Israeli airstrikes targeted Syria's two main airports in Damascus and Aleppo on Thursday, according to Syrian state media. This marks the first such strikes since the weekend Hamas assault on Israel triggered heavy fighting. Israel has repeatedly grounded flights at the airports controlled by the Syrian government during more than a decade of conflict. The latest strikes came as Hamas and Israel continued trading fire for the sixth day after Hamas militants killed over 1,000 Israeli civilians. They also occurred as U.S. Secretary of State Blinken visited Israel. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes it carries out on Syria, but it has repeatedly said it would not allow its arch-foe Iran, which supports Assad's government, to expand its footprint there. Iran, which backs Hamas, on Saturday celebrated Hamas' assault on Israel, though it insisted it was not involved in it.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated India's longstanding support for an independent Palestinian state at a press conference on Thursday. Regarding the humanitarian situation in Israel-Gaza, he said there is a universal obligation to observe humanitarian law and fight terrorism. He announced the first evacuation flight from Israel under 'Operation Ajay' is arriving in India today with 230 Indians. Bagchi said India's main focus currently is safely bringing back citizens from Israel, with approximately 18,000 Indians there. He confirmed one Indian casualty so far and stated there are 4 Indians in Gaza and 12 in the West Bank. India is working to rescue stranded citizens in Israel amid the conflict with Hamas under 'Operation Ajay'.

An Israeli couple, Itai and Hadar Berdichevsky, hid their 10-month-old twins in a shelter before being killed by Hamas gunmen who broke into their home in Kfar Gaza. The twins were left alone for over 12 hours until rescued unharmed by Israeli soldiers, according to Deputy Ambassador of Israel in Cyprus Rotem Segev. The parents, both 30, fought fiercely with the Hamas attackers before being brutally murdered. The tragic incident highlights the horror of the Israel-Gaza conflict, as the young couple made a last brave act to protect their children, who are now orphans. As per New York Post, the babies were rescued unharmed and were later handed to their grandmother. (Image by @RotemSegev on X)

A family in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh has appealed to the state government to help bring their son Mohit Randhawa, daughter-in-law Jaideep Kaur, and granddaughter Keerat back safely from Israel. Mohit, a PhD from IIT-Roorkee, is stranded there amid fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas. His father Omveer said the family is worried about their safety, as Mohit's wife is pregnant. Mohit is currently pursuing postdoctoral studies at the Zuckerberg Institute in Israel. The family last spoke to him when he said he locked his family in an apartment when the fighting broke out, but they are appealing for government help to bring them home. (Image source: Oliver Fredrick on X)

Over 95 hostage families have been informed by the Israeli authorities that their relatives were abducted and taken into Gaza. The IDF says over 5,000 rockets have been fired into Israel since Saturday. Israel has conducted over 2,600 strikes on Gaza targets. At least 1,200 Israelis have been killed and 3,000+ injured in Hamas's weekend attacks. Amid the violence, airline group IAG, including British Airways and Aer Lingus, has canceled Israel operations for three weeks to see how the situation unfolds, per its CEO. This comes after British Airways turned back a Tel Aviv-bound plane Wednesday over security worries. The statements highlight the growing global impact and transit disruptions as the conflict escalates, with mass casualties and expanded bombardments from both sides.

The ICRC said the humanitarian misery caused by the escalating crisis is abhorrent, imploring both sides to reduce civilian suffering. With Gaza's hospitals running out of fuel in a matter of hours now, newborns and elderly patients are at risk as equipment stops functioning, causing hospitals to risk becoming morgues. Gazan families already lack access to clean water. At the same time, Israeli families agonize over abducted loved ones. Taking hostages violates international law, and they must be released immediately. The ICRC is contacting Hamas and Israeli officials, ready to visit hostages, facilitate communication with families, and enable any release. All parties must act to decrease hardship for civilians in Gaza and captive Israelis.

More than 338,000 people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip due to heavy Israeli bombardments, according to the United Nations. The number of displaced individuals increased by 75,000 within 24 hours, reaching 338,934, as Israel continued its attacks in response to Hamas' surprise assault. Israeli forces reported 1,200 casualties, mainly civilians, making it the country's deadliest onslaught. UNRWA-run schools are sheltering nearly 220,000 displaced people, with additional individuals seeking refuge in Palestinian Authority schools and other facilities. The ongoing bombing campaign has severely damaged housing units and essential civilian infrastructure, including sewage facilities, raising health concerns.

Israel's Energy Minister said the Gaza siege will continue until Israeli hostages are freed, vowing no electricity, water or fuel until "abductees" are released. This comes as US Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Israel, set to meet officials and Palestinian President Abbas. With Gaza's sole power plant shut amid fuel shortages after Israel cut supplies post-attack, the ICRC warns hospitals risk becoming morgues as generators also need fuel. Most electricity came from Israel before being halted, leaving Gaza relying on shrinking generator supplies. The statements highlight the dire humanitarian situation worsening in Gaza as Israel keeps up pressure seeking hostage release.

The first flight repatriating Indians from Israel amid the conflict will depart Tel Aviv for Delhi tonight carrying around 230 citizens. Many returning are students at Israeli institutions who received embassy emails about the chartered evacuation flight. The government is bearing the flight cost with no fare for returnees. As fighting intensifies with nearly 4,000 dead, India launched Operation Ajay to airlift citizens and set up 24/7 embassy helplines. The embassy has advised Indians to stay calm and follow security guidance amid the violence. Tonight's flight signals India's efforts to safely bring back nationals stranded by the war are underway. [Image of Indian students: Shared by Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv]

Egypt reportedly warned Israel three days in advance of a potential large-scale attack by Hamas, according to the chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul. He revealed the warning after a closed-door intelligence briefing, suggesting the attack might have been planned up to a year ago. Egypt had warned Israel about the volatile situation in Gaza, hinting at an imminent explosion. Hamas' coordinated assault, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli casualties, marked a significant intelligence failure for Israel.