1. An injured child is carried into a hospital after wounded in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua/IANS)
According to Israeli authorities, the militant group has taken up 150 people as hostages in Gaza following its attack on October 7….reports Asian Lite News
Israel’s Energy Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said that there will be no supply of electricity, fuel or water for the Gaza Strip until the Hamas militant group frees hostages.
In a post on X, the Minister said: “No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened and no fuel truck will enter (Gaza) until the Israeli abductees are returned home.
“Humanitarian for humanitarian. And no one will preach us morals.”
According to Israeli authorities, the militant group has taken up 150 people as hostages in Gaza following its attack on October 7.
Israel Katz
In retaliation to the unprecedented assault, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday had ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza, saying he would halt the supply of electricity, food, water and fuel.
The Gaza Strip’s only power station stopped working on Wednesday due to fuel shortages.
As a result, every facility in the hamas-controlled enclave, including the hospitals, are relying on generators, which in turn need fresh supplies of fuel.
On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that the hospitals now risk turning into morgues as they lose power.
“The human misery caused by this escalation is abhorrent, and I implore the sides to reduce the suffering of civilians,” the BBC quoted the ICRC’s regional director for the Near and Middle East, Fabrizio Carboni, as saying.
“As Gaza loses power, hospitals lose power, putting newborns in incubators and elderly patients on oxygen at risk. Kidney dialysis stops, and X-rays can’t be taken.”
Gaza, one of the most densely populated places where some 2 million people live in an area of 140 square miles, has been almost completely cut off from the rest of the world for nearly 17 years, when Hamas seized control.
This prompted Israel and Egypt to impose a strict siege on the territory, which is ongoing.
Israel also maintains an air and naval blockade on Gaza.
More than half of the enclave’s population lives in poverty and is food insecure, with nearly 80 per cent relying on humanitarian assistance.
According to Israeli sources, between 50 and 100 members of the Israeli forces and civilians, including women and children, have been captured and forcibly taken into Gaza…reports Asian Lite News
The death toll in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip has increased to more than 2,100, with more fatalities expected as the violence continued for a fifth day on Wednesday.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Wednesday that at least 1,200 people have died as a result of the Hamas attacks on the Jweish nation.
The Health Ministry said that the fatalities included foreign nationals, while at least 2,806 people were injured.
According to Israeli sources, between 50 and 100 members of the Israeli forces and civilians, including women and children, have been captured and forcibly taken into Gaza.
Palestinian armed groups in Gaza claim to have captured and forcibly taken over 150 people.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run coastal enclave has claimed that the total number of deaths due to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip reached 900, while 4,500 others were injured, including 15 paramedics and 20 journalists.
It also said the fatalities include 260 children and 230 women, as well as 22 families who were killed in their entirety.
The health system in the Gaza Strip is currently suffering from a severe shortage of 44 per cent of medicines, 32 per cent of medical consumables, and 60 pe rcent of laboratory and blood bank supplies, in addition to the collapse of electrical generators and the lack of fuel, according to the Ministry.
UN agencies have said that mass displacement has continued over the past 24 hours across the Gaza Strip, with the total number now at 263,934.
This number is expected to rise further.
Among the displaced, over 175,486 people are seeking shelter in UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) schools, while about 3,000 Palestinians in Gaza remain displaced due to previous escalations.
The OCHA added that 137,427 of the total displaced persons are currently taking shelter in schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency…reports Asian Lite News
The number of people displaced in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict increased to 187,518 as of Tuesday, according to UN agencies.
“Mass displacement has escalated in the past 24 hours across the Gaza Strip, reaching over 187,518, and is expected to increase further,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its latest situation update.
The OCHA added that 137,427 of the total displaced persons are currently taking shelter in schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, four schools and eight healthcare facilities in Gaza have sustained damage, the Office added.
Also in update, the UNRWA said that its Gaza Field Office, where domestic and international staff are present, suffered collateral damage due to airstrikes in the Rimal area.
In total, 18 UNRWA installations have been affected so far, the Agency added.
As the violence raged for a fourth day on Tuesday, the death toll on both sides has increased to nearly 1,600.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed that the death toll and injuries from retaliatory Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have increased to 687 and 3,726, respectively.
