Israel’s response to Hamas strikes could put the Gaza Strip on the verge of a new humanitarian crisis, according to authorities, if supplies are not allowed in.
Israel had on Monday morning declared a ‘complete siege’ on the territory – saying electricity, food, fuel and water would be cut off.
According to residents, aid has not reached the enclave since Saturday. BBC footage shows deserted streets covered with rubble from collapsed buildings following Israeli airstrikes.
Africa Today News, New York reports that no fewer than 500 people have died in the reprisal attacks.
Gaza is currently home to about 2.3 million people in total – 80% of whom rely on humanitarian aid mainly due to the ongoing hostilities with Israel.
On Monday evening, Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, said it would impose a ‘complete siege’ on the territory.
‘No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed,’ he said, adding that ‘we are fighting animals and are acting accordingly.’
The Israeli Infrastructure Minister later ordered the immediate cut-off of water supplies to Gaza, saying: ‘What was in the past will no longer be in the future.’
The spokesperson of al Qassam Brigade, the armed wing of Hamas, said civilian hostages will be executed and the killings will be broadcast if Israel targets people in Gaza without warning.
“We declare that we will respond to any targeting of our people who are safe in their homes without warning, with the execution of our civilian hostages, and we will broadcast it with audio and video,” Abu Obaida said in a statement posted to al Qassam Brigades’ Telegram channel Monday.
Hamas claims it is holding more than 100 hostages, including Israeli army officers.
Secretary of the US Army, Christine Wormuth yesterday said additional funding from Congress would be needed for the Defense Department to provide munitions to Israel while the US continues to support Ukraine in its war with Russia.
In a related development, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as ‘Shiites’, has declared support for Palestinians, following the raging conflict between Israel and Palestine.