GAZA: The Palestinian Health Ministry has said that 232 Palestinians have been martyred in Israeli airstrikes on besieged Gaza following a Hamas surprise attack on Israel.
Hamas launched on Saturday a surprise attack, saying its multifront attack was in reply to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. The group said it fired rockets and also arrested many Israelis.
In an update on its social media, the health ministry stated on Saturday that 1,697 Palestinians were also injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. The ministry maintained that its medical teams were making efforts “to save dozens of critical injured people”.
On other hand, Israeli media said that 250 Israelis have been killed in an escalation with Hamas. It added that more than 1,000 Israelis were injured in surprise attack of Hamas. According to Turkish media, the fighting is still taking place in southern Israel.
US President Joe Biden said he issued directives to his national security team to remain in touch with regional leaders after recent tension in the middle east.
Palestine-Israel Escalation
Speaking at a news conference from the White House, President Biden said he spoke with Congressmen, and also issued directives to his security team to remain in contact with Palestinian Authority, Israel and regional countries. He added that he also directed his team to remain in constant contact with European partners.
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Sunday to address the escalating violence in the Middle East, following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel and Israeli military airstrikes in the Gaza Strip that martyred 232 Palestinians.
Read Also: Arab League Holds International Community Responsible for Present Situation in Palestine
The United Nations Security Council will gather at 3:00 pm local time (1900 GMT) on Sunday to discuss “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question,” according to an official statement released on Saturday. The international community is closely monitoring the crisis, with hopes of diplomatic efforts to quell the escalating violence and facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties.
In a statement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly affirmed the Palestinian people’s right to self-defense in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks.