According to Israeli government officials, more than 900 people have died, of which 260 people were massacred by Hamas gunmen at a music festival shortly after the group launched its attack.
The officials added that the number of fataltities was expected to rise because rescuers are yet to reach areas where the Hamas militants and Israeli troops are still engaged in fierce battles.
The Israeli Health Ministry said the number of injured people has climbed to 2,616, including 25 in critical condition.
Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline, and restricts who and what goods are allowed in and out through its border crossings…reports Asian Lite News
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday ordered a “complete seige” on the Gaza Strip as forces claimed to have regained all the communities around the coastal enclave on the third day of the conflict with the Hamas militant group.
“No electricity, no food, no fuel,” the BBC quoted the Minister as saying in a televised address.
“We are fighting barbarians and will respond accordingly,” he added.
Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline, and restricts who and what goods are allowed in and out through its border crossings.
Similarly, Egypt controls who passes in and out of its border with Gaza, the BBC reported.
Meanwhile, Hamas on Monday said that it fired 120 rockets toward the southern Israeli cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon in response to Israeli airstrikes.
As a result of the incoming rockets, sirens were sounded in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as well.
According to Israel’s emergency services, in Ashkelon, just north of Gaza, four people were injured, while in Ashdod, a woman was critically injured.
Monday marked the third day of conflict between Israel and Hamas after the militant group launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, prompting the Jewish nation to declare war and pound the Gaza Strip with airstrikes.
So far, the death toll in the Gaza Strip increased to 493 on Monday, with 2,751 people injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Israel has maintained its death toll at more than 700.
At least of 123,538 people have been internally displaced in Gaza in the three days since the conflict broke out, according to UN agencies.
The visit will include an expanded session of discussions with Lavrov on regional and international issues, most notably the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip….reports Asian Lite News
Secretary-General of the Arab League (AL), Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, has headed to Russia to discuss developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Aboul-Gheit on Sunday flew to Moscow on a working visit at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by Gamal Roshdy, spokesman for the AL Secretary-General.
The visit will include an expanded session of discussions with Lavrov on regional and international issues, most notably the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip.
The visit came after Hamas on Saturday launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, which has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 700 Israelis, while the death toll from Israeli retaliatory attacks on Gaza Strip has risen to 413.
Israeli fighter jets strike Gaza military post in response to rocket fire
The violence in Israel and Gaza has sent shockwaves around the world. The Israeli military has issued evacuation warnings to residents in various parts of the Gaza Strip, citing potential retaliation against Hamas
UN, Arab League call for peace as violence returns to the Middle East. Over 550 people were killed as Hamas group’s multi-front attack on Israel which provoked the Jewish state to unleash aerial bombing on civilian spots in Gaza. The toll is expected to continue to rise.
Various civilians as well as Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers are believed to have been abducted and brought into Gaza. Hamas has claimed that the number of hostages is higher than Israel knows, reports The Times of Israel.
At about 6:30 am (local time) on Saturday, a barrage of rocket fire began from Gaza into Israel, hitting several cities including Tel Aviv, Rehovot, Gedera and Ashkelon. The Israeli army has asked residents of several areas of the Gaza Strip to flee their homes in preparation for revenge attacks against Hamas.
Meanwhile, the UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland appeal for peace.
“This is a dangerous precipice and I appeal to all to pull back from the brink,” he said in a statement.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tuerk said: “This attack is having a horrific impact on Israeli civilians… Civilians must never be the target of attack.”
The United Nations Security Council is due to meet on Sunday.
“Secretary-General [Antonio Guterres] is deeply concerned for the civilian population and urges maximum restraint. Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
The UK criticised the attack. “The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians,” said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said. “The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself,” Cleverly said in a post on social media.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves against the “terror of settlers and occupation troops”, the official news agency WAFA quoted him as saying.
He was speaking at an emergency meeting held in Ramallah with a number of top officials from the Palestinian Authority.
In another development, Iran welcomes the Palestine move. An adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei said Iran supported the Palestinians’ attack, the semi-official ISNA news site reported.
