Egyptian state-linked broadcaster Al Qahera News said the Rafah border crossing – the only one in and out of besieged Gaza not controlled by Israel

UNITED NATIONS (TIP): Israeli authorities announced plans to evacuate the northern city of Kiryat Shmona on Friday, October 20,  after days of clashes with Hezbollah fighters along the border with Lebanon. “A short while ago, the Northern Command informed the mayor of the city of the decision. The plan will be managed by the local authority, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Defense,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

President Joe Biden on Thursday, October 19,  said Hamas and Russia are both out to “annihilate” democracies in an impassioned speech to the nation from the Oval Office, where he made the case for U.S. assistance to Ukraine and Israel. Mr. Biden exhorted the U.S. Congress to approve urgent military support for Israel and Ukraine, saying the aid would boost U.S. security “for generations.” Meanwhile, Palestinians in war-torn Gaza on Thursday, October 19,  eagerly awaited the arrival of aid trucks promised in a deal struck by U.S. President Joe Biden, as Israel’s military kept up its bombardment of targets in the Hamas-run enclave.

Egyptian state-linked broadcaster Al Qahera News said the Rafah border crossing — the only one in and out of besieged Gaza not controlled by Israel — would open on Friday, October 20.

Gaza has been hit by a relentless barrage of Israeli fire in retaliation for a Hamas militant attack on October 7, which Israel said killed at least 1,400 people, most of them civilians.

(With inputs from Agencies)