As a war between Israel and the Hamas militant group escalates, Israel's Defense Forces are now preparing for a ground offensive in Gaza. Israel is poised to launch an attack into the northern half of the Gaza Strip. It is an attack that is filled with uncertainty and whose potential humanitarian consequences are grim as Israel vows to destroy and eliminate Hamas completely.

Israel-Palestine war: Israeli ground offensive in Gaza faces physical & political risks

Israeli military has massed tanks on the Gaza border in preparation for a ground offensive; and is targeting Hamas and its infrastructure. Iran warned Israel of escalation if it failed to end aggression against Palestinians and stated the resistance front can defend itself. Apart from funding Hamas, Israel’s arch-foe backs Hezbollah in Lebanon, where cross-border fire has intensified, prompting Israel to shut the area to civilians. However, Iran’s mission to the UN told news agency Reuters that if Israel did not attack its interests or citizens, then Tehran’s forces would not engage militarily with Tel Aviv. Israel has long accused Iran’s clerical rulers of stoking violence by supplying arms to Hamas. Tehran says it gives moral and financial support to the group, which controls the Gaza Strip. Backing the Palestinian cause has been a pillar of the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution and a way the country has fashioned itself as a leader of the Muslim world.

Israel Military Chief: Target every Hamas commander & every Hamas operator | 'We will enter Gaza'

<p>The ongoing Israel-Hamas war&nbsp;has led to widespread devastation, causing injuries, disabilities, building destruction, and loss of life. Beyond being an international relations crisis, this war is also a public health emergency with far-reaching consequences.</p>

<p>Israelis, Palestinians, and those in conflict zones face challenges such as food and water shortages, mental health stress, and displacement-related health risks. The effects extend beyond war-torn areas to affect people worldwide.</p>

<p>The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) raised concerns about the Gaza Strip, where vital supplies are running low due to Israel's total blockade following Hamas attacks.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-is-the-rafah-border-crossing-the-last-hope-for-gaza-palestinians-647401">Also read |&nbsp;Explained: Is the Rafah border crossing the last hope for Gaza Palestinians?</a></p>

<h2><strong>Gaza&nbsp;crisis</strong></h2>

<p>Food and water shortages in the region are rapidly edging towards a dire situation. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of a lack of fuel for hospital generators in Gaza and stranded stocks of aid and medicine. The Israeli military's massive air attacks have forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes.</p>

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<p>Brian Lander, Deputy Head of Emergencies at WFP, highlighted&nbsp;the worsening conditions for people in Gaza.</p>

<p>He called on Israel and Egypt to create secure corridors for WFP supplies and ensure the safety of UN&nbsp;staff working in the area. Meanwhile, a Palestinian doctor in Gaza voiced concerns about a looming health disaster due to dwindling fuel and medical supplies in hospitals.</p>

<p>In response to the devastating attack by Hamas, Israel imposed a "total blockade," cutting off food supplies and electricity to Gaza. The situation escalated as shops started running out of essential items. Dr. Mohammed Zaqout, Head of the Nasser Medical Complex told Reuters that a lack of power could lead to a "catastrophe", hampering patient treatment.</p>

<p>The United Nations appealed to Israel to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, a densely populated area with 2.3 million residents. Health officials in Gaza resorted to using ice cream freezer trucks to store the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes. The shortage of safe passage and overcrowded cemeteries led to this grim solution.</p>

<p>The conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified, with Israel launching a fierce bombardment in response to Hamas's deadliest attack in decades. The situation has prompted the Israeli military to consider allowing Gazans to evacuate south in anticipation of a ground assault. As a result of Israeli air strikes, more than 2,300 people in Gaza, a quarter of whom are children, have died, and nearly 10,000 others are wounded. Hospitals are struggling with limited supplies and a growing number of casualties. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas, indicating that the Gaza death toll is likely to rise.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crisis-looms-in-gaza-hospitals-to-run-out-of-fuel-in-24-hours-says-un-647315">Also read |&nbsp;Crisis looms in Gaza: Hospitals to run out of fuel in 24 hours, says UN</a></p>

<p>Dr Yasser Ali from the Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah shared with Reuters the dire situation in Gaza, where the capacity of morgues is insufficient to accommodate the number of casualties. In Gaza City, preparations are underway to create mass graves due to the large number of unburied bodies.</p>

<p>The conflict's impact extends beyond the immediate battleground, leading to severe humanitarian and public health crises in the region.</p>

