Israel Steps Up Gaza Bombing as Biden Urges It to Protect Civilians – WSJ

Israel intensified its aerial bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip, striking more than 320 targets in the enclave over the past day, as President Biden and other Western leaders expressed support for Israel while urging it to protect civilians.

The Israeli airstrikes, aimed at Hamas militants and their operational infrastructure following their Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, have mostly focused on northern Gaza ahead of a planned Israeli ground offensive. As the Israeli military stepped up its bombing campaign there, it again called on civilians to leave, warning that residents who remain could be considered allies of Hamas.  

Late Monday, Hamas said it had released two more hostages on humanitarian grounds.

The Israeli prime minister s office identified the two hostages as Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 79. The women were kidnapped by Hamas fighters who attacked the kibbutz of Nir Oz on Oct. 7. Their husbands are still being held in Gaza, the prime minister s office said in a statement.

Qatar helped negotiate the release, according to two people briefed on the matter. Egyptian officials confirmed that the two hostages were released at Gaza s Rafah border crossing. Israeli officials didn t immediately respond to a request for comment.

via www.wsj.com