Blinken says Palestinian voices key to Gaza future

Death Toll Continues to Rise , Amid Israel’s Ground Invasion of Gaza. Al Jazeera reports that Israeli forces have faced fierce opposition in their advance toward Gaza as the war's death toll continues to climb. On November 2, the Israeli Defense Force announced that it had lost the commander of its 53rd battalion, bringing the death toll since Israel began its ground invasion to 18. . Members of Hamas and its ally, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), have utilized a vast underground network to wage a guerrilla war against incoming Israeli military forces. . Members of Hamas and its ally, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), have utilized a vast underground network to wage a guerrilla war against incoming Israeli military forces. . Al Jazeera reports that the commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Salman Habaka, is believed to be the highest-ranking Israeli officer killed in the ground invasion of Gaza. . Israeli forces continue to close in on Gaza's population hub in the north, where citizens have been ordered to evacuate or risk being considered "terrorist accomplices.". The latest fighting broke out after Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory, killing an estimated 1,400 people, primarily civilians. . According to authorities in Gaza, the ensuing Israeli bombardment of the enclave has claimed over 9,000 lives, including over 3,700 children. . According to authorities in Gaza, the ensuing Israeli bombardment of the enclave has claimed over 9,000 lives, including over 3,700 children. . The continued air and artillery assault has also decimated Gaza's infrastructure and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. . The continued air and artillery assault has also decimated Gaza's infrastructure and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. . Al Jazeera reports that the war has drawn growing criticism from activists, world leaders and international organizations. . On November 2, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled for his third diplomatic visit to Israel since the war began. . On November 2, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled for his third diplomatic visit to Israel since the war began.