A Hamas leader has said that the group is prepared for any potential deployment of Israeli troops inside Gaza amid strong indications that Israel is preparing a ground offensive into the besieged enclave in response to Saturday’s attack.

“We are not afraid. We are a strong people. We have a strong determination to continue. We have a lot of fighters and a lot of people who want to support us,” said Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas political bureau.

“Even people in the borders of Jordan, Lebanon and everywhere, they want to come here and fight for us. Gaza is not a garden and it will be very costly for them,” Hamad warned.

“Since the beginning of this operation we sent 1,200 fighters who succeeded in destroying the image of Israel, the security of Israel, the intelligence of Israel, and the image that Israel is a superpower,” he said.

Fact check: 40 Israeli babies beheaded by Hamas fighters?

Fact Check: Did Taliban ask for passage from neighboring countries to reach Jerusalem?

Hamas denies Biden claim its fighters beheaded children

Hamas denied claims its fighters targeted civilians during Saturday’s attack in Israel that left hundreds dead.

“Give us one picture that Hamas killed civilians, that Hamas killed children, that Hamas killed women. We don’t kill civilians,” Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, told Al Jazeera.

On Wednesday, the White House was also forced to backtrack on a claim by US President Joe Biden that he has seen pictures of Hamas fighters beheading children in southern Israel.

Israel Health Ministry said 423 wounded are still hospitalized—including 111 in serious condition—189 in moderate condition and 113 in mild condition.

According to the ministry's data, since Saturday, 3,297 wounded have been evacuated to hospitals – including 28 in critical condition, 335 in serious condition, 581 in moderate condition, and 1,805 in mild condition. This is in addition to 142 anxiety victims.

Tel Aviv University postpones start of school year

Tel Aviv University announced that the first day of classes are postponed to November 5. Other educational institutions are also expected to announce delaying the opening of the school year.

International Committee of Red Cross

An International Committee of Red Cross said that three of five water plants in Gaza are out of service due to bombing and lack of fuel.