The IDF Arabic language spokesman shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the IDF will allow safe movement for Gazans on two main roads in the southern territory between 10:00 a.m. and 16:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Israel-Palestine war: Israeli army apologises for journalist's death in Lebanon

Israel-Palestine war: Gazans leave homes, head to South on foot

The war is raging between Israel and Hamas and attacks from both sides are intensifying. It's now a week since Israel declared war on Hamas after an unprecedented ground air and sea assault by the militants over the weekend. The death toll continues to mount on both sides.

Israel-Palestine war: Videos of indiscriminate killings surface on the internet

Israel-Palestine war | Israel: Gazans to evacuate North, move to South within 24 hours

Saudi Arabia had put a halt to negotiations about perhaps normalizing relations with Israel in the midst of the conflict between Israel and the terrorist Palestinian organization Hamas.

Israel-Palestine war: Saudi pauses talks on normalisation with Israel

The war is raging between Israel and Hamas and attacks from both sides are intensifying. It's now a week since Israel declared war on Hamas after an unprecedented ground air and sea assault by the militants over the weekend. The death toll continues to mount on both sides. The global economy braces for impact as Israel-Hamas war continues to deepen.

Israel-Palestine war: Impact of war on US Strategic interests in West Asia

Israel-Palestine war: 1.1 million Gazans told to leave North Gaza

President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Friday in Amman to talk about the aftermath of Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel, particularly the implications for the occupied West Bank.

Israel-Palestine War: US Secy Antony Blinken met Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas

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<p>A US official said on Saturday (Oct 14) that Israel and Egypt agreed to let American citizens leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing during the day. Speaking to the news agency AFP, the official said the two countries agreed to keep the sole crossing from Gaza to Egypt open from 12.00 pm to 5.00 pm (9.00-14.00 GMT). The official pointed out that Washington did not have a confirmation that the agreement was being implemented, but the intention was to have it open.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The official said that around 500-600 American citizens in the Gaza Strip reached out for information on leaving the territory. The official did not know if other foreign nationals were able to leave the territory.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-palestine-hamas-gaza-idf-netanyahu-death-toll-latest-news-live-updates-646548"><strong>Click here to follow LIVE updates on the Israel-Hamas war</strong></a></p>

<p>Qatar has also been involved in the agreement by leaning on Hamas, with which the Gulf nation has close ties, to allow movement, the official further told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Blinken calls on Israel to limit Palestinian civilian deaths</strong></h2>

<p>On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel to limit Palestinian civilian deaths by taking every possible precaution. "We recognise many Palestinian families in Gaza are suffering through no fault of their own and that Palestinian civilians have lost their lives," Blinken told a news conference in Qatar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, he said that Israel was within its rights after the "unconscionable" attacks by Hamas. "What Israel is doing is not retaliation. What Israel is doing is defending the lives of its people," Blinken further said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-israeli-army-claims-to-have-killed-hamas-commander-who-led-attack-646746">Israeli army claims to have killed Hamas commander who led attack</a></strong></p>

<p>"Any country, faced with what Israel has suffered, would likely do the same thing," the US secretary of state added. He praised Qatar for showing urgency in efforts to persuade Hamas militants to free Israeli hostages.</p>

<p>But he warned Qatar about its strong ties with Hamas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, however, defended the Hamas office, saying it served the purpose of communication.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A US official said on Saturday (Oct 14) that Israel and Egypt agreed to let American citizens leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing during the day. Speaking to the news agency AFP, the official said the two countries agreed to keep the sole crossing from Gaza to Egypt open from 12.

A US official said on Saturday (Oct 14) that Israel and Egypt agreed to let American citizens leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing during the day. Speaking to the news agency AFP, the official said the two countries agreed to keep the sole crossing from Gaza to Egypt open from 12.00 pm to 5.00 pm (9.00-14.00 GMT). The official pointed out that Washington did not have a confirmation that the agreement was being implemented, but the intention was to have it open. The official said that around 500-600 American citizens in the Gaza Strip reached out for information on leaving the territory. The official did not know if other foreign nationals were able to leave the territory. Click here to follow LIVE updates on the Israel-Hamas war Qatar has also been involved in the agreement by leaning on Hamas, with which the Gulf nation has close ties, to allow movement, the official further told AFP. Blinken calls on Israel to limit Palestinian civilian deaths On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel to limit Palestinian civilian deaths by taking every possible precaution. "We recognise many Palestinian families in Gaza are suffering through no fault of their own and that Palestinian civilians have lost their lives," Blinken told a news conference in Qatar. However, he said that Israel was within its rights after the "unconscionable" attacks by Hamas. "What Israel is doing is not retaliation. What Israel is doing is defending the lives of its people," Blinken further said. Also read: Israeli army claims to have killed Hamas commander who led attack "Any country, faced with what Israel has suffered, would likely do the same thing," the US secretary of state added. He praised Qatar for showing urgency in efforts to persuade Hamas militants to free Israeli hostages. But he warned Qatar about its strong ties with Hamas. Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, however, defended the Hamas office, saying it served the purpose of communication. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel, Egypt agree to let American citizens leave Gaza, says US

Israel-Palestine war: More than 3200 killed on both sides

Israel-Palestine war: How Israel-Hamas war will change West Asia's political landscape

Israel-Palestine war: Global economy braces for impact as Israel-Hamas war deepens

Israel-Palestine war | Gazan Evacuate: What is happening is a war crime

Israel-Palestine war: Gazans to move from Beit Anoun to Khan Yunis

Israel-Palestine War: Antony Blinken met Palestine authority President Mahmoud Abbas

Israel-Palestine war: Aerial force head of Hamas killed, IDF opens safe passage corridor for Gazans

<p>Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov may meet with Hamas officials in Qatar next week to talk to the militant group, media reports said. Their discussions will focus on the potential release of hostages who were captured by the Hamas terrorists during their recent attack on Israel. This information was reported by the Russian state news agency RIA on Saturday (Oct 14). This comes as the US Secretary of State is also on a Shuttle diplomacy and is meeting with Arab leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bogdanov mentioned to RIA that he frequently travels to Qatar and typically holds meetings with Hamas representatives whenever he is there.</p>