<p><em><strong>(With inputs from agencies)</strong></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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The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has led to widespread devastation, causing injuries, disabilities, building destruction, and loss of life. Beyond being an international relations crisis, this war is also a public health emergency with far-reaching consequences.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has led to widespread devastation, causing injuries, disabilities, building destruction, and loss of life. Beyond being an international relations crisis, this war is also a public health emergency with far-reaching consequences. Israelis, Palestinians, and those in conflict zones face challenges such as food and water shortages, mental health stress, and displacement-related health risks. The effects extend beyond war-torn areas to affect people worldwide. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) raised concerns about the Gaza Strip, where vital supplies are running low due to Israel's total blockade following Hamas attacks. Also read | Explained: Is the Rafah border crossing the last hope for Gaza Palestinians? Gaza crisis Food and water shortages in the region are rapidly edging towards a dire situation. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of a lack of fuel for hospital generators in Gaza and stranded stocks of aid and medicine. The Israeli military's massive air attacks have forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes. Brian Lander, Deputy Head of Emergencies at WFP, highlighted the worsening conditions for people in Gaza. He called on Israel and Egypt to create secure corridors for WFP supplies and ensure the safety of UN staff working in the area. Meanwhile, a Palestinian doctor in Gaza voiced concerns about a looming health disaster due to dwindling fuel and medical supplies in hospitals. In response to the devastating attack by Hamas, Israel imposed a "total blockade," cutting off food supplies and electricity to Gaza. The situation escalated as shops started running out of essential items. Dr. Mohammed Zaqout, Head of the Nasser Medical Complex told Reuters that a lack of power could lead to a "catastrophe", hampering patient treatment. The United Nations appealed to Israel to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, a densely populated area with 2.3 million residents. Health officials in Gaza resorted to using ice cream freezer trucks to store the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes. The shortage of safe passage and overcrowded cemeteries led to this grim solution. The conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified, with Israel launching a fierce bombardment in response to Hamas's deadliest attack in decades. The situation has prompted the Israeli military to consider allowing Gazans to evacuate south in anticipation of a ground assault. As a result of Israeli air strikes, more than 2,300 people in Gaza, a quarter of whom are children, have died, and nearly 10,000 others are wounded. Hospitals are struggling with limited supplies and a growing number of casualties. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas, indicating that the Gaza death toll is likely to rise. Also read | Crisis looms in Gaza: Hospitals to run out of fuel in 24 hours, says UN Dr Yasser Ali from the Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah shared with Reuters the dire situation in Gaza, where the capacity of morgues is insufficient to accommodate the number of casualties. In Gaza City, preparations are underway to create mass graves due to the large number of unburied bodies. The conflict's impact extends beyond the immediate battleground, leading to severe humanitarian and public health crises in the region. (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. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab: A 'health disaster' unfolds amid Israel-Hamas war

It is day 10 since the militant group Hamas attacked Israel the Israeli military is preparing for the next stages of the war against the Hamas militant group. While the humanitarian crisis still looms over Gaza. US President Joe Biden said in an interview- that any move by Israel to occupy the Gaza Strip again would be a big mistake.

Israel-Palestine war: Gaza border crossing set to reopen as Israel troops inch closer

The allegations are emerging that Hamas commanders in the Gaza Strip are training school-aged children to defend the region even as Israeli troops prepare to storm the Gaza border and conduct a ground assault. An Israeli emergency responder unit claims that children near the age of 14 are being trained in weapon skills and Military drills. The allegations are according to pictures released by South First Responders.

Israel-Palestine war | Reports: Hamas commanders are training children to defend Gaza

The ongoing crisis in West Asia sent shock waves through Global markets as well it is pushing oil prices to new heights and leaving investors on the edge. The evolving situation is complex with geopolitical in intricacies extending beyond the immediate parties involved JP Morgan notes that the conflict has disrupted US broker negotiations concerning Saudi-Israel relations.

Israel-Palestine war | Geopolitical whirlwind: Israeli-Hamas war shakes global economy

As Gaza runs out of clean water, food and electricity, the situation continues to be grim and now the Israeli Army is once again offered a window to civilians to escape from the north and move to the Southern part of the Gaza strip.

Israel-Palestine war: IDF gives fresh 4-hour window for Gazans to evacuate

Israel-Hamas conflict could result in massive uncertainty for the tech sector while Israel is already among the top Tech nations in the world it's the up-and-coming Palestinian tech industry that's been blown apart by the war between Israel and Hamas. Before the Israel-Hamas war Palestine's tech sector was growing at a very steady Pace despite being one of the most economically challenged regions in the world.

Israel-Palestine War stumps Palestinian tech sector

Israel-Palestine War: Palestinian tech industry was growing steadily before war

Devastation, despair and death with more than 2600 already dead a dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza. Tens of thousands of Palestinians are attempting to flee crippling air strikes and an Israeli ground offensive. Israeli air strikes have bubbled countless neighbourhoods across the strip. As civilians flee, people are in search of their loved ones, lost, injured or dead in the air strike.

Israel-Palestine war | WHO: 60% killed in Gaza are women and children

The war is raging between Israel and Hamas and attacks from both sides are intensifying. It's now 9 days 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 | Pro-Israeli marcher: Crime not against Jews but against humanity

With the US continuing its diplomatic outreach in the wake of Israel’s crackdown against Hamas, new reports now suggest President Joe Biden has been invited by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel on a solidarity visit. And amid Biden-Netanyahu's frosty ties, big question remains will Biden accept Netanyahu’s invite?

Israel-Palestine war: Biden sends support, Netanyahu vows heavy response

The Israeli Air Force has been conducting sorties over the Gaza Strip ahead of the much-debated ground offensive in Gaza. But the question is how prepared are the Israeli forces for our next report gets you more.

