Conflict is intensifying between Israel and Palestine as Israeli officials ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip.
On Monday, two days after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack in Israel, killing hundreds of civilians, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the “total blockade.”
In a videostatementshared on X, Gallant said Israel is “putting a complete siege on Gaza,” adding that the escalation meant “no electricity, no food, no water, no gas” for the Palestinian-controlled area along the Mediterranean Sea. Of Gaza’s resources, he said, “It’s all closed,” according toAl Jazeera.
Maja Hitij/Getty, MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty
The escalation comes after Hamas launched a series of surprise attacks throughout Israel on Saturday, culminating in the death of more than 700 Israelis, according to anupdatefrom the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
As of 12:15 a.m. local time Monday, the IDF reported that 2,150 Israelis were injured and more than 3,200 rockets had been fired on Israel from Gaza. In retaliation, Israeli defense forces had struck 653 Hamas targets, per the report.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that 493 people in the Gaza Strip had died and more than 2,700 have been injured as Israel launched retaliatory attacks on what it called Hamas targets in Gaza.
“Residents of Gaza: Leave now because we will operate forcefully everywhere,” Netanyahu said in a speech Saturday as he warned that Israel would attack targets believed to be associated with Hamas and turn them “into islands of ruins,” the outlet reported.
On Monday, he said the battle with Hamas “has only just begun” as he told leaders that “what Hamas will go through will be tough and terrible,” perThe New York Times.
Israeli forces establish heavily-armed control points along the border following Hamas' attack.Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty
Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty
There are reportedly over 150 Israelis being held hostage in Gaza, according to theTimes, and some of themincludeU.S. citizens that are currently “unaccounted for.”
As of Monday, nine Americans have beenconfirmeddead in Israel, according to a statement from the US National Security Council, the outlet reported.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected, and wish those injured a speedy recovery," the statement said. “We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in touch with our Israeli partners, particularly the local authorities.”
Palestinian militants fire missiles at Israel on October 7, 2023.Momen Faiz/NurPhoto via Getty
Momen Faiz/NurPhoto via Getty
He continued, “Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”
A Palestinian man carries a child rescued from the Tattari family home which was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City.EYAD AL-BABA/AFP via Getty
EYAD AL-BABA/AFP via Getty
Since Hamas gained control of Gaza, its two neighbors, Israel and Egypt, have exerted control over its borders. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Israel imposed a blockade on “land, air and sea” in the Gaza Strip after Hamas’ takeover, which the UN-Secretary General said “contravene[s],” or violates, international humanitarian law.
The “stifling” blockade had “already placed heavy restrictions on the entry and exit of goods and people” in Gaza, per theNew York Times.
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Of Gaza’s 2.1 million million residents, approximately 1.7 million are Palestinian refugees, per the UNRWA. More than 123,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced since the fighting escalated on Saturday, according to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
source: people.com
