On Thursday, Israel declared that it would not ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip until all hostages were released, responding to a plea from the Red Cross to allow fuel supplies to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and resembling morgues.

Israel has made a commitment to take action against the Hamas leadership in Gaza in response to the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. This attack occurred when a large group of gunmen crossed the barrier fence and carried out a rampage in Israeli towns on Saturday.

According to State broadcaster Kan, the death toll on the Israeli side has now exceeded 1,300, with a significant number of civilians killed in their homes or on the streets. Many hostages have also been taken to Gaza. The extent of the violence has come to light as Israeli forces regained control of towns, discovering homes filled with bodies, including women who were subjected to violence and children who were shot and burned.