Indian TV Actor Claims Sister, Husband Killed In "Cold Blood" By Hamas

Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza has intensified after last week's 'shock and awe' attacks by the Palestinian group. Over 3,000 have died as the war entered the fourth day.

Families on both sides of the border grieve the loss of their loved ones. Stories of brutality unleashed on the innocent are emerging amid a barrage of attacks from Hamas and Israel's all-out operation to take "full control" of Gaza.

Madhura Naik, an Indian TV actor, said her cousin sister and her husband were murdered in "cold blood" in front of their children. In a video message shared on Instagram, the Naagin actor, a Jew of Indian origin, said, "The grief and emotions my family face cannot be expressed in words. As of today, Israel is in pain and the streets are burning in flames in the wrath of Hamas."

"Women, children, the old and the weak are being targeted," Ms Naik said, adding she was trolled on social media after she posted a picture of her sister and her family and said "It shows how deep the pro-Palestinian agenda runs. I was shamed, humiliated and targeted for being Jewish."

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A post shared by Madhura Naik 🧿 (@madhura.naik)

The story of Odaya and her family shows the brutal nature of one of the bloodiest Israel-Hamas wars in recent years. Many children are now orphaned and several have died in the relentless rocket attacks and counter air strikes. Death, fear, and destruction cast a sombre shadow over the streets on both sides of this conflict.

Hamas gunmen killed more than 100 people in the kibbutz of Beeri alone, said Moti Bukjin, a volunteer with the charity Zaka who recovers bodies in accordance with Jewish law.

"They shot everyone," he told AFP. "They murdered in cold blood children, babies, old people -- every one."
 
Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Israel's military campaign following Saturday's onslaught was only the start of a sustained war to destroy Hamas and "change the Middle East".

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Encounter Breaks Out Between Security Forces, Terrorists In J&K's Shopian

An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, police said.  There were no reports of any casualties so far.

"Encounter has started at Alshipora area of Shopian. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police posted on X.

The encounter began after security forces launched an anti-terrorists operation in the Alshipora area after receiving information about the presence of terrorists there. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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US Warns Hezbollah Not To Open New Front Against Israel

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah should not make the "wrong decision" of opening a second front against Israel as it battles attacks by Hamas, a senior US defense official warned Monday.

"We are deeply concerned about Hezbollah making the wrong decision and choosing to open a second front to this conflict," the official told journalists.

One of the reasons Washington is deploying a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean is to signal that Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah should not "question the commitment of the US government to support the defense of Israel," the official said.

The US announced the decision on the strike group, which includes an aircraft carrier and other warships, on Sunday -- a day after Hamas militants launched an unprecedented multi-pronged attack on Israel's southern flank from the blockaded Gaza Strip, leaving hundreds of people dead.

Israel and Hezbollah have already traded fire this week, but have stopped short of the devastating full-scale war they fought in 2006 -- a repeat of which would force Israel's military to fight on two fronts, stretching its forces thin.

Hezbollah said Israeli strikes killed three of its members on Monday, after which it targeted two Israeli barracks.

The senior defense official likened the weekend attacks by Hamas to the notorious brutality of the Islamic State jihadist group, which is known by the acronym ISIS.

"This is ISIS-level savagery that we have seen committed against Israeli civilians -- houses burned to the ground, young people massacred at music festivals," the official said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"We Did Not Start War But Will Finish It", Warns Israel PM Netanyahu

 In a stern warning to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said that "though Israel did not start this war" but "will finish it".

As part of its retaliation against Hamas, Israel has mobilised 3,00,000 troops. This is the largest mobilisation since the 1973 Yom Kippur War when Israel called up 400,000 reservists, Times of Israel reported.

"Israel is at war. We didn't want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn't start this war, Israel will finish it," said Mr Netanyahu in an address to the nation.

As many as 2,300 Israelis have sustained injuries and more than 700 have died so far in the surprise Hamas attack on Saturday morning.

PM Netanyahu lashed out Hamas saying that they will pay the price and will remember the same for a long time.

"Hamas will understand that by attacking us, they have made a mistake of historic proportions. We will exact a price that will be remembered by them and Israel's other enemies for decades to come," said Mr Netanyahu.

He also highlighted the plight of those taken hostage, saying, "The savage attacks that Hamas perpetrated against innocent Israelis are mindboggling: slaughtering families in their homes, massacring hundreds of young people at an outdoor festival, and kidnapping scores of women, children and elderly, even Holocaust survivors. Hamas terrorists bound, burned and executed children. They are savages."

