Israel: No Electricity or Water in Gaza Until Hostages Are Freed
According to Hamas media reports, 15 Palestinians were killed and several others were wounded in the recent Israeli airstrikes. The ongoing conflict in the region continues to result in casualties and destruction.
Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Continues Amid Hostage Standoff
Israel has confirmed that it will maintain the humanitarian embargo on the Gaza Strip until all of its hostages are freed. This declaration comes after the Red Cross made a request for gasoline to be imported into Gaza in the hopes of preventing overcrowded hospitals from turning into "morgues."
Retaliation for the Deadliest Attack
As a form of vengeance for what it views as the bloodiest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, Israel has vowed to eradicate the Hamas movement, which currently holds power in the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of armed people broke through the barrier wire on a Saturday to carry out this attack, which spread across Israeli cities.
No humanitarian break without hostage freedom
Israel Katz, Israel's Minister of Energy, has made it clear that unless Israeli prisoners are released, Israel will not lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip. Humanitarian help to Gaza? he asked. Until the Israeli prisoners are released, no power will be switched on, no water will flow from the hydrant, and no fuel will be delivered. Help those who help others. Furthermore, nobody has the right to lecture us on ethics.
Escalating violence and humanitarian crises
Hamas fighters have been responsible for killing at least 1,200 people, with most of the victims being civilians shot in their homes or on the streets. Scores of hostages have been taken back to Gaza.
As Israeli forces regained control of towns, the scale of the killings has become evident, with homes found strewn with bodies, including women who were raped and killed and children who were shot and burned.
Israel's reaction has been the most severe siege and intensive bombing campaign in the conflict's 75-year history, affecting a population of 2.3 million people in the enclave. As a result, entire communities have been wiped out.
More than 1,200 people have been killed and nearly 5,000 injured in the attacks, according to reports from the government of Gaza. Emergency generator fuel is running low, and the only power plant has been shut down.
International Red Cross Concerns
The International Committee of the Red Cross regional head, Fabrizio Carboni, has voiced serious concerns about the humanitarian situation. He pleaded with all sides to reduce casualties among civilians. Newborns in incubators and elderly patients on oxygen are in peril as hospitals in Gaza struggle to function without power. Without power, medical procedures like kidney dialysis and X-rays cannot be performed, and hospitals run the risk of becoming morgues.
Israel Prepares for Possible Ground Assault
A new unity war government has been created in Israel, and hundreds of thousands of reservists have been called up in case an Israeli ground assault on Gaza becomes necessary. Although an invasion has not been decided upon, preparations have begun. The Hamas "Nukhba Force," which helmed Saturday's operations, has become the target of renewed nocturnal attacks.
US Secretary of State's Visit
Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State of the United States, has arrived in Israel as part of a tour of the area with the goals of demonstrating support for Israel and assisting in efforts to stop the war from expanding. In addition, he will go to Jordan.
Hussein Al-Sheikh, the secretary-general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, stated that Blinken would meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday.
