Militant groups in Gaza holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians captive
Destruction from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City’s al-Rimal neighbourhood. Pic/AP
Israel pounded downtown Gaza City with relentless bombardments on Tuesday and further expanded a massive mobilization of reservists as it vowed a retaliation that would “reverberate... for generations” against the Hamas militant group for its surprise weekend attack. The war—which began after Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday, bringing gunbattles to its streets for the first time in decades—has already claimed at least 1,600 lives.
It is only expected to escalate from here, with questions over whether Israel will launch a ground invasion and Hamas threatening to kill captured Israelis if strikes targeted civilians without warning. Israel said that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are also holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians hostage. Israel’s military said Tuesday morning that it had regained effective control over its south and the border, breached over the weekend.
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Over 187K displaced in Gaza
A Palestinian man leaves with a suitcase on his shoulders. Pic/AP
As retaliatory Israeli airstrikes continue, more than 187,500 people have been displaced in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict, according to a report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, is hosting more than 137,000 people in schools across the territory. The report says airstrikes have razed 790 housing units and severely damaged 5,330 in the territory of 2.3 million people. OCHA said damage to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in Gaza has disrupted service for more than 400,000 people.
At least 11 US citizens killed, says Joe Biden
Israeli soldiers take position near the Israeli Gaza border. Pic/AP
At least 11 US citizens have been confirmed dead in the surprise Hamas attacks, US President Joe Biden has said. Biden also said the US government believes it is “likely” that Americans are among those currently being held hostage by Hamas militants, while other US citizens are still unaccounted for after the deadly assault.
Israel finds 1,500 bodies of militants
Israel’s military said about 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants were found in Israeli territory as, as it said it had largely gained control in the country’s south and “restored full control” over the border on the fourth day of fighting following an unprecedented surprise attack. Spokesperson Richard Hecht said no Hamas fighters have crossed into Israel since last night, although infiltrations could still be possible. Israel has previously reported 900 soldiers and civilians killed, and Palestinian authorities have reported about 700 deaths in Gaza and the West Bank region.
Iran rejects ‘role in attack’ allegations
Palestinians remove bodies from rubble after an Israeli airstrike. Pic/AP
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected allegations on Tuesday about his country’s role in Hamas attacks against Israel, but said Iran will continue supporting Palestinians, media reported. It was the first reaction to the war by Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters in the country. However, Khamenei said, “We defend Palestine, we defend the fights.” He praised Palestinian “capable, smart and courageous” young Palestinians. He said the disaster for Israel came because mistakes by Israel against Palestinians.
Aid agencies look ways to send relief
The United Nations and other aid agencies were talking with Egypt to send humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza through the Rafah crossing point between the strip and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, an Egyptian official and aid worker said on Tuesday. They said Egyptian authorities have contacted Israel and the US to secure humanitarian corridors in Gaza amid Israel’s unrelenting bombardment of the strip. The efforts came as Israel sealed it off from food, fuel and other supplies to over 2 million people in Gaza in retaliation for a bloody incursion by Hamas militants.
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