Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he has ordered a 'complete siege' of the Gaza Strip after Israeli troops fight Hamas militants after the latter made an unexpected attack on Saturday.
“I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed,” Gallant said, Times of Israel reported. “We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly,” he added.
He described it as part of a battle against "beastly people". The Israeli army had earlier said that its forces were in "control of communities" in its southern territory near Gaza. Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from rival Palestinian forces. Since then, Egypt and Israel have imposed various levels of blockade on Gaza.
As of today, the number of people killed on both sides due to the attacks is at 1,100, with close to 4,500 injured. The attack was launched on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war that pitted Israel against Egypt and Syria, according to ABC News and as Israelis were wrapping up the seven-day-long Jewish festival of Sukkot.
US President Joe Biden, on Saturday told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he "condemns" Hamas' assault on Israel. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, on Sunday, said that American military ships, including an aircraft carrier and additional aircraft, have been ordered to move closer to the eastern Mediterranean in light of the attack.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that India stands in “solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour”.
