LIVE | Day 4: Israel batters Gaza neighbourhoods as people scramble for safety
India well-placed to play role to defuse crisis: Palestine envoy Alhaija
India's solidarity with the Palestinian cause dates back to Mahatma Gandhi's time and its rising global stature and influence over all key players in West Asia make it well-placed to play a crucial role in defusing the crisis arising out of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Palestine Ambassador Adnan Abu Alhaija said on Tuesday.
In an interview to PTI, Alhaija particularly noted that India is a "friend" for both Israel and Palestine and it is "qualified" to work towards bringing down the tensions and contribute towards a solution to the Palestine issue.
Alhaija said India can get in touch with the European countries, the US, countries in West Asia and build "pressure" on the Israelis to work towards peace, which, he said, is refusing so far.
"India knows what is the Palestinian cause from the beginning; since the time of Mahatma Gandhi. So, they are qualified to play that role, especially as India is a friend of both (Palestine and Israel)," he said. The ambassador noted that India has been supportive of the Palestinian cause.
"India is a very important country. I think, (India) can lead in this matter....India can play a good role," he said.
Gaza strip death toll more than 770: Palestine Health Ministry
According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least 770 people have been reported killed in the Gaza strip since the retaliatory strikes began. Additionally, approximately 4,100 individuals have been injured in the ongoing conflict.
People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on the ongoing situation as his country carries out retaliatory strikes against Hamas.
India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Modi said on Tuesday.
"I thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said on X.
I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2023
They started it, we will finish it: Netanyahu warns Hamas
In a strong message to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on Tuesday that while Israel did not initiate this conflict, it is determined to bring it to an end. As a response to Hamas, Israel has mobilized 300,000 troops, marking the most significant mobilisation since the 1973 Yom Kippur War when 400,000 reservists were called up.
"Israel is at war. We didn't want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn't start this war, Israel will finish it," the Israeli Prime Minister told the nation in his address.
Israel is at war.
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 9, 2023
We didn’t want this war.
It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way.
But though Israel didn’t start this war, Israel will finish it.
Once, the Jewish people were stateless.
Once, the Jewish people were defenseless.
No longer.
Hamas will… pic.twitter.com/eVECGnzLu3
Israel claims it has regained control of Gaza fence
The Israeli military has declared that it has successfully regained "full control" of the Gaza fence, which was breached by Hamas. The Palestinian military group reportedly infiltrated into southern Israel on Saturday.
Hamas threatens to kill hostages in retaliation for airstrikes
A representative from Hamas's military branch issued a warning, stating that they would retaliate by executing a hostage for every Israeli airstrike targeting Gazan residences.
Bodies of 1,500 Hamas militants found on Gaza Strip: Israel military
Israel’s military said about 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants were found in Israeli territory as, as it said it had largely gained control in the country's south and “restored full control” over the border on the fourth day of fighting following an unprecedented surprise attack.
Spokesperson Richard Hecht said no Hamas fighters have crossed into Israel since last night, although infiltrations could still be possible. Israel has previously reported 900 soldiers and civilians killed, and Palestinian authorities have reported about 700 deaths in Gaza and the West Bank.
India: Security tightened around Israel embassy, Chabad House
The Delhi Police has beefed up security around the Israeli embassy and Chabad in New Delhi in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, an official said.
The local police stationed around the embassy in New Delhi and Chabad House, located in Chandni Chowk in central Delhi, has been directed to maintain a tight vigil, he said on Tuesday. The officer added that authorities have directed to increase the vigil around both the installations.
The Israel-Hamas war: In photos
Israelis evacuate a site struck by a rocket fired from the Gaza strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel on Monday. Photo: PTI
Palestinians inspect the rubble of the Yassin mosque destroyed after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike at Shati refugee camp in Gaza city early Monday. Photo: PTI
Palestinians remove a body from the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike in Jebaliya refugee camp, Gaza strip on Monday. Photo: PTI
Israeli firefighters extinguish fire at a site struck by a rocket fired from the Gaza strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel on Monday. Photo: PTI
Internally displaced persons in Gaza is highest since 2014: UN
According to UN, around 187,518 persons have been rendered homeless in Gaza due to the Israel-Hamas war, making it the highest number of displaced persons since 2014.
Of the 187,518, 137,427 have taken refuge in UNRWA schools, the UN said in an update.
“By [Monday] afternoon, over 187,518 people in Gaza are believed to have fled their homes, with UNRWA hosting 137,427 in 83 schools, some of which operated as emergency shelters. The number of IDPs represents the highest number of people displaced since the 50-day escalation of hostilities in 2014, which was the deadliest escalation recorded in Gaza since 1967. Additionally, it is estimated that over 41,000 IDPs, whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, are hosted by relatives and neighbours. During the night of 9 October, Israeli forces issued evacuation orders to Palestinian communities in the Middle Area of Gaza and in Khan Yunis, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of people who have been told to relocate into the centre of Gaza city amid ongoing hostilities,” the UN said.