Israel-Hamas war: Top development Oct 10 | Israel shells Lebanon after rocket fire, and more

The number of Palestinians killed in the conflict has risen to 830, said Gaza’s health ministry.

Most European Union states are against the idea of halting aid to Palestinian Authority, said EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell.

Denmark and Sweden said Tuesday they were suspending Palestinian development aid but maintaining humanitarian assistance following the Hamas militant group's attack on Israel.

The government in Copenhagen said in a statement it "has decided to put Danish development assistance to Palestine on hold".

"A thorough review will be conducted to ensure that no Danish funding is misused to indirectly support terrorist organisations that attack Israel," it said. 

Israel has frozen cryptocurrency accounts used to solicit donations for the Palestinian militant group Hamas on social media, police said on Tuesday.

Hamas launched devastating attacks from Gaza into Israel on Saturday, in one of the most serious escalations in the Israel-Palestinian conflict in years.

"According to suspicions, with the outbreak of the war, Hamas' terrorist organisation initiated a fundraising campaign on social networks, urging the public to deposit cryptocurrencies into their accounts," a police statement said.

"The Police Cyber Unit and Ministry of Defense immediately took action to locate and freeze these accounts, with the assistance of the Binance crypto exchange, in order to divert the funds to the state treasury."

Four Palestinian journalists were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City today, media unions and officials say.

The latest deaths bring the number of Palestinian journalists killed in the fighting since Saturday to eight, the Palestinian Press Union says in a statement.

Hamas fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday (October 10) after warning citizen’s of the southern port city of Ashkelon to evacuate.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday urged the Palestinian Authority to reject "terror" after the surprise Hamas assault on Israel.

"To the Palestinian leadership we say clearly: distance yourself from this terror," Baerbock said ahead of an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers to which top diplomats from Israel and the Palestinian Authority are also invited. "It cannot be justified. As the Palestinian Authority you have a duty, also to your own people." 

A huge barrage of rockets were fired from south Lebanon towards Israel, on Tuesday (Oct 10), Lebanese state media said, an attack that drew retaliatory fire, according to a military source.  

"Rockets were fired from... southern Lebanon towards the Galilee" region in northern Israel, the official National News Agency said, while the military source, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed that it triggered retaliatory Israeli fire.

Israeli military says that 1,000 people have been killed by Palestinian militants since Hamas launched unprecedented attacks against Israel.

Rockets fired from south Lebanon towards Israel, says state media

Palestinian health ministry said that the number of people killed in the violence has risen to 830, with another 4,250 injured.

Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on Tuesday spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over call and said that the Gulf kingdom is “making every possible effort to engage with all international and regional parties to halt the ongoing escalation and prevent its further spread in the region,” as per the Times of Israel.

France's lawmakers held a minute of silence on Tuesday (Oct 10) for the victims of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and condemned the surprise attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas over the weekend. 

"France always stands alongside democracy, nothing excuses terrorism and barbarism," France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said. 

Senior Iraqi and Yemeni leaders aligned with Iran and in charge of heavily armed groups have threatened to target U.S. interests if Washington intervenes to support Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Watch: Israeli cop in hot pursuit chase against Hamas terror group near Gaza border

The clip further shows a cop purportedly overtaking the car as another policeman on a bike shoots at the terrorists inside the car. When the car stopped, the cops continued firing multiple rounds at them...Read More

Israel: IDF probes infiltration reports of Golan Heights airspace, asks people to remain in bomb shelters

Hamas pledged to kill captured Israelis if attacks targeted civilians without warnings — an announcement which attracted global condemnation...Read More

IDF has said that it has launched a massive strike on 'nest of terror in Gaza City. The neighbourhood in question has been dubbed by the IDF as al-Furqan after a mosque in the area.

The European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council have called for sustained aid for Palestinians.