“We congratulate the Palestinian fighters,” it quoted adviser Rahim Safavi as saying. “We will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem.”
Iran’s foreign ministry said attacks by its ally Hamas were proof of the Palestinians’ increased confidence in the face of Israel’s occupation.
“In this operation, the element of surprise and other combined methods were used, which show the Palestinian people’s confidence in the face of the occupiers,” ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said.
The attacks “proved that the Zionist regime is more vulnerable than ever and that the initiative is in the hands of Palestinian youth,” government spokesperson Ali Bahadori-Jahromi told state news agency IRNA.
The US condemned “the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel”.
“President [Joe Biden] will continue to receive updates and White House officials remain in close contact with Israeli partners,” the White House said in a statement.
“The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand firmly with the government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks.”
US military chief Lloyd Austin said: “Over the coming days the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”
Call for Peace
Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit urged “an immediate halt to military operations in Gaza” and “the cycle of armed confrontation between the two sides”.
“Israel’s continued implementation of violent and extremist policies is a time bomb depriving the region of any serious opportunity for stability in the foreseeable future.”
Qatar’s foreign ministry issued a statement saying Israel alone was responsible for the ongoing escalation of violence with the Palestinian people, Al Jazeera reported.
It called on both sides to exercise utmost restraint and calls on the international community to prevent Israel from using these events as an excuse to launch a disproportionate war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Egypt called for an “immediate cessation of violence” between Israel and the Palestinians, the state news agency reported.
Egypt warned of “grave consequences” from an escalation in tensions between Israel and the Palestinians in a statement from the foreign ministry carried by the state news agency.
It called for “exercising maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger”.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri also held a call with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to discuss developments, stating that both sides should exercise restraint to avoid serious risks.
Surprise Attacks
Israel was taken by surprise in one of the most serious cross-border attacks it has faced in more than a generation. For months, it has been clear that there was a deepening risk of an explosion between Palestinian armed groups and Israel.
Israelis and Palestinians have been focusing on the West Bank, the territory between Jerusalem and the Jordanian border that Israel has occupied since 1967, where there has been almost continuous confrontation and violence throughout the year.
Armed Palestinians, especially those operating out of the West Bank towns of Jenin and Nablus, have attacked Israeli soldiers and Jewish settlers. The Israeli army has mounted dozens of raids. Armed settlers have taken the law into their own hands, with reprisals against Palestinian villages. No-one expected Hamas to conceive and meticulously plan such a complex and coordinated operation out of Gaza.
This was followed by several Hamas terrorists entering Israel from the Gaza Strip and taking over Israeli towns. Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif called the operation “Al-Aqsa Storm” and said that the assault on Israel was a response to attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and the ongoing siege of Gaza.
Some graphic videos showed bodies strewn in the streets of the southern city of Sderot after the attack by Palestinian militants. Cars were riddled with bullets and lit on fire. Meanwhile, the IDF has said that it has killed seven terrorists attempting to enter Israel via the Zikim Beach just north of Gaza.
The IDF says it prevented the terrorists from infiltrating into Israeli communities. The military also says that it recently struck three operational sites being used by Hamas in Gaza, as per The Times of Israel.
The Israeli security forces have also rescued an unspecified number of people who were taken hostage in a home in the southern town of Ofakim. The terrorists were killed, according to reports.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the IDF has said his country hasn’t regained full control in the wake of attacks from the militant group Hamas on Saturday. “There are still active battles between Israeli security forces and terrorists inside Gaza. And unfortunately, we have not yet been able to re-establish full control over all of our communities and all of our bases,” Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus. “This is the top priority,” he added.
Conricus during a live briefing on Sunday said: “Unprecedented attack requires unprecedented response. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Hamas has started a cruel, evil war and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will use all its strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities.
“Hamas forces invaded Israeli territory this morning, on the morning of a holiday and Shabbat, and murdered innocent civilians, children and the elderly. Hamas started a cruel and evil war. We will win this war, but the price is too heavy to bear. This is a very difficult day for all of us,” the Israeli PM wrote on ‘X’ on Sunday.
The Indian Prime Minister said he was “deeply shocked” by the news of attacks in Israel.