<p>He said that maintaining contact with Hamas is a regular thing and given the current circumstances, such a meeting would be beneficial in addressing matters, including the release of hostages.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/wion-exclusive-israeli-survivor-recounts-terror-at-music-festival-646688">'There were THOUSANDS...': Israeli survivor recounts terror at music festival to WION</a></p>

<p>"If they wish, we always maintain contact. Moreover, in this situation, this (meeting) is useful for resolving practical issues, including the release of hostages," Bogdanov said.</p>

<h2><strong>Recent deadly attack by Hamas</strong></h2>

<p>Hamas recently carried out a highly destructive attack, marking one of the deadliest incidents in Israel's history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This attack resulted in the loss of more than 1,300 lives and the abduction of numerous hostages who were taken to Gaza.</p>

<p>In response, Israel launched a series of extensive airstrikes, intensifying the ongoing 75-year conflict with the Palestinians. According to Gaza authorities, the airstrikes have caused the death of approximately 1,900 people.</p>

<p>Russia has drafted a resolution at the United Nations Security Council.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-intelligence-warned-of-violence-by-hamas-in-weeks-ahead-of-oct-7-assault-report-646670">US intelligence warned of violence by Hamas in weeks ahead of Oct 7 assault: Report</a></p>

<p>This resolution calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his concerns on Friday (Oct 13), warning that an anticipated Israeli ground assault on Gaza would result in an "absolutely unacceptable" level of civilian casualties.</p>

<p>Earlier, Putin also told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani that he thinks that many people will "agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-reuters-journalist-killed-6-wounded-in-shelling-in-lebanon-646712">Israel-Palestine war: Reuters journalist killed; 6 wounded in shelling in Lebanon</a></strong></p>

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<p>"The US tried to monopolise the solution (of the crisis between Israel and Palestinians), but, unfortunately, was not concerned with finding compromises acceptable to both sides, but, on the contrary, promoted its own ideas about how it should be done and put both sides under pressure. That's both sides, at one or another," he added.</p>

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov may meet with Hamas officials in Qatar next week to talk to the militant group, media reports said. Their discussions will focus on the potential release of hostages who were captured by the Hamas terrorists during their recent attack on Israel.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov may meet with Hamas officials in Qatar next week to talk to the militant group, media reports said. Their discussions will focus on the potential release of hostages who were captured by the Hamas terrorists during their recent attack on Israel. This information was reported by the Russian state news agency RIA on Saturday (Oct 14). This comes as the US Secretary of State is also on a Shuttle diplomacy and is meeting with Arab leaders. Bogdanov mentioned to RIA that he frequently travels to Qatar and typically holds meetings with Hamas representatives whenever he is there. He said that maintaining contact with Hamas is a regular thing and given the current circumstances, such a meeting would be beneficial in addressing matters, including the release of hostages. Also Read | 'There were THOUSANDS...': Israeli survivor recounts terror at music festival to WION "If they wish, we always maintain contact. Moreover, in this situation, this (meeting) is useful for resolving practical issues, including the release of hostages," Bogdanov said. Recent deadly attack by Hamas Hamas recently carried out a highly destructive attack, marking one of the deadliest incidents in Israel's history. This attack resulted in the loss of more than 1,300 lives and the abduction of numerous hostages who were taken to Gaza. In response, Israel launched a series of extensive airstrikes, intensifying the ongoing 75-year conflict with the Palestinians. According to Gaza authorities, the airstrikes have caused the death of approximately 1,900 people. Russia has drafted a resolution at the United Nations Security Council. Also Read | US intelligence warned of violence by Hamas in weeks ahead of Oct 7 assault: Report This resolution calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his concerns on Friday (Oct 13), warning that an anticipated Israeli ground assault on Gaza would result in an "absolutely unacceptable" level of civilian casualties. Earlier, Putin also told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani that he thinks that many people will "agree with me that this is a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East." Watch | Israel-Palestine war: Reuters journalist killed; 6 wounded in shelling in Lebanon × "The US tried to monopolise the solution (of the crisis between Israel and Palestinians), but, unfortunately, was not concerned with finding compromises acceptable to both sides, but, on the contrary, promoted its own ideas about how it should be done and put both sides under pressure. That's both sides, at one or another," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Russia's top diplomat may talk with Hamas in Qatar over release of hostages held after deadly attack

<p>Israel's military has issued an order for the evacuation&nbsp;of all civilians residing in Gaza City and the northern region of the Gaza Strip in anticipation of a potential ground offensive in the besieged enclave.</p>

<p>This directive was issued on Friday (Oct 13) following a warning received by the United Nations from Israel, instructing the evacuation of 1.1 million people living in the north of Gaza within a 24-hour period.</p>

<p>The order, which comes on the seventh day of an ongoing war&nbsp;and a declared "total blockade" by Israel, instructs the residents of Gaza City to relocate further south within the Gaza Strip, a narrow coastal area with a population of around 2.3 million.</p>

<p>As per the flyer accessed by WION which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dropped from planes into Gaza, the IDF has urged civilians to move to the south of Gaza, and not return to their homes until further notice.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong><em>Image: Flyers dropped by the IDF asking Gazans to move to the south Credit: WION</em></strong></p>

<h2><strong>What's happening on the ground?</strong></h2>

<p>As the news began to circulate, anxious residents became increasingly fearful and confused.</p>

<p>A Gazan student (who chose to stay anonymous), told WION, "The situation is now extremely dire. Many people have left their homes on foot, covering a distance of 33 kilometres. It's a painful scene with a huge number of families leaving the city, carrying their belongings, mattresses, and suitcases".</p>

