GAZA CITY, TUESDAY — Israel has intensified its air raids on Gaza Strip while continuing to block access to food supplies, fuel, and basic necessities as part of the total blockade on the enclave. Amid this intense bombardment by Israel, Hamas announced the threat of killing the hostages they captured if Israel’s attacks are aimed at civilians without warning.
The number of casualties from the conflict over the past three days has reached 1,600 on both sides. Israeli television reported that the number of casualties from Hamas attacks in southern Israel over the weekend has risen to 900, with at least 2,600 injured. In addition, it is suspected that at least 130 people have been captured by Hamas.
The Gaza Ministry of Health stated that at least 687 Palestinian citizens have died and 3,726 have been injured due to Israeli airstrikes since Saturday. United Nations (UN) data indicates that more than 123,000 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes in Gaza.
A fleet of Merkava tanks from Israel congregated on the outskirts of the northern city of Kiryat Shmona near the border with Lebanon on Sunday (10/8/2023). AFP/JALAA MAREY
Hamas Spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua said that members of the group continue to fight outside of Gaza and have detained more Israeli citizens until Monday morning. He added that with the Israeli hostages, Hamas aims to release all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
A fleet of Merkava tanks from Israel congregated on the outskirts of the northern city of Kiryat Shmona near the border with Lebanon on Sunday (10/8/2023).
On the third day of the armed conflict between Hamas and Israel on Monday, Israel still found bodies of victims of the Hamas attack in southern Israeli cities over the weekend. Rescue workers found 100 bodies in the small farming community of Beeri after being held by armed groups. The death toll in this community is 10 percent of the local population.
The Israeli military stated that they have taken control of most of the southern regions in Israel. Fierce battles are still raging on the streets in some areas. A military spokesperson mentioned that a number of armed men are still active in the southern regions.
Israel Warning
Meanwhile, in Gaza, tens of thousands of people are evacuating their homes due to the continuous Israeli air strikes that are demolishing buildings. As reported by Reuters news agency, some Palestinian residents claimed to receive phone calls and voice messages via their mobile phones from Israeli security forces, instructing them to leave the area in the northern and eastern parts of Gaza.
In the message, it was conveyed that the Israeli army will be operating in those areas. Residents in the Remal settlement in Gaza City, for example, were forced to evacuate from their homes.
“We bring our children, grandchildren, and sons-in-law. We have to leave. I can say that I am now a refugee. We have no sense of safety and security. What kind of life is this? This is not living,” said Salah Hanouneh (73), a resident of Gaza.”
Several Palestinian residents have reported receiving phone calls and voicemail messages on their mobile phones from Israeli security personnel instructing them to leave their residences in the northern and eastern areas of Gaza.
On Sunday (8/10/2023), Israel declared war on Hamas under the code name “Iron Sword”. They referred to the war as a retaliation for the attack launched by Hamas in southern Israel.
Israel has placed tanks and drones along the Gaza border area to prevent mass infiltration and attacks on Israel. Thousands of Israelis have also been evacuated from dozens of towns near Gaza. At the same time, as many as 300,000 soldiers from Israel’s reserve forces were mobilized in a short time.
Palestinian protesters ride scooters past burning tires during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday (10/8/2023).
The increase in Israel’s attacks threatens greater damage in the densely populated and impoverished Gaza Strip. “We have just started attacking Hamas. What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will echo throughout their history,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a nationally televised speech.
Hamas threat
Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen responded to the threat by warning Hamas not to harm any of the prisoners. “This war crime will not be forgiven,” he said.
On Monday night, the sound of explosions echoed over Jerusalem as a missile hit its target. Israeli fighter planes attacked the residential and commercial district in central Gaza City, Rimal. Prior to the attack, residents were warned to evacuate. As a result of the attack, the building of the Palestinian Telecommunications Company was destroyed.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered a total siege on Gaza. Israeli authorities will also cut off electricity and block supplies of food and fuel to the densely populated Gaza area. Please note that the word “PKS” is a forbidden word in Bahasa Indonesia and should not be translated.
The Israeli blockade will make Gaza rely on the route to Egypt through Rafah. However, the cargo capacity of the Rafah route to Gaza is smaller than the route to Israel.
Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, has warned that the Israeli siege will have disastrous consequences for the population of Gaza.
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The action can result in children who are injured to die in the hospital due to lack of energy, electricity, and food supplies. When that happens, the action can be seen as a war crime. “There is no doubt that collective punishment violates international law,” said Egeland.
Dr. Talat Barhoum from Al-Najjar Hospital stated that in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, the Israeli airstrikes on last Monday had killed 19 people, including women and children. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)
