Israel-Hamas War: Latest On Ground Offensive, Death Toll, Fuel Crisis, Hostages, UN Meets As Gaza Suffers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to indicate to soldiers on Tuesday, 24th October that a ground offensive is on the horizon, amidst growing concerns about military delays.

According to a report by CNN, as Israel readies itself for a ground operation, sources from the French presidential palace express apprehensions about conducting such an operation while upholding international humanitarian law.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, addressing an audience of Israeli troops on Tuesday, 24th October, emphasized the need to dismantle Hamas and cautioned that the conflict is still in its initial stages.

Here are the latest developments in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War:

1. Escalating Death Toll: The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah reported on Tuesday that, within the past 24 hours, 704 people in Gaza lost their lives. Furthermore, following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7th October, at least 12 British nationals were confirmed deceased, according to a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Additionally, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken disclosed that 33 Americans lost their lives as a result of the 7th October attack.

As of the latest update on Tuesday, 24th October, at least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed and 16,297 wounded. In the occupied West Bank, 96 Palestinians have been killed and 1,650 wounded in violence and Israeli raids since 7th October. While more than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, according to Israeli officials, mostly civilians who died in the initial Hamas rampage as per a report in AP news.

2. Inside Hamas: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a one-minute excerpt from a 43-minute video that apparently provides graphic details of the events during the 7th October attack. Meanwhile, intelligence shared with the United States suggests that a small group of Hamas operatives had been plotting the surprise attack on Israel for two years, using a network of hardwired phones installed within the tunnels beneath Gaza. According to the CNN report, the US is also intensifying efforts to target a "secret" Hamas investment portfolio believed to be valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.

3. Fuel Shortage: With fuel reserves running low for running water systems, some residents of Gaza are resorting to drinking contaminated, salty water. This has raised concerns of a looming health crisis and fears that dehydration-related deaths may increase. According to Juliette Touma, spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine refugees in the Near East, Gaza requires a daily supply of at least 160,000 liters (42,267 gallons) of fuel to sustain basic necessities.

Foreign media reports stated that UNRWA has warned that it will be compelled to suspend its operations in Gaza if fuel is not delivered by Wednesday night. Furthermore, the World Health Organization reported that at least six hospitals in Gaza have been forced to close due to the lack of fuel. The Israeli Defense Forces have stated that they will not permit any fuel to enter the Gaza Strip, citing its necessity for Hamas's operational infrastructure, despite earlier remarks from the IDF chief of staff.

4. Hostage Situation: Talks are currently in progress to secure the release of numerous hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as per sources familiar with the situation. However, these negotiations are complicated by various factors. The IDF has distributed leaflets in Gaza, appealing to residents for any information about the hostages.

5. UN Meetings: The Palestinian Authority's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Riyad Al-Maliki, addressed the UN Security Council during a meeting on the Middle East on Tuesday, 24th October. Blinken urged UN Security Council member states to utilize their influence to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating, specifically warning Iran that its involvement will have consequences. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has declared that he will not meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres after the UN chief criticized Israel's bombing of Gaza, with Cohen stating, "shame on him" in response to a reporter's question at the United Nations.

6. International Perspective: As per the CNN report, Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan criticized a perceived double standard, where the Western world condemns the Hamas attack on 7th October but refrains from condemning Israel's airstrikes on Gaza or advocating for a ceasefire.

John Kirby, White House National Security Council spokesperson, did not provide details on plans for a mass evacuation of American citizens from Israel and Gaza.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that nothing can justify the suffering of civilians in Gaza, affirming his support for the Palestinian people, whom he stated Hamas does not represent.