Gaza and Jerusalem (CNN) – In response to the militant organization’s vow to kill civilian captives if airstrikes target Gaza without prior notice, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Monday that Israel’s military would engage Hamas with a force “like never before.”
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday also ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza in response to Hamas’ devastating surprise attack on Israeli territory over the weekend. He also said that electricity, food, water, and gasoline will not be provided to the Palestine people.
The minister declared, “I have given an order – Gaza will be completely besieged.” “We will act appropriately because we are battling barbarians.” Since the Hamas attack, Israel has been bombarding what it refers to as “strategic” Hamas targets in Gaza with airstrikes.
Hours later, a representative of Hamas’ armed wing declared that if Israel hits residents of Gaza without warning, it will start executing civilian hostages and publicizing the act. In a message posted on the Al-Qassam Brigades’ Telegram channel, Abu Obaida said, “We assure you that we will respond to the targeting of people in the safety of their homes by executing our civilian hostages without warning, and we will broadcast this via audio and video.”
Last Saturday, Hamas launched its first-ever surprise attack, firing thousands of missiles and dispatching armed men into Israel. Israel’s Army Radio claimed on Monday that the attack has left at least 900 people dead and thousands more injured in Israel.
On Sunday, Israel formally declared war on Hamas in reprisal. On Monday, the slaughter entered its third day, and Israeli jets kept bombarding Gaza with deadly bombs. At least 687 people have died as a result of the strikes, hundreds have been injured, and several children and women have also perished, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Attacks on alleged Hamas strongholds in Gaza are “just the beginning,” Netanyahu cautioned in a Monday speech which was broadcast on television.”I said that every Hamas operational base would be destroyed. It is already taking place right now, and it will continue to grow, he said. He also continued saying that they are confronting their survival and homes.
As Israeli air defense systems in Ashdod intercepted rockets fired from Gaza on Monday, a CNN crew on the ground witnessed dust pouring into the sky. In retaliation to Israeli airstrikes, Hamas claimed to have launched 120 rockets on Monday against the coastal communities of Ashdod and Ashkelon.
There is no longer any active hostilities between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists within Israel, according to the Israeli military, which has already regained control of Israeli communities that were overrun by the militant group’s gunmen over the weekend.
According to US President Joe Biden, at least 11 US citizens have been verified dead in Israel. American hostages are also “likely” to be among those being held, Biden also stated that his administration is collaborating with Israeli authorities on “every aspect of the hostage crisis.”
