Israeli Air Force jets have intensively targeted approximately 130 sites associated with the Palestinian faction, Hamas, in the Gaza Strip over the past three hours. Mohamed Abu Musbah, spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, articulated the grim situation on the ground, emphasizing that currently, there is virtually no safe spot anywhere in Gaza.
Smoke rises above buildings in Gaza City after an Israeli air strike-Image Source: AL-Arabiya
In a detailed account, the Israeli military confirmed the scale of the operation. “Our aircraft have carried out extensive strikes across the entire length and breadth of the Gaza Strip, causing significant disruptions within Hamas. Overall, neighborhoods such as Beit Hanoun, Sajaia, Al-Furqan, and Al-Rimal were struck by a fleet of dozens of planes over the past three hours,” the military statement read.
Just-In 🚨
Israel warplanes bombing Islamic university in Gaza Palestine.~Pray for Palestine 🇵🇸#Israel #Gaza #طوفان_الأقصى #طوفان_القدس #حماس_الإرهابية #hamasattack #IstandWithPalestine #IsraelPalestineWar #Lebanon #غزة_تحت_القصفpic.twitter.com/tHAE5tMsrp
— War Monitor (@WarMoniitor) October 9, 2023
Furthermore, the Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, announced the imposition of a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip. In a televised statement, Gallant affirmed, “A full siege has been put in place on the Gaza Strip. No electricity, no food, no water, no gas… everything is shut down.” It’s worth noting that Israel has been enforcing a blockade on Gaza, which houses 2.4 million residents, for over 15 years, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
🚨 Israel has announced a ‘total’ blockade on Gaza. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said there will be “no electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed”. Gallant also described Palestinians as “human animals”.
Right now there are thousands of injured men, women and… pic.twitter.com/u5DoYkmtVC
— Majid Freeman (@Majstar7) October 9, 2023
Further tightening the screws, Israel’s Infrastructure Minister, Yisrael Katz, has instructed an immediate cessation of all water supplies to the Gaza Strip amidst escalating hostilities with Palestinian factions.
As the dust settles, the casualty figures have been sobering. The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported at least 560 Palestinian fatalities and around 2,900 injured since the weekend due to the Israeli strikes on the territory. Conversely, the Israeli Health Ministry revealed that the number of Israelis injured from Hamas’s assaults has risen to 2,616 individuals. A health statement released on the Telegram application highlighted, “Of the 2,616 wounded, at least 357 are in critical condition. In the recent hours, hospitals have admitted no fewer than 578 individuals, with 157 of them being critically injured.” Meanwhile, Israeli fatalities have surged to approximately 800, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
| Details | Count |
|---|---|
| Targets hit in Gaza | 130 |
| Palestinian Fatalities | 560 |
| Palestinian Injuries | 2,900 |
| Israeli Injuries | 2,616 |
| Israeli Fatalities | 800 |
