The ongoing conflict between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas has resulted in a surge of casualties, with both sides locked in intense battles for control of the Gaza Strip and surrounding areas.
Hamas initiated a surprise assault over the weekend, launching a barrage of rockets from Gaza and sending fighters into Israeli territory. The attacks have resulted in over 1,100 deaths as of Monday, marking the third day of clashes.
The IDF reported that more than 700 Israelis have lost their lives since the start of the large-scale Hamas offensive, with another 1,200 individuals suffering injuries, many of whom are in critical condition.
In response to the attacks, Israeli forces have carried out airstrikes, targeting approximately 800 sites in the blockaded Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people. Palestinian officials have reported at least 413 deaths in Gaza.
IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus described the Hamas assault on Saturday as “by far the worst day in Israeli history,” estimating that around 1,000 Palestinian fighters took part in the offensive.
The conflict has led to a significant deployment of reserve troops, totaling around 100,000, to the southern region as the IDF works to remove Hamas fighters from Israeli territory. Israeli officials have expressed their determination to end Hamas’ governance in Gaza.
Support from the United States
US President Joe Biden has ordered additional support for Israel in response to the ongoing attacks by Hamas. Several US citizens have been killed in the conflict, according to US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who added that the casualty count is expected to rise.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the US will provide additional equipment and resources, including munitions, to the IDF. The US has also deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and a group of warships to the eastern Mediterranean, augmenting fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
Hamas has characterized the US aid as aggression against Palestinians.
Abductions and Attacks
Hamas’ multi-pronged offensive on Saturday, which coincided with the Jewish Sabbath, took Israel by surprise. The attacks included the firing of thousands of rockets and infiltrations by fighters into Israeli towns and communities. An outdoor gathering was also targeted, resulting in multiple casualties.
Reports from Israeli citizens hiding in their homes have indicated that militants have gone door-to-door, targeting civilians and abducting individuals.
Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, launched guided missiles and artillery shells towards Israel in solidarity with Hamas. These attacks did not result in casualties but prompted artillery strikes from Israel across the UN-patrolled border.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads a hard-right coalition government, has vowed to eliminate Hamas hideouts and encouraged Palestinians in Gaza to evacuate.
Israeli airstrikes have destroyed several residential towers in Gaza and targeted key infrastructure, including a mosque and the central bank. Over 20,000 people in Gaza have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict, as reported by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA).
Global Impact and Protests
The conflict has had a global impact, with several countries reporting the deaths, abductions, or missing status of their nationals. Nations such as Brazil, Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, Ukraine, and the United States are among those affected.
Oil prices have surged more than four percent, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions from the oil-rich region. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi voiced support for Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group during the conflict.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have occurred in various countries, including the United States, Iraq, and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Germany and France have increased security measures around Jewish temples and schools.
As the conflict continues, Hamas has urged “resistance fighters in the West Bank” and “Arab and Islamic nations” to join the battle. The situation remains fluid, and both sides are locked in fierce confrontations reminiscent of the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has expressed confidence in victory and a determination to continue the battle to liberate their land and prisoners held by the Israeli occupation.
Israeli survivors have called for a thorough military operation to clear Gaza of rockets and militants, while many Gaza residents remain defiant, vowing not to abandon their land despite the ongoing conflict.