JERUSALEM: Hamas, which hosted about 150 people in its surprise weekend assault on Israel, threatened to execute the hostages if Israel continues its air strikes on Gaza residents without prior warning.
In response to Hams surprise move to regain its areas, Israel imposed a total siege on the Gaza, blocking access to essential supplies such as food, water, and electricity. This move raises concerns about a deepening humanitarian crisis in the region. In the Israeli attacks, more than 687 including women and children were killed in in Gaza. The death toll has risen to 900 in Israel.
The death toll rose to 900 in Israel, which has retaliated with a withering barrage of strikes on Gaza, raising the death toll there to 687.
The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, stated, “Every targeting of our people without warning will be met with the execution of one of the civilian hostages.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised speech, likened Hamas to ISIS and announced plans for a “massive” assault with “unprecedented force.” He accused Hamas of heinous acts, comparing them to the savagery of ISIS.
As the conflict intensifies, rockets from Hamas reached as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, prompting Israeli missile defense systems into action. Israel mobilized 300,000 army reservists for its “Swords of Iron” campaign, deploying tanks to the south to dislodge Hamas fighters.
