In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a series of intense airstrikes targeting the city of Gaza. This latest escalation comes as tensions reached a boiling point after thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip on October 7th. More than 200 hostages were taken during the incursion.
The Hamas movement responded by firing thousands of rockets into Israeli territory, officially initiating their operation titled “Flood of Al-Aqsa.” In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the country to be in a state of war. The IDF’s operation, codenamed “Iron Swords,” aims to neutralize Hamas and has resulted in airstrikes against hundreds of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli National Security Council has also decided to halt the supply of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the Gaza Strip. The severity of the situation prompted Israel to inform the United Nations on October 13th that 1.1 million Palestinians must be evacuated to the southern part of Gaza within 24 hours in preparation for a potential ground operation.
Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously vowed to destroy Hamas, and the recent events have further heightened tensions in the region. The situation remains fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring the developments in this volatile conflict.
