Live updates on the Israel-Hamas war: 2,200 people have died, 14 of whom are Americans, and Biden has confirmed that there are American hostages.

Since Hamas began an unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend, which prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare war, more than 2,200 people have died.

President Biden announced on Tuesday from the White House that there are now 14 American citizens who have lost their lives in Israel since Saturday. He affirmed that Hamas is holding Americans prisoner.

Biden stated, "The United States has Israel's back. This is a moment for the United States to come together and grieve with those who are mourning." Never make a mistake.

Due to a fuel shortage, Gaza's only power plant closes.

The Energy Authority of Gaza declared that a fuel shortage had caused the sole power plant in the area to close. Since Israel closed the Gaza Strip on Monday, essential supplies including food, fuel, and medications haven't been restocked. Until the barrier is removed, hospitals and other services will be without electricity.

On October 11, 2023, a Palestinian boy holding a toddler stands on the debris of buildings that were demolished by Israeli strikes in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. (Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)

Following Israel's threat to avenge Hamas actions, airstrikes in Gaza destroyed structures and medical facilities. Since the weekend, missiles have been fired into the Gaza Strip, prompting inhabitants to seek cover wherever they can. But in the past two days, communities as a whole have been attacked, making this almost impossible.

As reported by the Associated Press, journalist Hasan Jabar stated that there is currently no secure area in Gaza. "I really do fear for my life."

Pope worries about the siege of Gaza and demands the liberation of hostages.

Pope Francis voiced his worry over Israel's siege of Gaza and encouraged Hamas to release all hostages. During his weekly speech in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, the pontiff expressed that he had been following the war with "pain and apprehension."

"So many people killed," he exclaimed.

He continued by requesting that the hostages be "immediately released" and expressing his concern about the siege in Gaza, which is home to more than 2 million people and where "there have also been so many innocent victims."

US sends fighter fighters and aircraft ships to the area as a "strong signal of deterrence."

Arriving off the coast of Israel, the USS Gerald R. Ford is the newest and most sophisticated aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy. According to a press release from U.S. Central Command, her arrival sends "a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation."

Tuesday's gunfire exchanges between extremists in Syria and Lebanon and Israel near its northern borders raised the possibility of a regional crisis spreading. Despite the fact that no proof of direct Iranian involvement has been found yet, U.S. officials have stated that Iran, which finances Hamas' military wing, is "complicit" in the attacks on Israel over the weekend.

According to Business Insider

"The USS Normandy, which is capable of firing missiles to defend against approaching missiles or aircraft, as well as to strike land targets."

The USS Thomas Hudner is a strike force that can operate both alone and in concert with other ships, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Many F-35 fighter jets, which are regarded as the most sophisticated fighter jets in the world.

F-15s are incredibly agile tactical fighters that are intended to provide the Air Force with superiority in air-to-air combat.

A number of F-16 fighter aircraft, intended for use in air-to-air and air-to-ground warfare."

Following Hamas attacks on Israel, Elon Musk's X has been accused of disseminating "illegal content and disinformation."

Elon Musk received a letter on Tuesday from the head of the European Union's digital division alerting him to the use of X, the former Twitter platform, to "disseminate illegal content and disinformation" about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The letter also demanded that Musk respond to the warning within 24 hours by getting in touch with the "relevant law enforcement authorities."

"This is especially relevant when it comes to violent and terrorist content that appears to circulate on your platform," said Thierry Breton.

To Breton's response, Musk said, "Please list the violations you allude to."

In other places, experts have expressed dissatisfaction with Musk's actions, claiming that he has made X a less trustworthy source of real-time information by allowing users to pay blue-check verification, altering the content that the platform's algorithms promote, and reducing internal fact-checking efforts.

The Washington Post offers helpful guidelines for people who want to restrict disturbing social media photos from the war, which currently include "the apparent killing of Israeli hostages, dead bodies, and other cruelties."

How rockets are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome

As seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on October 9, 2023, rockets fired from the Gaza Strip are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome antimissile system. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)

Speaking about the conflict between Israel and Hamas on Tuesday, President Biden stated that the United States is "surging additional military systems" to Israel, "including interceptors and ammunition to replenish Iron Dome."

"We’re going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens," Biden stated.

Since Saturday, Israel Defense Forces have reported that over 4,500 rockets have been shot against Israel by Hamas and other terrorist Palestinian groups. Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system has successfully intercepted the majority of the projectiles.

Thus, how does this designated operational "critical asset"

CBS News says:

"Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems created Iron Dome, which tracks the course of approaching rockets and mortars using radar, sophisticated tracking technologies, and antimissile batteries. The system detects whether rockets are aimed at populated areas, and if they are, Iron Dome fires Tamir interceptors in the direction of the approaching projectiles. Unexploded rockets are permitted to land in unoccupied spaces.

The interception range of Iron Dome is 2.5 to 43 miles. At least ten Iron Dome batteries are located throughout Israel. Each one is meant to protect a populated area of 60 square miles. When dangers alter, the batteries can be relocated.

The United States has so far given Israel close to $3 billion for Iron Dome batteries, interceptors,