‘There’ll be no food, electricity’ — Israel’s defense minister orders total blockade on Gaza
Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, has ordered a “complete siege” and blockade on Gaza.
Gallant said authorities would cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel into Gaza.
The Gaza Strip is controlled by the Hamas Palestinian militant group and borders Israel and Egypt. At the time of reporting, a barrage of rockets are being launched from Gaza into Israel.
In the early hours of Saturday, Hamas made incursions into Israel in what was an unprecedented assault.
Mohammed Deif, Hamas military commander, had said the attacks were a reprisal for Israel’s “desecration” of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, while alleging that Israel killed and wounded hundreds of Palestinians this year.
According to Times of Israel, the minister said everything in Gaza would be closed, adding that “there will be no electricity, no food, no fuel”.
“We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly,” he said.
Over 700 Israeli civilians and members of the military are reported to have been killed since the attack on Saturday and another 2,150 wounded.
More than 400 have also reportedly been killed in Gaza.
Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua, Hamas spokesman, had said the group’s fighters had captured more Israelis.
He said the group aims to free all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Meanwhile, Iran has rejected allegations that it had a role in the attack by Hamas.
There were reports that Iranian security officials helped plan Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel and gave the green light for the assault.
Nasser Kanani, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, told reporters that the accusations linked to an Iranian role “are based on political reasons,” adding that the country does not intervene “in the decision-making of other countries, including Palestine”.
“The Palestinians had the necessary capacity and will to defend their nation and recover their rights,” he said.
“Talking about an Iranian role aims at turning public opinion (away from the facts) and at justifying the potential future actions of Israel.”
