Israel continued to step up its ground operation in Gaza as the Israel-Hamas conflict entered day 23. Israel Defense Forces struck numerous major targets of Hamas, killing its top commanders. Amid the ongoing aerial assault on Hamas, PM Modi spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the counter-offensive. Both leaders exchanged views on continuing global efforts to rush humanitarian aid to war-ravaged Gazans. Taking to X, PM Modi said that both leaders shared concerns over terrorism, loss of civilian lives amid the ongoing conflict. The two leaders also voiced satisfaction over the progress in bilateral relations, strategic partnership between Egypt, India.

Sigh of relief for the people of Gaza as 20 trucks carrying Humanitarian aid crossed Rafah border on Oct 21. Rafah crossing between Gaza, Egypt has been non-operational after Hamas launched surprise attack on Israel. International attention has focused on getting aid to Gaza through the access point not controlled by Israel, the Rafah crossing. Satellite images released on Oct 20 showed trucks lined up on the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing with Gaza. Aid from several countries was halted for days pending a deal for its safe delivery to Gaza. Also, hundreds of Palestinians desperately want to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, a 45-km-long (25-mile) enclave, has worsened conditions for 2.3 million people.