Official-Focus Of Troops On N. Gaza, South's Turn Will Come Later

Reuters reporting comments from an unnamed Israeli official stating that the "Focus of Gaza combat is on the north, the south's turn will come later". The ground operations by the Israeli Defence Forces have so far been limited, but it appears that the number of tanks and armoured vehicles closing in on Gaza City from the north are increasing, with the BBC reporting "Israeli forces have penetrated the northern neighbourhoods of Gaza City - and that there are armoured vehicles on both of the main north-to-south roads."

• On the unmanned dronefired by Houthi rebels in Yemen towards Israel, the official calls the attack "intolerable", but does not say if or how Israel will respond. BBC: "The Houthis' military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised statement it was their third operation targeting Israel - and that more would follow. Houthi forces "will continue to carry out special operations until the Israeli aggression ends". Hezbollah in the north had been seen as the primary threat to Israel from external actors, but the Houthi rebels - like Hezbollah backed by Iran - also have the means via Iranian drone tech to attack Israel.
• Late last week a number of Middle Eastern outlets reported claims that talks were progressing between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Qatar, that a deal might be in the offing on the release of Israeli hostages. However, it appears these were premature, with the official stating there is "No hostage deal in sight."