As the escalation between the Israeli army and Hamas enters its fifth day, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and two witnesses reported that "four Palestinian paramedics were killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza today, Wednesday." The Gaza Health Ministry condemned the strike, stating that "Israel committed a crime against the ambulance crews" and noted that "the Israeli army does not recognize international signals for ambulance crews." Despite the dire condition, the Health Ministry confirmed that "the paramedics will continue their work in assisting the wounded despite the criminal behavior of the Israeli forces," adding, "Our teams are suffering from the crimes of the occupation while the world remains silent."
In response to the targeting of civilians, "Qassam Brigades" announced shelling Ben Gurion Airport with rockets. Al Jazeera reported navigational data indicating that "aircraft could not land at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv," and the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported the "suspension of outbound flights from the airport."
Due to the ongoing strikes on Gaza, media outlets affiliated with Hamas reported a power outage in the city as the only power plant in the Gaza Strip came to a halt. Additionally, the office of Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Gantz today, and they "are finalizing details," without further clarification. Israeli media indicated that "the meeting was held to agree on incorporating the National Unity Party, led by Gantz, into the religious national coalition led by Netanyahu to form an expanded emergency government."
An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed that 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attack on settlements surrounding Gaza and Israeli cities, with 2,700 injured. Spokesperson Jonathan Conricus stated during a live broadcast on the Israeli army's page on "X" (formerly Twitter) that this count is not final. He added that Hamas is holding dozens of hostages, "including many dual nationals from countries including the U.S., U.K., Italy, and Argentina."
In a related context, the Israeli Ministry of Education announced that all schools will shift to remote learning starting Sunday. The statement clarified that "online education will primarily focus on psychological and social aspects to enhance resilience, as well as appropriate educational content for the situation." Schools in Israel have been closed since the Hamas attack at the start of the week, which escalated regional violence.
On the other hand, the Palestinian Health Ministry revealed that "about 60% of the injuries from the bombardment of the Gaza Strip are children and women." The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that "at least 900 Palestinians have died, and about 4,600 others have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on the besieged territory since Saturday." The spokesperson noted that the Israeli army effectively targeted Hamas positions heavily in the past day but indicated that the army was fighting on three fronts, leading to "very significant losses," mentioning that Hezbollah launched missiles and anti-tank projectiles at Israeli army positions on the northern front. He added, "Missiles were launched toward us from Syria, and we do not know who fired them."
The Israeli army responded to the sources of the bombardment, causing material and human damage. Two Egyptian security sources indicated that "Egypt is discussing plans with the United States and other countries to provide humanitarian aid across its borders with the Gaza Strip amid a limited ceasefire." The sources, who requested anonymity, stated that "the aid will pass through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula."
### Bodies of European Nationals
The Austrian Foreign Ministry announced that "the body of one of three citizens holding both Austrian and Israeli citizenship has been found," as Austria reported three citizens missing following the Hamas attack on Israel on Saturday. The statement mentioned, without naming the individual, "It is our sad duty to announce the discovery of one body of three missing citizens holding both Austrian and Israeli citizenship." French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne revealed that "several French children are missing and are likely among the hostages held in Gaza following Hamas's attack on Israel on Saturday." She expressed her condolences for the French victims (in Israel) and concern for missing citizens who are in an extremely worrying situation, including several children who are likely to have been abducted. Borne clarified that ten French citizens have been confirmed dead in the attacks, and 18, including children, are missing.
### British Support for Israel
In support of Israel, the British Foreign Ministry announced that Minister James Cleverly arrived in Israel today, Wednesday, to show solidarity with the Israeli people in light of the attacks by the Palestinian Hamas movement. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry stated that "Cleverly will meet with survivors of the attacks and senior Israeli leaders to affirm the United Kingdom's support for Israel's right to defend itself."
### German Initiatives
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the German government disclosed that "German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will discuss the situation in the Middle East during a meeting in Berlin this week." The spokesperson did not provide details about the topics or issues that would be discussed, adding, "It is clear that Qatar is also an important partner for us in the region." Regarding Iran's involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel, the German government spokesperson noted that "the government does not have compelling evidence." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that "Qatar should play a role in releasing the hostages held by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas," with Scholz set to meet with the Emir of Qatar in Berlin on Friday.
The White House stated that U.S. President Joe Biden explained in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the American support that "has arrived and is on its way to Israel." The White House noted that Biden made it clear to Netanyahu that American support, along with the deployment of the largest aircraft carrier in the world to the eastern Mediterranean, includes ammunition, missiles for the Iron Dome, and other defensive equipment. Avichai Adraee, a spokesperson for the Israeli army, stated earlier via his account on "X" that the first aircraft carrying advanced U.S. munitions landed at Nevatim Air Base on Tuesday night, stating that this munitions will enable the army to "deliver significant strikes and prepare for other scenarios." Additionally, the U.S. aircraft carrier "USS Gerald Ford" arrived in the Mediterranean Sea off the Israeli coast on Tuesday.
This coincided with the Israeli Air Force stating on Wednesday that dozens of aircraft struck more than 200 targets in the Al-Furkan neighborhood of the Gaza Strip. The force noted via the "X" platform, "This is the third wave of airstrikes on the Al-Furkan neighborhood, where we attacked over 450 targets in the area in one day." Meanwhile, the Palestinian Information Center reported that Israeli warplanes carried out heavy bombing on the western Gaza area near the port. Concurrently, reports from Gaza indicated that Israeli warboats launched heavy shells at Al-Rasheed Street and the coastal strip west of Gaza City. Bombardment on Al-Rasheed Street, opposite the Gaza port, is ongoing. Witnesses reported receiving evacuation alerts at hotels adjacent to the coastal strip west of Gaza City.
