More than 187,500 people displaced in Gaza Strip, U.N. says
Displacements across the Gaza Strip have “escalated” over the past 24 hours, affecting 187,518 people, according to the latest figures from the U.N. Relief and Works Agency out on Tuesday.
The agency expects these numbers to increase further and notes that around 3,000 Palestinians in Gaza remain displaced, following previous escalations.
Israel has declared a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, banning fuel, water and electricity supplies to the region in retaliation for the surprise multi-pronged attack of Palestinian militant group Hamas over the weekend.
US Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks about climate change at UN headquarters in New York City on July 27, 2023.
Ed Jones | AFP | Getty Images
“While I recognize Israel’s legitimate security concerns, I also remind Israel that military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian law,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday, noting reports of Israeli missiles striking health facilities in Gaza, multi-story residential towers and a mosque.
“I am deeply distressed by today’s announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege of the Gaza Strip. Nothing allowed in, no electricity, food or fuel. The humanitarian situation was extremely dire before these hostilities. Now, it will only deteriorate exponentially,” he added.
— Ruxandra Iordache
Israeli Air Force brings back soldiers from abroad
The Israeli Air Force sent transport planes to bring back “hundreds” of soldiers of the Israeli Defense Force who were abroad.
The soldiers will “take part in the fighting in the ‘Iron Swords’ war, as part of the IDF’s efforts to mobilize additional forces to continue fighting,” the IAF said Tuesday in a Google-translated post on the X social media platform, previously known as Twitter.
Israel launched operation “Iron Swords” in retaliation for the unexpected and bloody Saturday attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel has said it has drafted 300,000 reservists as part of its response.
Military service is compulsory for most Israeli citizens over the age of 18, with enlisted men and women expected to serve a minimum of 32 and 24 months, respectively. Israeli Arabs are exempt.
— Ruxandra Iordache
Israel’s military says it has ‘restored full control’ over Gaza border
Israel’s military said it had regained control of the Gaza-Israel border, four days after the surprise attack from Hamas militants inflicted the highest casualty toll on Israel in fifty years.
Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Richard Hecht said that about 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants were found in Israel territory as the country’s forces “restored full control” over the border. Hecht said that no Hamas fighters have entered into Israel since last night, but infiltration is still possible.
— Natasha Turak
Israel’s economy has ‘room for a long conflict,’ strategist says
Israel’s economy can withstand an extended conflict of more than eight weeks, Bob Savage, head of Markets Strategy and Insights at BNY Mellon, said in a note on Tuesday.
“The ability for Israel to handle an extended war – over eight weeks – is very different now than back in 1973,” Savage said, referencing the Arab-Israel conflict that kicked off nearly fifty years to the day of the multi-pronged Saturday offensive of Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“There are some notable economic strengths along with political shifts in play. Israel has links to Egypt and to UAE, along with some significant natural gas reserves now. When you look at Israel’s budget situation, it appears to have plenty of room for war spending,” the note added, pointing to the prospect of higher defense spending and “more unification around preventing this from happening again.”
Over the course of the year, Israel’s civil unity was fissured by widespread protests in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s broad judicial reforms, which opponents questioned could propel the nation toward autocracy.
— Ruxandra Iordache
Death toll from Israel-Hamas conflict passes 1,500
EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content: People gather at Shifa Hospital to pray over the body of a boy who was killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza City, on October 9, 2023.
Sameh Rahmi | Nurphoto | Getty Images
The death toll from the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas has passed 1,500, with over 900 killed and 2,600 injured in Israel and at least 687 people killed and 3,700 injured in Gaza, according to Palestinian and Israeli health services.
The conflict, declared a war on Saturday by Israel’s President Benjamin Netanyahu, is now in its fourth day as Israel bombards the Gaza Strip with airstrikes in retaliation for the terrorist attack carried out by Palestinian militant group Hamas in southern Israel.
Some 150 Israeli hostages remain captive by Hamas in Gaza, Israeli officials said Monday. The U.S. and other governments are working to determine how many foreign nationals are among the hostages.
— Natasha Turak
North Korea weighs in on Israel-Hamas conflict
A North Korean state media outlet pinned fault on Israel for the recent violence with Palestinian militant group Hamas, in a rare opinion on the conflict from Pyongyang.
“The international community called this clash a bloody conflict, saying it was the result of Israel’s constant criminal acts against the Palestinian people. They claim that the fundamental way to end it is to build an independent Palestinian state,” a brief article carried by Rodong Sinmun said Tuesday, according to a Google translation.
The publication serves the North Korea’s ruling Worker’s Party.
U.N.-sanctioned Pyongyang has frequently taken foreign policy positions that oppose those of the West, particularly the views of the United States. The international community has largely expressed support for the losses of Israel and called for a cease-fire.
— Ruxandra Iordache
Scenes of destruction in Israel and Gaza as demonstrations take place across the world
Palestinians inspect a mosque destroyed in Israeli strikes in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 8, 2023.