Israel-Palestine War | Army: Hamas militants killed in gun battles in Israel

Israel-Palestine war: Egypt steps up diplomatic efforts to get humanitarian aid into Gaza

It is day 10 since the militant group Hamas attacked Israel the Israeli military is preparing for the next stages of the war against the Hamas militant group. While the humanitarian crisis still looms over Gaza. US President Joe Biden said in an interview- that any move by Israel to occupy the Gaza Strip again would be a big mistake. To know more watch this interview of a fellow from Israel Institute, Alon Burstein.

Israel-Palestine War: Death toll on Palestinian side has increased to at least 2,670

Israel-Palestine War: Death toll on Israeli side is at least 1,400

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Wednesday.

Israel-Palestine war: Iran has long backed the Hamas militant group

<p>Gaza's healthcare system is reportedly strained to its breaking point due to relentless Israeli air attacks, with hospital morgues becoming overwhelmed. Amid the dire humanitarian crisis in the region, ice cream trucks and refrigerated food vehicles have been repurposed to store the increasing number of dead bodies in the region amid the retaliation from the Israeli forces after Hamas' October 7 onslaught.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Israel has already given hospitals in the northern part of the besieged enclave evacuation orders. The world is watching in anticipation of a looming ground offensive by Israel in the Gaza territory. The Israeli forces have said that they will attack Gaza from land, sea, and air.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Palestinian journalist says ice cream trucks are used as storage for corpses due to lack of space at Gaza hospital morgues <a href="https://t.co/fSoXEbWvB0">pic.twitter.com/fSoXEbWvB0</a></p>
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) <a href="https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1712947919144260060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Amid this grave situation, thousands of Gazans are rushing toward the southern region leaving their belongings behind. Medical facilities across this densely populated territory are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded patients and displaced residents.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/key-hamas-leader-billal-al-kedra-behind-kibbutz-nirim-massacre-taken-out-by-israel-647123">Key Hamas leader Billal Al Kedra, behind Kibbutz Nirim massacre, taken out by Israel</a></p>

<p>Shifa Hospital, Gaza City's largest medical complex, is reportedly facing particularly dire conditions.</p>

<p>Palestinian doctors there are sounding the alarm about the imminent threat of infectious disease outbreaks due to severe overcrowding.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/butcher-of-khan-yunis-yahya-sinwar-is-our-osama-bin-laden-israel-647098">'Butcher of Khan yunis' Yahya Sinwar is our Osama bin Laden: Israel</a></p>

<p>“There are thousands – if not tens of thousands – of people who have flocked to the hospital,” surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta reportedly told Al Jazeera adding,&nbsp;“They are sleeping on the ground, in the corridors, between patients’ beds. People are absolutely terrified. They think this is the safest place and everything around them confirms that,” he said.</p>

<p>The surgeon cautioned of a "public health catastrophe at the hospital” if efforts are not made to address the issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-israel-war-rages-on-diplomacy-continues-647125">Israel-Palestine war: Israel war rages on, diplomacy continues</a></strong></p>

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<p>As Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Gaza, the death toll continues to rise, surpassing 2,200 people as of the last report. Hospital morgues are now at capacity.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Ice cream trucks as morgues</strong></h2>

<p>Hospital resources are stretched beyond their limits, with medical staff working tirelessly to provide life-saving care. Even supplies have dwindled, while medical personnel are emotionally and physically drained. Many of them have lost colleagues, family members, or are trying to secure their own families amidst the ongoing conflict.</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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Gaza's healthcare system is reportedly strained to its breaking point due to relentless Israeli air attacks, with hospital morgues becoming overwhelmed. Amid the dire humanitarian crisis in the region, ice cream trucks and refrigerated food vehicles have been repurposed to store the increasing number of dead bodies in the region amid the retaliation from the Israeli forces after Hamas' October 7 onslaught.

Gaza's healthcare system is reportedly strained to its breaking point due to relentless Israeli air attacks, with hospital morgues becoming overwhelmed. Amid the dire humanitarian crisis in the region, ice cream trucks and refrigerated food vehicles have been repurposed to store the increasing number of dead bodies in the region amid the retaliation from the Israeli forces after Hamas' October 7 onslaught. Israel has already given hospitals in the northern part of the besieged enclave evacuation orders. The world is watching in anticipation of a looming ground offensive by Israel in the Gaza territory. The Israeli forces have said that they will attack Gaza from land, sea, and air. Palestinian journalist says ice cream trucks are used as storage for corpses due to lack of space at Gaza hospital morgues pic.twitter.com/fSoXEbWvB0 — Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) October 13, 2023 × Amid this grave situation, thousands of Gazans are rushing toward the southern region leaving their belongings behind. Medical facilities across this densely populated territory are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded patients and displaced residents. Also Read | Key Hamas leader Billal Al Kedra, behind Kibbutz Nirim massacre, taken out by Israel Shifa Hospital, Gaza City's largest medical complex, is reportedly facing particularly dire conditions. Palestinian doctors there are sounding the alarm about the imminent threat of infectious disease outbreaks due to severe overcrowding. Also Read | 'Butcher of Khan yunis' Yahya Sinwar is our Osama bin Laden: Israel “There are thousands – if not tens of thousands – of people who have flocked to the hospital,” surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta reportedly told Al Jazeera adding, “They are sleeping on the ground, in the corridors, between patients’ beds. People are absolutely terrified. They think this is the safest place and everything around them confirms that,” he said. The surgeon cautioned of a "public health catastrophe at the hospital” if efforts are not made to address the issue. Watch | Israel-Palestine war: Israel war rages on, diplomacy continues × As Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Gaza, the death toll continues to rise, surpassing 2,200 people as of the last report. Hospital morgues are now at capacity. Ice cream trucks as morgues Hospital resources are stretched beyond their limits, with medical staff working tirelessly to provide life-saving care. Even supplies have dwindled, while medical personnel are emotionally and physically drained. Many of them have lost colleagues, family members, or are trying to secure their own families amidst the ongoing conflict. (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. 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: Ice cream trucks become makeshift morgues in Gaza

