9:12 a.m. ET, October 10, 2023
It’s the fourth day of fighting between Israel and Hamas. Here’s what you need to know today
From CNN staff
It’s the fourth day of fighting between Israel and Hamas since the Islamist militant group carried out one of the deadliest terror attacks in Israel’s history, killing at least 900 people. Israel has responded with an overwhelming number of airstrikes on Gaza, the 140 square-mile densely populated territory controlled by Hamas, leaving at least 765 people dead, wounding 4,000 and displacing more than 137,000.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations told CNN that the country’s priority is “to obliterate Hamas terrorist capabilities. Overnight, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched another 200 strikes targeting “terror hubs.” Hamas is threatening to kill civilian hostages and broadcast the executions live should the aerial attacks continue without warning. The group claims to be holding more than 100 captives, including Israeli army officers. Israel’s UN ambassador said the number of hostages could be as high as 150.
Here are the developments to get you up to speed:
Bloodbath at Be’eri: More than 100 bodies have been found in the Israeli kibbutz Be’eri, a self-sustaining farming community of 1,000 residents near Gaza. Be’eri was one of the first places targeted by militants who breached the border early Saturday morning, and among the hardest hit. Civilians there were killed and taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities and videos obtained and authenticated by CNN.
More foreign victims: More foreign nationals were reported dead on Tuesday, including citizens of France, Russia and Thailand.
Bodies of attackers: The IDF said it has recovered the bodies of about 1,500 Hamas militants since the group’s surprise blitz early Saturday.
Control at the border: Hecht, the IDF spokesperson, said Tuesday that the Israeli military had “more or less” restored full control over the border fence with Gaza following the breach over the weekend. A huge buildup of tanks was apparent close to the border with Gaza, while Israel continued its barrage of airstrikes. Hecht said Israeli forces have secured communities around the border and have nearly completed evacuations in the area. He added that there were two small firefights overnight in a pair of communities. The focus is now on airstrikes and the forthcoming offensive in Gaza, Hecht said.
Fearing the worst: Some Israeli parents are being told to remove social media from their children’s phones in case Hamas carries through with its threat to broadcast hostage videos.
