The Al-Qassam Brigades (armed wing of Hamas) has launched a third series of operations in Gaza, dubbed "Lions of al-Muntar). This series of operations will take place in the Shujaiyya district in eastern Gaza City and may extend to the Al-Tuffah district.

In the first operation, they launched what was likely an anti-tank projectile at an Israeli armoured jeep and engaged in small-arms clashes with Israeli forces.

The second and third operations targeted two Israeli tanks with anti-tank projectiles.

The fourth involved another cell firing on a building which an Israeli force had occupied, with small-arms fire and machine guns.

The name "Lions of Al-Muntar" references the "Al-Muntar hill" which Israeli forces currently occupy and overlooks part of the Shujaiyya district. The "Lions" part may reference the largely dormant militant group based in the West Bank city of Nablus "Lions' Den".

The IDF announced that the 16th "Jerusalem" Infantry Brigade has "completed their activity" and will be withdrawn from the Gaza Strip after a two-month long deployment. They fought in the Shujaiyya and Tuffah districts in the eastern part of Gaza City and reportedly destroyed over 600 "infrastructures" used by Hamas.

They will likely be replaced by the new units which are being brought up to reinforce and expand Israel's clearing operations.

Putin has replaced Russia's Commander-In-Chief of the Ground Forces, Oleg Salyukov, with Andrey Mordvichev.

Salyukov has commanded the ground forces since May 2014. He was often regarded as more "old-school" in his beliefs on how to conduct his troops. He will turn 70 in a few days, by which you are required by law to retire from active service. Salyukov has been appointed as Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council.

Mordvichev previously commanded the Central Military District as well as the group of forces "Centre" and was responsible for commanding Russian forces in the Siege of Mariupol and the battle of Avdiivka. Colonel General Valery Nikolaevich Solodchuk has in turn been appointed as Commander of the Central military District. He previously served as the Commander of the Group of Forces "Kursk"; however, it's currently unknown who will replace Solodchuk in this position.

This is the most significant reshuffling of the Russian Ground Forces since the beginning of the war.

Israeli forces have launched an incursion into the city of Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza. Ground forces were deployed and are ordering residents to evacuate the western part of the city, while drones equipped with loudspeakers urge residents in other parts of the city to remain indoors. Local sources report that multiple arrests have been carried out in Beit Lahiya.

Several Israeli airstrikes have targeted the city, many of which in the same area. Artillery shelling and machine-gun fire from helicopters is also reported.

It is currently unclear if this is the beginning of a larger offensive on Northern Gaza.

Local reports suggest that the "Indonesian Hospital" in western Beit Lahiya is overflowing with the dead and wounded. Dozens of Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the past couple hours. The Indonesian Hospital is one of only two hospitals in Northern Gaza which are still open, both of which are only partially operational.

Iskander on Mykolaiv Oblast

It was an air defence missile, targeting Ukrainian UAVs

Russian forces have captured the village of Myrolyubivka, Pokrovsk direction, Donetsk Oblast.

Pre-war population: ~597

Russian forces have captured the village of Mykhailivka, Pokrovsk direction, Donetsk Oblast.

Pre-war population: ~60.

Russian forces have recaptured the village of Bohdanivka, Novopavlivka direction, Donetsk Oblast.

Pre-war population: ~26.

The talks in Istanbul yesterday reportedly lasted less than two hours. The Russian delegation stated that Ukraine must withdraw its forces from Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts in exchange for a ceasefire. Ukrainian sources called these demands "unrealistic" and go "far beyond what was demanded" during the Istanbul talks of 2022.

Nevertheless, it is reported that a 1000 for 1000 POW exchange has been agreed and is scheduled to take place in the near future. At the same time, 909 fallen Ukrainian soldiers were exchanged for 34 fallen Russian soldiers, although it is unclear if this was related to the talks.

Reuters and AFP both report that while a new round of talks has not been scheduled, it is possible that it may take place in Istanbul at some point.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that a Ukrainian F-16 crashed while trying to intercept Russian Geran-2 drones. They claimed that it had already shot down 3, but that an emergency occurred on board while trying to shoot down a 4th one.

The pilot successfully ejected and survived. This is the third Ukrainian F-16 to be lost so far.