<p>Ukraine is finding it harder to secure financial support as the attention of officials in key donor countries shifts to upcoming elections and geopolitical tensions heighten, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told Reuters on Saturday.</p>

<p>"I see a lot of tiredness, I see a lot of weakness among our partners, they would like to forget about the war but the war is still ongoing, full-scale," Marchenko said on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Marrakech.</p>

<p>He said Ukraine is making "twice the effort right now to convince our partners to provide us with support compared to the last annual meetings" in April.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/butcher-of-khan-yunis-yahya-sinwar-is-our-osama-bin-laden-israel-647098">'Butcher of Khan yunis' Yahya Sinwar is our Osama bin Laden: Israel</a></p>

<p>As the war with Russia rages on, Ukraine needs to secure Western financial support to cover a $43 billion budget gap in 2024. Talks this week have been overshadowed by the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which broke out just as delegates were making their way to Marrakech.</p>

<p>Marchenko said "a geopolitical shift and internal political context in different countries" was dampening governments' appetite to support Ukraine, mentioning elections scheduled in the U.S. and the European Union next year.</p>

<p>Ukraine has earmarked additional tax receipts and funds to be raised from internal debt, but it will be dependent on outside help for the bulk of next year's spending requirements.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pizzeria-in-west-bank-demolished-over-controversial-holocaust-survivor-ad-647062">Pizzeria in West Bank demolished over controversial Holocaust survivor ad</a></p>

<p>"We already have some commitments, like $5.4 billion from the IMF programme, and we expect commitments from Japan and United Kingdom, and of course, we rely on our key partners and allies the United States and European Union," Marchenko said in the interview.</p>

<p>The EU is working on a 50 billion-euro ($52.6 billion)Ukraine package for 2024 through 2027. Marchenko said Ukraine is seeking 18 billion euros of that in 2024, matching the package received for this year.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-us-to-move-second-aircraft-carrier-to-mediterranean-647075">Israel-Hamas war: US to move second aircraft carrier to Mediterranean</a></strong></p>

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<p>Marchenko welcomed the efforts to harness frozen Russian state assets, saying that what was previously portrayed by Western backers as an "achievable goal" now "sounds like a plan". Legal concerns, among others, have complicated recoveries.</p>

<h2>CREDITOR DISCUSSIONS</h2>

<p>Since Moscow's February 2022 invasion, most of Ukraine's bilateral lenders have suspended repayment obligations until 2027, and the country has agreed a two-year freeze on $20 billion of international bonds that runs through August.</p>

<p>Ukraine has been sounding out major investors over plans to restructure the international debt and the possibility of raising fresh financing, Reuters reported on Oct. 9, citing people with knowledge of the discussions.</p>

<p>"We have some time to prepare discussions with private creditors," Marchenko said, declining to provide a timeframe on when formal talks with creditors may start.</p>

<p>"Our natural desire is to preserve access to the market," he added.</p>

<p>Marchenko said credit enhancement notes could be "one of the ways" to raise funds, but that how such guarantees would work depends on the future of Ukraine's growth, among other economic factors. This has not been a topic of discussion at the meetings in Marrakech, he said.</p>

<p>Ukraine's economy is set to grow 5% in 2024, Marchenko told the meetings earlier this week, and sufficient gas storage for the winter should buttress the economy from a potential rise in prices, he told Reuters.</p>

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Ukraine is finding it harder to secure financial support as the attention of officials in key donor countries shifts to upcoming elections and geopolitical tensions heighten, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told Reuters on Saturday.

