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A devastating surprise attack by the Hamas militant group has left at least 22 people dead and hundreds more wounded as thousands of rockets rained down on Israel from the Gaza Strip.
On Saturday morning, thick plumes of black smoke billowed from several Israeli towns, marking the aftermath of the sudden assault. Israel’s defense minister declared that Hamas had effectively “launched a war,” and Israeli troops were actively engaged in combating the threat.
In response to the attack, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared, “We are at war, and we will win.” He added that their adversary would face unprecedented consequences for their actions.
The Israeli Air Force promptly retaliated, confirming that numerous fighter jets from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had targeted multiple Hamas military installations and operational command centers within the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-defense against the “terror of settlers and occupation of troops.”
According to Israel’s health ministry, 545 Israelis have been injured, making this the deadliest attack on Israeli soil in years. Social media shared images of blazing cars and damaged buildings, capturing the devastation.
Unprecedented scenes unfolded as Hamas fighters attempted to infiltrate Israel using small boats, and in a remarkable development, some even crossed the border using paragliders, reaching the town of Sderot where gunfire exchanges were reported. Security cameras captured their entry into the city via pick-up trucks and motorcycles.
Air raid sirens blared across southern and central Israel, accompanied by explosions in cities like Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, Yavne, and Kfar Aviv. Tragically, a 70-year-old woman was critically injured when a rocket struck a building in southern Israel.
The IDF issued a stern warning, stating that “the Hamas terror group will pay a very heavy price” and launched a “large-scale operation” named “Swords of Iron” in response to the simultaneous rocket and infantry attack. Residents along the border were advised to stay indoors as the military declared a state of war alert.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that Hamas had made a grave error by initiating a war against Israel, affirming that IDF troops were actively engaging the enemy. He urged all Israeli citizens to follow security instructions, expressing confidence that the State of Israel would emerge victorious.
There have been reports suggesting that Hamas may have kidnapped IDF soldiers, with videos circulating on social media purportedly showing captive military personnel being paraded on trucks. An IDF spokesperson declined to comment on these claims.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an emergency meeting of his security cabinet in response to the crisis.
Israel’s military spokesperson revealed that Hamas had launched 2,500 rockets in the Saturday attack, while the group’s military commander, Mohammad Deif, claimed that 5,000 rockets had been fired. He referred to the assault as the commencement of “Operation Al Aqsa Storm,” in response to Israeli actions in the West Bank, Gaza, and around the Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem.
“This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth,” declared Mr. Deif on Hamas radio, asserting that it marked a resurgence of the Palestinian people’s revolution. He urged unity among Palestinians to challenge the occupation.
Additionally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group announced its involvement in the attack, and Hamas called on armed groups in Lebanon to join the conflict.
