In a devastating development, N12 news reports that over 100 Israelis and 198 Palestinians have lost their lives in a recent Hamas attack, intensifying tensions in the region.

N12 reveals that approximately 50 Israeli hostages are currently being held by Hamas gunmen in the Be’eri kibbutz, located in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip. The situation unfolds in the wake of escalating violence, casting a shadow over hopes for stability in the region.

The Palestinian state has issued a poignant statement, demanding an end to the “Israeli occupation” of Palestinian land. The statement emphasises the consequences of obstructing the political horizon, citing daily provocations and raids on the Al Asqa holy site. It advocates for regional security, stability, and peace through the termination of the Israeli occupation.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s reported enlistment as a reservist, displayed in a photo circulating on social media, adds a new dimension to the unfolding crisis. Israel Hayom claims Bennett is preparing to defend the country, though the unverified nature of these reports raises questions about their accuracy.

On the international stage, Russia takes a firm stance, expressing serious concern over the escalating conflict. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calls for an immediate ceasefire, denouncing violence and urging restraint. Russia reiterates its commitment to a diplomatic resolution facilitated by the international community for a comprehensive, lasting peace in the Middle East.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemns the incursion, offering condolences for the lives lost and asserting Ukraine’s belief that the “terrorists” responsible will be destroyed. He underscores Israel’s right to defence, echoing the global sentiment for order to be restored in the face of this tragic event.