Ukraine is finding it harder to secure financial support as the attention of officials in key donor countries shifts to upcoming elections and geopolitical tensions heighten, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told Reuters on Saturday. "I see a lot of tiredness, I see a lot of weakness among our partners, they would like to forget about the war but the war is still ongoing, full-scale," Marchenko said on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Marrakech. He said Ukraine is making "twice the effort right now to convince our partners to provide us with support compared to the last annual meetings" in April. Also Read | 'Butcher of Khan yunis' Yahya Sinwar is our Osama bin Laden: Israel As the war with Russia rages on, Ukraine needs to secure Western financial support to cover a $43 billion budget gap in 2024. Talks this week have been overshadowed by the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which broke out just as delegates were making their way to Marrakech. Marchenko said "a geopolitical shift and internal political context in different countries" was dampening governments' appetite to support Ukraine, mentioning elections scheduled in the U.S. and the European Union next year. Ukraine has earmarked additional tax receipts and funds to be raised from internal debt, but it will be dependent on outside help for the bulk of next year's spending requirements. Also Read | Pizzeria in West Bank demolished over controversial Holocaust survivor ad "We already have some commitments, like $5.4 billion from the IMF programme, and we expect commitments from Japan and United Kingdom, and of course, we rely on our key partners and allies the United States and European Union," Marchenko said in the interview. The EU is working on a 50 billion-euro ($52.6 billion)Ukraine package for 2024 through 2027. Marchenko said Ukraine is seeking 18 billion euros of that in 2024, matching the package received for this year. Watch | Israel-Hamas war: US to move second aircraft carrier to Mediterranean × Marchenko welcomed the efforts to harness frozen Russian state assets, saying that what was previously portrayed by Western backers as an "achievable goal" now "sounds like a plan". Legal concerns, among others, have complicated recoveries. CREDITOR DISCUSSIONS Since Moscow's February 2022 invasion, most of Ukraine's bilateral lenders have suspended repayment obligations until 2027, and the country has agreed a two-year freeze on $20 billion of international bonds that runs through August. Ukraine has been sounding out major investors over plans to restructure the international debt and the possibility of raising fresh financing, Reuters reported on Oct. 9, citing people with knowledge of the discussions. "We have some time to prepare discussions with private creditors," Marchenko said, declining to provide a timeframe on when formal talks with creditors may start. "Our natural desire is to preserve access to the market," he added. Marchenko said credit enhancement notes could be "one of the ways" to raise funds, but that how such guarantees would work depends on the future of Ukraine's growth, among other economic factors. This has not been a topic of discussion at the meetings in Marrakech, he said. Ukraine's economy is set to grow 5% in 2024, Marchenko told the meetings earlier this week, and sufficient gas storage for the winter should buttress the economy from a potential rise in prices, he told Reuters. 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. ×

Ukraine left in cold? Finance min says donor nations' 'tiredness' growing amid elections, geopolitical shift

<p>The Israeli Defense Force's canine unit, Oketz, played a significant role in rescuing 200 Israelis and eliminating 10 Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Be'eri. However, a separate incident at Kibbutz Kfar Aza had a tragic outcome. A dog named Nauru was deployed to track down terrorists and weapons, successfully exposing their location. While IDF soldiers neutralised the terrorists, Nauru tragically lost its life during the intense combat. The soldiers retrieved Nauru's remains for a proper burial.</p>

<p>The commander of the Oketz unit rallied his troops, emphasising their mission to penetrate the Gaza Strip and eliminate all terrorists they encounter. He underscored their unity and strength, expressing determination to prevail.</p>

<p>Oketz, translating to "sting" in Hebrew, meticulously trains its dogs, assigning each a specific speciality such as attack, search and rescue, explosive detection, and weapon location. Their valuable contributions are evident in both rescue operations and confrontations with terrorists, showcasing the unit's unwavering commitment to Israel's security and success.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sends-second-aircraft-carrier-to-support-israel-647006">US sends second aircraft carrier to support Israel</a></p>

<h2><strong>'Butchered, limbs mutilated, raped': Israeli forensic teams describe Hamas atrocities</strong></h2>

<p>Following the devastating Hamas assault on Gaza Strip-adjacent communities, Israeli military forensic teams have been examining the victims' bodies, revealing distressing evidence of torture, rape, and other atrocious acts. This revelation has been profoundly shocking as around 1,300 bodies were sent to a central Israeli army base in Ramla for identification.</p>

<p>Rabbi Israel Weiss, a former army chief rabbi involved in the identification process, stated that about 90% of military casualties have been recognised. Furthermore, efforts are ongoing to identify civilian victims. The bodies exhibited troubling signs of torture and sexual assault, including dismemberment, beheadings, and even the tragic death of a child.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;&nbsp;Gazans flee towards South after Israeli order</strong></p>

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<p>This horrifying situation arose from the ruthless October 7 attack, during which hundreds of Hamas gunmen, some on motorcycles, breached Gaza's barriers and rampaged through neighbouring communities. They targeted outdoor events, residences, and military installations, abducting over 120 Israelis and foreigners. The extensive casualties in a single day, along with harrowing images from the affected areas, deeply shook Israel.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></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>

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The Israeli Defense Force's canine unit, Oketz, played a significant role in rescuing 200 Israelis and eliminating 10 Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Be'eri. However, a separate incident at Kibbutz Kfar Aza had a tragic outcome.

