Gaza Faces Dire Humanitarian Crisis as Israel Responds to Militant Attacks
Jerusalem :- In a significant escalation of the conflict, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has declared a “complete siege” on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. This decision comes just two days after shocking attacks by the militant group claimed the lives of over 700 Israeli civilians.
Gallant’s announcement was made while he was conducting an operational assessment at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Southern Command, alongside Maj.-Gen. Yaron Finkelman, the Head of Southern Command. He stated, “I have given an order – Gaza will be under complete siege. There will be no electricity, food, or fuel delivered to Gaza. We are fighting barbaric [terrorists] and will respond accordingly.”
This move holds profound implications for the 2.3 million people residing in the densely populated Gaza Strip, which relies heavily on Israel for its basic supplies. As the news of the siege spread, many residents in Gaza were seen stocking up on essential items in anticipation of the impending hardship.
The streets of Gaza have appeared eerily deserted over the past two days, mirroring the situation in several southern Israeli towns. This drastic measure of a “complete siege” comes amidst relentless air strikes carried out by Israel, resulting in the reported deaths of around 500 Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Hamas’s Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson, Abu Obeida, claimed that Israel’s bombing in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of four Israeli hostages. More than 100 Israelis, including civilians of all ages, have been taken captive by Hamas and Islamic Jihad since the attack began on Saturday.
In response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas, which has left more than 700 casualties, including soldiers, Israel’s Minister of Defense has issued stern warnings of a protracted conflict. He emphasized, “Today we saw the face of evil. Hamas has launched a brutal attack against the citizens of the State of Israel, attacking men, women, children, and the elderly indiscriminately.”
Gallant, who had previously led the Southern Command, expressed determination, saying, “Fifteen years ago, as Head of the Southern Command, I came close to ‘breaking the neck’ of Hamas. I was stopped by the political echelon. This phenomenon will not continue. We will change reality on the ground in Gaza for the next 50 years. What was before, will be no more. We will operate at full force.”
While the Israeli army has claimed to have regained control of all Gaza border towns after more than 50 hours of firefight, concerns remain about potential remaining militants who may have infiltrated the area. It is essential to note that Israel has imposed varying levels of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007.
As the conflict intensifies and the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, the international community is closely watching the developments, hoping for a swift resolution to prevent further suffering.
