By Ayo Yusuf
As the war between Israel and Hamas enters its third day, the Lagos State Government has suspended the airlifting of intending pilgrims to Jerusalem.
The second batch of pilgrims from the state were supposed to be airlifted tomorrow, Tuesday October 10, but with the escalation of the war, the state government said it was canceling the exercise for security reasons.
Over 1,000 people have so far been killed on both sides after Hamas’ Saturday attack was followed by a reprisal from the Israeli forces.
The Board Secretary of the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSCPWB), Mrs. Florence Gbafe, announced the suspension in a statement on Monday, saying that the decision became necessary after a careful observation of the security situations in Israel.
According to her, the LSCPWB and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) will announce a new date for the airlifting of the second batch of the intending pilgrims in due course.
She said the board regretted any inconvenience the suspension might cause, adding that the intending pilgrims would be duly informed of developments about their journey to the Holy Land.
She said, “To all on the second batch of pilgrimage to Israel, kindly note that the pilgrimage is now on hold due to the war situation in Israel.
Further information will be communicated as and when due please.”
The executive secretary explained that the Lagos State Government and the federal government would continue to prioritize the safety of all pilgrims to the holy land and will not expose Nigerians to any situation that will endanger them.
She thanked God for the safety of the first batch of pilgrims from the state who had already concluded their pilgrimage activities on Sunday, revealing that the pilgrims were expected to arrive in Nigeria later today (Monday).
Meanwhile, Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, has ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza on Monday, after the military said it had retaken control of Israeli communities near the coastal enclave that were stormed by Hamas gunmen in an unprecedented attack over the weekend.
Mr. Gallant said Israel would halt the supply of electricity, food, water and fuel to Gaza, “I have given an order – Gaza will be under complete siege. We are fighting barbarians and will respond accordingly.”
The Israeli military also said it has retaken control of all communities around Gaza and there is no ongoing fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants inside Israel.
The announcement by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari came more than 48 hours after Hamas launched a surprise assault with thousands of rockets and sent armed fighters into Israel.
Israel on Sunday formally declared war on the Islamist militant group Hamas after its fighters launched an unprecedented attack that has so far killed more than 700 people in Israel. Israeli jets continued to bombard the Palestinian enclave of Gaza on Monday as the war entered its third day.
Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 493, including dozens of children, and left 2,651 injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
An incursion by Gaza militants of this scale has not been seen in Israel since the nation’s founding in 1948.
Earlier Monday, as Israeli forces battled to expel the last assailants, Hamas launched a fresh barrage of rocket attacks. Sirens warning of incoming rockets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv sounded at noon local time.
Hamas said it fired 120 rockets toward the coastal cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon, in response to Israeli airstrikes.
A CNN team on the ground saw dust billowing over the sky, as rockets launched from Gaza were intercepted by the Israeli air defense system in Ashdod.
Hamas militants claimed late Sunday to be holding more than 100 hostages in Gaza, including high-ranking Israeli army officers, according to Mousa Abu Marzouk, chief deputy of Hamas’ political bureau.
Videos on social media showed militants capturing multiple civilians, including children, as Israeli families across the nation made anxious pleas for the safe return of their loved ones.
In addition to Israeli captives, there are also other nationalities believed to have been taken hostage, including American, Mexican, Brazilian and Thai nationals – further complicating Israel’s response to the Hamas attack.
