Pope Francis called for the immediate release of hostages in the Israel-Hamas fighting and expressed concern over the siege of Gaza. He said attacked parties have a right to defend themselves but warned against revenge and hatred fueling more suffering. The pope said terrorism and extremism don't aid peace between Israelis and Palestinians, only justice, dialogue and fraternity can. As the death toll sharply rose with Israel's bombardment and Hamas' assault, Francis said the region needs peace not war. His plea underscored alarm over the human impact of the conflict that has killed over 2,100 amid a mounting casualty toll and humanitarian crisis.

The mother of German woman Shani Louk, seen naked in a Hamas video, received information her daughter is alive in a Gaza hospital but critically injured. In a video message, Ricarda Louk said a family friend in Gaza told her Shani is in critical condition with a head injury. She urged the German government to help immediately get Shani out of Gaza. The friend couldn't visit Shani himself. Shani was captured when Hamas militants infiltrated the Israeli music festival she attended, where up to 260 were killed. Over 150 were abducted, held hostage in Gaza. Shani's family hopes the new information means she can be safely evacuated from Hamas territory.

Dipanwita Roy, an Indian researcher stranded in Israel's Rehovot amid the conflict, described to Hindustan Times the unprecedented terror as sirens blared for 3 hours. Despite being distant from the attack zone, fear has gripped the town. She urgently seeks government evacuation. Ambassador Naor Gilon said PM Modi was among the first global leaders to back Israel, and Netanyahu updated him, but details are confidential. With India evacuating citizens, Gilon said no Indian casualties were reported yet. He outlined the massive toll, with nearly 1,000 Israelis killed and 150 kidnapped in Hamas' surprise strikes. Israel faces a hostage crisis as Hamas threatens executions.

A dangerous escalation occurred overnight in northern Gaza City as hundreds of airstrikes destroyed a neighborhood, killing over 50 people, mostly civilians. reports the BBC quoting local authorities. The UN is trying to accommodate 200,000 displaced people, about 10% of Gaza's population, who are now without electricity, water, food and other essential supplies. People are queuing at bakeries for small amounts of food and banks for small amounts of money. Gaza's power authority has said the sole power plant will soon run out of fuel as Israel cuts supplies, leaving the city without electricity amid the humanitarian crisis. The strikes and shortages highlight the dire situation facing Gazan civilians.

President Biden urged Israel's PM Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip during a private phone call amid Israel's retaliation against Hamas. The Biden administration is working on a plan with other countries to provide safe passage out of Gaza for Palestinian civilians and Americans, creating a corridor leading to Egypt. With Israel possibly launching a ground incursion, civilians unaffiliated with Hamas face the risk of homelessness or harm from the ongoing conflict. The initiative aims to protect innocent lives caught in the densely populated enclave's crossfire.

As part of Israel's counter-offensive after Hamas' attacks, the military bombed the house of Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif's father on Wednesday. Israel says its fighter jets struck over 200 Hamas targets in Gaza's Al Furkan neighborhood in the third aerial assault there, hitting 450 sites in the area in the past day. This comes as the conflict entered its fifth day with the death toll in Israel exceeding 1,000, over 2,800 injured and 50 missing or captive. Israel says over 4,500 rockets have been fired from Gaza so far. Bombing Deif's father's home signals Israel's intent to intensify its campaign against Hamas' leadership and infrastructure.

Turkish President Erdogan criticized the United States for moving a carrier strike group, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, closer to Israel following a surprise Hamas attack. Erdogan expressed concerns that the move would lead to "serious massacres" in Gaza. He questioned the purpose of the aircraft carrier's presence near Israel and suggested it would result in attacks on Gaza. Turkey, historically supportive of Palestinians, had offered mediation between Israeli and Palestinian forces. The conflict coincides with Turkey's efforts to mend ties with Israel after years of hostility, despite its past support for Palestinians and a two-state solution.

Gaza's sole power plant will run out of fuel within hours, leaving the territory without electricity after Israel severed supplies following Hamas' attack, Gaza's power authority said. Israel cut off all electricity to Gaza and closed crossings, making it impossible to bring in fuel for the plant or generators relied on by residents and hospitals. We've just heard from Jalal Ismail of the energy authority in Gaza, who said the power will run out in just over three hours. "The power plant will stop working completely today at 2pm (12pm UK time), due to the exhaustion of the amount of fuel needed to operate it," he said. This comes amid a "total siege" enforced by Israel, which seeks to limit power, food and water to the entire Gaza Strip.

Indian TV actor Madhura Naik shared the tragic story of her cousin sister and her husband, who were murdered in front of their children during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Naik, of Indian-Jewish origin, highlighted the brutal nature of the war, expressing grief for the victims and condemning the targeting of women, children, and the vulnerable. The conflict has claimed over 3,000 lives, with both sides suffering losses, leaving many children orphaned and communities devastated amid relentless rocket attacks and airstrikes.

Palestinian UN Envoy Accuses Israel of 'Genocidal' Campaign Against Gaza Amid Deadly Conflict: The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations condemned Israel's bombardment of Gaza and imposition of a complete siege on the Hamas-controlled enclave as 'genocidal.' This comes after Hamas militants launched a deadly attack on Israel, leading to retaliatory air strikes. Israel's Defense Minister announced a 'total blockade,' drawing international condemnation. The Palestinian envoy described these acts as war crimes, emphasizing the use of starvation as a method of warfare. U.S. national security adviser expressed concerns, and the UN Secretary-General decried the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.