The death toll exceeded 1,100 in just two days after the armed conflict between the Palestinian armed faction Hamas and Israel broke out.
In particular, as Hamas has taken more than 100 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, some predict that Israel will find it difficult to maintain airstrikes for the safety of the hostages.
Meanwhile, the United States announced that it would deploy an aircraft carrier battle group to support Israel, and the United Nations is also holding an emergency meeting of the Security Council and condemning Hamas’ actions.
◇More than 1,100 deaths… Foreign casualties continue to increase
According to foreign news sources such as Reuters, CNN, and BBC on the 8th (local time), the number of deaths resulting from Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that began the previous day (7th) exceeded 1,100.
On the Israeli side, it was calculated that at least 700 people were killed and about 2,200 injured. In particular, as many as 260 bodies were discovered in a pile at the ‘Nova Festival’, where thousands of people participated in the Negev Desert in southern Israel.
Videos were posted on social media showing armed men kidnapping participants at the event or participants running away from bullets.
Israel’s counterattack continued. A total of 413 people, including 78 children and 41 women, were killed in the Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, and the number of injured was reported to be 2,300.
The number of foreign deaths also increased. CNN, citing sources in the U.S. House of Representatives, reported that four Americans have died so far.
In the UK, a man died in the conflict, and Ukrainian authorities officially announced that two of their women were killed. The Nepal Embassy in Israel also announced that 10 of its citizens had died, and the French Foreign Ministry also reported that one French citizen had died.
◇Hamas: “Over 100 Israeli hostages”
Meanwhile, Hamas claimed on this day that it was holding more than 100 hostages in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military previously reported that a “significant number” of people had been kidnapped, without providing specific figures.
Hamas demanded the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.
Foreigners were also taken hostage. Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said two people, a Mexican woman and a man, were believed to have been taken hostage by the Hamas group.
There are predictions that there will be a change in Israel’s response as Israelis are detained in the Gaza Strip.
“The cruel reality is that Hamas is holding Israelis as ‘insurance’ to prepare for Israeli retaliation and to exchange them for Palestinian prisoners,” said Aaron Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “The greater the number of hostages, the more likely there will be a change in Israel’s response.” He told Reuters that this would be the case.
In particular, Reuters pointed out that if the Israeli government negotiates with Hamas over the release of hostages, Hamas’ position in Palestine could be further strengthened.
◇US “aircraft carrier strike group to Israel”… UN Security Council emergency meeting
Meanwhile, to support Israel, the United States is sending the world’s largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike group, the Gerald Ford, closer to Israel and is also increasing its fighter fleet.
The U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement announcing the move of the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean. It included one guided missile cruiser and four destroyers, including the USS Gerald Ford.
In addition, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that steps have been taken to reinforce the U.S. Air Force’s F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter squadrons near Israel, and that military supplies will also be provided.
Meanwhile, the United Nations held an emergency meeting of the Security Council and voiced condemnation of Hamas.
At a press conference prior to the Security Council meeting, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan said, “Now is the time to destroy Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure,” and emphasized that Hamas’ actions were “war crimes.”
Robert Wood, the U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations, said, “We fully support Israel,” and added, “Condemnation of Hamas must continue until Hamas ends its terrorist activities against the Israeli people.”
China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun also said on his way into the Security Council meeting room that it is important to prevent further escalation of the situation, and that China condemns all attacks on civilians.
However, Riyad Mansour, Ambassador of the Palestinian Authority to the United Nations, said, “Israel has claimed that the blockade of Gaza and repeated attacks are aimed at destroying Hamas’ armed capabilities and guaranteeing its security,” adding, “Israel is trying to justify another attack on the same premise.” “I do it,” he said.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.