Hamas’s leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, stated that the group is prepared for an immediate prisoner exchange, while Israel said its war has entered a new phase with a massive bombardment of Gaza.

Sinwar announced that they are ready for an immediate prisoner exchange that includes releasing all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in return for all prisoners held by the Palestinian resistance.

The United Nations has warned that thousands more civilians could die as Israel’s forces continue to operate inside Gaza. Israel began its bombing campaign following Hamas fighters’ incursion on October 7, which resulted in widespread violence.

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The conflict is the fifth and deadliest in Gaza since Israel’s withdrawal from the Palestinian territory in 2005. UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed concerns about the consequences of large-scale ground operations in Gaza.

The Israeli ground forces have intensified their operations in Gaza, and the conflict has entered a new phase, according to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Hamas’s armed wing expressed its readiness to release the hostages it abducted if Israel frees all Palestinian prisoners it holds.

Arab Gulf states have warned Israel against further ground operations in Gaza, with Saudi Arabia and Oman condemning possible war crimes and urging an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians. Other Gulf Cooperation Council members also called for an end to hostilities and criticized the military escalation in Gaza.