The Israeli Defense Force's canine unit, Oketz, played a significant role in rescuing 200 Israelis and eliminating 10 Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Be'eri. However, a separate incident at Kibbutz Kfar Aza had a tragic outcome. A dog named Nauru was deployed to track down terrorists and weapons, successfully exposing their location. While IDF soldiers neutralised the terrorists, Nauru tragically lost its life during the intense combat. The soldiers retrieved Nauru's remains for a proper burial. The commander of the Oketz unit rallied his troops, emphasising their mission to penetrate the Gaza Strip and eliminate all terrorists they encounter. He underscored their unity and strength, expressing determination to prevail. Oketz, translating to "sting" in Hebrew, meticulously trains its dogs, assigning each a specific speciality such as attack, search and rescue, explosive detection, and weapon location. Their valuable contributions are evident in both rescue operations and confrontations with terrorists, showcasing the unit's unwavering commitment to Israel's security and success. Also read | US sends second aircraft carrier to support Israel 'Butchered, limbs mutilated, raped': Israeli forensic teams describe Hamas atrocities Following the devastating Hamas assault on Gaza Strip-adjacent communities, Israeli military forensic teams have been examining the victims' bodies, revealing distressing evidence of torture, rape, and other atrocious acts. This revelation has been profoundly shocking as around 1,300 bodies were sent to a central Israeli army base in Ramla for identification. Rabbi Israel Weiss, a former army chief rabbi involved in the identification process, stated that about 90% of military casualties have been recognised. Furthermore, efforts are ongoing to identify civilian victims. The bodies exhibited troubling signs of torture and sexual assault, including dismemberment, beheadings, and even the tragic death of a child. Also watch | Gazans flee towards South after Israeli order This horrifying situation arose from the ruthless October 7 attack, during which hundreds of Hamas gunmen, some on motorcycles, breached Gaza's barriers and rampaged through neighbouring communities. They targeted outdoor events, residences, and military installations, abducting over 120 Israelis and foreigners. The extensive casualties in a single day, along with harrowing images from the affected areas, deeply shook Israel. (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. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Israeli canine unit 'Oketz' helped rescue 200 lives, neutralise 10 Hamas terrorists

<p>Natural and man-made disasters have led to $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock losses over the last three decades, said the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on Friday (Oct 13) in its first-of-its-kind report that attempted to compile such an estimate. The world has also lost over $120 billion per year which amounts to five per cent of the annual global agricultural GDP.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Findings of the report</strong></h2>

<p>The UN food agency estimated that disasters like floods, droughts, insect infestations, storms, disease and war have caused $123 billion every year in lost food production between 1991 and 2021, which would have been enough to feed up to half a billion people per year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new report by FAO titled “The impact of disasters on agriculture and food security” shows the first-ever global estimation of the impact on agricultural production with a focus on crops and livestock due to disasters and aims to put into context the scale of the cost of such events.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report also highlights the need for urgently improving data and information on the impact of disasters and notes how they have increased in frequency from 100 per year in the 1970s to a whopping 400 events per year in the past 20 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to FAO, the average annual grain losses amounted to 69 million tonnes in the last three decades or so – which is equivalent to the entire cereal production of France in 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/international-day-of-awareness-on-food-loss-and-waste-reduction-heres-how-food-waste-affects-the-environment-640920">Explained | Int’l day of awareness of food loss &amp; waste reduction: Here's how food waste affects environment</a></strong></p>

<p>Additionally, the world lost some 40 million tonnes of fruit and vegetable production and 16 million tonnes of meat, dairy and eggs to disasters. Around 23 per cent of losses due to disasters were sustained in the agricultural sector.</p>

<p>“Agriculture is one of the most highly exposed and vulnerable sectors in the context of disaster risk, given its profound dependence on natural resources and climate conditions. Recurrent disasters have the potential to erode gains in food security and undermine the sustainability of agrifood systems,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in the report.</p>

<p>The UN food agency also found that lower and lower middle-income countries witnessed “highest relative” losses of up to 15 per cent of their total agricultural GDP. While Small Island Developing States (SIDS) reportedly lost seven per cent of their agricultural GDP.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Impact on women&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>According to the FAO, women were also hit harder than men due to these disasters. This has been attributed to resource and structural constraints which women face to access “information, financial instruments, the resources that they need to prepare to respond to or recover from disaster events,” said the report’s author, Zehra Zaidi.</p>

<h2><strong>Situation to worsen?</strong></h2>

<p>The FAO has identified climate change as one of the “systemic drivers of disaster risk” while other factors include pandemics, epidemics and armed conflicts.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/world-food-price-index-mostly-stable-in-september-sugar-prices-hit-13-year-high-due-to-el-nino-fao-643378">World sugar prices hit 13-year high in Sep due to El Nino; food price index 'mostly stable': FAO</a></strong><br />
<br />
According to the UN food agency, the disaster events are not only increasing in frequency but also becoming more intense and complex.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The international community is taking stock of the fact that disasters are... increasing tremendously...quadrupling since the 1970s” and are having an increasing impact on food production, the deputy head of FAO’s statistics department, Piero Conforti, told AFP.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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Natural and man-made disasters have led to $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock losses over the last three decades, said the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on Friday (Oct 13) in its first-of-its-kind report that attempted to compile such an estimate.

