As the Israel-Palestine war entered its fifth day on Wednesday, October 11, the death toll on both sides has risen to at least 2,300 and is expected to escalate.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health said that at least 1,100 Palestinians have been killed, including 300 children and 300 women, and 5,339 citizens injured so far due to Israeli attacks.
Some of the Palestinian children are shown here
In Israel, the number of people killed in Hamas attacks reached 1,200, including 189 Israeli soldiers, while more than 3,007 were injured.
The war began on Saturday, October 7, after Hamas infiltrated southern Israel, sending fighters, firing 5,000 rockets, and taking captives, including women, children, and the elderly, which prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn of “a long and difficult war.“
Key updates so far
- Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday, October 9, ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza, cutting off entry of food, fuel and supplies.
- Hezbollah engaged in cross-border clashes with Israel on Monday and Tuesday, causing concerns of potential further escalation.
- On Monday, Hamas threatened to kill Israeli hostages every time Israel targets Gaza “without warning”.
- 130 Israelis including soldiers and civilians are being held captive by Hamas.
- Air strikes have struck Gaza’s southern Rafah Crossing to Egypt, causing thousands of Palestinians to flee amid Israeli warnings to leave the territory.
- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed to send 20 million dollar in aid to Palestinians
- US Secretary of State to visit Israel on Thursday, October 12.
- Eight Palestinian journalists killed in fighting since Saturday.
- Saeed al-Taweel
- Mohammed Sobih
- Hisham Alnwajha
- Asaad Shamlakh
- Ibrahim Mohammad Lafi
- Mohammad El-Salhi
- Salam Khalil
- Mohammad Jarghoun
- The US, along with the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, has expressed its unwavering support for Israel
- The UN Agency for Palestine says its headquarters suffered significant damage from nearby airstrikes
- Several countries, including the US, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Nepal, Panama, Paraguay, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Ukraine have reported citizens killed, abducted, or missing, many of whom were at a music festival in the southern Israeli desert during Hamas’ attack.
India to launch Operation Ajay to evacuate nationals from Israel
India is launching ‘Operation Ajay’ to facilitate the return from Israel of those Indians who wish to come back home, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced on Wednesday.
“Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return,” Jaishankar posted on X.
“Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad,” he said.
Eleven UN employees killed in Israeli airstrikes
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced on Wednesday that eleven United Nations employees had been killed since the start of the Israeli airstrikes of the Gaza Strip on Saturday, October 7.
Taking to X, UNRWA said, “protecting civilians is crucial, especially in times of conflict.”
UN agency stressed “the necessity of protecting civilians in accordance with the laws of war.”
Israel PM announces wartime ‘emergency government’
Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced an “emergency government” with opposition leader Benny Gantz for the duration of the Gaza militant war.
Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, has not been confirmed to be part of Gantz’s cabinet, but a seat has been reserved for him.
Gaza’s only power plant runs out of fuel
Gaza’s only power plant ran out of fuel, forcing it to shut down after Israel cut off supplies, Gaza’s Hamas-run energy ministry said, Associated Press reported.
That leaves only generators to power the area – but they also run on fuel, which is in short supply.
UK foreign minister Cleverly visits Israel
On Wednesday, British Foreign Minister James Cleverly visited Israel to demonstrate solidarity with the Israeli people following Hamas attacks, according to the British foreign office.
Israeli strikes demolish entire neighbourhoods
Israeli airstrikes destroyed entire city blocks in the coastal enclave, leaving numerous bodies under debris.
Call for Friday protests
Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal has called for protests worldwide in support of Palestinians, as reported by Reuters.
“[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday, the Friday of Al Aqsa Flood,” Meshaal, who is currently the leader of Hamas’s diaspora office, said.
17 British nationals feared dead or missing in Israel
Seventeen British nationals including children are dead or missing in Israel after attacks by Palestinian group Hamas, the BBC reported on Wednesday, citing an official source.
India sets up 24-hour control room to monitor situation
The Indian Embassy in Israel has set up a 24-hour helpline desk for the citizens stranded there and has asked them to follow the security advisories.
60% of the injured are women and children in Gaza Strip
The Palestinian health ministry reports that women and children make up nearly two-thirds of the wounded in the Gaza Strip.
“All hospital beds have been exhausted – medicines and medical consumables are running out,” a statement said.
