Israel: The Palestinian political and militant organisation Hamas has reportedly threatened to kill an Israeli hostage every time Israel bombs a Palestinian home without warning. It comes after Israel stepped up airstrikes in the Gaza Strip and cut off food, fuel, and other supplies.
Hamas issued a warning regarding the death toll in Israel, which rose to 900 due to their surprise weekend attack. In retaliation, Israeli forces carried out revenge attacks on the Gaza Strip, resulting in over 700 casualties and leaving more than 3,700 injured.
Hamas spokesperson Mr. Abu Ubaida issued the threat to kill Israelis. He stated that for every Israeli bombing of a civilian house without warning, an Israeli hostage would be killed.
Israeli Foreign Minister Mr. Eli Cohen mentioned that over 100 individuals were captured by Hamas during the fatal cross-border invasion over the weekend.
Amidst intense retaliatory attacks on Gaza by Israeli forces, Israel’s Defence Minister, Mr. Yoav Gallant, faced global criticism for declaring a complete blockade of the densely populated and besieged enclave, where 2.3 million people reside.
Mr. Gallant stated Israel would impose a “complete siege No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed.”
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres remarked that he was “deeply distressed” by the siege announcement and warned that Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation will now “only deteriorate exponentially.”
The UK, French, German, Italian, and US governments issued a joint statement acknowledging the valid desires of the Palestinian people and endorsing equal efforts for justice and freedom for both Israelis and Palestinians.