<p>"Simultaneously, Israeli airplanes have blocked the main routes, making it difficult for people to move from the north to the south of Gaza. A dozen neighbourhoods have been devastated.&nbsp;The current situation is a true humanitarian crisis," he said.</p>

<p>"Many people are taking shelter at the&nbsp;Al-Shifa Hospital, and are reluctant to move the south." he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip, Al Shifa Hospital, is presently overwhelmed with injured patients. The hospital is operating significantly beyond its designated 500-bed capacity and has sufficient fuel to keep its generators running for an additional four days, as per the New York Times report.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/explained-the-tragedy-of-palestinians-and-their-search-for-a-homeland-646418">&nbsp;Explained: The tragedy of Palestinians and their search for a homeland</a></p>

<p>As per the Israeli army, this evacuation is motivated by concerns that Hamas fighters are hiding&nbsp;in tunnels beneath Gaza City.</p>

<p>They say that this evacuation is for the safety of the civilians in Gaza City. They also caution against approaching the security fence with Israel and pledge to make substantial efforts to avoid harming civilians during their operations in Gaza City in the coming days.</p>

<p>Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, dismisses the Israeli army's evacuation warning as "fake propaganda." The Hamas Authority for Refugee Affairs urges residents in the north to stay in their homes and resist what they describe as a psychological war by the occupying forces.</p>

<p>The United Nations has expressed deep concern about the broad evacuation order encompassing Gaza's north, which also affects UN staff and the hundreds of thousands of people who have sought shelter in UN facilities since Israel initiated round-the-clock airstrikes.</p>

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Israel's military has issued an order for the evacuation of all civilians residing in Gaza City and the northern region of the Gaza Strip in anticipation of a potential ground offensive in the besieged enclave.

Israel's military has issued an order for the evacuation of all civilians residing in Gaza City and the northern region of the Gaza Strip in anticipation of a potential ground offensive in the besieged enclave. This directive was issued on Friday (Oct 13) following a warning received by the United Nations from Israel, instructing the evacuation of 1.1 million people living in the north of Gaza within a 24-hour period. The order, which comes on the seventh day of an ongoing war and a declared "total blockade" by Israel, instructs the residents of Gaza City to relocate further south within the Gaza Strip, a narrow coastal area with a population of around 2.3 million. As per the flyer accessed by WION which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dropped from planes into Gaza, the IDF has urged civilians to move to the south of Gaza, and not return to their homes until further notice. Image: Flyers dropped by the IDF asking Gazans to move to the south Credit: WION What's happening on the ground? As the news began to circulate, anxious residents became increasingly fearful and confused. A Gazan student (who chose to stay anonymous), told WION, "The situation is now extremely dire. Many people have left their homes on foot, covering a distance of 33 kilometres. It's a painful scene with a huge number of families leaving the city, carrying their belongings, mattresses, and suitcases". "Simultaneously, Israeli airplanes have blocked the main routes, making it difficult for people to move from the north to the south of Gaza. A dozen neighbourhoods have been devastated. The current situation is a true humanitarian crisis," he said. "Many people are taking shelter at the Al-Shifa Hospital, and are reluctant to move the south." he added. The largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip, Al Shifa Hospital, is presently overwhelmed with injured patients. The hospital is operating significantly beyond its designated 500-bed capacity and has sufficient fuel to keep its generators running for an additional four days, as per the New York Times report. Also read | Explained: The tragedy of Palestinians and their search for a homeland As per the Israeli army, this evacuation is motivated by concerns that Hamas fighters are hiding in tunnels beneath Gaza City. They say that this evacuation is for the safety of the civilians in Gaza City. They also caution against approaching the security fence with Israel and pledge to make substantial efforts to avoid harming civilians during their operations in Gaza City in the coming days. Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, dismisses the Israeli army's evacuation warning as "fake propaganda." The Hamas Authority for Refugee Affairs urges residents in the north to stay in their homes and resist what they describe as a psychological war by the occupying forces. The United Nations has expressed deep concern about the broad evacuation order encompassing Gaza's north, which also affects UN staff and the hundreds of thousands of people who have sought shelter in UN facilities since Israel initiated round-the-clock airstrikes. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Gaza student speaks to WION: People walking 30km to flee Israel stikes, many camping at hospital

<p>In retaliation to the sudden and massive attack by Hamas, Israel called for a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip. As the world watched, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced, “There will be no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel – everything is closed.”<br />
<br />
However, this was not the first time such harsh conditions were imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip. There has been imposition of similar conditions by Israel on the strip of land since the Palestinian enclave was placed under air, land and sea blockade after Hamas came to power in 2007.<br />
<br />
Gaza, which stands wedged between Israel to the north and east, the Mediterranean Sea to the west and Egypt to the south, has been home to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians. More than 65 per cent of its population live below the poverty line, and experts have previously stated that the children are living in “hell on earth”.<br />
<br />
Today, amid the raging Israel-Hamas war, electricity, food and water remain blocked in the embattled Gaza in the wake of the latest “complete siege” and the populace is stranded with no routes to escape.<br />
<br />
Now that Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have asked around 1.2 million residents to evacuate northern Gaza, the question arises how citizens are supposed to flee from what rights groups, intellectuals, UN experts and even former British Prime Minister David Cameron have called an “open air prison”.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-historical-conflict-between-israel-palestine-amid-unprovoked-escalation-by-hamas-644471">Revisiting Israel-Palestine historical conflict amid new escalation by Hamas</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Beginning of the blockade over Gaza Strip</strong></h2>

