Israel intensified air strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza and at least two missiles were fired at Israel from Lebanon.
(Bloomberg) — Israel intensified air strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza and at least two missiles were fired at Israel from Lebanon.
More than 1,200 Israelis and some 900 Palestinians have been killed since Gaza-based Hamas militants attacked Israel at the weekend. Gaza is running low on diesel supplies after Israel sealed off the area, with authorities predicting a total shutdown of the territory’s only power plant within hours.
Israel’s military is building a base for thousands of soldiers in preparation for the next phase of its retaliation. Hamas, which the US and Europe have declared a terrorist group, said it was prepared to kill hostages if Israel attacks.
For more on the Israel-Hamas war, click here.
All time stamps are Israeli time.
Two Missiles Fired From Lebanon Toward Israel (10:47 a.m.)
Lebanon’s state-run NNA reported that two missiles were fired from Lebanon toward Israel, shortly after Israel Defense Forces said they detected anti-tank fire from the neighboring country in the north.
Gaza Set to Lose All Power Supply Soon (10:43 a.m.)
Zafer Melhem, an official with the Palestinian energy authority, said Gaza’s only power plant had a diesel stockpile of around 300,000 liters left — just enough to keep it going for about 12 hours.
The power plant is unable to receive additional fuel after Israel cut off supplies in the wake of the Hamas attack.
Israel Strikes on Gaza (9:37 a.m.)
IDF said it destroyed advanced detection systems used by Hamas to monitor Israeli aircraft, while warplanes hit areas that served as “terror hubs.”
Navy vessels and artillery struck targets in Khan Yunis and Gaza docks, killing a Hamas diver who attempted to infiltrate Israel.
Israeli authorities said they regained control of the Gaza border fence. However, there may still be infiltrators hiding out in Israel from Saturday’s incursion.
China Backs Aid to Gaza in First Public Response (7:12 a.m.)
China’s special envoy for the Middle East called for humanitarian support for the Palestinian people in his first public response to the Hamas attack on Israel.
Zhai Jun, who has served as China’s special envoy on Middle East issues since 2019, made the call for aid in a telephone conversation with an official at Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs,a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
US Discussing Safe Passage for Gaza Civilians (06:46 a.m.)
The US is discussing safe passage for civilians in Gaza with Israel and Egypt, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said.
“We are focused on this question, there are consultations ongoing,” he said, according to a transcript of his remarks at a briefing. “The details of that are something that are being discussed among the — the operational agencies, and I don’t want to share too much of that publicly at this time.”
Death Toll in Gaza Reaches 900, Palestinian Authorities Say (06:30 a.m.)
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said around 900 people, including 260 children, were killed in retaliatory attacks on Gaza by Israel. More than 4,500 others were wounded.
Israeli Death Toll Rises (5:58 a.m.)
IDF spokesman Lieutenant Jonathan Conricus said the “overwhelming majority” of the 1,200 Israeli fatalities were civilians. The count has risen as more bodies are found and not from new fighting, he said on the social media platform X.
“Sadly, something tells me that these numbers are not the final numbers,” he said in a video posted online. More than 2,700 people have been wounded so far, he added.
Israel’s military deployed 300,000 reservists in different brigades and divisions close to the Gaza Strip, he said. They are “getting ready to execute the mission” that has been “given by the Israeli government to make sure that Hamas at the end of this war won’t have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli civilians.”
Israel Conducts New Counterstrike (5:11 a.m.)
Israel said its military struck more than 200 targets in a Gaza neighbourhood it described as a “hotspot from which Hamas devises and executes their attacks,” in a social media post.
It was the third counterstrike in the area during the last 24 hours, in which 450 targets were struck.
Blinken Heads to Israel and Jordan (3:17 a.m.)
Blinken will travel to Israel and Jordan from Wednesday to Friday, the State Department said in a statement.
Blinken wants to hear from Israel about what it needs and how to support the country, department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a news briefing. “The first tranche of security assistance is on its way and will arrive in the coming days, and more will follow,” he said.
Iran likely knew Hamas was planning the attacks, but the US has no confirmation Tehran was involved in the preparations, Miller said.
Read more: What’s Hamas, the Militant Group That Attacked Israel: QuickTake
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