Priya Aditi
Israel-Hamas War LIVE updates: Even in regions that Israel had designated as safe zones, airstrikes persisted in Gaza on the 14th day of the Israel-Hamas war. Reiterating its support for Israel, the United States has placed significant emphasis on the urgent need to secure the release of hostages that Hamas is holding. Palestinians in Gaza, meanwhile, awaited the emergency aid that had been agreed upon in an agreement brokered by US President Joe Biden. Israel persisted in its bombardment of targets within the enclave under the control of Hamas.
The Hamas-led Interior Ministry documented fatalities among displaced individuals who sought refuge in a church compound in the Gaza Strip on Thursday as a result of an Israeli strike. Cargo aircraft transported hygiene products, food, medication, and water purifiers to the El Arish airport in Egypt, in anticipation of the imminent reopening of the Rafah border crossing into Gaza.
Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the United States Department of State, stated in a press briefing that the United States is willing to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza in addition to supporting Israel in its fight against Hamas.
This was reaffirmed on Thursday by President Joe Biden and US officials: US intelligence does not attribute the explosion at al-Ahli Hospital to an Israeli airstrike.
On October 7, Hamas militants launched the conflict, which was met with unyielding Israeli retaliation. At least 1,400 people, primarily civilians, were reportedly slain in the initial assault, and approximately 1,500 Islamist fighters were killed in subsequent clashes, according to Israel. The Israeli airstrikes have resulted in Palestinian casualties, as documented by the Gaza health ministry, which counts a minimum of 3,785 fatalities, the majority of whom were civilians.
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Israel-Hamas war LIVE: A Hamas bombardment destroys kibbutz, an intentional community in Israel.
The dawn assault carried out by Hamas militants on October 7 caused damage to an approximate 25% portion of an Israeli kibbutz situated in close proximity to the Gaza frontier. An estimated 400 inhabitants perished, were abducted, or vanished during the assault, which specifically targeted military outposts and Israeli communities.
Bahat (57 years old) asserts that ascertaining the ultimate death toll remains a formidable task due to the ongoing discovery of bodies, some of which remain unidentified. He specifically mentioned a residence where the remains of a woman and her grandson were recently discovered.
Israeli authorities document a minimum of 1,400 fatalities on the initial day of the assault, the majority of whom were civilians and were executed by fire, mutilation, or shooting.
Israel reports that approximately 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in combat prior to the organization reestablishing authority over the region.
Almost two weeks following the assault, remnants of the destruction continue to be apparent. Alongside the charred ruins of dwellings, children’s bicycles are littered throughout gardens, and laundry is still dangling from washing lines.
On Thursday afternoon, Kibbutz security commander Shachar Butler returned, in part to bury a close friend.
October 20, 2023, 8:34 AM
The Israel-Hamas conflict LIVE: Tech titans Intel and Siemens withdraw from the Web Summit in response to Israel-related remarks
Bloomberg reported that Intel Corp. and Siemens AG have decided to withdraw from Web Summit, the preeminent technology conference in Europe, in response to the event organizer’s critical remarks concerning Western support for Israel in the wake of the Hamas assaults.
On Thursday, Intel, an American semiconductor manufacturer, officially announced its decision to withdraw from Web Summit. Further comment was declined by a representative of the corporation, which has established operations in Israel.
Initially, the German engineering and manufacturing corporation Siemens was designated as a principal sponsor of the forthcoming summit in Lisbon. As a result of a thorough evaluation of the circumstances, the organization has made the decision not to sponsor or participate in the event this year.
20 October 2023 at 8:20 AM
Israeli-Hamas conflict LIVE: Chinese envoy to the Middle East urges assurance of Palestinian rights
Zhai Jun, the Middle East envoy of China, ascribed the Israel-Gaza crisis to the absence of assured Palestinian rights during a meeting in Qatar, a diplomatic hub for the Israel-Hamas conflict, with his Russian counterpart.
Thursday marked the inaugural leg of Zhai’s regional tour in Qatar, where he reaffirmed the Chinese government’s solidarity with Moscow in their concerted endeavors to mitigate the tensions in Gaza.
