White House spokesperson John Kirby became emotional on live television while discussing the Israel-Gaza conflict, which has resulted in nearly 1,600 deaths. Kirby expressed the difficulty of witnessing the images and the human cost of the conflict, emphasizing that those affected are loved ones, family members, and friends. During a live broadcast on CNN, Kirby struggled to hold back tears as he discussed the Hamas attack. The seriousness of the situation was further confirmed by US President Joe Biden, who revealed that at least 11 American citizens were killed in the assault, and there are fears that several others may be held hostage by Hamas.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the United States has shown support for Israel by moving an aircraft carrier closer to the country. President Biden stated that efforts are underway to recover the hostages and condemned the “heart-wrenching” attacks. However, Hamas has threatened to kill approximately 150 hostages if Israel continues its retaliatory air strikes, which have included targeting Gaza residents. The Israeli decision to impose a total siege on the Gaza Strip, including cutting off the water supply, has exacerbated concerns about the already dire humanitarian situation in the area.
The conflict escalated as Hamas operatives fired thousands of rockets and breached Gaza’s security barrier, launching attacks on Israeli towns and military posts. They also targeted residents and passersby. This attack, known as “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” called for the participation of resistance fighters not only in the West Bank but also in Arab and Islamic nations. In response, the Israeli army has claimed to have regained control over the Gaza border after the mass breach by the Palestinian group.
The situation continues to evolve, and the international community is closely monitoring the ongoing conflict and its devastating impact on the region.