<p>Israel took over Gaza from Egypt in the Six-Day War of 1967 and began the territory's military occupation. Israel constructed 21 settlements in Gaza between 1967 and 2005 and pushed Palestinian residents to leave the territory by adopting coercive measures as well as offering them financial and other incentives.<br />
<br />
However, during that time there was an increased violent and non-violent Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation. In 2005, Israel withdrew its army from the Gaza Strip.<br />
<br />
In the next two years, temporary blockades were imposed by Israel on the movement of people and goods inside and outside Gaza on different occasions.<br />
<br />
After Hamas came to power in Gaza in 2007, a permanent blockade was imposed on the territory by Israel. Egypt, which shares a border crossing with Gaza, also took part in the blockade. The blockade meant that most of the citizens could not go into or out of Gaza and also highly restricted the movement of goods and aid.<br />
<br />
This land, air and sea blockade imposed by Israel crippled the economy of Gaza and had devastating effects on Palestinians. It drew condemnation from human rights groups and the United Nations, however, Israel justified that the blockade was necessary for its security.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-gaza-strip-and-the-struggle-for-survival-for-millions-of-its-residents-645290">Gaza Strip and the struggle for survival for millions of its residents</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Geographical barriers around Gaza Strip</strong></h2>

<p>Gaza Strip, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea on one side and has walls on the other three sides, stands completely surrounded by physical barriers.<br />
<br />
Israel established a 60-km-long fence on its Gaza border in 1994 which was upgraded many times and finally became a sophisticated border security system, which included walls which are 7 metres tall and have sensors and remote-controlled machine guns installed in areas which are close to the Israeli settlements.<br />
<br />
Israel has also constructed underground walls to stop any kind of movement through Gaza's famous underground tunnels. With the northern and eastern sides of Gaza walled off by Israel, its southern border was also walled when Egypt constructed a 14-km steel border barrier with the help of the United States.<br />
<br />
Underground barriers were also built by Egypt to block smuggling tunnels. The sea route into Gaza in the west was controlled by Israel, which did not allow it to be used for the movement of goods or people.<br />
<br />
As of now, Gaza has only three functional border crossings: Karem Abu Salem Crossing, Erez Crossing controlled by Israel, and Rafah Crossing controlled by Egypt. However, since the Israel-Hamas war started, all three crossings were effectively sealed.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Hamas attack: Israel's big security lapse</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Is there any escape from this 'open-air prison'?</strong></h2>

<p>The blockade placed by Israel and Egypt clearly stops people and goods from freely moving in and out of the Gaza Strip.<br />
<br />
The Israeli government has clearly stated that Palestinians will not be able to enter or leave Gaza “except in extremely rare cases, which include urgent, life-threatening medical conditions and a very short list of merchants”, as per B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights group, The Independent reported.<br />
<br />
The restrictions have not been imposed on Israelis, Jewish settlers as well as tourists and they are free to move in and out of Gaza. Quite often, Egypt also closes its land-border crossing located at Rafah, which is generally the only way for Palestinians, living in Gaza, to access the rest of the world.<br />
<br />
Israel is free to enter Gaza with its military at will and maintain a no-go buffer zone in the Gaza territory. The conditions of people living in this “open-air prison”, which remains bordered by walls and fences, have been difficult for long with 95 per cent of Gazans living without access to clean water.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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In retaliation to the sudden and massive attack by Hamas, Israel called for a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip. As the world watched, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced, “There will be no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel – everything is closed.

In retaliation to the sudden and massive attack by Hamas, Israel called for a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip. As the world watched, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced, “There will be no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel – everything is closed.” However, this was not the first time such harsh conditions were imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip. There has been imposition of similar conditions by Israel on the strip of land since the Palestinian enclave was placed under air, land and sea blockade after Hamas came to power in 2007. Gaza, which stands wedged between Israel to the north and east, the Mediterranean Sea to the west and Egypt to the south, has been home to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians. More than 65 per cent of its population live below the poverty line, and experts have previously stated that the children are living in “hell on earth”. Today, amid the raging Israel-Hamas war, electricity, food and water remain blocked in the embattled Gaza in the wake of the latest “complete siege” and the populace is stranded with no routes to escape. Now that Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have asked around 1.2 million residents to evacuate northern Gaza, the question arises how citizens are supposed to flee from what rights groups, intellectuals, UN experts and even former British Prime Minister David Cameron have called an “open air prison”. Also read: Revisiting Israel-Palestine historical conflict amid new escalation by Hamas Beginning of the blockade over Gaza Strip Israel took over Gaza from Egypt in the Six-Day War of 1967 and began the territory's military occupation. Israel constructed 21 settlements in Gaza between 1967 and 2005 and pushed Palestinian residents to leave the territory by adopting coercive measures as well as offering them financial and other incentives. However, during that time there was an increased violent and non-violent Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation. In 2005, Israel withdrew its army from the Gaza Strip. In the next two years, temporary blockades were imposed by Israel on the movement of people and goods inside and outside Gaza on different occasions. After Hamas came to power in Gaza in 2007, a permanent blockade was imposed on the territory by Israel. Egypt, which shares a border crossing with Gaza, also took part in the blockade. The blockade meant that most of the citizens could not go into or out of Gaza and also highly restricted the movement of goods and aid. This land, air and sea blockade imposed by Israel crippled the economy of Gaza and had devastating effects on Palestinians. It drew condemnation from human rights groups and the United Nations, however, Israel justified that the blockade was necessary for its security. Also read: Gaza Strip and the struggle for survival for millions of its residents Geographical barriers around Gaza Strip Gaza Strip, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea on one side and has walls on the other three sides, stands completely surrounded by physical barriers. Israel established a 60-km-long fence on its Gaza border in 1994 which was upgraded many times and finally became a sophisticated border security system, which included walls which are 7 metres tall and have sensors and remote-controlled machine guns installed in areas which are close to the Israeli settlements. Israel has also constructed underground walls to stop any kind of movement through Gaza's famous underground tunnels. With the northern and eastern sides of Gaza walled off by Israel, its southern border was also walled when Egypt constructed a 14-km steel border barrier with the help of the United States. Underground barriers were also built by Egypt to block smuggling tunnels. The sea route into Gaza in the west was controlled by Israel, which did not allow it to be used for the movement of goods or people. As of now, Gaza has only three functional border crossings: Karem Abu Salem Crossing, Erez Crossing controlled by Israel, and Rafah Crossing controlled by Egypt. However, since the Israel-Hamas war started, all three crossings were effectively sealed. Watch | Hamas attack: Israel's big security lapse Is there any escape from this 'open-air prison'? The blockade placed by Israel and Egypt clearly stops people and goods from freely moving in and out of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government has clearly stated that Palestinians will not be able to enter or leave Gaza “except in extremely rare cases, which include urgent, life-threatening medical conditions and a very short list of merchants”, as per B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights group, The Independent reported. The restrictions have not been imposed on Israelis, Jewish settlers as well as tourists and they are free to move in and out of Gaza. Quite often, Egypt also closes its land-border crossing located at Rafah, which is generally the only way for Palestinians, living in Gaza, to access the rest of the world. Israel is free to enter Gaza with its military at will and maintain a no-go buffer zone in the Gaza territory. The conditions of people living in this “open-air prison”, which remains bordered by walls and fences, have been difficult for long with 95 per cent of Gazans living without access to clean water. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Explained | How Gaza Strip became the ‘world’s largest open-air prison’