Zhai stated, subsequent to his meeting with Mikhail Bogdanov in Doha, that the positions of Russia and China regarding the Palestinian issue are identical. This event transpired subsequent to the extraordinary encounter between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, wherein the two leaders engaged in discussions.
“The current state of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict can be attributed to the fundamental failure to ensure the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people,” Zhai stated.
20 October 2023 at 8:06 AM
Israel-Hamas conflict LIVE updates: Gaza is in dire need of assistance from Egypt.
On Thursday, Israel launched airstrikes against the Gaza Strip as ground forces prepared to observe the region “internally.” Gaza’s overburdened hospitals endeavored to stretch out dwindling medical supplies and generator fuel while authorities coordinated the delivery of desperately needed aid from Egypt.
20 October 2023 at 07:43 AM
Israel-Hamas conflict LIVE updates: Hamas reports multiple casualties in an Israeli airstrike on a church.
A number of displaced individuals who sought refuge at a church compound in the Gaza Strip have been slain or injured, according to the Hamas-controlled interior ministry, as a result of an Israeli strike that occurred late Thursday.
The ministry reported that the attack on the compound of the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church resulted in “a significant number of martyrs and injured.”
According to witnesses, the attack caused the collapse of an adjacent structure and damaged the church’s facade; furthermore, a large number of injured individuals were evacuated to the hospital.
situated in the historic district of Gaza, Saint Porphyrius is the oldest chapel still in active use in the city.
“Strongest condemnation” was issued by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in regards to the attack on its church compound.
20 October 2023 at 07:26 AM
Israel-Hamas conflict LIVE updates: The head of Israeli defense hints that troops may shortly enter Gaza.
Reuters reported that on Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed troops stationed at the Gaza border, stating that they would “soon” have a clear view of the Palestinian enclave, which suggested that a possible ground invasion aimed at eradicating Hamas was imminent.
On Thursday, Israel conducted further airstrikes in Gaza as a retaliatory measure to the October 7 attacks, during which 1,400 Israelis were slain by Hamas militants.
Israel has imposed a blockade on the 2.3 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip and conducted multiple airstrikes, which have led to the displacement of more than one million individuals and the loss of thousands of lives.
“You currently see Gaza from a distance; you will soon see it from within,” said Gallant. “The command is imminent.” Although military were not anticipated to enter during the visit of foreign leaders, this was not the case.
Promptly following Gallant’s declaration, Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, published a video featuring himself alongside troops in close proximity to the border, in which he proclaimed triumph.
20 October 2023 at 07:08 AM
Israel-Hamas conflict LIVE updates: China is prepared to work with Russia to resolve the Gaza conflict, according to a report.
China is prepared to maintain coordination and communication with Russia in an effort to defuse the Israel-Palestine conflict, according to Chinese state media and Reuters, which reported that China’s Middle East special envoy stated following a meeting with his Russian counterpart this week.
After engaging in discussions with his Russian counterpart in Doha, Qatar, the envoy from China, Zhai Jun, asserted that the two countries hold an identical position regarding the Palestinian issue. He added that the absence of legitimate national rights guaranteed to the Palestinian people is the fundamental cause of the current state of affairs in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Zhai has conveyed the Chinese government’s apprehension regarding the humanitarian crisis and the loss of life among civilians. Furthermore, China has reaffirmed its commitment to actively supporting the recommencement of peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine, as well as the authentic realization of a two-state resolution. Further, he stated that China’s involvement in the Palestinian issue is not motivated by “selfish” interests.
October 20th, 2023 at 6:58 AM
Israel-Hamas conflict LIVE updates: Biden stated the following in his most recent address concerning the conflict:
. US President Joe Biden urged Americans in his Thursday address from the Oval Office to set aside “angry politics” and unite in support of Israel and Ukraine militarily, framing this as a global civic duty. He asserted that the United States continues to be a global protector of freedom and emphasized that it cannot afford to abandon these nations.
• Biden stated that despite the fact that Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin represent different threats, they share the goal of completely destroying an adjacent democracy.
