At least 1,417 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis died in the conflict; Among the victims in Palestine are 447 dead children
The death toll due to the armed conflict between Israel and the extremist group Hamas was around 2,617 people as of 12:30 p.m. on Thursday (October 12, 2023). According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, most of the victims are Palestinians. 1,417 people died, while more than 1,200 Israelis lost their lives in the conflict, according to Israel Defense.
The figures do not include the 1,500 bodies of Hamas fighters that Israeli forces said they found.
Of the total number of Palestinians killed, 447 are children and 248 are women. informed the Palestinian Ministry of Health this Thursday (October 12, 2023). Of the 6,268 injured Palestinians, 1,531 are under 18 years old.
The extremist group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7th. Israeli forces responded by shelling targets in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas on Sunday (October 8) and spoke of the group’s destruction.
Last Monday (October 9, 2023), Israel ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, meaning the supply of electricity, food, fuel and water to the area will be stopped. According to the UN (United Nations), the measure is prohibited under humanitarian law.
Watch the Israeli Prime Minister’s speech (4 min 25 sec):
Watch Israel’s Attacks on Gaza (32 seconds):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATYpjI8CUM
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UNDERSTANDING THE CONFLICT
Although this is the largest armed conflict in the region in recent years, the territorial dispute between Palestinians and Jews has been going on for decades. The two groups claim the area, which has important historical and religious landmarks for both ethnicities.
Hamas (Arabic acronym for “Islamic Resistance Movement”) is the largest Sunni Islamic organization operating in Palestine. It has a political arm and provides social services to the Palestinian people, most of whom live in poor areas with precarious infrastructure. However, the organization is best known for its armed wing, which fights for the sovereignty of the Gaza Strip.
The group seized power in the region in 2007 after winning elections in 2006 against the political and military organization Fatah.
The region has been the scene of conflict for the last century. There are records of offensives between Israel and Hamas in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021, in addition to the 1st ArabIsraeli War (1948), the Suez Crisis (1956), the 6th Days War (1967), the 1st Intifada (1987) and the 2nd Intifada (2000). Find out more here.
Tensions in the region began after the UN (United Nations) divided Palestine into Arab (Gaza and West Bank) and Jewish (Israel) areas, with the intention of creating a Jewish state. However, the Arabs rejected the partition, They claim to have been given land with the fewest resources.
Attack on Israel
Hamas, a radical Islamic group with Sunni leanings, carried out a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday (October 7). Israel declared war on Hamas and began a series of reprisals in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory that borders Israel and is ruled by Hamas.
So far, Hamas’ attacks have focused on the south and center of Israel. If Hezbollah advances again on the border with Lebanon, a new fighting focus could emerge in northern Israel.
Israeli Lt. Col. Richard Hecht stated that the country is “looking north” and that he hopes Hezbollah “does not make the mistake of joining.” [ao Hamas]“.
Learn more about the war in Israel: