Israel encircles Gaza, declares 'no ceasefire until hostages released'

The Israel-Hamas war entered its 28^th day on Friday. Explosions were seen in Gaza Strip on Friday as Israel encircled the Palestinian enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that there would be no ceasefire until all the hostages are released.

The Gaza conflict began on October 7 when Hamas militants went on the rampage in southern Israel, killing 1,400 people, and kidnapping 230 others, prompting a massive Israeli retaliation that medics in the Hamas-run territory say has killed more than 9,200 people, half of them children.