Natural and man-made disasters have led to $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock losses over the last three decades, said the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on Friday (Oct 13) in its first-of-its-kind report that attempted to compile such an estimate. The world has also lost over $120 billion per year which amounts to five per cent of the annual global agricultural GDP. Findings of the report The UN food agency estimated that disasters like floods, droughts, insect infestations, storms, disease and war have caused $123 billion every year in lost food production between 1991 and 2021, which would have been enough to feed up to half a billion people per year. The new report by FAO titled “The impact of disasters on agriculture and food security” shows the first-ever global estimation of the impact on agricultural production with a focus on crops and livestock due to disasters and aims to put into context the scale of the cost of such events. The report also highlights the need for urgently improving data and information on the impact of disasters and notes how they have increased in frequency from 100 per year in the 1970s to a whopping 400 events per year in the past 20 years. According to FAO, the average annual grain losses amounted to 69 million tonnes in the last three decades or so – which is equivalent to the entire cereal production of France in 2021. ALSO READ | Explained | Int’l day of awareness of food loss & waste reduction: Here's how food waste affects environment Additionally, the world lost some 40 million tonnes of fruit and vegetable production and 16 million tonnes of meat, dairy and eggs to disasters. Around 23 per cent of losses due to disasters were sustained in the agricultural sector. “Agriculture is one of the most highly exposed and vulnerable sectors in the context of disaster risk, given its profound dependence on natural resources and climate conditions. Recurrent disasters have the potential to erode gains in food security and undermine the sustainability of agrifood systems,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in the report. The UN food agency also found that lower and lower middle-income countries witnessed “highest relative” losses of up to 15 per cent of their total agricultural GDP. While Small Island Developing States (SIDS) reportedly lost seven per cent of their agricultural GDP. Impact on women According to the FAO, women were also hit harder than men due to these disasters. This has been attributed to resource and structural constraints which women face to access “information, financial instruments, the resources that they need to prepare to respond to or recover from disaster events,” said the report’s author, Zehra Zaidi. Situation to worsen? The FAO has identified climate change as one of the “systemic drivers of disaster risk” while other factors include pandemics, epidemics and armed conflicts. ALSO READ | World sugar prices hit 13-year high in Sep due to El Nino; food price index 'mostly stable': FAO According to the UN food agency, the disaster events are not only increasing in frequency but also becoming more intense and complex. “The international community is taking stock of the fact that disasters are... increasing tremendously...quadrupling since the 1970s” and are having an increasing impact on food production, the deputy head of FAO’s statistics department, Piero Conforti, told AFP. (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.

Disasters have caused $3.8 trillion crop, livestock losses over 30 years: FAO report

<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>THE PAST IS A courtroom without walls, its simultaneous trials a contentious cacophony, every judge sifting evidence through the sieve of self-interest, every jury a sectarian populace driven by rage or outrage. Wars born in perceived injustice reinvent themselves with fierce consistency. If history is guilty, how many generations must be sentenced to death?</p>

<p>For too long and for too many, peace has been an uneasy twilight between wars. Civilians feed on false hope while those in charge of the narrative build arsenals for the next battle. In the origin lands of the three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, peace is being erased from the dictionary of human behaviour, at both the collective and the individual level. The self is not at peace with itself, while crowds roam in perennial pursuit of assertion or vengeance, the difference often indistinguishable. The time-bridge between spasms of brutal conflict is a squalid, fetid calm waiting to spew its toxins.</p>

<p>I am circling around the subject, since blame is a chameleon. Each time you blink, blame changes colour. The not-so-human being has learnt but one thing since Cain killed his brother Abel, that life survives death. Murder is an episode, rather than a finality. According to Genesis, the creation chapter in the Bible, God banished Cain but did not abandon him; he was sent to the land of Nod, east of Eden, instead of the gallows, with divine protection. God promised “vengeance seven times over” upon anyone who killed Cain. The mark of Cain did not signify guilt; it was a device to protect Cain from being killed. This was God’s justice. Murder became a memory.</p>

<p>Human nature, liberated from accountability by the protective armour of a higher cause, slipped into perpetual war. The more religious the conflict, the more bitter the bloodshed. With the promise of heaven we let loose hell on earth. The desert, the sea, the home and hearth, are red again in the land of Abraham. Antagonists remain hostage to the dreams and defeats of forefathers. Destiny’s doctrine is scrawled in blood upon tombstones.</p>

<p>This round of the conflict in West Asia began during World War I, through the machinations of European imperialism, led by Britain and France. After an acrid century, one feels helpless as television screens fill with the pain of Israelis and Palestinians who have lost those they loved. Anguish is neither justice nor solace, but that is all that remains in the ashes of unending tragedy.</p>

<p>I have seen the Nazi concentration camps created by barbarians for the complete elimination of Jews at Auschwitz and still break down at the memory: did those Nazis go to church? If any did, they must have also planned a final solution for the thesis of a merciful God.</p>

<p>There can be no equivalence, and those who suggest it are ignorant or warped. But generations of Palestinians festering in limbo is not sustainable. No one, including Arab governments, even suggests an answer. The visible is septic, the invisible inflammatory. War is the lava of a bubbling volcano. Salauddin Ayyubi, more familiar as Saladin, a hero of refugee camps, never fought Jews; his enemy was the triumphant Christian Crusader. But Saladin spoke an eternal truth when he warned that blood does not sleep.</p>

<p>Blood has risen again. As have questions. Hamas began this war, using foot soldiers against military targets and terrorism against Israeli civilians. It paraded corpses to provoke outrage and foment a wider conflagration. But does it have any objective beyond widening the arc of destruction?</p>

