The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deployed ground forces in the Northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, marking an escalation in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. IDF members were active in the area for a brief time before returning to Israel.

Following the operation, the IDF confirmed it killed Shadi Barud, the Deputy Head of Hamas’ Intelligence Directorate, in an airstrike. Additionally, the IDF pledged to “continue to strike and eliminate Hamas leaders and operatives responsible for the barbaric attacks,” referencing the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas which killed more than 100 Israeli civilians.

Just a day before, the IDF reported it killed Taysir Mubasher, the Commander of Hamas’ North Khan Tunis Battalion. Israeli intelligence agencies linked Mubasher to multiple terror attacks including the killing of five students, a 2004 explosive device that killed and injured IDF soldiers and a 2003 terror attack that infiltrated Zikim beaches.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health claimed its health system is collapsing due to the conflict. In a press release, the ministry described insufficient hospital staff for the number of injured Palestinians, overcrowded hospitals and shortages of medical supplies, resulting in some surgeries performed without anesthesia. Further, the ministry claimed ambulances cannot reach those injured in areas prone to bombing, alleging the IDF has been targeting hospitals and ambulances. This last serious allegation stems from the ongoing suspicion surrounding responsibility for the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital blast last week. As of October 24, the ministry said that more than 6,500 Palestinians have been killed, with more than 17,000 injured.

International response to the conflict continues to draw attention, with reports relaying that the US asked Israel to wait on pursuing a large-scale ground infiltration of Gaza until the Pentagon can send additional military supplies to Israel. This request comes shortly after US President Joe Biden pledged $100 million to support those displaced from the Gaza Strip and asked Congress to approve $14.3 billion to help fund military support for Israel.