…Death toll passes 1,200, Pope calls for ceasefire
OVER 700 Israelis and 500 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing fight between the Palestinian Hamas militant group and Israel.
The growing casualty figures followed attacks launched on Saturday by Hamas against Israel from Gaza and Israel’s air strikes in retaliation. Israel’s health ministry says over 700 Israelis were killed, 100 kidnapped and more than 2,500 have been injured.
Some 370 Palestinians have also been killed by Israeli strikes, according to the health ministry in Gaza which also said 2,200 people have been injured. The Israeli government formally declared war on Hamas yesterday, setting the stage for a massive response against the Islamist militant group.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already said Saturday the country was at war — but that declaration was rhetorical. Sunday’s move by the Israeli cabinet is an official decision, tantamount to a declaration of war by Congress in the United States.
Israeli troops have killed hundreds of Hamas fighters, wounded thousands and captured scores of others, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said yesterday.
The initial Israeli counterattack began at 3:45 a.m. local time Sunday (8:45 p.m. ET Saturday), with “tens of tons of bombs” dropped, said IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
Israeli forces destroyed around 800 targets, including launching pads used by Hamas, with 50 planes attacking 120 targets in Beit Hanoun alone and destroying all Hamas gathering points there, Hagari said.
Pope calls for ceasefire, peace
Pope Francis called for an end to attacks and violence in Israel and Gaza yesterday, saying terrorism and war would not solve any problems, but only bring further suffering and death to innocent people.
“I express my solidarity with the relatives of the victims, and I pray for all those who are experiencing hours of terror and anguish. Let the attacks and weapons cease, please, because it must be understood that terrorism and war bring no solutions, but only the death and suffering of many innocent lives. War is a defeat, every war is a defeat. Let us pray for peace in Israel and Palestine,” the pope said.
US backs Isreal with nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
US President Joe Biden has “directed additional support” for Israel, according to a White House statement. A US Navy carrier strike group is headed to the eastern Mediterranean Sea, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, as Israel prepares for a large-scale campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was sailing with the Italian Navy earlier this week, according to the ship’s social media, putting it close to Israel.
The carrier will be accompanied by guided missile destroyers and guided missile cruisers, which are two other classes of Navy warships.
The US is also taking steps to bolster its presence of fighter jets in the region, including F-35, F-15, F-16 and A-10 squadrons. It sent several of these aircraft to the Middle East in recent months in response to aggression from Iranian forces across the region, including in Syria and in the Gulf of Oman.