"They stressed the importance of sustained financial support for UNRWA (the UN relief agency for Palestinians) and to continue humanitarian and development support for the Palestinians in the occupied territories," said a joint declaration read out by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

BBC has quoted Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau who has ruled out any negotiations with Israel over hostages till the fighting is over

"We have informed all parties that contacted us regarding the enemy’s prisoners held by the resistance that this file will not be opened before the end of the battle," he said.

"And it will only be at a price that the resistance will accept."

Qatar has been trying to mediate between Israel and Hamas in order to secure a prisoner exchange. 

France has confirmed deaths of two more of its citiznes in Israel. This has taken the number of French citizens killed furing the ongoing conflict to four.

Media reports say that French authorities have expressed worry about situation of 13 French nationals and there has been no news about them.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reacted on the ongoing Israeal vs Hamas war. He has said that the present conflict is indicative of 'failure' of USA's Middle East policy.

The Russian president also said that creation of a Palestinian state is a 'necessity'.

Israel said on Tuesday it had reclaimed control of the Gaza border, after pounding the enclave with the fiercest air strikes in the 75-year history of its conflict with the Palestinians. This attack happened despite the Hamas' threat to execute a captive for each home hit.

The Israeli military has conducted extensive airstrikes, striking over 130 sites associated with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip over the past few hours, according to an official statement by the Israeli Air Force shared on X.

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The Israeli military in its latest statement on Tuesday said that it had found no aerial infiltration from Syria or Lebanon after scrambling forces in response to a report it had received.

Satellite imagery released by U.S.-based imaging company Planet Labs PBC showed a Gaza-Israel border checkpoint before and after it was seized by Hamas during their recent incursion into Israel on Saturday (October 7).

While the image from June 2023 shows an intact elongated structure at the Erez Checkpoint, the satellite image taken from Sunday (October 8) showed damage and breaches at several points.

Cyprus on Tuesday said it was ready to help with the evacuation of nationals from third countries who might want to leave Israel.

A Cypriot ministerial committee has activated Estia, a repatriation scheme which offers temporary accommodation and assistance to European Union and third-country nationals fleeing areas of crisis.

"In this context, the Republic of Cyprus intends to offer facilities for the repatriation of foreign nationals from Israel through Cyprus," said the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

“This cooperation must continue, we cannot confuse Hamas, which is in the list of EU’s terrorist groups, with the Palestinian population, or the Palestinian Authority or the UN organisations on the ground,” Reuters reports Albares said in an interview with Spanish radio.

He added that Palestinians will probably need more aid in the near future.

His views were echoed by the French foreign ministry, which issued a statement in Paris this morning saying: “We are not in favour of suspending aid that directly benefits the Palestinian people, and we made this clear to the European Commission yesterday.”

EU foreign ministers will meet to discuss the issue on Tuesday afternoon.

The Israeli military on Tuesday (Oct 10) said it is considering Gaza's parliament and civilian ministries as legitimate targets in its fight against the Palestine-based Hamas terror group.

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Vivian Silver, a 74-year-old Canadian peace advocate residing in Israel, was last heard from on a Saturday (Oct 7) around 11 am local time. She had been sending text messages describing rockets and gunfire near her home in Kibbutz Be’eri, close to the Gaza border, since early that morning.

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Israeli military has said that Gaza's parliament and civilian ministries are legitimate targets in its offensive against Hamas. 

The response came after Hamas warned that it will kill one of the 130 hostages every time Israel's military bombs civilian targets in Gaza without warning. Hamas said Monday that Israeli air strikes had killed four of its hostages.

"Every targeting of our people without warning will be met with the execution of one of the civilian hostages," Hamas armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement.

US naval deployments close to Israel as it battles Hamas in the Gaza Strip may stave off any regional escalation, an Israeli military spokesperson said on Tuesday, adding that Israel would also receive U.S. supplies to help prevent future shortfalls. "When you have that American shadow coming through it sends a message, maybe to people in further places, to stay out of this," Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht told reporters.

