Gaza Will Not Be Powered, Water Or Fuel Until Hamas Frees Israel's Hostage
JAKARTA - Israeli Energy Minister Katz said on Thursday Gaza would not be given any electricity, water or fuel until its national hostages are released and return to their homes.
"No power switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened, and no fuel truck will enter until the victims of the Israeli kidnapping are returned home. Humanity is for humanity. And no one will teach us morals," Katz wrote on social media platform X., reported CNN October 12.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross said emergency generator fuels at hospitals in Gaza could run out within hours, warning of the risks it would pose.
"Without electricity, hospitals are at risk of turning into morgues," said ICRC Regional Director Fabrizio Carboni, quoted by Reuters.
"Human suffering caused by escalation is very disgusting, and I beg all parties to reduce the suffering of civilians," he exclaimed.
Earlier, senior militant Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq told CNN it was too early to discuss the exchange of hostages between Hamas and the Israeli side.
"We will only discuss this issue once the Israeli aggression against our people is over," said al-Risheq of Doha, Qatar.
Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations said Hamas militants were holding 150 people hostage in various locations in Gaza.
Israeli spokesman Defense Forces (IDF) Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said his party expected those held hostage by Hamas to be placed underground.
Meanwhile, World Catholic Church leader Pope Francis called for the immediate release of the hostages, saying "terrorism and extremism do not help achieve conflict solutions between Israel and Palestine, but trigger hatred, violence, revenge and cause suffering for both sides".
اقرأ أيضا:
As of Thursday, at least 1,354 people have been killed and 6,049 others injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since Saturday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, Israeli officials said at least 1,200 people were killed and thousands injured in the attacks carried out by Hamas. Meanwhile, the United Nations said more than 330,000 people had fled Gaza since Israel began carrying out retaliatory attacks.