(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which carried out a surprise deadly terrorist attack on southern Israel, is threatening to kill approximately 150 hostages if Israeli airstrikes continue to target Gaza residents without prior warning.
This threat comes as Israel has imposed a complete siege on the Gaza Strip, including cutting off the water supply, causing grave concerns from the United Nations regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
In response to the unexpected Hamas assault, Israel has initiated a relentless campaign of airstrikes on Gaza, which they have likened to the 9/11 attacks. This situation has resulted in 800 reported deaths in Israel and a death toll of 560 in Gaza. Gaza City has been engulfed in chaos as fireballs illuminate the night sky, accompanied by explosions and sirens.
Hamas, the group responsible for entering Israeli towns, opening fire on civilians, and taking hostages, claimed that Israeli airstrikes had already killed four hostages. They have further threatened to execute additional hostages in retaliation for any further attacks on their people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning in response, stating that Hamas will face significant and severe consequences and that Israel intends to bring a transformative change in the Middle East. He has vowed that this is only the beginning of their response.
The situation has escalated, with Hamas launching rockets as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while Israel has called up 300,000 army reservists for its “Swords of Iron” campaign. This campaign includes the movement of tanks to the south as Israel attempts to dislodge Hamas fighters from embattled towns.
Hamas has also called for “resistance fighters” in the occupied West Bank and in Arab and Islamic nations to join their “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” which they launched fifty years after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.
The consequences of the conflict have been dire, with a looming humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to the complete siege imposed by Israel. This includes the cutoff of electricity, food, water, and gas, which will severely impact the 2.3 million residents of Gaza, as warned by the United Nations.
The tensions in the Middle East have risen further as Iran and Hezbollah, Lebanon’s ally, have praised Hamas’ attack. However, Iran denied any direct involvement in the operation.
The United States has expressed unwavering support for Israel, pledging to send munitions and military hardware while redirecting an aircraft carrier group to the eastern Mediterranean. These actions are taken amid concerns of a broader conflict.
