Here is the situation on Tuesday, October 10, 2023:
Fighting in Gaza
- Residents of the Gaza Strip spent a third night in terror and darkness as Israel kept up its relentless bombardment of the coastal enclave.
- The Israeli military said it regained “full control” of the Gaza fence and declared a full siege, cutting off water and power supplies.
- It said it launched attacks on more than 200 locations in the Gaza Strip overnight.
- After hours of intense bombardment by Israeli jets, Hamas said it would execute an Israeli captive for every civilian house bombed without warning.
- The Israeli military revised on Tuesday a recommendation by one of its spokespeople that Palestinians fleeing its air attacks in the Gaza Strip head to Egypt, saying in a follow-up statement that the main crossing on that border was currently closed.
- In remarks aired by Israel’s Army Radio, chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said there had been no new infiltrations from Gaza since Monday.
Diplomacy
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed Washington’s support to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
- The US has already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment to Israel.
- But it said it had no intention of putting its military on the ground but would protect US interests in the region.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the “vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred and polarisation”.
- US President Joe Biden released a joint statement with the leaders of Germany, the UK, France and Italy on Monday, condemning the attacks on Israel by Hamas and expressing their “steadfast and united support” for Israel.
- In the statement, they acknowledged the “legitimate aspirations” of the Palestinian people, and supported justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
- Turkey is ready to act as a mediator to end the conflict if the two parties make such a proposition, including hostage swaps, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
- Demonstrations in support of Palestine and Israel have continued across the world over the last 24 hours.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who joined a solidarity gathering for Israel, has condemned demonstrations in support of Hamas in his country.
Casualties and humanitarian situation
- Israel’s death toll has risen to at least 900 with 2,600 injured, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.
- In Gaza, authorities said 794 Palestinians were killed and 4,000 others injured.
- The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza called for the opening of a “safe corridor to ensure the entry of urgent medical aid” into the territory’s hospitals.
- The US reaffirmed its support to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas, while it also said at least 11 American citizens were among those killed in Israel.
- Thailand updated the number of its nationals killed from 12 to 18 on Tuesday, with nine wounded and 11 taken captive.
- Ten Nepalese citizens were killed in Kibbutz Alumim, one of the locations attacked by Hamas fighters, the Nepalese Embassy in Tel Aviv said.
