By- Srushti sharma
Hamas is attempting to track down 8 dual citizens of Russia and Israel who were kidnapped in order to release them at Moscow's request.
Russia has strong ties with Hamas, which it does not view as a terrorist organisation, and it has started a diplomatic initiative to try and rescue the hostages detained in Gaza.
Last night, there were heavy assaults in Gaza, with the Israeli army claiming the death of a senior Hamas commander
A spokesman for Israel Defence claimed that the forces were "still in the field" and that their adversary was less powerful.
He added that food and water-carrying relief vehicles would be permitted entry into Gaza today.
Not only has the region been hit by the Israeli strikes, they are also facing severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicines.
In the midst of Friday's nighttime strikes, phone and internet services were also suspended.
Journalists covering the conflict said that following the night of intense bombing, a thick cloud of smoke enveloped Gaza and southern Israel.
"The northern part of the Gaza Strip experienced an unprecedented level of bombardment.
According to Hamas, its agents are prepared to repel Israeli assaults in Gaza with "full force".
The militant Palestinian organisation that controls Gaza claimed that its agents were engaged in combat with Israeli forces in areas close to the Israeli border.