break the will of the Palestinian fighters now by destroying their homes and killing civilians. The Islamic Jihad chief stressed that these crimes would, instead, add to Palestinians’ strength and resolve.

Israel flights canceled

The multi-front operation by Palestinian resistance groups against Israel has forced a number of international airlines to cancel their flights to Tel Aviv. Germany's flag carrier and the largest airline in Europe, Lufthansa, says it has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv, citing the current situation. Air France says it has halted Tel Aviv flights until further notice. Other airlines either cancelling or suspending flights include Emirates, Ryanair, American Airlines, Austrian airlines and Air Canada, among others. Israeli flag carrier, El Al, also said some flights operated by foreign partners were cancelled.

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