Branding Hamas as ISIS, he called on the "forces of civilisation" to unite against the Hamas and defeat it.

"Hamas is ISIS. And just as the forces of civilization united to defeat ISIS, the forces of civilization must support Israel in defeating Hamas," Mr Netanyahu said.

He also went on to thank US President Joe Biden and other world leaders for their support.

"I am in continuous contact with President Biden, and I would like to thank him again, on behalf of all the citizens of Israel, for the commitment of the US in words and deeds for the security of Israel," the Israeli Prime Minister said. "Also, I want to thank many world leaders for your unprecedented support for Israel," he added.

"In fighting Hamas, Israel is not only fighting for its own people. It is fighting for every country that stands against barbarism. Israel will win this war, and when Israel wins, the entire civilized world will win," Mr Netanyahu said towards the conclusion of his speech.

The Israeli military is going on the offence against Hamas with a force "like never before," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday.

Hamas said civilian hostages would be executed without warning and the killings broadcast if Israel targets people in Gaza. The group claims to be holding more than 100 hostages, including Israeli army officers, according to CNN.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Watch: Why KL Rahul Gave Shocked Reaction After Hitting Winning Runs

KL Rahul missed out narrowly on a century but was able to guide India to a win over Australia in their opening match of the Cricket World Cup 2023 on Sunday. Rahul remained unbeaten on 97 off 115 deliveries and he was the one who slammed the winning runs for his side. However, his reaction after hitting the final runs of the game has gone viral on social media. India were in deep trouble during their 200-run chase as skipper Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan were all dismissed without scoring a single run. Rahul stitched together a brilliant partnership with Kohli as both the batters scored half-centuries and India were able to win the game comfortably in the end.

With India needing a six to win in the match, Rahul was still 9 runs away from his century. It was still possible if he could hit a four followed by a six but he ended up hitting the ball for a six first. He was momentarily stunned but he broke into a smile as the stadium erupted following the victory.

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul hit defiant knocks to lift India from a perilous three down for two runs to a six-wicket win over Australia in their opening Cricket World Cup match on Sunday.

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Chasing a tricky target of 200, India lost three batsmen, who all failed to score, inside two overs before Kohli (85) and Rahul (97 not out) put on 165.

Victory was secured with 52 balls to spare.

Spinner Ravindra Jadeja returned figures of 3-28 to help bowl out Australia for 199 in 49.3 overs in the 150th ODI meeting between the two cricket giants.

(With AFP inputs)

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"Reminds Of 1973": Israel-Gaza War Turns Jerusalem Into "Ghost Town"

The usually bustling streets of Jerusalem were eerily quiet on Monday as deadly fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants raged for a third day in and around the Gaza Strip.

"Jerusalem is indeed a ghost town," said May Bahbah, a Palestinian resident of Jerusalem in her 40s.

"People are in fear and worried," she told AFP, standing next to a shuttered greengrocer.

Palestinians living in the city's Israeli-annexed east "have to go to their jobs but they are worried they might be abused" by Israeli forces "because of the war situation", said Bahbah.

Near Khan al-Zait, the Old City's main market, few shops had opened on Monday.

Hazem, 42, who did not wish to disclose his full name, came from the Palestinian neighbourhood of Silwan to run some errands and was visibly angry.

"The (Israeli) police officers asked me to get out of the car, and they searched it and found an electrical outlet tester," he told AFP.

"One of them slapped me so hard, and when they wanted to attack me, an Arab officer stopped them."

In the city's west, Israeli pensioner Sara, 70, was sitting on a bench after her morning walk along the city's normally busy main roads that were now almost deserted.

"I did not see many people in the streets, but it's natural, it's war!" she said. "We are all worried... those who have someone in the army are very anxious."

The atmosphere around the city "reminds me of 1973", when Arab armies attacked Israel in a war that scarred the nation.

At the First Station commercial centre, which was full of people just days ago during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, businesses had ground to a halt, with the vast majority of storefronts showing "closed" signs.

The school week has not started in either the city's east or west since violence broke out early Saturday with a surprise attack by Hamas militants targeting southern Israel.

Since then, some 700 people have been killed in Israel and 560 in the blockaded Gaza Strip, according to official figures.

'Dying from the inside'

Strong winds and rain on Monday have further dissuaded Jerusalemites from leaving home.

