More than 1,000 people have been killed in Israel and more than 900 people are dead in Gaza, according to Israel’s Army Radio and the Palestinian Health Ministry. Thousands more are injured, according to officials.
As Israeli troops regain ground, details are gradually emerging of the horror unleashed during the weekend attack. More than 100 bodies have been found in the Israeli kibbutz Be’eri, a farming community near Gaza, which was one of the first places targeted by Hamas on Saturday. Bodies were also found at the nearby Kfar Aza kibbutz, according to an Israeli general.
“I have heard during my childhood about the pogroms in Europe, the Holocaust, of course. All my family came from Europe, they are survivors. But I never thought I would see in my eyes pictures and things like that,” Major Gen. Itai Veruv told CNN.
The fighting comes as a humanitarian crisis is swiftly unfolding in Gaza where trapped residents, many cut off from food and electricity, face a fourth day of Israeli airstrikes.
Here’s where things stand:
Hamas attacks Israel: A huge barrage of rockets were fired from Gaza by Hamas on Ashkelon in “response to the displacement of civilians in Gaza,” a statement on Telegram said. It followed a warning issued to the residents of the southern Israeli city to leave before 5 p.m. local time.
Israel troops massing: Israel is pounding the densely-packed Gaza Strip with airstrikes, especially on the Gaza port, the Israel Defense Forces said. IDF troops were engaged in a firefight with Hamas militants near the town of Mefalsim, which borders the enclave, Tuesday evening local time, multiple IDF troops on the ground told CNN. Tens of thousands of Israeli troops are on the move as the country prepares for a possible ground operation.
Warning from defense minister: Yoav Gallant said he has “released all restraints” on the Israel Defense Forces’ troops in their fight against Hamas. “Whoever comes to decapitate, murder women, Holocaust survivors — we will eliminate him at the height of our power and without compromise,” the defense minister told soldiers during an inspection of the front line along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
The only crossing available to fleeing Gazans struck: The only border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt was struck by Israeli warplanes Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Interior Ministry Eyad al-Bozom said. The tightly controlled Rafah crossing is the only one available to Gazans looking to flee. All other crossings out of the territory are shut.
US President Joe Biden offers support to Israel: The US president condemned Saturday’s rampage by Hamas, calling it “an act of sheer evil” and said Israel has the right to respond. He pledged that the US would make sure Israel has the tools it needs to defend itself. The US has “enhanced our military force posture” in the region and is surging military assistance to Israel, the president said. Biden also talked with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday for the third time since the conflict erupted “to discuss our support for Israel,” the White House said.
Foreign nationals killed: At last 14 Americans are among those killed in Israel, Biden said, adding that US citizens are also among those taken hostage by Hamas. Eight French citizens have been confirmed dead and 20 others are missing, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said. The Canadian government says it is aware of reports that one Canadian was killed and three others are missing.
What we know about some of the victims: Israeli-American Roey Weiser was killed during Saturday’s attack, his mother, Naomi Feifer-Weiser told CNN. Weiser was a sergeant who served in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade and was stationed at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, his mother said. Read more about the victims.
Flights out of Israel: The US State Department said it has “been in conversation” with various airlines to “encourage them to consider resuming travel in and out of Israel” so that people can leave. German airline Lufthansa will operate several special flights on Thursday and Friday to evacuate German citizens, the country’s foreign office said. The French government is also in contact with Air France to organize a special flight Thursday to evacuate French citizens, according to the foreign minister.