<p>A video released by Hamas on Friday (October 13), showed militants with Israeli children they had captured during the cross-border attack, said Reuters. Israel has been alleging that the Palestinians had slain children.</p>

<p>The video reportedly shows balaclava-clad militants who are bandaging the foot of an Israeli child while others can be seen carrying infants. A caption during the video says it was filmed at Holit. It is one of Israeli border communities stormed by Hamas killing hundreds of people.</p>

<p>"See the mercy in our hearts, here are the children, we did not kill them as you do,” an unnamed militant in the video said.</p>

<p>Holit, is a kibbutz or communal farm located just 2 kilometre (1.2 miles) from Gaza. It was one of the targets during Hamas' surprise attack on October 7.</p>

<p>Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)&nbsp; pounced on the video and underlined the 'cries' and 'fear' of the children. IDF posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) containing some of the same visuals from the Hamas video.</p>

<p>"You can see their injuries, hear their cries and feel them trembling from fear as these children are held hostage in their own homes by Hamas terrorists and their parents lie there dead in the next room. These are the terrorists that we are going to defeat," posted IDF.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">You can see their injuries,<br />
hear their cries<br />
and feel them trembling from fear as these children are held hostage in their own homes by Hamas terrorists and their parents lie there dead in the next room.<br />
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These are the terrorists that we are going to defeat. <a href="https://t.co/myDsGnOzT1">pic.twitter.com/myDsGnOzT1</a></p>
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1713026330692899324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Till the morning of October 14, the death toll on the Israeli side had crossed the 1300-mark while at least 1900 people were killed on the Palestinian side.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Israel-Palestine war: Israelis slam authorities for intel failure</strong></p>

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<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has also released on social media a picture of a dead infant in a pool of blood and the charred body of a child, part of an apparent effort to stoke global anger against the Gaza militants over the recent attack.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-puts-normalisation-with-israel-on-ice-report-646613">Saudi Arabia puts normalisation with Israel on ice: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>Since the surprise attack from Hamas, Israel has responded with most devastating air-strikes in its 75-year conflict with Palestinians. As of Saturday (Oct 14), at least 1300 people have been killed on Israeli side while at least 1800 deaths have occurred on Palestinian side.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</em></strong></p>

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A video released by Hamas on Friday (October 13), showed militants with Israeli children they had captured during the cross-border attack, said Reuters. Israel has been alleging that the Palestinians had slain children.

A video released by Hamas on Friday (October 13), showed militants with Israeli children they had captured during the cross-border attack, said Reuters. Israel has been alleging that the Palestinians had slain children. The video reportedly shows balaclava-clad militants who are bandaging the foot of an Israeli child while others can be seen carrying infants. A caption during the video says it was filmed at Holit. It is one of Israeli border communities stormed by Hamas killing hundreds of people. "See the mercy in our hearts, here are the children, we did not kill them as you do,” an unnamed militant in the video said. Holit, is a kibbutz or communal farm located just 2 kilometre (1.2 miles) from Gaza. It was one of the targets during Hamas' surprise attack on October 7. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) pounced on the video and underlined the 'cries' and 'fear' of the children. IDF posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) containing some of the same visuals from the Hamas video. "You can see their injuries, hear their cries and feel them trembling from fear as these children are held hostage in their own homes by Hamas terrorists and their parents lie there dead in the next room. These are the terrorists that we are going to defeat," posted IDF. You can see their injuries, hear their cries and feel them trembling from fear as these children are held hostage in their own homes by Hamas terrorists and their parents lie there dead in the next room. These are the terrorists that we are going to defeat. pic.twitter.com/myDsGnOzT1 — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 14, 2023 × Till the morning of October 14, the death toll on the Israeli side had crossed the 1300-mark while at least 1900 people were killed on the Palestinian side. Watch | Israel-Palestine war: Israelis slam authorities for intel failure × Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has also released on social media a picture of a dead infant in a pool of blood and the charred body of a child, part of an apparent effort to stoke global anger against the Gaza militants over the recent attack. Also Read | Saudi Arabia puts normalisation with Israel on ice: Report Since the surprise attack from Hamas, Israel has responded with most devastating air-strikes in its 75-year conflict with Palestinians. As of Saturday (Oct 14), at least 1300 people have been killed on Israeli side while at least 1800 deaths have occurred on Palestinian side. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Hamas video shows fighters with captive Israeli children: Report

<p>Amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a Stanford University lecturer has come under scrutiny for allegedly singling out Jewish and Israeli students during mandatory undergraduate classes on Tuesday (Oct 10), media reports said. This is yet another controversy that erupted days after Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman asked Harvard to release the names of their 30 students who signed a letter blaming Israel solely for the terror attacks by Hamas that took place over last weekend.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports from Jewish student leaders at the California university revealed that this instructor identified students based on their backgrounds and identities during a class named "civil, liberal, and global education."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-puts-normalisation-with-israel-on-ice-report-646613">Saudi Arabia puts normalisation with Israel on ice: Report</a></p>