"There's going to be some equipment coming," he added, when asked about possible U.S. defence supplies, about which he did not elaborate. "We potentially could be stretched at some point, if this expands.

Around 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants have been found in Israel and around the Gaza Strip, the army said Tuesday, as it pummelled the Palestinian enclave with air strikes. "Approximately 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants were found in Israel and around the Gaza Strip," military spokesman Richard Hecht told reporters, adding that security forces had "more or less restored control over the border" with Gaza.

Israel army says 'more or less restored control' over Gaza border

The Israel Defense Forces' top spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said that the military had regained control of the Gaza border after Hamas terrorists blew up sections of the border fence during their attack, reported the Times of Israel.

Hagari stated during a call with reporters that not a single terrorist had managed to enter through the damaged fence in the last day. Combat Engineering troops were actively working to secure the areas near the breaches in the fence, according to Hagari.

The IDF estimated that there was a small number of terrorists still hiding within Israeli territory.

Playboy has announced the end of its association with Lebanese-American media figure and former adult entertainer Mia Khalifa due to her social media endorsements of the Hamas assault on Israel.

“Over the past few days,” says the adult magazine in a statement, “Mia has made disgusting and reprehensible comments celebrating Hamas’ attacks on Israel and the murder of innocent men, women, and children.”

“Can someone please tell the freedom fighters in Palestine to flip their phones and film horizontal,” Khalifa tweeted as the assault was underway.

“I just wanna make sure there’s 4k footage of my people breaking down the walls of the open air prison they’ve been forced out of their homes and into so we have good options for the history books that write about how how they freed themselves from apartheid,” she wrote in response to criticism.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) is deploying officers to deliver the distressing news to over 100 Israeli families that their relatives are being held captive in Gaza by Hamas, as reported by Army Radio. UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan informed CNN that Israel's estimate places the number at between 100 to 150 people.

The Israel Defense Forces has named another 38 soldiers killed during fighting with the Hamas terror group, as reported by the Times of Israel.

They are:

Maj. Ido Yisrael Shani, 29, the deputy commander of the Nahal reconnaissance unit, from Ramat Gan

Maj. Tal Cohen, 30, a Sayeret Matkal soldier, from Ganei Tal

Maj. Mordecai Shamir, 29, an officer in the Infantry Corps, from Yakir

Cpt. Raz Peretz, 24, a Golani commander, from Afula

Cpt. Hadar Kama, 24, a Sayeret Matkal soldier, from Givat Shapira

Lt. Dekel Suisa, 21, a Golani commander, from Bar Giora

Master Sgt. (res.) Tal Maman, 38, a local security officer, from Mivtahim

Master Sgt. (res.) Lior Ben Yaakov, 44, a local security officer, from Yesha

Master Sgt. (res.) Yuval Gabai, 35, a commander in the Border Defense Corps

Sgt. First Class Imri Belkin, 25, a Lotar instructor, from Ramat Hasharon

Sgt. First Class Yosef Malachi Guedalia, 22, a Duvdevan soldier, from Jerusalem

Staff Sgt. Moshe Danino, 21, a Golani soldier, from Haifa

Staff Sgt. Yaad Ben Yaakov, 20, a Golani soldier, from Petah Tikva

Staff Sgt. Max Ravinov, 21, a Unit 414 soldier, from Ashdod

Staff Sgt. David Retner, 20, a Golani soldier, from Ashdod

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Golan, a soldier in the 7th Armored Brigade, from Yehud

