The Israeli Air Force continued its counterattacks in the Gaza Strip after the major attack by the Islamist Hamas. At the same time, the number of dead and wounded on both sides is rising. In Switzerland, the first special flight carrying people returning home has landed in Zurich.
These are the latest developments in Israel and Palestine:
Numerous Israeli airstrikes
The Israeli Air Force continued its counterattacks in the Gaza Strip after the major attack by the Islamist Hamas. Dozens of fighter jets attacked more than 200 targets in the Al-Furqan area, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said early Wednesday morning. For the third time in 24 hours, large-scale attacks were carried out in the Gaza Strip. More than 450 targets were hit. Al-Furqan, a neighborhood in the northern Gaza Strip, is used by Hamas as a terrorist center. The IDF said numerous terrorist attacks on Israel were carried out from there.
Deaths are increasing on both sides
According to media reports, the number of deaths in Israel due to major attacks by the Islamist Hamas has now risen to at least 1,200. The Israeli broadcaster Kan reported this early on Wednesday morning. The “Jerusalem Post” and other media also reported these figures, citing the broadcaster. The IDF itself estimates the death toll on the Israeli side at more than 1,000. The Ministry of Health in Israel also reports more than 3,000 injured, of which more than 500 are currently being treated in hospitals.
As the German newspaper “Die Zeit” writes, a reporter from radio station KAN explained the sharp increase in deaths: this was due to logistics. As a result, not all bodies have yet arrived at the central point where the identity of the dead would be determined. The reporter also said that Israel has never had to deal with so many deaths at the same time in the country’s history.
The Palestinians are also suffering more and more casualties after the Israeli air strikes. A total of 900 people have been killed in the coastal enclave so far, the Gaza Health Ministry reported on Tuesday evening. 4,500 people were injured. The dead include 260 children and young people.
Special flight with Swiss returnees landed safely in Zurich
The Swiss airline brought 224 people from Israel to Switzerland on Tuesday evening: The first special flight from Tel Aviv landed in Zurich at 10:24 p.m.
There were 214 adults and children and ten babies on board the 215-seat Airbus A321, the airline announced to the Keystone-SDA news agency on Tuesday evening. One seat remained empty for unknown reasons; the plane was actually fully booked. Shortly after the evacuation flight was announced early Monday evening, all seats were occupied.
After going through customs around 11 p.m., the returnees were expected in the public arrivals hall by relatives and friends – as well as many media people with cameras.
Some of them said into the microphone that they were happy that the evacuation flight allowed them to return from their holiday to Switzerland a few days earlier than planned. When they returned home, those who stayed at home noticed that the past few days had been stressful. The constant siren alarm frightened children in particular, said a traveler to Israel. For days we didn’t know what was going to happen, whether we had enough food, whether we would get to the airport or what was going to happen at all, said another. Another passenger said, shaking his head, that he was now back as a tourist. The question now is what will happen to all those who have to remain in Israel.
Meanwhile, most Swiss passengers quickly and without saying a word went home with the people they met in the arrivals hall. Swiss operated the special flight in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA). It could only be booked through a special hotline, which was communicated to Swiss citizens abroad and Swiss travelers in Israel. Due to high demand, a second special flight will take place on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ben Gurion International Airport remains open. Israeli airlines in particular continue to stick to their regular flights; El Al currently still flies from Zurich to Tel Aviv.
First US munitions arrived – Blinken travels to Israel
According to a media report, the Israeli army has received its first ammunition from US stockpiles. A first transport plane carrying “sophisticated” American ammunition landed at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel on Wednesday evening, the Israeli internet newspaper “The Times of Israel” reported, citing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The ammunition makes “significant attacks and preparations for further scenarios” possible. The Israeli army has called up about 300,000 reservists and is apparently planning a large-scale military operation after the Islamist Hamas began attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip this weekend.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wants to travel to Israel after the major attack by the Islamist Hamas. A visit to Jordan is also on the programme. He will leave on Wednesday, the US State Department said in a statement on Tuesday. A spokesperson had previously said that Blinken would arrive in Israel on Thursday. The purpose of the trip to the Middle East is to discuss strengthening Israel’s security and “underscoring the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense.”
What will be important on Wednesday and Thursday
It is eagerly awaited how the Israeli army will proceed and whether a ground offensive will take place in the Gaza Strip. On Thursday, the defense ministers of the 31 NATO states plan to meet via video link with Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant about Hamas’ devastating terrorist attack. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to arrive in Israel on the same day. He said he wanted to discuss with his Israeli partners how best to support Israel “in the fight against the terrorists who carried out these terrible attacks.” (lacquer/sda)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