• Vice President Biden emphasized the criticality of American leadership, alliances, and values, characterizing them as the bedrock that sustains global unity. He emphasized that the United States serves as a global beacon.
• Biden further urged the United States Congress to authorize military assistance for Ukraine and Israel that is urgently required, emphasizing that such assistance would safeguard American security for future generations. “It is a prudent investment that will benefit future generations of American security. It will assist in preventing American soldiers from coming into peril. Biden stated, “It will assist us in constructing a safer, more peaceful, and prosperous world for our children and grandchildren.”
20 October 2023 06:45
LIVE updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict: The Pentagon investigates a link between Iran and Hamas.
The Pentagon announced on Thursday that an assessment of the characteristics of the Hamas attacks that transpired in Israel on October 7 is presently underway. Additionally, they stated that any potential correlation between Iran and these assaults is currently unknown.
“Our assessment of the nature of these attacks remains ongoing, and we will maintain a vigilant vigilance over this matter…”At this time, the available information does not indicate a direct connection between the October 7 Hamas attacks and Iran,” Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, stated in a press briefing on Thursday.
“As you have heard others state, we are aware that Iran maintains a substantial association with Hamas, encompassing financial backing, instruction, and assistance. While they do accept some accountability in this regard, there is no direct connection to these attacks,” “We will continue to monitor that,” he further stated.
20 October 2023, 6:30 AM
Israel-Hamas conflict LIVE updates: Drones and rockets strike Iraqi bases that house US forces.
• According to news agency Reuters, drones and missiles targeted the Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq, which houses United States and international forces. Multiple explosions were reportedly detected and reported from sources of security within the base. In retaliation, the Iraqi military established perimeter security around the base and commenced a search operation. Sources reported that the precise magnitude of casualties and damage caused by the assaults remained uncertain at this time.
• Additionally, Iraqi police reported that missiles struck a second military base housing American forces in close proximity to Baghdad’s international airport; however, no further information was provided.
• These recent incidents represent the fourth assault on Iraqi military bases that accommodate U.S. forces in the past twenty-four hours. Two distinct drone assaults targeted U.S. military forces in Iraq on Wednesday, inflicting minor injuries upon a limited number of personnel. Nevertheless, an armed drone was effectively intercepted by the United States military.
Iraqi armed factions affiliated with Iran had issued threats of missile and drone assaults against American interests in the event that the United States provided assistance to Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
20 October 2023 06:14
Israel-Hamas conflict LIVE updates: Biden emphasizes the “importance of a unified front against Russia and Hamas.”
US President Joe Biden stated in an uncommon address from the Oval Office that both Russia and Hamas seek to “annihilate” democracies and argued that aid to Ukraine and Israel is a critical US interest.
“While Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose distinct challenges, they both seek to annihilate an adjacent democracy entirely,” Biden stated during his prime-time address.
“It is a shrewd investment that will benefit future generations of Americans in terms of security,” the 80-year-old Democrat stated in his historic Resolute Desk address for the second time during his presidency.
“The leadership of the United States is what binds the world”. It is American alliances that ensure our safety. “Our values are what set us apart as a cooperating nation to other countries,” he asserted.
“The United States of America serves as a beacon for the world.” “Still, still,” he declared.
October 20, 2023, 6:04 AM
Israel-Hamas conflict LIVE updates: “US support for Israel and Ukraine is vital,” Biden declares in an Oval Office address.
According to the Associated Press, US President Joe Biden stated that the success of Israel and Ukraine in their respective conflicts is “vital for America’s national security” and advocated for increased US involvement in a rare Oval Office appearance on Thursday night.
Additionally, Biden stated that “chaos and conflict could spread to other regions of the world” if aggression on the international stage is permitted to continue.
Biden stated, “Hamas and Putin represent distinct threats.” Conversely, they have this in common. Both of them are intent on annihilating an adjacent democracy entirely.
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He declared his intention to petition Congress for immediate funding in the amount of approximately $100 billion over the course of the following year. This proposal, which is scheduled for unveiling on Friday, will include humanitarian aid, border management, and support for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
