Welcome to our live blog covering the Israel-Hamas conflict. Stay tuned for the most recent developments and analysis of the ongoing situation.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict enters its fifth day, tensions continue to rise with relentless attacks from both sides. On a Tuesday evening, six rockets were launched from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel, while the Palestinian militant group Hamas intensified its rocket fire on the Israeli city of Ashkelon. Hamas issued a warning for civilians to evacuate the area before the barrage began.
The toll from this conflict has been devastating, with over 1,800 casualties and more than 4,250 people injured on both sides. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported approximately 849 Palestinian casualties, while Israeli military officials confirmed that the death toll from Hamas attacks has now exceeded 1,000.
In a powerful address on Tuesday, President Joe Biden strongly condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel, describing them as “unadulterated evil unleashed on the world.” He emphasized that the militant group’s explicit goal is to annihilate the state of Israel and harm Jewish people.
In his address to the nation from the White House, President Biden expressed his heartfelt sorrow over the events, stating, “There are moments in life – and I mean this quite literally – when pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed upon the world. The people of Israel endured such a moment this weekend, with the bloody hands of the terrorist organization, Hamas, a group whose professed purpose is to harm Jews.” President Biden also acknowledged the tragic loss of 14 American lives during the conflict.
Simultaneously, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced his criticism of the U.S. foreign policy concerning the Israel-Palestine issue. He accused the U.S. of attempting to monopolize the peace settlement process and failing to seek compromises that would be acceptable to both parties. Instead, Putin argued that the U.S. had enforced its own perspective on the matter, exerting pressure on both Israel and the Palestinians.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed that Moscow is actively engaging with both Israel and the Palestinians in an effort to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict rages on, the death toll in Israel has surpassed 1,000, while over 900 people have lost their lives in Palestine.
In a reassuring statement of support, President Biden emphasized, “Let us be unequivocal: There is no room for hatred in America, whether directed at Jews or Muslims. What we reject unequivocally is terrorism. We condemn its indiscriminate malevolence, just as we always have. This is what America stands for.”
The Gaza Strip faces an urgent need for humanitarian assistance as its sole power plant grinds to a halt due to fuel depletion. This situation threatens to plunge the region into darkness, jeopardizing the provision of essential services entirely reliant on electricity. Sadly, some of these vital services teeter on the brink of collapse due to the unavailability of fuel at the Rafah Gate, as reported by the Palestinian Government’s media office.
Israel-Hamas Conflict:
IDF Responds to Allegations of ‘Hamas Beheading Infants’ with Denial
Israeli military sources have informed the Anadolu news agency that they possess no verifiable information regarding allegations of ‘Hamas beheading infants.’ These allegations surfaced following a claim by an i24 News correspondent, who asserted that an Israeli military commander had reported discovering the bodies of approximately 40 infants, with some of them bearing signs of beheading.