<p>According to Rabbi Dov Greenberg, director of the Chabad Stanford Jewish Center, who spoke to three of the 18 students present, the lecturer directed these students to stand apart and purportedly made the statement, "This is what Israel does to Palestinians," as relayed by students to Greenberg.</p>

<p>The situation further escalated when the instructor asked about the Holocaust's death toll.</p>

<p>When a student replied, "six million," the lecturer allegedly responded, "Yes. Only six million," and went on to assert, "Colonisers killed more than six million. Israel is a coloniser."</p>

<p>Leaders of Stanford's Israeli Student Association spoke with students who were in the classroom and collected additional details regarding the incident.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-fatal-stabbing-of-teacher-linked-to-israel-hamas-war-646608">France: Fatal stabbing of teacher ‘linked’ to Israel-Hamas war</a></p>

<p>According to their accounts, the lecturer began by attributing blame for the conflict to Zionists and attempting to justify Hamas'&nbsp;actions as part of a legitimate resistance movement.</p>

<p>The lecturer downplayed the tragic loss of Jewish lives during the Holocaust by claiming that colonisation had caused more casualties than the Shoah&nbsp;(a Hebrew word that is often used to refer to the Holocaust).</p>

<p>Furthermore, it was reported that the instructor asked students to disclose their ancestral origins and labelled them as "colonisers" or "colonised" based on their responses.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gaza-nowhere-to-go-as-humanitarian-crisis-reaches-dangerous-new-low-646637">Gaza: Nowhere to go, as humanitarian crisis reaches 'dangerous new low'</a></strong></p>

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<p>When a student stated they were from Israel, the lecturer purportedly retorted, "Oh, definitely a coloniser."&nbsp;</p>

<p>In response to the situation, Stanford President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez issued a statement acknowledging the "serious concern" raised by these reports.</p>

<p>He noted that the lecturer has been suspended from teaching duties pending an investigation and that academic freedom does not allow for the targeting of students based on their identities.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a Stanford University lecturer has come under scrutiny for allegedly singling out Jewish and Israeli students during mandatory undergraduate classes on Tuesday (Oct 10), media reports said.

Amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a Stanford University lecturer has come under scrutiny for allegedly singling out Jewish and Israeli students during mandatory undergraduate classes on Tuesday (Oct 10), media reports said. This is yet another controversy that erupted days after Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman asked Harvard to release the names of their 30 students who signed a letter blaming Israel solely for the terror attacks by Hamas that took place over last weekend. Reports from Jewish student leaders at the California university revealed that this instructor identified students based on their backgrounds and identities during a class named "civil, liberal, and global education." Also Read | Saudi Arabia puts normalisation with Israel on ice: Report According to Rabbi Dov Greenberg, director of the Chabad Stanford Jewish Center, who spoke to three of the 18 students present, the lecturer directed these students to stand apart and purportedly made the statement, "This is what Israel does to Palestinians," as relayed by students to Greenberg. The situation further escalated when the instructor asked about the Holocaust's death toll. When a student replied, "six million," the lecturer allegedly responded, "Yes. Only six million," and went on to assert, "Colonisers killed more than six million. Israel is a coloniser." Leaders of Stanford's Israeli Student Association spoke with students who were in the classroom and collected additional details regarding the incident. Also Read | France: Fatal stabbing of teacher ‘linked’ to Israel-Hamas war According to their accounts, the lecturer began by attributing blame for the conflict to Zionists and attempting to justify Hamas' actions as part of a legitimate resistance movement. The lecturer downplayed the tragic loss of Jewish lives during the Holocaust by claiming that colonisation had caused more casualties than the Shoah (a Hebrew word that is often used to refer to the Holocaust). Furthermore, it was reported that the instructor asked students to disclose their ancestral origins and labelled them as "colonisers" or "colonised" based on their responses. Watch | Gaza: Nowhere to go, as humanitarian crisis reaches 'dangerous new low' × When a student stated they were from Israel, the lecturer purportedly retorted, "Oh, definitely a coloniser." In response to the situation, Stanford President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez issued a statement acknowledging the "serious concern" raised by these reports. He noted that the lecturer has been suspended from teaching duties pending an investigation and that academic freedom does not allow for the targeting of students based on their identities. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Stanford professor singles out Jewish students in classroom, asks Holocaust questions and then does THIS

<p>Under India-launched Operation Ajay, the second batch of 235 Indian national stranded in Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war arrived in the capital from Tel Aviv on Saturday (Oct 14). The flight landed at Delhi's IGI (Indira Gandhi International Airport) Terminal 3 from the war-hit West Asian nation at 6:31 am on Saturday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Before the arrival,&nbsp;External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar shared an update on the Operation Ajay on X posting, "Flight #2 carrying 235 Indian nationals takes off from Tel Aviv."</p>

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Flight #2 carrying 235 Indian nationals takes off from Tel Aviv. <a href="https://t.co/avrMHAJrT4">pic.twitter.com/avrMHAJrT4</a></p>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1712921209862770949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The flight was also carrying two infants, media reports said. Earlier on Friday (Oct 13) morning, the arrival of the first charter flight took place which repatriated 212 Indian nationals from Israel to India.</p>

<p>The foreign minister announced the repatriation operation days after the Hamas terrorist organisation attacked Israel in a barbaric way, slaughtering men, women, and children of all ages.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-one-journalist-killed-six-wounded-in-shelling-along-lebanon-border-646544">Israel-Hamas war: Journalist dead, six wounded in crossfire at frontline; Israel assures probe</a></p>

<p>Media reports said that a first-come, first-serve approach is being adopted to choose who will be taken back to India and when. Indian Embassy, has already shared helpline numbers with nationals in Israel as the country continues to reel under rocket attacks by Hamas.</p>

