Israel and Hamas Engage in Fierce Conflict, Over 1,100 Lives Lost
In a surprising turn of events, Israel has declared war on Palestinian militant group Hamas following its incursion from Gaza. As the conflict enters its third day, the death toll has already reached over 1,100 people on both sides, with more than 700 deaths in Israel, including 44 soldiers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Hamas’s offensive marks the beginning of a “long and challenging war” and has vowed to destroy the militant group’s hideouts. In Gaza, which has endured relentless Israeli airstrikes, officials have reported at least 413 deaths.
Hamas has responded by firing thousands of rockets at Israel and deploying fighters who have gunned down civilians and taken at least 100 hostages.
Here are the latest developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict:
1. UN Security Council Condemnations and US Support: While numerous members of the UN Security Council have condemned Hamas, the United States expressed regret over the absence of unanimity. Both the United States and Israel called for a robust condemnation of the Palestinian Islamists during an emergency session. US President Joe Biden has ordered additional support for Israel in the face of this unprecedented terrorist assault by Hamas. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has directed the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and a group of warships to the eastern Mediterranean and announced the augmentation of fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
2. Iran’s Involvement: According to senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, Iran played a role in orchestrating the surprise attacks against Israel. The details of the operation were reportedly fine-tuned during multiple meetings in Beirut attended by officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and representatives from four Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
3. Israeli Airstrike Controversy: The Associated Press reported that an Israeli airstrike in a Gaza refugee camp resulted in the deaths of 19 members of a Palestinian family. Israel has targeted over 800 locations in Gaza so far, including airstrikes that leveled parts of the town of Beit Hanoun.
4. Israeli Hostages: Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala announced that his faction is holding captive more than 30 Israelis abducted in the Gaza Strip. Al-Nakhala stated that the captives will not be released until all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are freed.
5. Protracted Battle: Israeli forces are still battling Hamas militants who remain holed up in several locations after more than 24 hours of the unprecedented assault. Tens of thousands of Israeli forces have been deployed to confront the remaining fighters, while the bodies of civilians have been tragically found strewn across roads and town centers.
6. Hamas’s Strategy: Hamas has named its attack “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” and called on resistance fighters in the West Bank, as well as Arab and Islamic nations, to join the battle. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has expressed confidence in achieving victory and promised to continue the fight to liberate their land and prisoners held in Israeli jails.
This conflict has brought immense loss of life and suffering to both Israelis and Palestinians. The international community, represented by the UN Security Council, has condemned Hamas. Meanwhile, the United States has expressed support for Israel, carrying out measures to aid its ally.
As the situation escalates, it is crucial to seek a peaceful resolution and bring an end to the devastating violence that has plagued the region for far too long.
Edited By: Devika Bhattacharya
Published On: Oct 9, 2023