<p>Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, responsible for the worst intelligence failure in Israel’s history, promised vengeance, siege and starvation of Gaza in retaliation. By the morning of October 10, Tel Aviv announced that 1,500 Hamas militants had been killed. The figures are incomplete. The Law of Moses, an eye for an eye, demands precision. Blood sates blood.</p>

<p>It is significant that Arab states have not supported Hamas. They want some return of status quo, although this war has probably changed the status beyond recall. But Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Doha, and Tel Aviv must cooperate if only to stop the vultures wheeling across the darkening skies.</p>

<p><strong><em>This article first appeared in Open Magazine.</em></strong></p>

<p><em><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

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THE PAST IS A courtroom without walls, its simultaneous trials a contentious cacophony, every judge sifting evidence through the sieve of self-interest, every jury a sectarian populace driven by rage or outrage.

THE PAST IS A courtroom without walls, its simultaneous trials a contentious cacophony, every judge sifting evidence through the sieve of self-interest, every jury a sectarian populace driven by rage or outrage. Wars born in perceived injustice reinvent themselves with fierce consistency. If history is guilty, how many generations must be sentenced to death? For too long and for too many, peace has been an uneasy twilight between wars. Civilians feed on false hope while those in charge of the narrative build arsenals for the next battle. In the origin lands of the three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, peace is being erased from the dictionary of human behaviour, at both the collective and the individual level. The self is not at peace with itself, while crowds roam in perennial pursuit of assertion or vengeance, the difference often indistinguishable. The time-bridge between spasms of brutal conflict is a squalid, fetid calm waiting to spew its toxins. I am circling around the subject, since blame is a chameleon. Each time you blink, blame changes colour. The not-so-human being has learnt but one thing since Cain killed his brother Abel, that life survives death. Murder is an episode, rather than a finality. According to Genesis, the creation chapter in the Bible, God banished Cain but did not abandon him; he was sent to the land of Nod, east of Eden, instead of the gallows, with divine protection. God promised “vengeance seven times over” upon anyone who killed Cain. The mark of Cain did not signify guilt; it was a device to protect Cain from being killed. This was God’s justice. Murder became a memory. Human nature, liberated from accountability by the protective armour of a higher cause, slipped into perpetual war. The more religious the conflict, the more bitter the bloodshed. With the promise of heaven we let loose hell on earth. The desert, the sea, the home and hearth, are red again in the land of Abraham. Antagonists remain hostage to the dreams and defeats of forefathers. Destiny’s doctrine is scrawled in blood upon tombstones. This round of the conflict in West Asia began during World War I, through the machinations of European imperialism, led by Britain and France. After an acrid century, one feels helpless as television screens fill with the pain of Israelis and Palestinians who have lost those they loved. Anguish is neither justice nor solace, but that is all that remains in the ashes of unending tragedy. I have seen the Nazi concentration camps created by barbarians for the complete elimination of Jews at Auschwitz and still break down at the memory: did those Nazis go to church? If any did, they must have also planned a final solution for the thesis of a merciful God. There can be no equivalence, and those who suggest it are ignorant or warped. But generations of Palestinians festering in limbo is not sustainable. No one, including Arab governments, even suggests an answer. The visible is septic, the invisible inflammatory. War is the lava of a bubbling volcano. Salauddin Ayyubi, more familiar as Saladin, a hero of refugee camps, never fought Jews; his enemy was the triumphant Christian Crusader. But Saladin spoke an eternal truth when he warned that blood does not sleep. Blood has risen again. As have questions. Hamas began this war, using foot soldiers against military targets and terrorism against Israeli civilians. It paraded corpses to provoke outrage and foment a wider conflagration. But does it have any objective beyond widening the arc of destruction? Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, responsible for the worst intelligence failure in Israel’s history, promised vengeance, siege and starvation of Gaza in retaliation. By the morning of October 10, Tel Aviv announced that 1,500 Hamas militants had been killed. The figures are incomplete. The Law of Moses, an eye for an eye, demands precision. Blood sates blood. It is significant that Arab states have not supported Hamas. They want some return of status quo, although this war has probably changed the status beyond recall. But Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Doha, and Tel Aviv must cooperate if only to stop the vultures wheeling across the darkening skies. This article first appeared in Open Magazine. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Does Hamas have an objective beyond widening the arc of destruction?

<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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<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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The Israel-Hamas War has entered its seventh day. Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas in retribution for the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Tel Aviv has dropped at least 6,000 bombs in the last 6 days. Hamas gunmen have killed over 12,200 people and wounded 2,700 more in Israeli cities. To know more watch this interview with former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for East Asia, Col Heino Klink(R).

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The price of Ishares MSCI Israel exchange-traded fund has hit a three-year low as fears of a wider conflict loom large. The 116.92 million exchange-traded dollar fund, which is tied to the performance of Israeli stocks, has seen net outflows of 4.94 million dollars this week.

Major Israel fund sees huge outflows

Israel has wanted to annihilate Hamas and retribution for the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Tel Aviv has forces, tanks other heavy armor around Gaza in its retaliatory operation and we have Jodie Cohen reports from Ra'anana in Israel.

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