Israel has cut off the electricity supply to the Gaza Strip and is refusing to let in water and gasoline until all of Hamas' captives are released. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that every terrorist will soon be "a dead man."
Fuel and Power Run Out in Gaza
On Wednesday, October 11, the Israeli government took a tough position in anticipation of an impending ground strike in reaction to the horrendous terror assault over the weekend. The attacks of Islamist militant movement Hamas killed over 1,200 people -- the vast majority of whom were civilians.
Israel Katz, Israel's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said on X (formerly Twitter), "Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home," as translated by The Statesman. Katz also reportedly tweeted in Hebrew, "Humanitarian for humanitarian."
Hamas has previously threatened to release a live broadcast of executions of the approximately 150 persons they have held hostage, including women and children.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu collaborated with a major political opponent to form an emergency unity government and war cabinet to direct the battle, promising to "crush and destroy" the terrorist group responsible for the killings. According to his broadcast statement, "Every Hamas member is a dead man."
Benny Gantz, head of the opposition, said that he was united with his opponent and ready to "wipe this thing called Hamas off the face of the Earth."
In punishment for the terror assault, the Israeli government shut off food, gasoline, and water supplies to the territory of Gaza. This reluctance to assist occurred at a time when the United Nations was putting pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian relief to Gaza, as reported by the New York Post.
On Wednesday, the lone power plant servicing Gaza ran out of fuel, worsening the already dire situation. Now, hospitals must depend on generators that their administrators worry will not last more than a few more days.
The head of Gaza's power administration told CNN that the whole Gaza Strip has lost electricity, leaving local authorities worried about how to provide for their citizens.
Israel has called up 360,000 reserve soldiers, amassed more troops around Gaza, and evacuated tens of thousands of people from the area.
See Also : Biden Warns Iran Over Israel-Gaza Conflict as Democrats Call on POTUS to Refreeze Tehran Funds
Biden Warns Iran
In one of the most recent updates on the ongoing war, US President Joe Biden has advised Iran not to become involved in Israel's confrontation with Hamas out of fear of a regional conflict.
The US has information that top Iranian officials were stunned by the multi-pronged attack. The White House has maintained that it has not observed clear Iranian participation in the Hamas assault, but conversations and investigations continue.
An unidentified US official said Iranian intelligence influenced White House claims.
The Hamas attack was condemned by Biden in talks with Jewish leaders and nationally broadcast statements. He openly denounced terrorists beheading children as inhumane.
