Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Monday that Israel’s fierce offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has “only started.” “What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations,” he said.
Israel formally declared war on Sunday. The hostilities so far have killed around 900 people in Israel and more than 680 people in Gaza. The violence, which has claimed more than 1,500 lives, prompted international declarations of support for Israel, and appeals for an end to the fighting and protection of civilians. Here are some key updates from the conflict:
Israel in Control of Gaza Fence: Israel has retaken control of the Gaza border fence breached by Palestinian Hamas gunmen, and is planting mines in the parts where the barrier was toppled, the chief military spokesperson said on Tuesday. There had been no new infiltrations from Gaza since Monday.
Hamas Threatens: The Hamas movement threatened to execute an Israeli captive every time Israel bombs a Palestinian home without warning, as Israel called up an unprecedented 300,000 reservists and imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, raising fears it planned a ground assault.
Complete Siege: Israel imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip Monday and cut off the water supply as it kept bombing targets in the Palestinian enclave. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel would impose a “complete siege” and stressed what this meant for its 2.3 million people: “No electricity, no food, no water, no gas — it’s all closed.”
Israel Targets Gaza: Fighting between Israeli forces and Islamist group Hamas was ongoing at seven or eight locations near Gaza two days after Hamas gunmen killed Israelis and abducted dozens. Hamas fighters also continued to cross into Israel from Gaza, said Israeli military.
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Forced from Home: Palestinians reported receiving calls and mobile phone audio messages from Israeli security officers telling them to leave areas mainly in the northern and eastern territories of Gaza, and warning that the army would operate there. Dozens of people in Gaza City’s Remal neighbourhood fled their homes.
Foreigners Killed: Seven Argentines were killed during the attacks by Hamas militants, and 15 more are still missing. Around 625 Argentines nationals still in Israel. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed in Israel following the weekend’s attacks. Nepal said on Monday at least 10 of its nationals were killed in Israel after the attack by Palestinian group Hamas. Eighteen Thai nationals have been killed in unrest in Israel.
Hezbollah Attack: Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in response to at least three of its members being killed in Israeli shelling of Lebanon. Israel said one of its deputy commanders was killed in an earlier cross-border raid from Lebanon.
Hamas Planning: Hamas carried out a careful campaign of deception to pull off its stunning attack, accounts from Hamas and Israeli sources show. While Israel was led to believe it was containing a war-weary Hamas by providing economic incentives to Gazan workers, the group’s fighters were being trained and drilled, often in plain sight, a source close to Hamas told Reuters.
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United States Aid: U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the second straight day on Sunday, offering “my full support for the people of Israel in the face of an unprecedented and appalling assault by Hamas terrorists.”
Global Market Roiled: Asian shares rose on Tuesday in line with Wall Street’s high note and bonds also rallied, boosted by dovish Federal Reserve remarks, while oil prices edged down after Monday’s surge with the market remaining focused on the conflict in the Middle East.
Airlines Suspend Flights: Major airlines have suspended flights in and out of Israel after the nation declared war. Airlines in Europe and Asia also put flights on hold amid the hostilities, offering refunds and waiving rebooking fees for passengers.
International Response: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said some 137,000 people were taking shelter with UNRWA, the U.N. agency that provides essential services to Palestinians. The British, French, German, Italian and US governments issued a joint statement recognising the “legitimate aspirations” of the Palestinian people, and supporting equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
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Egypt and Turkey Call for Ceasefire: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan called on Hamas and Israel to immediately end violence and protect civilians, the Egyptian presidency said.
Qatar Mediates: Qatari mediators held urgent calls to try to negotiate freedom for Israeli women and children seized by Hamas in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons.
Uncertainty: The prospect that fighting could spread alarmed the region and world. Fears of a widening conflict meant more volatility for investors.