<p>The embassy asked Indians to register themselves in the mission's database. The cost of the repatriation is covered by the Indian government.&nbsp;Operation Ajay was launched on Thursday (Oct 12).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-as-idf-tanks-move-into-gaza-netanyahu-says-it-will-take-time-to-defeat-hamas-646534">Israel-Hamas war: As IDF tanks move towards Gaza, Netanyahu says 'it will take time' to defeat Hamas</a></p>

<p>The evacuation of Indian nationals is still ongoing and will continue till everyone who wants to return to India is brought back safely. India has pledged for the safety of its citizens.</p>

<p>Messages and emails are reportedly being sent to the stranded nationals for them to know about the flight information.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-what-is-the-source-of-funding-for-hamas-646542">Israel-Hamas war: What is the source of funding for Hamas?</a></strong></p>

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<p>PTI news agency while quoting a PhD student Suryakant Tiwari said, "I really want to thank the Government of India for evacuating us from the war situation in Israel... Our government has evacuated us from such a situation under 'Operation Ajay'."</p>

<p>Approximately 18,000 Indian nationals, including students, live in Israel.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Under India-launched Operation Ajay, the second batch of 235 Indian national stranded in Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war arrived in the capital from Tel Aviv on Saturday (Oct 14).

Under India-launched Operation Ajay, the second batch of 235 Indian national stranded in Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war arrived in the capital from Tel Aviv on Saturday (Oct 14). The flight landed at Delhi's IGI (Indira Gandhi International Airport) Terminal 3 from the war-hit West Asian nation at 6:31 am on Saturday morning. Before the arrival, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar shared an update on the Operation Ajay on X posting, "Flight #2 carrying 235 Indian nationals takes off from Tel Aviv." #OperationAjay Flight #2 carrying 235 Indian nationals takes off from Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/avrMHAJrT4 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 13, 2023 × The flight was also carrying two infants, media reports said. Earlier on Friday (Oct 13) morning, the arrival of the first charter flight took place which repatriated 212 Indian nationals from Israel to India. The foreign minister announced the repatriation operation days after the Hamas terrorist organisation attacked Israel in a barbaric way, slaughtering men, women, and children of all ages. Also Read | Israel-Hamas war: Journalist dead, six wounded in crossfire at frontline; Israel assures probe Media reports said that a first-come, first-serve approach is being adopted to choose who will be taken back to India and when. Indian Embassy, has already shared helpline numbers with nationals in Israel as the country continues to reel under rocket attacks by Hamas. The embassy asked Indians to register themselves in the mission's database. The cost of the repatriation is covered by the Indian government. Operation Ajay was launched on Thursday (Oct 12). Also Read | Israel-Hamas war: As IDF tanks move towards Gaza, Netanyahu says 'it will take time' to defeat Hamas The evacuation of Indian nationals is still ongoing and will continue till everyone who wants to return to India is brought back safely. India has pledged for the safety of its citizens. Messages and emails are reportedly being sent to the stranded nationals for them to know about the flight information. Watch | Israel-Hamas war: What is the source of funding for Hamas? × PTI news agency while quoting a PhD student Suryakant Tiwari said, "I really want to thank the Government of India for evacuating us from the war situation in Israel... Our government has evacuated us from such a situation under 'Operation Ajay'." Approximately 18,000 Indian nationals, including students, live in Israel. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Israel-Hamas war: Second batch of 235 Indians arrives in India under Operation Ajay

<p>The ongoing war initiated by Hamas has now entered its sixth day, and it doesn't seem like it will end soon. Following Hamas' surprise&nbsp;attack on Israel in the early hours of Saturday (Oct 7), Israel is now responding&nbsp;with robust retaliatory strikes on Hamas&nbsp;targets in Gaza, using warplanes to bombard buildings, leaving many urgently seeking safety.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the face of this brutality started at the hands of Hamas militants, an intriguing aspect to consider is the recently constructed homes in Israel, equipped with a built-in shelter—a fortified safety room designed to protect against the threat of an airstrike.</p>

<p><strong>Watch the video here:</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IsraelAtWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IsraelAtWar</a> | Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, bomb shelters are an essential feature in newly constructed Israeli homes.<br />
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The shelters are equipped with essentials like electricity and Wi-Fi for comfortable stays during emergencies.<br />
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Source: Howard Tobochnik <a href="https://t.co/kqYPd31xWu">pic.twitter.com/kqYPd31xWu</a></p>
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<p>Throughout Israel, residents are using emergency shelters in their homes and public spaces as the war&nbsp;between Israel and Hamas intensifies. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-intel-searches-for-iranian-link-in-hamas-attack-on-israel-645243">Air raid</a> sirens, warning of rocket attacks, blare unexpectedly at all hours, granting Israelis just 60 seconds to find refuge.</p>

<p>Nina Slama, a resident of Ra'anana, shared with WION that there are numerous sirens in Ra'anana throughout the day, prompting people to immediately take refuge in the safe room.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"When the sirens sound, the goal is to quickly rush to the safe room," and they "must remain inside the reinforced shelter room for at least 10 minutes after the siren ceases. If the siren persists, we must stay there longer. While inside, we can hear the Iron Dome's interceptions. It is very&nbsp;stressful, as it resembles the sound of an&nbsp;explosion," she stated.</p>

<p>She also said that people in her locality are coming&nbsp;together to gather food and supplies for citizens and soldiers based in Southern Israel. Additionally, many families are also welcoming people&nbsp;from the South and organising blood donation camps.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH: Israeli resident tells WION what it is like to live amid war</strong></p>

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<p>While some shelters lack the capacity to accommodate individuals for extended periods due to the absence of toilets and water facilities, others are sufficiently equipped to sustain residents for days at a stretch.</p>

<p>A student from Rehevot (who chose to stay anonymous), told WION that "the structure itself can withstand rocket attacks and shrapnel from rockets.&nbsp;Typically, it is not stocked with food, but the government agency responsible for preparing people in emergencies, known as the HomeFront, issues warnings regarding the necessity to stock essential supplies."</p>