Staff Sgt Yogev Aharon, 20, a Golani soldier from Pardes Hana

Staff Sgt. Amit Peled, 21, an Egoz unit soldier, from Haifa

Staff Sgt. Adi Tzur, 20, a Golani soldier, from Jerusalem

Sgt. Yakir Levi, 21, a Golani soldier, from Moreshet

Sgt. Benjamin Lev, 23, a Paratrooper, from Jerusalem

Sgt. Amichay Yaakov Vaninu, 22, a Maglan commander, from Katzrin

Sgt. Itay Nahmias, 20, a Multidomain Unit soldier, from Yesha

Sgt. Tomer Barak, 20, a Golani soldier, from Petah Tikva

Sgt. Evyatar Ohayon, 22, a Golani soldier, from Jerusalem

Cpl. Shir Biton, 19, a medic in the Gaza Division, from Ashdod

Cpl. Osher Shmia, 19, a soldier in the Gaza Division, from Beersheba

Cpl. Shir Shlomo, 19, a Home Front Command soldier, from Netanya

Cpl. Ofir Testa, 21, a soldier in the 7th Armored Brigade, from Jerusalem

Cpl. Ariel Ohana, 19, a Paratrooper, from Revadim

Cpl. Hallel Shmuel Saadan, a Nahal soldier, from Barkai

Cpl. Erez Ariel, 19, a Golani soldier, from Amuka

Cpl. Sivan Simcha Asraf, 20, a signals soldier, from Ashkelon

Cpl. Ram Meir Batito, 19, a Golani soldier, from Netanya

Cpl. Amir Lavi, 19, a Nahal soldier, from Jerusalem

Cpl. Uriel Segal, 19, a Golani soldier, from Petah Tikva

Pvt. Ili Azar, 18, a soldier in the Gaza Division, from Shefayim

Saudi Arabia's de facto leader informed Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas that he is actively working to prevent the conflict from escalating further following the unexpected Hamas attack on Israel, as reported by Saudi state media on Tuesday. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also reiterated Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting the Palestinian people in their pursuit of legitimate rights, a better life, and a just and lasting peace. Israel, reeling from Hamas' unprecedented ground, air, and sea attacks, has reported 800 casualties and retaliated with a relentless series of strikes in Gaza, resulting in a death toll of 687 there.

• UN agency: Gaza shelters house 137,000 Palestinian refugees, nearing 90% capacity.
• Ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza lead to multiple deaths, including two journalists.
• Death toll: 687 Palestinians in Gaza, over 900 Israelis, 17 in West Bank, 4 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon.
• Numerous foreign nationals, including 12 Thai citizens, among conflict casualties.
• General Charles Q Brown warns Iran against involvement in Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Indonesia urges citizens to leave Israel and Palestine; airlines suspend flights.

Ali Barakeh, a member of Hamas’ exiled leadership, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. (AP)

A high-ranking Hamas official has revealed that only a small group of senior commanders within Gaza were privy to the details of the extensive incursion launched into Israel, reported the Associated Press. He stressed that if Gaza were to face a war of annihilation, allies such as Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah "will join the conflict."

Ali Barakeh, a member of Hamas' leadership in exile, shared this information during an interview with The Associated Press at his office in Beirut. 

Barakeh also clarified that none of the central command or the political bureau of Hamas were in the Lebanese capital during the previous week.

In a recent development from Gaza, eyewitness reports confirm that an Israeli airstrike has claimed the lives of five people, including a minimum of two journalists. Saeed Al-Taweel and Mohammad Sobh, both journalists, have been identified by the Turkish Anadolu Agency as among the casualties.

The Indonesian foreign ministry has issued a strong advisory to its citizens residing in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as those planning to visit these areas. In response to the current security situation, the ministry has urged Indonesian nationals to immediately vacate these regions for their own safety. Additionally, individuals who had plans to travel to either of these locations have been advised to cancel their trips.

The UN humanitarian relief agency reports a surge in mass displacement within the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, with over 187,518 Palestinians forced to abandon their homes. This number is expected to rise further due to ongoing Israeli bombardment in the region. Among those displaced, around 137,427 individuals have found shelter in 83 schools, while an additional 41,000, whose homes have suffered destruction or damage, are currently being hosted by relatives and neighbours, as indicated in the latest update from OCHA (the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).

The highest-ranking US military officer has issued a warning to Iran, advising them against becoming involved in the Israel-Hamas war.

