Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called for a “complete seizure” of the Gaza Strip as Israel continued to fight against Hamas, a Palestinian militant group.
“I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip,” Gallant said on Monday while at the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Southern Command located in Beersheba, according to The Times of Israel. “There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed.”
Gallant’s announcement comes after Israel declared war on Hamas after militants from the group launched a surprise attack on the country from land, sea, and air.
Roughly 3,500 rockets were reported to have rained down on Israeli cities from the Gaza Strip, along with some fighters paragliding into the country.
Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant:"I have given an order – Gaza will be under complete closure. There will be no electricity, food or fuel [delivered to Gaza]. We are fighting barbaric [terrorists] and will respond accordingly." pic.twitter.com/tmrRsEsrWz
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 9, 2023
As of Monday morning, more than 1,200 people were reported to be dead on both sides, along with nine Americans.
Israeli officials confirmed on Monday that 700 people were reported to be dead as a result of Hamas’ attacks on Israel. Out of this number, more than 250 people who were reported dead, had been attending a music festival near the Gaza Strip when the attacks began.
More than 100 Israelis, including children and the elderly, were reported to have been kidnapped and taken hostage by Hamas during the attacks.
“We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly,” Gallant added.
After the United Nations created Resolution 181 in 1947, dividing the British Mandate of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, the State of Israel was created on May 14, 1948. Roughly 750,000 Palestinians were left displaced as a result, according to the Council of Foreign Relations website.
The area was then divided into three areas; the State of Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. Egypt controlled the Gaza Strip for almost two decades. In June 1967, Israel preemptively attacked Egyptian and Syrian air forces, starting the Six-Day War. After this, Israel took control of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Currently, Hamas governs the Gaza Strip.
Gaza has been under an Israeli-enforced blockade, supported by Egypt since Hamas gained control, according to The New York Times. The blockade restricts the importation of certain goods, including electronics and computer parts.