Israel-Hamas War: 10 Key Updates on Day 4

The ongoing conflict between Israel-Hamas War and the Palestine-based Hamas militant group has entered its fourth day, with tensions escalating and global concern rising. Here’s a concise summary of the top developments from Day 4 of the conflict.

1. Relentless Airstrikes on Gaza City: Israeli warplanes continued their relentless bombardment of Gaza City, targeting residential buildings. Tragically, at least two Palestinian journalists lost their lives in these airstrikes, as reported by Al Jazeera.
2. Escalating Casualties: The toll in this conflict has tragically surpassed 1,500 on both sides since it began on October 7. In Israel, approximately 900 people have lost their lives, including 260 victims shot by Hamas gunmen during a music festival near the Gaza border. Meanwhile, in Palestine, nearly 690 people have died due to retaliatory actions from Tel Aviv, as reported by the BBC.
3. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: The United Nations Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed that more than 187,500 people have been displaced in Gaza since the onset of the conflict, emphasizing the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
4. Israeli Prime Minister’s Warning: Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a stern warning, vowing to use “enormous force” against the Hamas militant group. He declared, “We have only started striking Hamas,” promising long-lasting consequences for their actions.
5. Total Blockade of Gaza: Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced a “total blockage” of the already besieged Gaza Strip. This includes a complete shutdown of electricity and a ban on the entry of food and fuel, a move affecting over 2 million Palestinians residing in the region.
6. Hamas’ Determination: Hamas, in response, asserted its readiness to engage in a protracted conflict with Israel. The group also warned that it would use “dozens of hostages” held in Gaza to secure the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails and overseas.
7. Hostages in Gaza: Israel claims that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians, whom they had abducted during the initial surprise attack on Saturday.
8. Israeli Military Control: The Israeli military reported gaining control in the southern regions and claimed to have “restored full control” over the border. They stated that no Hamas fighters had crossed into Israel since the previous night.
9. International Condemnation: The United States, Germany, France, and Italy jointly issued a statement condemning the “appalling acts of terrorism” committed by Hamas. The statement affirmed their support for Israel’s efforts to defend itself against these atrocities.
10. US Support: US President Joe Biden expressed sorrow over the loss of 11 Americans in the Israel-Hamas attack. In a show of support, the US has deployed its largest aircraft carrier and other warships closer to Israel.

As the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to this ongoing crisis.