General Charles Q Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was asked about his message to Iran and replied, "Our message is clear: Not to get involved."

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q Brown Jr attends a ceremony at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia, US, September 29, 2023 (Reuters)

He also mentioned that the deployment of a US aircraft carrier near Israel serves as a robust demonstration of support for the nation. 

The United States has no plan to become militarily involved in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the White House said on Monday (Oct 9).

"There's no intention to put US boots on the ground," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, adding however that President Joe Biden "will always make sure that we are protecting and defending our national security interest."

Here is what we know so far:

- Thailand: 12 dead, 11 hostages 

Twelve Thai labourers were killed, eight were wounded and 11 were taken captive, foreign ministry spokeswoman Kanchana Patarachoke said Monday. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said there were around 5,000 Thai labourers working in the areas hit by fighting who were being moved to safety.

- US: 11 dead, others missing 

The United States on Monday confirmed the deaths of at least 11 US citizens and said it was "likely" that Americans were among the hostages being held by Hamas. "Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed -- many of whom made a second home in Israel," President Joe Biden said in a statement.

- Nepal: 10 dead 

Ten citizens of Nepal were killed in Kibbutz Alumim, one of the flashpoints of the Hamas assault, the Himalayan republic's embassy in Tel Aviv said on Sunday. Four others were being treated in hospital while a search was underway for a fifth person, the embassy added. Kibbutz Alumim was hosting 17 students at the time of the attack.

- Argentina: 4 dead, 5 missing 

Argentina's foreign ministry on Monday confirmed that four of the country's nationals were killed and five others were missing.

- Ukraine: 2 dead

Two Ukrainian women who had been living in Israel for years were killed, Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said on Sunday.

- France: 2 dead, 14 missing 
Two French people have been killed in "Hamas's terrorist attacks against Israel", the French government said. A 12-year-old is among 14 of its nationals missing after Hamas launched the deadly raids into Israel, the French foreign ministry said calling the situation "worrying". "Based on the information we have, we consider it highly likely that some of them have been abducted", the ministry said in a statement, adding that "this number is still subject to change".

- Russia: 1 dead, 4 missing

At least one Russian has been killed and four others are missing, the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv announced on Monday, quoted by the Russian news agencies.

- UK: 1 dead, 1 missing

Israel's ambassador to Britain said there was one 26-year-old British citizen missing, without naming the person. A British man who was serving in the Israeli army, Nathanel Young, 20, also died in fighting with Hamas, his family said on Sunday.

- Canada: reports of 1 dead, 2 missing

The Canadian government said on Sunday that it was trying to confirm reports that one Canadian had died and two others were missing.

- Cambodia: 1 dead

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet said one Cambodian student was killed.

- Germany: several hostages

Several dual German-Israeli nationals were kidnapped, a German foreign ministry source said Sunday. The mother of 22-year-old Shani Louk told news outlet Der Spiegel that she recognised her daughter in videos circulating online of a half-naked woman lying face down in the back of a pick-up truck in Gaza with armed men seated around her. Ricarda Louk told Spiegel that her daughter had been at the music festival.

- Brazil: 3 missing

Brazil's foreign ministry said on Sunday that three dual Brazilian-Israeli nationals were missing after attending the festival.

- Italy: 2 missing

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that two Israeli-Italians were missing. "They have not been located and are not answering calls," he said.

- Tanzania: 2 missing

Tanzania's ambassador to Israel told AFP two Tanzanian nationals were missing.

- Paraguay: 2 missing

Two Paraguayan nationals who had been living in Israel are missing, Paraguay's government said, without giving details.

- Mexico: 2 hostages

Mexico's Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that two Mexicans, a man and a woman, had been taken hostage, without giving further details.

- Colombia: 2 hostages

Two Colombians who were at the Supernova festival are missing, Israel's ambassador to Colombia said on X. The Colombian government confirmed that two Colombians were at the rave and said it was trying to help locate them.

