CBS News
Israel tells north Gaza residents to evacuate with ground invasion expected
In a briefing early Saturday morning, an Israeli military spokesperson hinted that Israeli soldiers are preparing for a possible ground incursion into Gaza.
“Around the Gaza Strip, as have been for many days, are Israeli reserve soldiers in formation, that are getting ready for the next stage of operations,” Israel Defense Forces international spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said in a video. “They are all around the Gaza Strip. In the south, in the center, and in the north. And they are preparing themselves for whatever target they will get, whatever task.”
Israeli defense officials said Friday that ground forces have launched raids into Gaza for the first time since the Hamas invasion, hunting for militants and the more than 120 hostages they are holding.
Earlier this week, Israel said that it had deployed about 300,000 soldiers to the border with Gaza. Israel late Thursday and early Friday issued evacuation orders to the approximately 1.1 million residents of northern Gaza, warning them to leave evacuate south, with tens of thousands appearing to heed that call.
That order, however, prompted criticism from the United Nations, which said it was “impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences.”
“We advertised our intentions in advance, not because it has any military logic, it doesn’t,” Conricus said Saturday. “Because we want civilians not to be affected by the war … We are not trying to kill or injure any civilians, we are fighting against Hamas.”
He said there has been “a significant movement of Palestinian civilians towards the south,” since the order was issued.
Since the Hamas invasion, Israel has issued a complete blockade on Gaza, with no food, water, gas, medicine or electricity allowed in, putting the region on the brink of a humanitarian crisis.
At least 423,000 Palestinians have been displaced since the conflict began Oct. 7, the U.N. reported Friday.
The International Committee of the Red Cross on Saturday also called for a “pause in the fighting” in order for humanitarian groups to go into Gaza and provide aid to Palestinians.
“With a military siege in place, humanitarian organizations including the ICRC will not be able to assist such a massive displacement of people in Gaza,” the group said. “The needs are staggering, and humanitarian organizations must be able to increase aid operations.”
CBS News
World awaits potential Israel, Hamas cease-fire news as leaders head to Qatar
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
Why Biden apologized to Native Americans
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, dies at 84
Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, died Friday, a producer who worked with him confirmed to CBS News. He was 84 years old.
A post on his Instagram account said Lesh “passed peacefully this morning.”
“He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time,” the post said.
One of America’s most enduring musical groups, The Grateful Dead was formed as a quintet in California in 1965, according to their official website. Jerry Garcia, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Bob Weir Bill Kreutzmann and Phil Lesh made up the original band members. The band signed to Warner Brothers in late 1966, releasing their self-titled debut later that spring.
The band went on to tour for the next half-decade — an era, the band said was their most creatively fertile. Somea members left, some died, and others were added, but the original magic of Phil Lesh and Jerry Garcia stayed intact through some of their most tumultuous years. Garcia died in 1995.
The Grateful Dead toured extensively garnering legions of fans around the world for their ability to play music and “jam.”
In 2007, the band received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Recording Academy.
The band broke the record for the most Top 40 albums to chart on the Billboard 200 in 2024. Even though the band disbanded in 1995 following the death of singer Jerry Garcia, its archival albums’ popularity pushed the music into the Top 40. Forty-one of the band’s 59 entries in the Top 40 have happened since 2012.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings