Israel orders 'complete siege' of Gaza, with food, water and energy cut off
As Israel vows crushing retaliation for Hamas' invasion, Hamas threatens to kill its hostages
As Israel and Palestinian militants continued battling into a fourth day after Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack Saturday morning, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday he had ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip, with "no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel" allowed into the Palestinian territory. As of early Tuesday, Israel's death toll stood at more than 900 while Gaza authorities said nearly 700 Palestinians have been killed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who formally declared war on Hamas on Sunday, said in a televised speech Monday that Israel has "only started striking Hamas," adding, "What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations." A spokesman for the military wing of Hamas, which also rules Gaza, said the Palestinian militants would execute some of their estimated 150 Israeli hostages every time Israel struck Gazans "in their homes without warning."
President Biden and the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy issued a joint statement last Monday condemning "Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Israel has been blockading Gaza's two shared land borders and its Mediterranean coast for 16 years. A siege would spell "utter disaster" for Palestinian civilians, Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told The Associated Press. "There is no doubt that collective punishment is in violation of international law." Egypt, which shares Gaza's fourth border, will allow medical and food aid to pass through the small Rafah border crossing, AP reported, citing an Egyptian military official.
Israel has called up 300,000 reservists, and its forces amassed near the Gaza Strip border suggest a ground invasion could be in the works. Its fighter jets have already destroyed housing blocks and water and communications infrastructure, struck a market where Gazans were stocking up on food, and razed four mosques in the Shati refugee camp, The New York Times reported. Israel said the mosques were hiding Hamas fighters or infrastructure.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'The House GOP is begging to lose their majority'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Pig kidney transplant recipient dies
Speed Read Richard Slayman has passed away two months after undergoing the historic procedure
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Putin replaces defense minister with economist
Speed Read In a surprising shake-up, Putin replaced Sergei Shoigu with civilian economist Andrei Belousov
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How strong is Hamas?
Today's Big Question Analysts warn that Islamist group may sustain 'lingering armed resistance for years to come'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Aid to Ukraine: too little, too late?
Talking Point House of Representatives finally 'met the moment' but some say it came too late
By The Week UK Published
-
The murky role of military contractors in war
The Explainer A civil case against US company has revived debate over the increasing use of private security firms in military operations
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran attack hinder support for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Pro-Kyiv allies cry 'hypocrisy' and 'double standards' even as the US readies new support package
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran's attack on Israel backfire?
Today's Big Question The unprecedented targeting of Israel could be a 'godsend' for Netanyahu as the limits of Tehran's military power are exposed
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran risk all-out war with Israel?
Today's Big Question Tehran has not wanted to be directly involved in the Middle East conflict so far. But that could be about to change
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published