Israel expands ground offensive inside Gaza

Israel expands ground offensive inside Gaza; families urge ‘all for all’ hostage deal

The Times of Israel is liveblogging Saturday’s events 

Israel said to target Syrian posts in response to earlier shelling

Syrian opposition media says Israel has targeted Syrian Army posts, and pro-Iranian militia positions, in the Quneitra area of southern Syria.

Hamas supporters take to the streets in West Bank city of Tulkarem

A mass rally is ongoing in the West Bank city of Tulkarem, as hundreds of protesters wave Hamas flags and chant in support of the Gaza-ruling terror group

Hamas deputy chief meets with speaker of Lebanon’s Parliament

Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri meets in Beirut with Nabih Berri, the speaker of Lebanon’s parliament and a Hezbollah ally.

The Hamas leader, accompanied by other members of the Gaza-ruling terror group’s political bureau, including Ghazi Hamad, speaks with Berri about the ongoing conflict with Israel and the need to allow humanitarian convoys into Gaza

Berri, head of the Shiite Amal movement, congratulates Hamas for its brutal onslaught against Israel on October 7, in which 1,400 Israelis were killed, most of them civilians.

Warning sirens activated in parts of Ashkelon

Rocket warning sirens are triggered in parts of the southern coastal city of Ashkelon.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations held in numerous European and Muslim countries

 Police encircle hundreds of people who defy a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central Paris. The officers try to contain the protest but fire tear gas when tensions rise as a breakaway group tries to march.

The protest collective known as Urgence Palestine called for a ceasefire in the increasingly intense war between Israel and Hamas. At least 80 people are given citations, according to French media. Other pro-Palestinian demonstrations are held in Marseille and Strasbourg in the east.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin’s order to ban pro-Palestinian demonstrations in France was trimmed back by the nation’s highest administrative authority. The Council of State ruled any protests in favor of either side in the war are to be authorized on a case-by-case basis after assessing risks to public order.

IDF hits Hezbollah compound, observation posts after attacks along border

The Israel Defense Forces says it struck a compound belonging to the Hezbollah terror group and a number of observation posts in southern Lebanon in response to rocket and missile attacks today.

The IDF publishes footage showing one of the strikes.

Rocket lands in Ashdod, damages property; several treated for anxiety

Sirens sound in Ashdod, Ashkelon and other southern communities

Incoming rocket alerts sound in numerous southern communities, including the coastal cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon.