The war between the Palestinian Hamas group and Israeli troops is now entering its seventh day. As a result of the war that has not yet ended, the number of deaths continues to increase in Israel, the Gaza Strip and even the West Bank.
The following is another update regarding the war, as quoted by CNBC Indonesia from various sources on Friday (13/10/2023).
1. The number of deaths increases
Since the war broke out on Saturday (7/10/2023), the number of victims who died has continued to increase.
According to official figures, at least 1,300 people have been killed in Israel since the hostilities and another 3,300 injured. Based on official data, a total of 1,568 people were killed in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in the same period.
However, it was noted that there may be differences between the figures reported by various official sources, along with developments taking place on the ground.
2. UN Says Israel Wants 1.1 Million People in Gaza to Move
Israel has called for the evacuation of 1.1 million residents in northern Gaza to the south within the next 24 hours. This was conveyed by Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, to NBC News.
“The United Nations considers such a move impossible without dire humanitarian consequences,” the statement said.
The move suggests that Israel may resume its ground offensive into the Palestinian enclave in pursuit of Hamas militants whom the Jewish state has vowed to exterminate.
“All residents of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza have been ordered to move to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours,” the Israeli military told the UN and the Department of Safety and Security in Gaza before midnight local time.
That’s 1.1 million people – about half the population of the Gaza Strip. The same order was also given to all UN staff and those taking refuge in UN facilities, such as schools, health centers and clinics.
3. Hamas Refuses to Evacuate Gaza Residents
The Palestinian Hamas group rejected the Israeli military’s call, which instructed civilians in Gaza City to evacuate to the south, across the Wadi Gaza river. Concerns are growing over a possible Israeli ground attack on the region.
The Israel Defense Forces have not confirmed plans for a ground offensive but have been massing troops on the border with Gaza for a week.
Israel gave the 1.1 million residents of northern Gaza about 24 hours to leave Gaza before a deadline of midnight local time, the UN said.
The Gaza Strip remains under total siege after Israel cut off food, fuel, water and electricity supplies to the territory following a bloody Hamas attack at the weekend.
4. Israeli military criticizes Hamas’ refusal to evacuate
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) criticized the Hamas wing’s response for rejecting its call for Gaza City civilians to flee to the south.
“Hamas asks Gazans to ignore our safety instructions,” the IDF said in a post on social media.
5. Hundreds of Cars and Families Walking on Gaza’s Main Highway
The BBC International report said it had seen hundreds of cars, motorbikes and trucks filled with luggage, some cars covered with mattresses. People were also seen traveling with cows, camels, sheep and donkeys.
Many families even walked, and had to walk several kilometers to evacuate the area.
6. Hamas armed units say 13 captives were killed
The al-Qassam Brigades, an armed unit of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, said that 13 of its hostages were killed in the last 24 hours in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. The number of victims included foreigners, al-Qassam said in a Telegram post. However, this report could not be independently verified.
Hamas took civilians captive in a multi-pronged attack last weekend, prompting a retaliatory strike from Israel. Analysts note that taking hostages gives Hamas a significant bargaining chip in the event of an Israeli attack on Gaza.
7. Israeli Embassy Employees Attacked in Beijing
An Israeli embassy worker in Beijing was attacked on Friday (13/10/2023). This news was conveyed by the Israeli foreign ministry.
“An Israeli employee at the Israeli embassy in Beijing was attacked today,” the foreign ministry statement said, adding that the attack did not take place at the embassy compound in the Chinese capital.
“The employee was hospitalized and is in stable condition,” the statement said. “The motive for the attack is under investigation.”
A statement on the Israeli Foreign Ministry website warned that Hamas had called on all its supporters around the world to hold a ‘Day of Rage’ on Friday to attack Israel and Jews.
“It is reasonable to assume that there will be protests in various countries that could turn violent,” the statement said.
8. Thousands of Iraqis Demonstrate, Support Palestinians
Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad on Friday to support Palestinians amid Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in retaliation for deadly Hamas attacks.
“No to occupation! No to America!” shouted the demonstrators, who gathered in Tahrir Square after Shia leader Moqtada Sadr called for demonstrations in support of Gaza and against Israel, as reported by AFP.
Protesters waved Palestinian and Iraqi flags while a large Israeli flag was raised on the ground for demonstrators to trample on.
