In a swift and deadly escalation of tensions, the militant group Hamas launched a relentless rocket assault on Israel, resulting in forty casualties and over 500 injuries. Israel’s national rescue service reported the grim toll as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his nation is now at war.
“This is not merely an operation or escalation; this is war,” Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized in a solemn video address. He vowed that Hamas would face an unprecedented price for their actions.
The onslaught saw over 5,000 rockets raining down upon Israel, accompanied by blaring sirens that echoed across the nation on what should have been a festive holiday morning. Israel’s defense forces also detected infiltration by Hamas militants, whom they categorize as terrorists. Shockingly, paragliders were deployed in this brazen attack, and vehicles on the roads were targeted.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant weighed in, asserting that Hamas had made a “grave mistake” in choosing to wage war against Israel. “Hamas has gravely erred this morning by initiating a war against the State of Israel. Israeli Defense Forces are engaged in combat across various fronts,” Gallant stated.
The Indian embassy in Israel issued a stern advisory, urging its citizens residing there to exercise utmost caution and adhere to safety protocols outlined by local authorities. “Please exercise restraint, minimize unnecessary movement, and remain in close proximity to safety shelters,” the advisory cautioned.
Israel’s military, in response to the onslaught, declared a state of readiness for war. They cited widespread rocket fire from Gaza into Israeli territory and the infiltration of terrorists through various entry points.
Hamas’s armed wing, in a chilling declaration, announced the commencement of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” and claimed to have launched more than 5,000 rockets in an initial strike lasting just 20 minutes. “We have resolved to put an end to this with the help of divine intervention, so that our adversary comprehends that the era of recklessness without consequences has come to a close,” asserted Hamas’s militant leader, Mohamed Deif, in a pre-recorded address.
Sirens blared in Jerusalem, the holy city, and across Israel as multiple impact sites were reported in the southern and central regions of the country. The government issued a plea for civilians to remain close to shelters, while those in proximity to the Gaza Strip were urged to stay within their homes. Tragically, an elderly Israeli woman lost her life due to a direct rocket hit, with 15 others sustaining injuries, as reported by emergency services.
Heart-wrenching images emerged online, depicting people fleeing their homes in border areas near Gaza. Hundreds, laden with blankets and provisions, were seen moving away from the Israeli border.
The latest outbreak of violence follows a series of conflicts between Israel and Palestinian militants since Hamas’s rise to power in Gaza in 2007. This particular escalation transpired after Israel sealed its borders to Gazan laborers. Thus far this year, the conflict has claimed the lives of 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis, and two foreigners, encompassing both combatants and civilians.
Tensions had escalated after Hamas called for an end to the occupation, decrying Israel’s actions across Palestinian territories, notably at the holy site of Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.
