Israel orders ‘complete Gaza siege’ after Hamas attacks, no power, food and fuel

Israel said on Monday that it was going to impose a “total blockade” on Gaza, including a ban on admitting food and fuel to the area.

Gaza is already facing a complete electricity blackout after Israel cut electricity supply to the region after Hamas’ attacks on Israel on Saturday, as per the Middle East Eye.

Now, Israel has ordered a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip, adding that “no electricity, no food, no fuel” would be supplied to the region.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we act accordingly.”

Israel and Egypt have imposed various levels of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007.

This blockade order came after a three-day conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists claimed the lives of over 1,100 people on both sides, with more than 700 killed in Israel, including 44 soldiers.

Israel declared war on Palestinian terrorist group Hamas on Sunday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to destroy the terrorist group’s hideouts. Meanwhile, in Gaza, which endured relentless Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, officials have reported at least 493 deaths.

On Monday, Israel’s military said that it had retaken control of all communities around Gaza, more than 48 hours after Hamas launched a surprise assault in which more than 700 people were killed, reports CNN.

“There is no fighting going on between Israel Defense Forces troops and Hamas inside Israel, and the IDF has re-taken control of all communities around the Gaza Strip,” CNN quoted IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari as saying on Monday morning.

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Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden ordered “additional support for Israel in the face of this unprecedented terrorist assault by Hamas”. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin directed the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and group of warships to the eastern Mediterranean, and said that Washington was augmenting fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.