- Panama: 1 missing
Panama's government said one of its nationals, Daryelis Denises Saez Batista, was missing.

- Ireland: 1 missing 
An Irish-Israeli woman has been confirmed missing by the Irish government.

The leaders of the United States, France, Germany, United Kingdom and Italy lent their unequivocal support to the Israeli retaliation to Hamas' attacks and asserted that Hamas does not represent Palestinian aspirations.

Read the full statement here:

"Today, we — President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom, and President Biden of the United States — express our steadfast and united support to the State of Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism.
 
We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism.  In recent days, the world has watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred families in their homes, slaughtered over 200 young people enjoying a music festival, and kidnapped elderly women, children, and entire families, who are now being held as hostages.
 
Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities. We further emphasize that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage.
 
All of us recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and support equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike. But make no mistake: Hamas does not represent those aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed.
 
Over the coming days, we will remain united and coordinated, together as allies, and as common friends of Israel, to ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and to ultimately set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region."

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly told the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that his country is making all possible efforts, "in communication with all international and regional parties, to stop the ongoing escalation and prevent its expansion in the region".

Saudi Press Agency reported that the Crown Prince emphasised on the necessity of adhering to international humanitarian law and not targeting civilians.

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah should not make the "wrong decision" of opening a second front against Israel, a senior US defence official told the journalists

"We are deeply concerned about Hezbollah making the wrong decision and choosing to open a second front to this conflict," the official told journalists.

Map courtesy: AFP | Not to scale

Meanwhile, a Pentagon spokesperson said that Iran is 'complicit' in Hamas attack but there is no direct evidence to suggest the same.

US President Joe Biden confirmed that 11 American citizens have been killed in the Hamas attacks in Israel. A White House statement confirmed that many other American citizens remain unaccounted for and are likely to have become hostages of Hamas.

Full statement is as following:

"As we continue to account for the horrors of the appalling terrorist assault against Israel this weekend and the hundreds of innocent civilians who were murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy. Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed—many of whom made a second home in Israel.

It’s heart wrenching. These families have been torn apart by inexcusable hatred and violence. We also know that American citizens still remain unaccounted for, and we are working with Israeli officials to obtain more information as to their whereabouts. My heart goes out to every family impacted by the horrible events of the past few days. The pain these families have endured, the enormity of their loss, and the agony of those still awaiting information is unfathomable.

The safety of American citizens—whether at home or abroad—is my top priority as President. While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas. I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts.

For American citizens who are currently in Israel, the State Department is providing consular assistance as well as updated security alerts. For those who desire to leave, commercial flights and ground options are still available. Please also take sensible precautions in the days ahead and follow the guidance of local authorities.

This is not some distant tragedy. The ties between Israel and the United States run deep. It is personal for so many American families who are feeling the pain of this attack as well as the scars inflicted through millennia of antisemitism and persecution of Jewish people. In cities across the country, police departments have stepped up security around centers of Jewish life, and the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other federal law enforcement partners are closely monitoring for any domestic threats in connection with the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel.

In this moment of heartbreak, the American people stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israelis. We remember the pain of being attacked by terrorists at home, and Americans across the country stand united against these evil acts that have once more claimed innocent American lives. It is an outrage. And we will continue to show the world that the American people are unwavering in our resolve to oppose terrorism in all forms. 

The United States and the State of Israel are inseparable partners, and I affirmed to Prime Minister Netanyahu again when we spoke yesterday that the United States will continue to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its people."

Hamas threatened to kill Israeli citizens taken captive on live television if Israel bombards locations in Gaza. In a statement to Al-Jazeera, Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the so-called military wing of the militant group that controls Gaza claimed: "Each targeting of our people will be accompanied by the live televised execution of the enemy's civilian prisoners." 

The Human Rights Watch described any such potential act by Hamas as a 'flagrant war crime'.

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