Israel Drops 6,000 Bombs on Gaza Strip... Over 10,000 Casualties on Both Sides

The war that began with a surprise attack by the Palestinian armed faction Hamas on Israel has entered its sixth day, with casualties surging on both sides.

On the 9th (local time), black smoke was rising in the Gaza Strip of Palestine. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

As of the 12th (local time), Israeli casualties are estimated at around 1,300 dead and 3,200 injured. The Palestinian Ministry of Health also announced that as of 2 p.m. that day, 1,417 people had died in the Gaza Strip alone, including 447 children and 248 women. Adding 31 deaths in the West Bank brings the total to 1,448, with the total number of Palestinian injured reaching 6,868. Combined, the total casualties exceed 10,000.

Israel has reiterated its determination to retaliate even if it means engaging in ground warfare, raising concerns that the conflict could escalate across the entire Middle East. The previous day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that since their counterattack targeting Hamas on the 7th, they have dropped approximately 6,000 bombs containing about 4,000 tons of explosives on the Gaza Strip. They also claimed that over 5,000 rockets have been launched from the Gaza Strip.

IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht stated that although no political decision has yet been made, preparations are underway for a ground operation targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

With Israel imposing a full blockade on the Gaza Strip, the region's only power plant ceased operations the previous day, and food and drinking water are expected to run out soon, heightening concerns over a humanitarian crisis.

Western countries have supported Israel's position while also seeking ways to resolve the conflict. On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was urgently dispatched to Israel, met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and stated, "The United States firmly supports Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas's terrorist attacks."

However, emphasizing the difference between democratic countries and terrorists, he added, "It is important to take all possible precautions to avoid harming civilians."

This statement is interpreted as a message that criticizes the human casualties caused by Hamas's attacks while also targeting Israel, which is considering deploying ground forces in the Gaza Strip.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.