Expressing solidarity with Israel over the rocket strikes launched by Hamas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India’s thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families.
This comes after a barrage of rockets slammed into southern and central Israel on Saturday morning after Hamas launched a surprise attack.
“Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour,” PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Naor Gilon, Israel’s Ambassador to India said that the “situation is not normal” but “Israel will prevail”.
“Thank you@PMOIndia. India’s moral support is much appreciated. Israel will prevail,” Israel envoy posted on X.
According to the latest developments, at least 22 people have been killed in the attack and over 300 people are wounded, with over 70 being seriously injured, The Times of Israel reported.
Following the attacks, the Indian Embassy in Israel on Saturday issued an advisory for its nationals, requesting them to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols.
“In view of the current situation in Israel, all Indian nationals in Israel are requested to remain vigilant, and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities. Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement and stay close to safety shelters. For additional information, please see the Israeli Home Front Command website (https://www.oref.org.il/en or their preparedness brochure. In case of an emergency, please contact us at +97235226748, or leave a message a cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in. The Embassy personnel remain at your disposal for any further guidance,” the advisory read.
Naor Gilon, Israel’s Ambassador to India, appreciated the support of the people of India, adding “We stand firm in the face of terrorism.”
Hamas has also claimed to have kidnapped five IDF soldiers, however, IDF has not yet spoken on the report, according to The Times of Israel
Israel has already declared a state of war in the country after infiltration by Hamas fighters and missile attacks from Gaza.
The Israel Defence Forces launched Operation ‘Iron Swords’ in response to Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, the Times of Israel reported. IDF is striking Hamas targets in Gaza.
The Israeli military is fighting Hamas terrorists in different locations in Southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip, including the towns of Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen, Be’eri and the Re’im military base, The Times of Israel reported. (ANI)
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 7, 2023
“We are at war and we will win,” he asserted in a video statement according to translation provided by Reuters. “Our enemy will pay a price the type of which it has never known,” he added.
The Israeli PM’s statement followed after rockets were launched from Gaza into Israel
According to the latest reports, at least 5 people have been killed and over 100 injured in the Hamas rocket fire.
Israel’s Operation Swords of Iron
The Israel Defence Forces on Saturday launched operation ‘Swords of Iron‘ in response to Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, the Times of Israel reported.
IDF is striking Hamas targets in Gaza. “In response to the barrages of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza at Israel, the IDF is currently striking Hamas targets in Gaza,” Israel Defense Forces said in a post on ‘X’.
The centre and south of Israel came under heavy rocket fire for over 3.5 hours on Saturday morning, The Times of Israel reported.
“Israel is in an emergency” and Lapid would back a “harsh military response” to Hamas’s coordinated attack, a statement from the Opposition’s leader’s office said.
Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant approved the draft of reserve soldiers in accordance with the Isreael Defence Force’s requirements.
He further announced a “special security situation” in Israel’s Homefront, within a 0-80 km radius of the Gaza Strip, The Jerusalem Post reported, adding that this further enabled the IDF to provide civilians with safety instructions at “close and relevant sites”.
⚔️Swords of Iron⚔️
The IDF is initiating a large-scale operation to defend Israeli civilians against the combined attack launched against Israel by Hamas this morning. pic.twitter.com/O2fuWjFvNb
The daily reported earlier that after a barrage of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel.
Following the attack, red alert warning sirens were activated in Tel Aviv, located around 70 kilometres from the Gaza Strip, as well as, Sde Boker, Arad, and Dimona in the south.
Israeli Mayor killed
The head of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, Ofir Liebstein, was killed in the deadly rocket fire from Hamas into Israel on Saturday morning, The Times of Israel reported, citing local sources.
“Ofir was killed when he went to defend a town during the terrorist attack,” the report said, quoting a statement from the Council.
The deputy head of the Council, Yossi Keren, has taken interim charge of the body following Liebstein’s death, The Times of Israel reported.
Israeli fighter jets strike Gaza military post in response to rocket fire
Israel: Death toll from Hamas rocket fire rises to 4. The Mayor of Kuseife, Abd al-Aziz Nassara, confirmed the toll.
