Israel Hamas War enters its sixth week and the destruction and loss of lives continues. Amid the ongoing war, Israel has now taken over the Parliament Building of Gaza.
New Delhi: On October 7, 2023, the Hamas organisation fired 5000 rockets from the Gaza Strip at Israel and since then, a lot has changed in terms of human loss, devastation and political relations across the world. With this attack, the decades-long Israel Palestine Conflict turned into a full-fledged Israel-Hamas War and now, six weeks later, the war continues and so does the increase in number of those dead, held hostage, kidnapped or harassed. In a latest update, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have taken over the Gaza Parliament Building, which is a big ‘milestone’ for Israel.
Israel Takes Over Gaza Parliament Building
According to media reports and an image circulating on social media, troops of the Golani Brigade of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have taken over the Parliament Building in Gaza city. In 2007, since the takeover of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza by Hamas, it has served as Hamas’ lawmakers.
Hamas Loses Control In Gaza, Says Israel Defence Minister
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Hamas has “lost control” of the Gaza Strip it has ruled for 16 years. Addressing a video broadcast on Israel’s main TV stations, Gallant said “Hamas has lost control of Gaza. Terrorists are fleeing southward. Civilians are looting Hamas bases,” without providing evidence. “They don’t have faith in the government anymore,” he added.
The conflict has killed about 1,200 people in Israel, the majority of which from the October 7 Hamas attack, according to Israeli authorities. The conflict has so far claimed 11,240 lives in Gaza, including 4,630 children, according to the Gaza media office. Two thirds of Gaza’s population has become homeless because of the Israeli military campaign.
Gaza has been under near total Israeli siege and run short of food, fuel and other basic supplies. Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Monday called on the European Union and the United Nations to “parachute aid” into Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US media a deal could be afoot to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, but declined to provide details for fear of scuttling the potential plan.