"We feel like we are dying from the inside," said Itamar Taragan, manager of the First Station compound, which he said would reopen "not tomorrow and not after tomorrow".

Some "open their restaurants only to cook for soldiers, firefighters, things like this", he told AFP.

"It's hard to breathe," said Taragan. "People are watching TV all day, looking at... videos of the people who were abducted, and even if it's not your children, you're in shock."

Pamela Auerbach and Jane Medved stepped out of one of the few open shops, an organic supermarket, onto a "quiet" city, said Auerbach, 56, a lawyer who splits her time between Israel and the United States.

She said she saw many young people offering help to families distressed by the war.

For Medved, a 67-year-old university professor, "people are busy, that's all. Busy working from home. Busy organising the help" for displaced or wounded Israelis and soldiers.

Tourists can still be seen around the city but in smaller numbers. Several of them interviewed by AFP were concerned they may not be able to leave the country by air.

Jason Lyons, visiting from the United States, said videos he saw on social media showing the horrors of the fighting were "very demoralising".

The 54-year-old, smoking a cigar in front of the five-star hotel he has stayed at for several weeks, said he had felt a change in the mood on the street.

His friend, 60-year-old Murray Huberfeld who works in finance in New York, had a similar observation, but as he began speaking to AFP a rocket alert blared through Jerusalem, sending the few people outside rushing into shelters.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Goodbye To My Wife": Israeli Journalist Called Up To Fight For Country

A prominent Israeli journalist Hananya Naftali has been drafted by Israel Defence Forces to fight for his country as it prepares for war against Hamas terrorist group. He is among 300,000 others who have been drafted by Israel to fight in the war.

Hananya Naftali announced that he is leaving to defend his county in a heartfelt post. He shared a photo of him hugging his wife on X, previously twitter, and said that in his absence, she will be managing his social media account. He captioned the photo, "I am drafted as well to serve and defend my country Israel. I said goodbye to my wife India, who sent me with blessings and protection of God. From now on she will be managing and posting on my behalf so be nice to her."

I am drafted as well to serve and defend my country Israel. 🇮🇱

I said goodbye to my wife India, who sent me with blessings and protection of God. From now on she will be managing and posting on my behalf so be nice to her. 😉🇮🇱😊 @indianaftali pic.twitter.com/K8O56kAQH7

— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) October 9, 2023

Hananya Naftali's wife India Naftali, also an Israeli journalist, reshared the post and urged people to pray for them as her husband left to fight in the war.

Hananya Naftali shared another video after being deployed for the war. In the video, he says that the reason he has been deployed is not just to defend their borders but to defend homes and families.

The reason we are deployed is not just to defend our borders, it's literally to defend our homes and families.

This is a war between good and evil. #IsraelUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/xNWmJmHhxX

— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) October 9, 2023

The couple has been extensively covering the Iran-Hamas war. A video of them taking refuge in a bomb shelter went viral yesterday. In the video, Hananya Naftali shared that they woke up to the rocket sirens and had to run to the bomb shelter in Tel Aviv. He also said that they heard explosions several time throughout the day.

"There is an all-time, unprecedented war that we are seeing right on," Hananya Naftali said in the video.

In another video shared by India Naftali, she can be seen rushing to a bomb shelter as explosions can be heard in the background.

I rushed to the bomb shelter as rocket sirens sounded in Tel Aviv.

My heart breaks for my neighbors. I see some of their kids crying and the elderly not making it down the stairs in time. pic.twitter.com/G6C3xgAVzM

— India Naftali (@indianaftali) October 9, 2023

Israel has called on a record 300,000 reservists since Saturday, said military spokesperson, after the country announced war against Hamas. This comes as Israel braces for a major counteroffensive against the terrorist group.

The Israel Defense Forces shared a photo on X of a father saying goodbye to his son and promising him of coming back before leaving for the war.

"I promised him I'll be back soon."

This is only one father out of thousands of parents who have had to say goodbye to their children, as 300,000 Israelis report for reserve duty.

The IDF and the people of Israel will stand strong and united in the face of any threat. pic.twitter.com/356qUyLtEW

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 9, 2023

In Israel, every citizen above the age of 18 who is Jewish, Druze or Circassian is required to serve in the army. However, there are a few exceptions. Israeli Arabs, religious women, married individuals, and those deemed mentally or medically unfit are exempted from the compulsory service. Apart from the exemptions, the enlisted men and women are expected to serve for minimum of 32 and 24 months respectively.

 

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