Gaza on verge of 'catastrophe,' UNICEF says

Oct 31: The head of the main UN agency operating in Gaza told the UN Security Council the enclave's entire population is "being dehumanized," as Israel maintains its bombardment and expanded ground offensive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday ruled out a pause in fighting, saying "This is a time for war," even as UN agencies call for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow deliveries of aid to more than 2 million trapped civilians.

Numerous hospitals in Gaza have borne the brunt of airstrikes and shelling, according to aid groups and health workers, while dozens of UN aid workers and journalists have been killed since the conflict erupted earlier this month.

A female Israeli soldier has been rescued from Hamas in the first successful hostage extrication since the militant group's October 7 rampage, Israel's military said. Meanwhile, Hamas released a video of three women believed to be among 238 hostages Israel says remain in Gaza.