Hamas said on Saturday its Gaza militants are ready to confront Israeli attacks at "full force" after Israel widened air and ground assaults. This came as phone and internet were cut for over 10 hours, which telecom firms said resulted from Israeli strikes. An Israeli military spokesman said ground forces are expanding operations, raising questions of a possible Gaza invasion. Hamas said its fighters clashed with Israeli troops in northern and central Gaza. The clashes follow days of Israeli bombardment after Hamas's October 7 multi-front attack that killed 1,400 Israelis. Since then, Palestinian authorities say Israeli strikes have killed over 7,000 Palestinians. With Israeli troops massed at Gaza's border, Hamas vowed to frustrate any incursions, as both sides signal readiness for further escalation.

The suspect in the deadliest US mass shooting this year, Robert Card, was found dead in Maine from a self-inflicted gunshot after a two-day manhunt mobilizing hundreds of law enforcement. Card, a 40-year-old Army reservist, is believed to be behind the rampage at a bowling alley and bar that left 18 dead and 13 wounded in the city of Lewiston. Officials expressed relief Card was no longer a threat. The victims ranged from a couple in their 70s to a 14-year-old boy killed with his father. Card's body was reportedly found in a wooded area near his former workplace. Authorities had deployed extensive resources to locate Card after the shocking attack, with the discovery of his body providing some closure amid grief for the many lives lost.

India abstained from the UN General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access in the Israel-Hamas conflict because it did not mention Hamas. The resolution was proposed by Jordan and backed by over 40 nations. It passed by 120 votes in favor, 14 against, and 45 abstentions, including India, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK. An amendment proposed by Canada unequivocally rejecting Hamas attacks and hostage-taking failed despite India's support. The non-binding resolution comes as Israel retaliates for Hamas's October 7 attacks that killed over 1,400 Israelis. India's abstention reflected concerns about omitting Hamas in the UN call for truce and aid amid the hostilities.

Israel angrily dismissed a UN General Assembly resolution passed overwhelmingly on Friday that called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, but did not mention Hamas. Israeli ambassador Gilad Erdan called it a "day of infamy" and said the UN has "no legitimacy or relevance." Despite the 120 votes in favor of a ceasefire, Israel stated it would continue military operations against Hamas, which it sees as a terrorist group. Hamas welcomed the resolution demanding a truce and access to aid. The rival Palestinian Authority also backed the move amid intensifying Israeli strikes. The US and several Western nations abstained or voted no, agreeing the omission of Hamas was problematic.

Hamas welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and demanded its immediate implementation, including allowing fuel and aid into the territory. In a statement, Hamas said it supports the UNGA resolution passed overwhelmingly on Friday, though without mentioning the militant group. The rival Palestinian Authority also welcomed the resolution amid Israel's intensifying campaign. The US and most Western nations did not back the resolution due to its omission of Hamas. Hamas said the ceasefire must take effect right away and allow the entry of vital supplies for Gaza's civilian population as fighting continues.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said he lost contact with his wife's family trapped in Gaza as Israel expands its ground offensive. Yousaf previously said his in-laws were trapped in Gaza amid intensifying Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire. With internet connectivity in Gaza severely disrupted, Yousaf tweeted he could not reach his family and prayed for their safety. He joined calls for an immediate ceasefire, putting pressure on UK Labour leader Keir Starmer who aligned with the government in only seeking a humanitarian pause. The IDF said it "significantly expanded" ground operations in Gaza overnight. The UK affirmed Israel's right to self-defense but pushed for civilian protections.

The UN General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution on Friday calling for an immediate "humanitarian truce" in Gaza leading to a halt in fighting between Israel and Hamas. The resolution passed with 120 votes in favor, 14 against, and 45 abstentions. The Assembly rejected a Canadian amendment backed by the US that sought to condemn Hamas's Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and demand hostage releases. The resolution marks the UN's first response to the outbreak of violence, but lacks an explicit condemnation of Hamas's actions. Israel and Hamas have shown no signs of ceasing hostilities since fighting escalated last week. (Ime Courtesy: United Nations on X)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued another urgent appeal for greater humanitarian aid access to Gaza on Friday, warning the enclave's system is nearing "total collapse." Guterres said "life-saving" food, water, medicine and fuel must be allowed to reach Gazan civilians "swiftly, safely and at scale." Prior to recent hostilities, 500 aid trucks entered Gaza daily, but now only about 12 do, despite drastically increased needs. "History is judging us all," Guterres said, calling for support of aid agencies to prevent the crisis from deepening. He said civilian suffering in Gaza is increasing "by the minute."

Online calls are growing for SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to be provided in Gaza amid an almost total communications blackout. The hashtag "#StarlinkForGaza" is trending on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, with over 500,000 posts appealing to SpaceX owner Elon Musk. However, Musk has not responded and it's unclear if Starlink can expand to Gaza due to a lack of terminals and Israel's blockade. Musk has shown little willingness to aid communications for Palestinians in Gaza. Meanwhile, SpaceX is in talks with Israel to rollout Starlink there per reports. Providing Starlink service would allow Gazans to communicate with the outside world during the fighting.

Reports indicate intense Israeli airstrikes heavier than prior nights underway in Gaza on Friday night. Phone and internet communications are down in the territory. The IDF said it is expanding Gaza ground operations tonight amid the communication blackout and continuing bombardment. An IDF spokesperson instructed Gaza City residents to seek safety as strikes will continue, specifically referencing Al-Shifa hospital, alleged by Israel to be used by Hamas for tunnels and command centers. Al-Shifa is Gaza's largest hospital currently hosting thousands displaced and wounded. Earlier in the day, reports suggested that discussions were progressing about a possible ceasefire linked to the release of hostages held in Gaza. However, Hamas has continued rocket attacks on Israel amid Israel's bombing campaign since October 7th.