Israel promises a 'complete siege' of the Gaza Strip
Israel announced the “complete siege” two days after it came under a surprise attack from Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza and is classified as a terrorist organization by dozens of countries, including the United States. More than 900 people in Israel have been killed, according to the military, while the Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 687 had been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the West Bank.
“No electricity, no food, no water, no gas — it’s all closed,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a video statement, adding that his military was fighting against “human animals.”
In a telephone interview with NBC News, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Doron Spielman clarified that “animals” referred to Hamas fighters rather than the civilians being ruled by them in Gaza. However, he acknowledged that the airstrikes, as well as cutting off basic supplies, could harm nonmilitants.
