Israel's Netanyahu and Gantz Form Wartime Cabinet to Crush Hamas, as Death Toll Soars and Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top political rival Benny Gantz have formed a wartime Cabinet in order to coordinate efforts to retaliate against Hamas militants following a gruesome attack over the weekend. The move towards unity comes as the Israeli military prepares for a possible ground offensive into Gaza. The war has already resulted in a high death toll on both sides, with at least 2,300 lives lost. Netanyahu has vowed to "crush and destroy Hamas" and has alleged that the attackers committed atrocities including binding and shooting children, burning people alive, and beheading soldiers.

The details of these allegations have not been independently confirmed. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have caused widespread destruction and a high number of casualties, while the Gaza Strip is suffering from severe power and fuel shortages. The situation has led to a mass exodus of residents from their homes and a dire humanitarian crisis, with hospitals running low on essential supplies. Egypt and international groups have called for humanitarian corridors to be established into Gaza, but these efforts have been hindered by the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, tensions have escalated in the wider region, with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launching an attack on an Israeli military position and claiming to have killed and wounded troops. The United States has pledged support to Israel, rushing munitions and military equipment, as well as deploying a carrier strike group to the region as a deterrent. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers have attacked a Palestinian village, resulting in three deaths. Israel has mobilized hundreds of thousands of reservists and evacuated residents from nearby communities.

The toppling of Hamas from power in Gaza would likely require the reoccupation of the territory, but Hamas has a history of operating as an underground insurgency in Israel-controlled areas. Hamas launched its attack due to what it claims to be the untenable living conditions resulting from Israeli military occupation and settlements in the West Bank, as well as the long-standing blockade on Gaza. The conflict has increased calls for vengeance against Hamas within Israel, leading to a change in tactics. Rather than targeting individual buildings, Israel is now warning civilians to evacuate entire neighborhoods, resulting in widespread destruction. The death toll on both sides continues to rise, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.