Palestinians in Gaza faced dire circumstances on Thursday as Israel intensified its airstrikes, plunging the territory into darkness due to a near-total power outage. The situation worsened as Israel halted all deliveries of essential supplies, including food, water, fuel, and electricity, to Gaza. International aid groups have raised concerns over an escalating death toll as Israel’s crossings with Gaza remain unusable. The ongoing conflict, triggered by a wide-ranging assault by Hamas militants on Israel, has already claimed over 2,600 lives on both sides, news agency AP reported.
Top Points:
- As Israel launched new airstrikes, causing a near-total power outage and devastation across the region, Palestinians in Gaza faced severe challenges. The crisis worsened after Israel halted the delivery of essential supplies such as food, water, fuel, and electricity, exacerbating the situation.
- International aid organisations have expressed concern about the rising death toll in Gaza, where Israel’s border crossings remain closed. The ongoing conflict, sparked by a widespread attack on Israel by Hamas militants, has resulted in over 2,600 casualties on both sides, as reported by Reuters.
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An Israeli military spokesperson, Lt Col Richard Hecht, announced preparations for a possible ground manoeuvre if ordered by political leaders. A ground offensive in densely populated Gaza, where 2.3 million people are crammed into a small area, would almost certainly result in even more casualties from brutal house-to-house combat, AP reported.
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Israel’s airstrikes continued in response to thousands of rockets fired by Hamas fighters into Israel since their weekend assault. Additionally, Hamas is holding an estimated 150 individuals hostage from Israel, the AP report said.
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The United States pledged unwavering support, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken arriving in Tel Aviv to meet with Israeli leaders. He plans to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah II to address the escalating crisis.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “crush” Hamas after militants stormed into Israel and carried out attacks that resulted in hundreds of casualties. A new war Cabinet has been established to oversee the ongoing conflict.
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The United Nations reported a 30% increase in the number of people displaced by airstrikes within 24 hours, reaching 339,000, with many seeking shelter in UN schools or dwindling safe areas. Israeli airstrikes have destroyed 1,000 homes and rendered 560 housing units uninhabitable, causing dire water shortages for over 650,000 people and sewage system destruction, as reported by AP.
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The death toll in Gaza has risen to over 1,350, according to the Palestinian health ministry. In Israel, the Israeli military reports over 1,300 casualties, including 222 soldiers, marking a significant toll not seen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria. Thousands have been wounded on both sides, CNN reported.
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India has launched Operation Ajay to return Indians who have become stranded in war-torn Israel. S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, stated that “special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place” for the operation. More than 20,000 Indians live in Israel, according to official figures.
The conflict dates back to 1967, when Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Palestinians want these territories for a future state, but peace talks have been stalled for more than a decade. Click here for Live Updates.
Meanwhile, two Palestinians were killed in the West Bank when Israeli settlers opened fire at a funeral for three people killed in a settler rampage the day before. In Israel, grief and demands for vengeance against Hamas are running high.
Allegations of atrocities committed by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, including heinous crimes against children, women, and soldiers, have been levelled but have yet to be proven. Armed settlers have also attacked Palestinian cars in West Bank villages, resulting in casualties.
