The death toll in the Israel Hamas war increased on Tuesday to over 1,600 as the escalations entered the fourth day after Tel Aviv vowed “mighty vengeance” against the Palestinian group’s surprise attacks on Saturday. The Israeli military on Tuesday said that over 900 people have been killed so far in its country while according to authorities in Gaza and West Bank 704 Palestinians have lost their lives after Israeli forces pounded the region.
Issuing a dire warning on Monday, Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades declared its intention to execute Israeli hostages in response to what it claims are indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes on civilian areas in the Gaza Strip.
Responding to the threat by Qassam Brigade, Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen urged the Palestinian outfit to refrain from harming the Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza.
"We will defeat terror. We have no other choice. We demand Hamas not to harm any of the hostages. Their safety is their responsibility. This war crime will not be forgiven," Cohen said.
Israel’s military on Tuesday said it had found the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants in Israeli territory as it claimed to have regained effective control in the south and “restored full control” over the border.
Tel Aviv also said that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are holding over 150 soldiers and civilians captive from inside Israel after the attack caught its vaunted military and intelligence apparatus completely off guard.
The United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Germany released a joint statement condemning the violence by Hamas saying that the actions of the militant group have no justification and no legitimacy.
Meanwhile, Russia criticised the United States for its “destructive approach” which had ignored the need for an independent Palestine state.
"I cannot but fail to mention the destructive policy of the United States which thwarts collective efforts within the framework of the Quartet of international mediators," Lavrov said as he condemned the violence in both Israel and Palestine.