With Palestinian Hamas fighters launching an unprecedented incursion into Israel, leading to a series of events that have ignited international concern, visual evidence analyzed by The Washington Post suggests that at least 106 people, including civilians and members of the Israeli military, were taken captive during this incursion.
The incursion began on Saturday morning, 7 October, leading to the capture of at least 106 individuals. Among these captives, 49 appeared to be civilians, including nine children, while 11 appeared to be Israeli military personnel, according to The Washington Post.
In four cases, it remained unclear whether the captives were civilians or soldiers. The exact numbers and identities of the captives have been the subject of discrepancy, with Hamas stating that it holds “tens” of people and Israeli authorities estimating that between 100 and 150 individuals were taken hostage.
The Israeli army has announced its intent to seek the end of Hamas in Gaza, with a particular focus on targeting the group’s senior leaders. Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, conveyed this during a televised briefing, emphasizing that Israel would no longer tolerate Hamas as a neighboring entity. Israel has mobilized 360,000 reservists and massed armored divisions near the Gaza border, preparing for further escalation.
The toll in Gaza has been devastating, with the Palestinian Health Ministry reporting 1,417 casualties, including 447 children and 248 women, after six days of airstrikes. These numbers rapidly approach the casualties seen in the 2014 war, even before the commencement of a ground invasion.
Humanitarian organizations have issued dire warnings about the consequences of a military campaign in an already densely populated urban area suffering from an Israeli and Egyptian blockade that restricts the flow of goods and people. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed, and medicine and fuel are running critically low.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv to show support for Israel and address the issue of unaccounted-for Americans who may have been killed or taken hostage during the cross-border assault by Hamas militants.
Israel’s decision to impose a “full siege” on Gaza has raised concerns about dire water and electricity shortages in the already impoverished Palestinian enclave. Gaza authorities have warned that the situation is deteriorating rapidly, as hospitals reach full capacity and critical supplies become increasingly scarce. Israel’s energy minister has stated that electricity will not be restored until all hostages are freed, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
(Disclaimer: This news article was written by Mokokchung Times with inputs from agencies)