Video: Hamas missiles falling on Ashkelon
Israel army attacked Hezbollah post
The Israeli army reported an aircraft attack on a Hezbollah observation post, and its artillery shelled the area from which the shooting was detected.
Israeli strikes Islamic University in Gaza
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly destroyed Islamic University in Gaza, accusing it of being used as a Hamas training camp for military intelligence operatives.
“A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck an important operational and military centre for the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip – the Islamic University,” Israeli forces wrote on X.
Pope urges hamas to free hostages
Pope Francis on Wednesday urged the immediate release of hostages captured in the conflict between Hamas and Israel, and expressed concern over the ongoing Gaza siege.
Photos: Devastation from latest Israeli strikes in Gaza
Israel reports cross-border fire from Lebanon
The Israeli army reported an attack on a northern position by anti-tank fire from Lebanon, but did not reveal any casualties.
The attack occurred near the Israeli town of Arab al-Aramshe, opposite the Lebanese village of Dhayra.
Gaza’s only power plant has fuel for 12 more hours at most
The Palestinian energy authority chairman has announced that the Gaza Strip’s sole power plant and current electricity provider will run out of fuel within 10 to 12 hours, Reteurs reported.
Hamas: At least 30 people killed in overnight strikes
Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 30 deaths and hundreds of injuries, according to a Hamas official.
The government’s media office, Salama Marouf told AFP that numerous residential buildings, factories, mosques, and shops were damaged.
The IDF reports that numerous fighter jets carried out strikes against Hamas-used targets, including bank branches, tunnels, war rooms, and other military installations.
Satellite images show Gaza destruction by Israeli strikes
First plane carrying US armaments arrives in Israel
A plane carrying advanced armaments for military operations landed at Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel on Tuesday, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
“We are grateful for the US backing and assistance to the IDF, and to the State of Israel in general, during this challenging period. Our common enemies know that the cooperation between our militaries is stronger than ever, and is a key part in ensuring regional security and stability,” the IDF said in a statement.
Over 263,000 people displaced in Gaza: UN
The UN estimates that over 263,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the Gaza Strip, with the number expected to rise.
OCHA reported that Palestinian authorities have reported the destruction of over 1,000 housing units and 560 homes, making them uninhabitable.
Nearly 175,500 people, including displaced individuals, sought shelter in 88 UNRWA-run schools.
Over 14,500 individuals have fled to 12 government schools, while 74,000 are estimated to be staying with relatives, neighbors, or seeking shelter in churches and other facilities.
Hamas won’t have military capabilities after war: Israeli army
“Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza. The death toll is staggering, a 1,200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2,700 wounded and sadly something tells me that these are not final numbers,” Spokesperson of the Israel Defence Force (IDF) Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus wrote on X on Wednesday.
“We have sent our inventory, armoured soldiers, our artillery cores and many other soldiers from the reserves. 3,00,000 in numbers in different brigades and divisions and they are now close to the Gaza strip getting ready to execute the mission that the Israeli government and that is to make sure that Hamas at the end of the war won’t have any military capabilities by which they can threaten or kill Israeli citizens,” Conricus added.
Four UN relief workers killed in air strikes in Gaza
Four UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) employees have been killed in air strikes on Gaza.
US wants Qatar to mediate with Hamas
The US plans to encourage Qatar to initiate discussions with Hamas regarding the return of American hostages seized during the recent Israeli incursion.
“Qatar has access to Hamas that we certainly don’t have and the Israelis don’t have,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in an interview on Bloomberg.
Israel using white phosphorus bombs in Gaza: Palestine
Palestine accuses Israel of using white phosphorus bombs against civilians in the Karama neighborhood of Gaza Strip, as well as Tel Aviv.
“The Israeli occupation is using internationally banned white phosphorus bombs against the Palestinians in the Karama neighborhood in northern Gaza,” the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said on X, formerly Twitter on Wednesday.
Israel refused to allow food, medicines into Gaza
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has requested for food and medical supplies to be delivered to Gaza, but Israel has refused.
Palestinian official, Hussein al-Sheikh, urges international intervention to stop aggression, allow relief materials, and restore electricity and water in the Gaza Strip, which is facing a major humanitarian catastrophe.
Dire situation in Gaza worsening: UN
The UN reported that Israel’s recent cuts to water, electricity, and medical supplies in the Gaza Strip are exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
UN humanitarian coordinator for Gaza reports limited electricity for Palestinians, affecting health facilities and injured treatment, as reported by UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.