<p>"The room is furnished with an induction platform for cooking/microwaving and provides Wi-Fi. So, if necessary, you can stay in it quite comfortably," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There is one on every floor. In case you are away from the shelter you can call HomeFront and they will guide you to the nearest one. If driving, one needs to&nbsp;stop and lie flat on the floor," he added.</p>

<p>It has become customary for Israeli homes to incorporate these specially designed secure rooms following the introduction of a law in 1992 by the Israel Defense Forces' HomeFront Command, which established new civil defence regulations.</p>

<p>These regulations mandated the inclusion of a protected room in every newly constructed building, be it residential, communal, or institutional.</p>

<p>Tel Aviv resident Howard Tobochnik told WION that&nbsp;within these safe rooms, some resemble an extension of the home, occasionally resembling a living room or bedroom, while others are more sparsely furnished. "They typically feature steel doors with reinforced locks, concrete walls, and, if they have windows, they are constructed from shatter-proof glass," he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-terrorist-kills-elderly-woman-family-finds-video-of-ghastly-act-on-facebook-645199">Hamas terrorist kills elderly woman, family finds video of ghastly act on Facebook</a></p>

<p>However, Israel's safe rooms are not entirely foolproof in preventing break-ins, and they cannot safeguard citizens who are unable to&nbsp;access them quickly amid the ongoing conflict. Thus far at least 1,300 Israelis have lost their lives, with more than 5,000 injured since the surprise attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gaza officials say death toll from Israeli airstrikes has reached&nbsp;over&nbsp;1,500.</p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</strong></em></p>


The ongoing war initiated by Hamas has now entered its sixth day, and it doesn't seem like it will end soon. Following Hamas' surprise attack on Israel in the early hours of Saturday (Oct 7), Israel is now responding with robust retaliatory strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, using warplanes to bombard buildings, leaving many urgently seeking safety.

The ongoing war initiated by Hamas has now entered its sixth day, and it doesn't seem like it will end soon. Following Hamas' surprise attack on Israel in the early hours of Saturday (Oct 7), Israel is now responding with robust retaliatory strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, using warplanes to bombard buildings, leaving many urgently seeking safety. In the face of this brutality started at the hands of Hamas militants, an intriguing aspect to consider is the recently constructed homes in Israel, equipped with a built-in shelter—a fortified safety room designed to protect against the threat of an airstrike. Watch the video here: #IsraelAtWar | Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, bomb shelters are an essential feature in newly constructed Israeli homes. The shelters are equipped with essentials like electricity and Wi-Fi for comfortable stays during emergencies. Source: Howard Tobochnik pic.twitter.com/kqYPd31xWu — WION (@WIONews) October 11, 2023 × Throughout Israel, residents are using emergency shelters in their homes and public spaces as the war between Israel and Hamas intensifies. Air raid sirens, warning of rocket attacks, blare unexpectedly at all hours, granting Israelis just 60 seconds to find refuge. Nina Slama, a resident of Ra'anana, shared with WION that there are numerous sirens in Ra'anana throughout the day, prompting people to immediately take refuge in the safe room. "When the sirens sound, the goal is to quickly rush to the safe room," and they "must remain inside the reinforced shelter room for at least 10 minutes after the siren ceases. If the siren persists, we must stay there longer. While inside, we can hear the Iron Dome's interceptions. It is very stressful, as it resembles the sound of an explosion," she stated. She also said that people in her locality are coming together to gather food and supplies for citizens and soldiers based in Southern Israel. Additionally, many families are also welcoming people from the South and organising blood donation camps. WATCH: Israeli resident tells WION what it is like to live amid war × While some shelters lack the capacity to accommodate individuals for extended periods due to the absence of toilets and water facilities, others are sufficiently equipped to sustain residents for days at a stretch. A student from Rehevot (who chose to stay anonymous), told WION that "the structure itself can withstand rocket attacks and shrapnel from rockets. Typically, it is not stocked with food, but the government agency responsible for preparing people in emergencies, known as the HomeFront, issues warnings regarding the necessity to stock essential supplies." "The room is furnished with an induction platform for cooking/microwaving and provides Wi-Fi. So, if necessary, you can stay in it quite comfortably," he said. "There is one on every floor. In case you are away from the shelter you can call HomeFront and they will guide you to the nearest one. If driving, one needs to stop and lie flat on the floor," he added. It has become customary for Israeli homes to incorporate these specially designed secure rooms following the introduction of a law in 1992 by the Israel Defense Forces' HomeFront Command, which established new civil defence regulations. These regulations mandated the inclusion of a protected room in every newly constructed building, be it residential, communal, or institutional. Tel Aviv resident Howard Tobochnik told WION that within these safe rooms, some resemble an extension of the home, occasionally resembling a living room or bedroom, while others are more sparsely furnished. "They typically feature steel doors with reinforced locks, concrete walls, and, if they have windows, they are constructed from shatter-proof glass," he said. Also read | Hamas terrorist kills elderly woman, family finds video of ghastly act on Facebook However, Israel's safe rooms are not entirely foolproof in preventing break-ins, and they cannot safeguard citizens who are unable to access them quickly amid the ongoing conflict. Thus far at least 1,300 Israelis have lost their lives, with more than 5,000 injured since the surprise attack. Gaza officials say death toll from Israeli airstrikes has reached over 1,500. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

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Israel is far superior to Hamas. However, the militant group has been using an ingenious weapon to surprise the Israelis. They have dug a labyrinth of tunnels deep inside Gaza. These tunnels are used to smuggle & store weapons.

Israel-Palestine war: Nepal evacuates 253 nationals from Israel

Israel is far superior to Hamas. However, the militant group has been using an ingenious weapon to surprise the Israelis. They have dug a labyrinth of tunnels deep inside Gaza. These tunnels are used to smuggle & store weapons. Wion's Ghadi Francis visited these tunnels in 2013. Since then, these tunnels have expanded deeper and wider. Take a look at this report to get a sense of the City of Tunnels.

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