Israel’s Prime Minister has issued a warning to residents of Gaza, urging them to evacuate the area as he vows to retaliate and turn parts of the territory “into rubble” in response to a recent attack. Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is at war with Palestinian militants from Hamas after they launched a surprise assault on Saturday morning.
Tragically, Israeli media reports that between 500 and 600 Israelis have lost their lives in the deadliest attack on the country in decades. The health ministry has confirmed that at least 1,590 individuals have been injured. As tensions continue to escalate, Netanyahu has emphasized that the conflict will require time to resolve..
The Israeli military has disclosed that “hundreds” of Hamas militants have been killed, with dozens more captured. Meanwhile, according to the Palestinian health ministry, the retaliatory airstrikes conducted by Israel on Gaza have resulted in the loss of at least 313 lives, including 20 children. Additionally, nearly 2,000 individuals have been wounded. Tragically, seven people, including a child, have also been killed by Israeli army fire in the West Bank.
The conflict persists, with the Israeli Defense Forces continuing operations in eight areas surrounding the Gaza Strip. Hamas armed wing fighters have confirmed their engagement in fierce clashes within several locations in Israel. Disturbingly, the Israeli embassy to the United States has reported that over 100 soldiers and civilians, including women and children, have been kidnapped by Hamas fighters, leading to ongoing hostage situations.
Israel has conducted airstrikes on 426 targets in Gaza, including a compound housing the Hamas intelligence department and a 14-story residential tower that housed numerous apartments and Hamas offices in central Gaza City. Responding to the conflict, the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group, among the first to openly support Hamas, targeted Israeli positions in a disputed area along the border with Syria’s Golan Heights. In response, Israel launched drone strikes on Hezbollah targets.
The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides experiencing mounting casualties and escalating tensions. Efforts to de-escalate the conflict and protect civilian lives are of utmost importance as the international community closely monitors developments in the region.
