The Israeli military has announced that it has regained control over the border with the Gaza Strip. IDF spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, confirmed that there had been no further incursions over the past day. Engineers are currently working to secure areas where parts of the fence had been previously destroyed by Hamas militants.
However, despite this assertion of control, the overall situation in the region remains highly volatile.
Israel has intensified its assault on the Gaza Strip after declaring a state of “war” against Hamas, following the militant group’s attack on Israel over the weekend. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel had ordered a “complete siege” on Gaza, cutting off electricity and barring the entry of food and fuel.
The conflict’s death toll has risen dramatically over the past two days. Reports indicate that at least 900 people have been killed in Israel and over 680 in Gaza. The Palestinian militant group claims to be holding more than 130 Israeli captives, threatening dire repercussions if their civilians are targeted further.
A chilling message from Hamas on Telegram stated, “They have shelled and destroyed many residential homes. So, we, from this hour onwards, have decided and announce that any targeting of civilians in their homes without prior warning will be met, regrettably, with an execution of one of the civilian hostages held by us. We are being forced to do so.”
The international community has been gravely concerned, with reports of numerous foreigners being killed or going missing. The US State Department confirmed that nine of its citizens have been killed in the attacks, while British media outlets have reported that more than 10 Britons might have faced similar fates.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a firm stance, stating that the nation is “at war” and will use all its resources to punish those responsible for the attacks on Saturday.
US President Joe Biden has dispatched the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel in this escalating conflict.
While the international community rallies to express solidarity with Israel, there are still significant concerns for the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, with Israel blocking essential supplies.
In the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has condemned the “barbaric acts” committed by Hamas and declared steadfast support for Israel. Leaders from various nations, including Germany, France, Italy, and the US, have echoed similar sentiments.
Tens of thousands of British nationals remain trapped in the conflict zones of Israel and Gaza, and Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf shared his distress over his parents-in-law being trapped in Gaza amidst the escalating violence.
Protests and vigils have also been seen across various parts of the world, with many demanding an end to the occupation and the violence.
Hamas initiated the conflict using various means, from explosives at the border fence to speed boats along the coast, leading to significant infiltration into Israel. The group’s military wing leader, Mohammed Deif, labeled this assault as part of “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm” and urged all Palestinians to join the fight.
As tensions remain high, the EU Commission has halted all payments to the Palestinians following the weekend’s Hamas attack on Israel.
As the situation unfolds, the primary concern remains the well-being of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire and the hope for a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict.
