Israel-Hamas war updates: Gaza power plant fuel to deplete within today; Israel ground incursion and offensive expected soon,
The death toll is rising in Israel and the Gaza Strip, as missiles rain down and hostilities head into the fifth day of hostilities.
Israeli military said it is amassing troops near the Gaza Strip, as part of its response following a brutal multi-pronged attack from Palestinian militant group Hamas over the weekend.
Israel has since ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip — cutting off supplies of water, fuel, electricity and food to the area and its over 2 million inhabitants. The single operational power plant of Gaza is set to quickly run out of fuel.
The U.S., whose State Secretary Antony Blinken is due to arrive in Israel on Thursday, is discussing a possible humanitarian corridor from the Gaza Strip with Egypt, amid U.N. concerns over damage against civilians. The Hamas terrorist offensive of Saturday also targeted civilian sites, including a music festival.
Rippling into the financial sphere, the Israeli crisis could impact the oil markets, a top Russian official warned. Crude prices are typically sensitive to political turbulence in the Middle East, where much of the world’s oil production is based.
Israel Hamas war LIVE Update. IDF has carried out strikes on 2,687 targets across Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces has carried out strikes against 2,687 targets across the Gaza Strip since Saturday, according to fresh military data. According to the data, 1,329 of the targets are multi-story buildings containing Hamas assets, including war rooms where the terror group manages the fighting against Israel.
Can Palestinians flee from Gaza?
The passage of people and goods in and out of Gaza is strictly controlled under a blockade enforced by Egypt and Israel. On Tuesday, the Israeli military revised a recommendation by one of its spokespeople that Palestinians fleeing its air strikes in Gaza head to Egypt. 18 hours ago
Israel – Palestine war latest updates. Emergency Cabinet Talks. Hezbollah Fires Missiles
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is engaging in discussions with opposition leader and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz to explore the possibility of forming a national emergency government in response to the recent attacks by Hamas.
The Iran-backed militant organization, Hezbollah, has claimed responsibility for launching precision-guided missiles from Lebanon into Israel. The ongoing conflict, triggered by a surprise assault by Hamas based in Gaza against Israel, has resulted in the loss of over 1,200 Israeli lives and roughly 900 Palestinian casualties.
In anticipation of the next stage of their response, the Israeli military is in the process of constructing a base to accommodate thousands of soldiers. It’s important to note that Hamas, labeled a terrorist group by the US and Europe, has issued threats of taking hostages in the event of a substantial Israeli offensive.
‘We are moving to full offence, Gaza will never go back to what it was’: Israeli Defence Minister.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday said the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is moving to “full offence” against Hamas targets as the counter-offensive in the wake of the terror attacks rages on, The Times of Israel reported.
In an address to troops deployed along the Gaza border, the Israeli Defence Minister said, “I have released all the restraints. We have [regained] control of the area and we are moving to a full offence.”
He asserted that Gaza will “never go back to what it was”.
“You will have the ability to change the reality here. You have seen the prices [being paid], and you will get to see the change. Hamas wanted a change in Gaza. It will change 180 degrees from what it thought,” The Times of Israel quoted the minister as saying in a report.
Blinken to travel to Israel in display of US solidarity after Hamas attacks.
President Joe Biden is dispatching his top diplomat to Israel on an urgent mission to show US support after major terrorist attacks by Hamas militants, the State Department said on Tuesday.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in coming days to deliver a message of solidarity and support. He said Blinken will also “talk about what additional resources we can give them”.
Blinken will leave Wednesday and is expected to arrive Thursday.
USA reiterates support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday held talks with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, offering condolences for the lives lost in the Hamas terror attacks.
He reiterated US support for Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens against terrorist attacks.
Taking to X, Blinken posted, “I spoke with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs @AmbDermer to reiterate our profound condolences for the terrorist attack on Israel. I reiterated our support for Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens against terrorist attacks.”
Notably, Blinken is all set to travel to Israel “to engage our Israeli partners directly about the situation on the ground”, the US said on Tuesday.
More than 260,000 people displaced in Gaza. UN.
Over 260,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, as heavy Israeli bombardments from the air, land and sea continue to hit the Palestinian enclave, the United Nations said.
Fierce fighting has left thousands dead on both sides since Hamas launched a surprise assault on Saturday, spurring Israel’s reprisal bombing campaign.
“Over 263,934 people in Gaza are believed to have fled their homes,” said UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in an update Tuesday, warning that “this number is expected to rise further”.
