Israel has formed an emergency government and war management cabinet as fighting enters a fifth day following the surprise attacks by Hamas on Saturday that killed at least 1,200 people and injured thousands more.
Israel is mobilizing troops and a humanitarian crisis is unfolding inside Gaza. The enclave's only power station has stopped working Wednesday after running out of fuel, the head of the Gaza power authority said.
With a blockade on all sides of the border, the fuel needed for the generators needed to power essential equipment, such as medical supplies in hospitals, is running out.
Here's where things stand:
The latest death toll: At least 1,100 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began airstrikes in response to Hamas' attacks, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said. Israel has reported at least 1,200 people dead since Saturday. Israel is “preparing for any scenario” as it continues to amass ground forces along its southern border, IDF spokesperson Maj. Doron Spielman said.
Horrifying details: More gruesome details are emerging from the scenes of Hamas' assault on border communities. Houses in Israeli kibbutz Kfar Aza were ransacked and set ablaze. Overturned mattresses, destroyed furniture, broken trinkets and unexploded grenades lay strewn across the grounds, along with bodies. Babies and toddlers were found with their “heads decapitated," a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Conditions in Gaza: A humanitarian crisis is rapidly unfolding in the Palestinian enclave under Israeli bombardment. Hospitals are overwhelmed and experiencing shortages of drugs, medical supplies and electricity, Médecins Sans Frontières warned, adding that some hospitals only have enough fuel to run generators for four days.
Emergency government: National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz, a former defense minister, will join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and current defense minister Yoav Gallant in a “war management cabinet,” they said in a statement. The emergency government will not pass any laws or make any decisions that do not concern the conduct of the war.
Involvement of Iran: Intelligence collected by the United States casts doubt on the idea that Tehran was directly involved in the planning, sourcing and approving of Hamas' attack on Israel, sources said. Though the intelligence community is not ready to reach a full conclusion, government officials have pointed to Iran's support for Hamas, including weapons and financing, that would have helped them even if not in a direct way.
Foreigners killed: The death toll of Americans rose to 22, the State Department said, and around 20 others are unaccounted for.At least 11 French citizens were killed, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said. About 17 British or dual British-Israeli citizens are believed to have been killed or missing, a spokesperson for Netanyahu said, citing UK officials. Additionally, two Canadians, one Austrian national and one Colombian citizen have also been confirmed dead, according to the country's respective foreign ministries.
Several aid workers killed: Four paramedics with the Palestine Red Crescent Society were killed on Wednesday, the organization said, claiming an ambulance was targeted by Israeli forces. At least 11 employees working with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) were also killed in Gaza airstrikes since Saturday.
Evacuations being negotiated: Talks are underway to allow US and Palestinian civilians to leave Gaza through Egypt ahead of any land invasion, a senior Israeli official said. Norway and Sweden are offering to fly their citizens out of Israel, the country's foreign minister said. Air France will operate a repatriation flight on Thursday for the "most vulnerable" French nationals, according to the French government. Germany's foreign minister also said it evacuated students from 17 classes in Israel.
World leaders in Israel: UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrived in Israel on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the British Foreign Office said. He was later seen in a video running into a building as sirens sounded warning of incoming rocket fire. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also travel to Israel with Deputy Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Steve Gillen.