“This demonstration aims to condemn what is happening in the occupied Palestinian territories, the bloodshed and human rights violations,” said Abu Kayan, one of the protest organizers.
These Shia clerics have great political influence but are not part of the government. However, the support movement for Gaza is supported by the Iraqi government, which defends the Palestinian cause.
9. King of Jordan asks Palestinian citizens not to go to neighboring countries
Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned against displacing Palestinians as Israel prepares a major offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas attacks. He conveyed this in a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday.
“This crisis must not spread to neighboring countries and exacerbate the refugee problem,” the king told Blinken, according to a palace statement.
10. Iran Urges US to Control Israel to Avoid Regional War
The United States (US) must control Israel to prevent the impact of a regional war with Hamas. This was conveyed by Iran’s top diplomat on Friday in Beirut, where he said Tehran was trying to maintain Lebanon’s security.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke as Hamas and Israel traded fire for the seventh day, after hundreds of Hamas gunmen stormed across the border from Gaza into Israel on Saturday and killed 1,200 people.
Israel responded by raining air and artillery strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, leaving more than 1,350 people dead.
“America wanted to give Israel the opportunity to destroy Gaza, and this was… a big mistake,” Amir-Abdollahian said, adding that if America wants to prevent war from developing in the region, it must control Israel.
Although Tehran has long been a supporter of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Iranian officials maintain that the Islamic republic has no involvement in the militant group’s attacks.
11. UN Organization Seeks Funds for Aid to Gaza
The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is seeking US$ 104 million or around Rp. 1.6 trillion for a multi-sectoral humanitarian response over the next 90 days.
The funds requested will cover the immediate needs of food, non-food, health, shelter and protection for the 250,000 people seeking safety in UNRWA shelters across the Gaza Strip, as well as another 250,000 Palestinian refugees in the community.
Funds are also being considered to address the needs of vulnerable groups, including women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly.
“What is happening now is an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy. Whatever the circumstances, the rules apply in times of conflict and this is no exception. Aid to civilians who have nowhere to escape must be provided immediately: water, food, medicine -medicine,” said UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini.
“It is urgent to enforce access to humanitarian assistance and protection for all civilians,” he added.
12. The President of the European Commission arrives in Israel
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Israel on Friday to express solidarity with the Israeli people following the Hamas attacks last Saturday.
On social media, he said he was joining European Parliament President Roberta Metsola’s visit.
The EU itself firmly condemns last weekend’s hostilities carried out by the Hamas group.
The bloc’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell has also spoken out against the siege of Gaza, where Israel has cut off water, fuel, food and electricity supplies.
13. Italy is confident that Israel will not attack civilians
The Italian Foreign Minister expressed confidence that Israel would not attack civilians and would provide a commensurate response to their reaction to the Hamas group’s attack last Saturday.
“I am sure that Israel will give a proportional reaction and will do everything to attack only Hamas,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Friday. He confirmed his arrival in Israel earlier in the day on social media.
His comments came after Israel gave orders overnight to Gaza City civilians to evacuate southwards across the Wadi Gaza river.
14. Putin Warns of Consequences of Attack on Gaza
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of the devastating impact of a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip. His warning came amid growing concerns Israel was preparing such an attack following evacuation orders.
“The ground operation in the Gaza Strip and the use of heavy equipment in residential areas have serious consequences for all parties,” Putin said Friday, in Google-translated comments carried by Russia’s Tass state news agency.
“Civilian losses in the event of a ground operation in the Gaza Strip are unacceptable,” he added.
Reuters reported that the Russian leader urged a peaceful resolution to the conflict sparked by attacks from the Hamas group at the weekend.
15. HRW Warns of Use of White Phosphorus by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon
Israel’s use of white phosphorus in military operations in Gaza and Lebanon endangers civilians because it causes them to suffer serious and lasting injuries. This was conveyed by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
“White phosphorus, which can be used for marking, signaling and obscuring, or as a weapon to start fires that burn people and objects, has significant incendiary effects,” the non-governmental organization said, noting that phosphorus can burn people and object. objects, as well as burning buildings and surrounding fields.
HRW said the use of the substance violated international humanitarian law which prohibits placing civilians at unnecessary risk.
“Whenever white phosphorus is used in densely populated areas, it poses a high risk of severe burns and lifelong suffering,” said Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
Source : CNBC
