By Austin Ogwuda with Agency Report
Israel – Hamas bloody war worsens:Us president Biden panics, Hamas claims he is holding over 150 Israelis hostage…. Nigerians in Israel assured of safety
This is CNBC’s live blog tracking developments on the Israel-Hamas conflict. See below for the latest updates.
The al-Qassam armed wing of Palestinian militant group Hamas said it launched hundreds of missiles at the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, saying the attack was “in response to the displacement of civilians.
”It comes shortly after al-Qassam’s deadline of 5 p.m. local time for Ashkelon citizens to leave the premises had passed. This is the fourth day of an ongoing lethal conflict between Hamas and the Israeli administration.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israel’s military said it had regained control of the Gaza-Israel border after Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel unprecedented in scope and deadliness.Israel continues its airstrikes all over the enclosed territory of Gaza, and has ordered the complete cutting of water, electricity and food to the already impoverished and blockaded population of roughly 2.3 million people.
Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, said it has some 150 Israeli hostages in captivity. The U.S. and other governments are working to determine the number of foreign hostages in Hamas’ captivity.
The death toll from the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas has passed 1,800, with over 1,000 killed and 2,700 injured in Israel and at least 830 people killed and 4,250 injured in Gaza, according to Palestinian and Israeli health services.
Biden wants Congress to take ‘urgent action’ on security assistance as House remains leaderless.
President Joe Biden said the White House will ask Congress to take “urgent action” to fund the national security requirements of U.S. allies in the wake of the devastating attack by Hamas on Israel.
Biden said his administration has worked closely with Congress throughout the crisis in Israel and Gaza.
“This is not about party or politics. It’s about the security of our world. The security of the United states of America,” the president said.
Congress faces paralysis right now as the House of Representatives remains leaderless a week after a faction of hard-right Republicans deposed Kevin McCarthy in a no-confidence vote.
There is little Congress can do until a new Speaker is elected. House Republicans will vote Wednesday to select a nominee for the post, who will then face a full vote on the House floor.
It is unclear if the top candidates, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, can secure the 217 votes required to become Speaker.– Spencer K. ( CNBC)
Meantime, Nigerians living in Israel, presently trapped following the fierce battle are said to be safe.
The Town Hall Media gathered that Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman had earlier today Tuesday said Nigerians in the country as well as citizens of other countries were safe.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja Freeman confessed that “Israel is reeling under a deadly attack by Hamas militants who stormed the border fence under barrage of rocket fire on Saturday morning and killed more than 900 people inside Israel.
“In response, Israel is carrying out a massive air and artillery bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip that has so far killed at least 687 people in the coastal enclaves.
However, Freeman said Nigerians are safe, adding that the Israeli government would do everything to avoid casualties.
Said he, “Everyone is safe in Israel. Nigerians are safe. We will do everything we can to avoid civilian casualties. But the civilians will get killed. We should be prepared for that”, the Envoy assured.