Ibraheem Abu Mustafa | Reuters
An Israeli soldier arranges artillery shells on the border with Gaza in southern Israel on October 9, 2023.
Jack Guez | AFP | Getty Images
Children walk on the ruins of a mosque destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, on October 8, 2023.
Said Khatib | AFP | Getty Images
A smoke rises and ball of fire over a buildings in Gaza City on October 9, 2023 during an Israeli air strike.
Sameh Rahmi | Nurphoto | Getty Images
A smoke rises over a buildings in Gaza City on October 9, 2023 during an Israeli air strike.
Sameh Rahmi | Nurphoto | Getty Images
Demonstrators shout slogans at a pro-Palestinian rally held across the street from the Consulate General of Israel in New York City, October 9, 2023.
Roselle Chen | Reuters
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest at Puerta del Sol square amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Madrid, Spain, October 9, 2023.
Juan Medina | Reuters
A plume of smoke rises above buildings in Gaza City during an Israeli air strike, on October 8, 2023.
Mahmud Hams | Afp | Getty Images
Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on buildings in the refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip on October 9, 2023.
Mohammed Abed | AFP | Getty Images
A view of debris after Israeli airstrikes hit al-Susi Mosque in Gaza Strip on October 09, 2023.
Mustafa Hassona | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Smoke billows and debris flies in the air as the night falls on Gaza City during Israeli airstrikes on October 9, 2023.
Mahmud Hams | AFP | Getty Images
An aerial view of collapsed building as search and rescue efforts continue among rubbles of destroyed buildings aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in Khan Yunis, Gaza on October 09, 2023.
Abed Zagout | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Recital outside Temple Emanu-El on Fifth Avenue in New York, October 9, 2023.
Rohan Goswami | CNBC
— Scott Mlyn and Adam Jeffery
Saudi Arabia pledges support for the Palestinian people
Saudi Arabia announced its support for the Palestinian people in a call with President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
“President Abbas expressed appreciation for the firm position and efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia in support of the Palestinian people and their just cause,” the report stated.
“The Saudi Crown Prince affirmed that his country will continue to stand by the Palestinian people and that it is exerting great efforts to ensure the return of calm and stability.”
Abbas is the head of the Palestinian Authority, the internationally recognized government of the Palestinian people. He is also the head of Fatah, the other major Palestinian party that’s a key rival to Hamas. The Palestinian Authority currently administers part of the West Bank.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia stated it does not support the attacks, and has joined global calls for a de-escalation.
— Lee Ying Shan
France, Germany, Italy, UK and US pledge support to Israel in joint statement
The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States reiterated their support for Israel and “for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region” during a call earlier today.
“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism,” the leaders wrote in a joint statement.
“Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities. We further emphasize that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage,” wrote French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and American President Joe Biden.
— Amanda Macias
Biden confirms 11 Americans killed in Israel
A young woman reacts as she speaks to Israeli rescuers in Tel Aviv, after a was hit by a rocket fired by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.
Jack Guez | AFP | Getty Images
President Joe Biden confirmed at least 11 Americans were killed in Israel. “Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed—many of whom made a second home in Israel,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
Commenting on hostages, Biden said: “I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts.”
Read the full statement from the president:
Statement from President Joe Biden on American Citizens Impacted in Israel
As we continue to account for the horrors of the appalling terrorist assault against Israel this weekend and the hundreds of innocent civilians who were murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy. Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed—many of whom made a second home in Israel.
It’s heart wrenching. These families have been torn apart by inexcusable hatred and violence. We also know that American citizens still remain unaccounted for, and we are working with Israeli officials to obtain more information as to their whereabouts. My heart goes out to every family impacted by the horrible events of the past few days. The pain these families have endured, the enormity of their loss, and the agony of those still awaiting information is unfathomable.
The safety of American citizens—whether at home or abroad—is my top priority as President. While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas. I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts.
For American citizens who are currently in Israel, the State Department is providing consular assistance as well as updated security alerts. For those who desire to leave, commercial flights and ground options are still available. Please also take sensible precautions in the days ahead and follow the guidance of local authorities.
This is not some distant tragedy. The ties between Israel and the United States run deep. It is personal for so many American families who are feeling the pain of this attack as well as the scars inflicted through millennia of antisemitism and persecution of Jewish people. In cities across the country, police departments have stepped up security around centers of Jewish life, and the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other federal law enforcement partners are closely monitoring for any domestic threats in connection with the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel.
In this moment of heartbreak, the American people stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israelis. We remember the pain of being attacked by terrorists at home, and Americans across the country stand united against these evil acts that have once more claimed innocent American lives. It is an outrage. And we will continue to show the world that the American people are unwavering in our resolve to oppose terrorism in all forms.
The United States and the State of Israel are inseparable partners, and I affirmed to Prime Minister Netanyahu again when we spoke yesterday that the United States will continue to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its people.
— Riya Bhattacharjee
