Hamas Threatens Executions as Israeli Military Strikes Gaza; Death Toll Rises to 900
The ongoing conflict between Hamas and the Israeli military has reached a critical point as Hamas militants continue to hold Israeli soldiers and civilians hostage. In a chilling threat, Hamas has warned that they will execute a captive for every home in Gaza hit without warning. However, as Israeli airstrikes intensify and sections of Gaza are razed, there is no evidence yet that Hamas has carried out this threat.
The Israeli military has conducted a series of airstrikes, with dozens of fighter jets striking over 200 targets in a neighborhood of Gaza City overnight. As a result of the relentless attacks, the death toll in Gaza has risen significantly, with the Gaza health ministry reporting at least 900 people killed and 4,600 wounded. Israeli public broadcaster Kan has even suggested that the weekend death toll alone may have reached 1,200.
Meanwhile, the conflict has spilled over into southern Israel, as Hamas gunmen rampaged through parts of the region in what is being described as the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel’s history.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that there will be a significant change in Gaza, stating, What was in Gaza will no longer be. Israel has already begun its offensive from the air, and there are plans to extend the operation to ground troops. To prepare for what lies ahead, Israel has called up an unprecedented 300,000 reservists, and Israeli airlines are adding flights to bring these reservists back to the country.
The impact of Israeli strikes on Gaza has been devastating. According to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, the attacks have destroyed over 22,600 residential units and 10 health facilities. Additionally, 48 schools have been damaged, further exacerbating the dire situation for Gazan residents.
The violence has also taken its toll on Hamas, as two members of the organization’s political office were killed in an airstrike in Khan Younis. This marks the first time that senior Hamas members have been killed since Israel began its offensive.
The situation is further complicated by attacks launched from Lebanon and Syria. Rockets from southern Lebanon targeted Israel’s northern border, prompting Israeli shelling in return. In addition, shells launched from Syrian territory landed in open areas in Israel, leading to further concerns that the violence could escalate into a wider war.
Amidst the chaos, heartbreaking stories emerge. A 21-year-old Israeli woman has shared her anguish after her father, sister, grandmother, and cousin went missing on Saturday, while video footage shows her 12-year-old brother being taken by gunmen. Similarly, Plestia Alaqad, a 22-year-old Gazan, is among the many who have been forced to flee for their lives. After her apartment block was hit, she sought refuge in a friend’s home, only to receive a call that it would also be targeted. She briefly stayed in a hospital before finding another place to shelter.
Tragically, the rescue efforts in Gaza have proved challenging as the bodies of a 4-year-old girl and several others were discovered in the rubble of a municipal building where they had sought refuge. The situation has left volunteer Mohammad al Najjar lamenting, They tried to escape death only to find it.
The conflict has also had international implications. President Joe Biden has condemned the Hamas attacks, describing them as an act of sheer evil. At least 14 U.S. citizens have been killed in the violence. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to visit Israel as a show of solidarity.
The situation has also prompted Egypt to take action to prevent a mass exodus from the Gaza Strip, as Israeli bombattacks have halted crossings. In addition, European Union foreign ministers held a meeting to discuss the issue of continuing aid payments to Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Iran’s top authority Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has distanced the country from the Hamas attack, stating that while he kissed the hands of those doing damage to Israel, Iran itself was not involved.
As the conflict unfolds, questions arise about the impact on global politics and economies. The crisis is likely to reshape President Biden’s Middle East policy and has forced him into an uneasy alliance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains centered around issues of Palestinian statehood, Jerusalem, and refugee rights.
The repercussions are not limited to geopolitical concerns. Biden’s pledge of aid to Israel raises questions about potential implications for aid to Ukraine, particularly as Congress controls spending and the House is currently without a speaker to put legislation to a vote. Additionally, investors are monitoring the situation closely for any potential spike in oil prices, while the violence in Israel has created nervousness in global stock markets.
In the face of misinformation and disinformation spread during the conflict, the EU has urged Elon Musk to tackle the spread of false claims on his social media platform, X.
The Gaza conflict presents not only a humanitarian crisis but also an economic shock that the World Bank chief, Ajay Banga, describes as unnecessary.
The conflict continues to evolve, with devastating consequences for the people involved. The international community watches anxiously, hoping for a resolution that offers peace and stability to the region.