The toll in the Hamas rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel climbed to 4 on Saturday, The Times of Israel reported.
The daily reported earlier that after a barrage of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel.
The mayor of Kuseife, Abd al-Aziz Nassara, confirmed the toll, adding that several more have been wounded as the rockets from Gaza rained on the town.
Kuseife, a Bedouin town in southern Israel, is located around 65 kilometres from the Gaza Strip.
According to reports, a woman was killed earlier in the rocket attack and their multiple injuries as well.
Following the attack, red alert warning sirens were activated in Tel Aviv, located around 70 kilometres from the Gaza Strip, as well as, Sde Boker, Arad, and Dimona in the south.
Residents living across these areas heard the massive explosions, according to The Times of Israel.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Yair Lapid received a security briefing from the Israeli Prime Minister’s military secretary, Avi Gil, following the attack.
This morning terrorists launched an unprovoked attack against Israel.
Our people were awoken by the sounds of sirens, shooting & explosions. The rocket attacks against innocent civilians are relentless.
The whole world must stand with Israel as we defend ourselves from terror.
“Israel is in an emergency” and Lapid would back a “harsh military response” to Hamas’s coordinated attack, a statement from the Opposition’s leader’s office said.
Apart from the woman, who died of her wounds, the injured included a 52-year-old man from Gederot, who was moderately injured, and a 20-year-old man from Yavne, who also sustained minor injuries. Both victims were transferred to Kaplan Hospital, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The Israel Defense Forces, meanwhile, declared a state of readiness for war following the attack.
“There has been widespread rocket fire into Israeli territory from Gaza, and terrorists have infiltrated Israeli territory through various entry points. Residents in the south and centre of the country are required to be in close proximity to protected areas, and those in the Gaza periphery should remain within a secure space,” the IDF added in its statement.
The IDF said it was carrying out retaliatory airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. The strikes come nearly two hours after Hamas launched a surprise attack, the Israeli daily reported.
The Israel Defense Forces has closed the roads near the Gaza Strip border as Hamas’s rocket fires in Israel, according to The Times of Israel.
The closed roads include, Route 4 from the Zikim junction to Netiv Ha’asara; Route 34 from the Yad Mordechai junction to Nir Am; and Route 232 from Mefalsim to Sa’ad and Nir Yitzhak to Kerem Shalom.
The army said it has also closed all routes used by farmers in the area.
Additionally, the Zikim beach on the Gaza border is also closed off, The Times of Israel reported.
Further, according to the IDF, the trains will not run between Ashkelon and Sderot. (ANI)
Mohammed Deif reveals 5,000 rockets launched in ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Storm’ against Israel on early Saturday.
In a massive escalation, Hamas military leader, Mohammed Deif, announced the commencement of a new military operation against Israel, named “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.”
In a recorded statement, Deif stated that 5,000 rockets were launched into Israel on Saturday, and urged all Palestinians to confront Israel.
🔴 Initial Report: Terrorists have infiltrated Israel from Gaza. Residents in the area have been asked to stay in their homes. Details to follow.
Simultaneously, Israel reported an infiltration from Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed that “a number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory,” though specific details were not provided.
Last month, the Israeli military struck a military post belonging to the Hamas organization which rules the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to a statement released by the Israeli army.
The strike, carried out using an unmanned aerial vehicle, came in response to a demonstration held by residents of the territory adjacent to the border with Israel.
Israeli soldiers operate an artillery battery from a position at the Israeli-Gaza border. (Photo Ilia Yefimovich dpa)
The military also struck at Hamas targets after incendiary balloons were sent from the Gaza Strip and caused fire on the Israeli side of the border.
Palestinian protestors have been gathering at the border in the past week, burning tires and throwing explosive devices at Israeli troops.
The demonstrators and Hamas say the protests are in response to recent Jewish visits to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aid Hamas shall pay full price if they try to carry out attacks against Israel.
“Whoever tries to hurt us, whoever finances and organizes, whoever dispatches terrorists against Israel, will pay the full price,” said Netanyahu in a televised statement.
The remark came after Hamas’ deputy political chief Salah al-Arouri threatened a “multi-front war” if Israel tried to assassinate more Palestinian leaders.
