Israel-Hamas War Live Updates: Blinken Criticizes Hamas, U.N. Warns of Crisis in Gaza
Israel-Hamas War Live Updates: Secretary Blinken compares Hamas attack to Nazi massacres. Israeli military intensifies Gaza airstrikes, hints at potential ground invasion.
This Live Blog Ended but you can read Israel-Hamas War Live Updates Here...
The Israeli military is gearing up for what might come next in the battle, hinting at a possible ground invasion of Gaza. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken's visit to Tel Aviv saw strong condemnation of Hamas, which he described as engaging in a "reign of terror."
During his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken invoked the memory of the Holocaust, drawing parallels between the atrocities committed by Hamas and the historical horrors. Netanyahu, in a televised address on Wednesday night, vowed to "crush and eliminate" Hamas in response to their incursion into southern Israel over the weekend, which resulted in over 1,200 casualties.
Israel has continued its barrage of the 140-square-mile Gaza Strip with airstrikes of an intensity not witnessed in previous assaults on the besieged territory. It is believed that Hamas, which controls Gaza, is holding approximately 150 hostages taken during the weekend incursion. According to the Gazan Health Ministry, 1,354 Palestinians have lost their lives, with 6,049 others injured since Saturday.
Latest Developments:
Blinken's upcoming plans include a visit to Jordan and meetings with regional leaders, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. U.S. officials are in discussions with Israel and Egypt, which also shares a border with Gaza, about securing safe passage for civilians out of the blockaded strip.
The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is worsening, with its sole power plant running out of fuel and shutting down on Wednesday. This leaves already overwhelmed hospitals reliant on generators with a dwindling supply of fuel that will last only a few more days. The conflict has displaced nearly 340,000 people, according to the United Nations.
The brutal impact of the Hamas attack is emerging in the dozens of towns and a military base targeted. Reports detail civilians, including children, being killed in homes, cars, streets, and hiding places. Netanyahu further stated that the assailants committed gruesome acts such as burning individuals alive, assaulting women, and beheading soldiers.
Concerns are growing over a potential broader conflict, with ongoing skirmishes and artillery fire on Israel's northern border with Lebanon. This raises the possibility of a larger confrontation with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, which is even more formidable than Hamas.
Stay Here for the live updates...
Key Moments
- Israeli military prepares for potential ground invasion of Gaza.
- Secretary of State Blinken strongly condemns Hamas actions in Tel Aviv.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu vows to "crush and eliminate" Hamas in response to their incursion.
- Over 1,200 casualties reported in Gaza, with hospitals facing fuel shortages.
-
12 Oct 2023 09:52 AM
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Meets Israel's President Isaac HerzogUnited States Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, had a sit-down with Israel's President, Isaac Herzog. The meeting started on a friendly note, with Herzog thanking President Biden for his strong friendship and clear moral stand.
Stay tuned for more updates on this crucial talk between these top leaders. We'll keep you informed about any new information that comes out.
-
12 Oct 2023 09:55 AM
Urgent Warning: Gaza in Big Trouble as Israel Keeps Attacking
Right now, there's a big problem in Gaza, and the United Nations is really worried. Israel is hitting Gaza hard, and it's causing a lot of trouble for the people who live there.
A person from the United Nations, Adnan Abu Hasna, talked about how things are getting very bad. He said that basic things like water and electricity aren't working anymore. This is because a power plant, which makes electricity, had to stop working. This happened because Egypt and Israel won't let fuel be delivered to Gaza.
Hospitals are also having a tough time. They're running out of the stuff that makes the lights and machines work. This is making things even scarier for people because there are a lot of sick people and not enough power to help them.
And because there's no electricity, folks can't keep their food from going bad. It's a really tough situation.
The whole world is keeping an eye on what's happening in Gaza, hoping things get better soon. We'll make sure to keep you updated on what's going on.
-
12 Oct 2023 10:10 AM
Israel Shares Evidence of Recent Attacks with NATO Leaders
During a video call to NATO headquarters, Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant presented a video showing attacks by Hamas on Israelis over the past weekend. Jens Stoltenberg, who leads NATO, described the video as "shocking" and "horrific." He didn't give specifics about what was in the video, but later, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said that they were deeply upset by the extent of the terrible acts carried out by Hamas terrorists.
-
12 Oct 2023 10:12 AM
Germany's Chancellor Assures Unwavering Support for Israel
Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed strong solidarity with Israel, emphasizing that Germany is committed to standing by Israel's side. He emphasized that Germany holds a continuous responsibility to support Israel.
Mr. Scholz shared that he is working diligently to help bring down the intensity of the conflict and to secure the release of kidnapped Israelis. He's staying in close communication with leaders who have the ability to engage with Hamas, including Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the president of Egypt, and Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, who was on an official visit to Berlin on Thursday. This collaborative effort aims to foster dialogue and work towards a more peaceful resolution.
-
12 Oct 2023 10:20 AM
Big Change: El Al Flies on Sabbath After 40 Years
Something big is happening! El Al, an airline in Israel, will be flying on the Sabbath for the first time since 1982. This Saturday, they're planning two special flights for reservists, medical teams, and security workers.
El Al made sure to get permission from religious authorities to do this. They're going to have flights coming from New York and Bangkok, and here's the special part: El Al and some American organizations are covering the costs.
This is a really important moment for El Al, showing they're ready to do things a bit differently to help out during an important time. It's been a long time since they did this, so it's a big step!
-
12 Oct 2023 10:22 AM
Ukrainian Citizens Face Tragedy in Recent Israel Attacks
Seven Ukrainians lost their lives in the recent attacks by Hamas in Israel. Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, shared this somber update on Thursday through a statement on social media.
The identities of all victims have been confirmed, and their families have been notified. Plans are in motion to bring their remains back to Ukraine for proper farewells. Additionally, nine Ukrainians sustained various degrees of injuries, while another nine remain unaccounted for. Nikolenko assured that the Ukrainian embassy is working closely with Israeli security services to locate the missing individuals.
Over 1,000 Ukrainian citizens are in need of assistance to leave Israel due to flight cancellations. Officials are diligently organizing the first evacuation flight this Saturday, with additional flights in the pipeline.
Nikolenko emphasized that specific details about the evacuation will be directly communicated to citizens who have shared their information with the Ukrainian Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Approximately 200 Ukrainians in Gaza have expressed their desire to be evacuated as well, according to Nikolenko. Efforts are underway to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected Ukrainian nationals. The situation is being closely monitored, and further updates will be provided as necessary.
