In a distressing turn of events, the Palestinian enclave of Gaza bore witness to a staggering loss of life on Saturday. According to the Palestinian health ministry, a harrowing death toll of at least 198 individuals, along with 1,610 wounded, was reported as of 4:20 pm (1320 GMT) in the aftermath of an onslaught of rockets launched into Israel by the Palestinian faction Hamas. In a swift response, Israel retaliated with a series of air strikes.
This crisis was catalyzed by a significant and audacious attack by Hamas, which resulted in the tragic loss of at least 40 lives during a surprise assault. This attack was characterized by a dual approach, combining gunmen infiltrating Israeli towns with a relentless barrage of rockets originating from the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a resolute declaration, stated, “Our enemy will pay a price the type of which it has never known. We are in a war, and we will win it.”
Israel, too, witnessed substantial casualties, with at least 40 lives lost and more than 770 wounded, as reported by Israel’s ambulance service. Regrettably, the toll is anticipated to rise.
The Israeli military promptly launched air strikes into Gaza, with witnesses reporting thunderous explosions and confirming at least two casualties. This incursion marked an unprecedented infiltration by an undisclosed number of Hamas militants into Israeli territory, constituting one of the gravest escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent memory.
Israeli media sources reported intense skirmishes between Palestinian fighters and security forces within southern Israeli towns. The gravity of the situation was emphasized by Israel’s police chief, who indicated that there were “21 active scenes” within southern Israel.
As tension surged, residents in Gaza hurriedly stocked up on supplies, preparing for protracted days of conflict. Some chose to evacuate their homes, seeking refuge in shelters.
Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif, in a broadcast on Hamas media, officially initiated the operation and called upon Palestinians worldwide to join the fight. He proclaimed, “This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth,” citing the launch of 5,000 rockets.
#UPDATE Western capitals on Saturday roundly condemned a wave of Palestinian attacks on Israel — a sharp spike in violence that has been surging for two years.
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🎥 Cars on fire in Ashkelon following a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip pic.twitter.com/GCM5HEzQf0
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 7, 2023
This crisis unfolds against the backdrop of escalating violence between Israel and Palestinian fighters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, regions where Palestinians have long aspired to establish their state.
Moreover, this tumultuous situation occurs during a period of political upheaval within Israel, marked by deep divisions regarding judicial reforms. Concurrently, international efforts, notably by Washington, aim to broker normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
In response to the unfolding events, the Lebanese group Hezbollah asserted that this operation was a “decisive response to Israel’s continued occupation and a message to those seeking normalization with Israel.”
Reports of Israelis taken captive added to the turmoil. Hamas media displayed videos purportedly showing Israeli soldiers’ bodies brought into Gaza by militants. Palestinian gunmen were also seen inside Israeli homes, with footage circulating on social media depicting clashes in city streets and armed individuals roaming the countryside.
As the situation continues to evolve rapidly, global leaders have weighed in with their concerns. Saudi Arabia called for an immediate cessation of violence, while Egypt cautioned against grave consequences arising from escalating tensions.
The gravity of this situation and its implications are further underscored by international condemnations from countries such as Britain, Germany, and France, which have unequivocally decried the violence and expressed solidarity with Israel in its quest for security and stability.
By AFP
