As the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas entered its sixth day on Thursday, October 12, the death toll on both sides has risen to more than 2,700, with more than 9,500 wounded, and scores taken hostage.
In Gaza, the health ministry said at least 1,417 Palestinians have been killed, including 447 children and 6,268 citizens wounded due to Israeli attacks.
The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency says 338,000 people have been displaced in Gaza.
The Gaza Strip experienced increased suffering as its sole power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday, October 11.
On the Israeli side, at least 1,300 people have been killed, including 222 soldiers and 3,300 wounded.
At least 150 hostages seized by Hamas militants from southern Israel since Saturday, October 7. Among them are women, children and the elderly.
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.“
War so far:
Israeli army chief admits forces failed to prevent Hamas attack
The head of Israel’s army Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has admitted that the security forces are at fault in failing to prevent Hamas’s attack on Saturday.
“Israel Defence Forces iss responsible for defending the country and its citizens, and Saturday morning in the area around Gaza, we did not live up to it,” Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said.
Israeli airstrikes on Damascus, Aleppo international airports
Israeli forces on Thursday conducted simultaneous airstrikes on the airports of Damascus and Aleppo in Syria.
Israeli PM thanks “American people for support”
“Thank you to the American people for your incredible support for Israel in our war against the barbarians of Hamas…,” Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu said in a joint media briefing with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Kuwait halts all celebratory manifestations in solidarity with Palestinians
Kuwaiti government on Thursday announced halting all celebrations and concerts in solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people and the martyrs.
Taking to X, Government Communication Center (CGC) said that the decision came to affirm the State of Kuwait permanent stand in support of the Palestinian cause It is intended to demonstrate solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people who are subject to one of the ugliest Israeli aggression.
650,000 people face dire water shortages in Gaza: UN
OCHA reports 13 hospitals in Gaza are only partially operational due to fuel and medical supply shortages, and water shortages for over 650,000 people due to Israel’s airstrikes.
The humanitarian office reported that sewage systems have been destroyed, causing fetid wastewater to spill into the streets and posing a health risk.
Blinken meets Netanyahu
Gaza Strip still has some fuel
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that Gaza Strip has sufficient fuel to operate generators, including hospitals, but it may run out soon.
12 UN employees killed in Israeli airstrikes
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced on Thursday that twelve United Nations employees had been killed since the start of the Israeli airstrikes of the Gaza Strip on Saturday, October 7.
Hospitals risk turning into morgues without electricity in Gaza: ICRC
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that hospitals in Gaza are at risk of turning into morgues due to ongoing resource scarcity like electricity, water and food.
“As Gaza loses power, hospitals lose power, putting newborns in incubators and elderly patients on oxygen at risk. Kidney dialysis stops, and X-rays can’t be taken. Without electricity, hospitals risk turning into morgues.”
Three of five water plants in Gaza out of service due to bombing and lack of fuel, ICRC adds.
Antony Blinken lands in Israel
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Israel along with a team of officials on Thursday morning.
India launches ‘Operation Ajay’ to get back Indians in Israel
On Thursday, Kobbi Shoshani, the Consul General of Israel to Midwest India, announced the launch of ‘Operation Ajay’ to facilitate the return of Indians from Israel.
Shoshani also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the launch of the operation and confirmed there were nearly 18,000 Indian citizens in Israel, including 1,000 students.
Palestinian President to meet Blinken on Friday
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, according to a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) official.
Israel preparing for ground operation in Gaza
The Israeli military is preparing for a possible ground operation in Gaza, but political leadership hasn’t decided on a specific action, the Associated Press reported.
No electricity or water to Gaza until abductees returned home, says Energy Minister
Energy Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said that Gaza will not receive electricity or water until those abducted during Hamas’s surprise attack are returned home.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Katz wrote, “Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electrical switch will be turned on, no water pump will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home.”
“Humanitarianism for humanitarianism. And no one can preach morality to us,” he added.
Egypt rejects corridors for civilians
The Egyptian government has rejected any proposal to establish corridors out of Gaza for Palestinians fleeing Israel’s airstrikes, according to a senior Egyptian official, the Associated Press reported.
More than 338,000 displaced in Gaza: UN
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported that over 338,000 individuals have been compelled to evacuate their homes in the Gaza Strip.
The number of displaced individuals in the densely populated territory of 2.3 million people has increased by an additional 75,000 people to reach 338,934.
Every Hamas member is a dead man, says Netanyahu
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that every Hamas member was “a dead man” following the first meeting of his country’s emergency government.
Iran’s President and Saudi Crown Prince discuss the Israel-Palestinian conflict
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
It was the first phone call between the two leaders since the two countries restored diplomatic ties in March this year.
