Hamas’ launches surprise attack on Israel
Following a massive attack on Israel launched by Hamas on Saturday that resulted in an unexpected influx of Palestinians into numerous Israeli communities and a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, the death toll has risen to 22 from six Israelis while dozens have been injured.
Immediately after Israel’s military announced that it was in a war footing, the Israeli defense minister asserted that Hamas had made a “grave mistake” by declaring war on Israel.
Israeli forces claimed to be engaged in ground combat with Palestinians on Saturday after a barrage of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, according to AFP.
According to army spokesman Richard Hecht, “It was a combined ground raid that happened through paragliders, through the sea, and through the ground.” “We’re fighting right now. Our forces are currently engaged in ground combat in some areas surrounding the Gaza Strip.
BREAKING: Israeli settlers flee southern Israel as Gaza resistance fighters invade the settlements. pic.twitter.com/ezUFKdTYpC
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) October 7, 2023
Italy declared on Saturday that it supported Israel against the attack that was in progress as a result of the continuous fighting and the hundreds of rockets that Gaza had launched on Israeli land.
The government of Italy declared that it “condemns in the strongest terms the terror and the violence occurring against innocent civilians,” adding, “We support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
One of the six Israeli military personnel killed Saturday in a battle with Palestinians was the leader of a regional council representing Israeli border regions northeast of the Gaza Strip, according to the council.
The Shaar Negev regional council issued a statement stating that “Ofir Liebstein, the president of the regional council, was killed during an exchange of fire with terrorists.”
The Israeli military declared it was in a war-like situation as warning sirens sounded throughout central and southern Israel, including in Jerusalem, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an urgent meeting of security authorities.
NEW: Israeli army confirms that Israeli settlements near Gaza stripe are under the control of Palestinian groups – Israel’s Channel 12
Below you see a footage of Palestinian reinforcements arriving in the Israeli settlements pic.twitter.com/PXZQUMM6SZ
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) October 7, 2023
The incident on Saturday was the most significant escalation since Israel and Hamas engaged in a 10-day war in 2021 and represented an unprecedented entry of Hamas fighters into Israel from Gaza.
Israeli media reported gunfights in southern Israeli towns between bands of Palestinian rebels and Israeli security personnel. In Gaza, many hurried to acquire supplies because they expected days of fighting.
Hamas fighters in central Sderot, only sporadic gunshots heard on the video. Unsure on the exact intersection this is.
The attack seems to have come so quickly that most residents were trapped and unable to flee. Needless to say, they’re now in extreme danger. pic.twitter.com/yZneCztAwF
— Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) October 7, 2023
In a broadcast on Hamas media, Mohammad Deif, the military chief of Hamas, called for Palestinians all over the world to battle and proclaimed the beginning of the operation.
He declared, “This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth,” noting the launch of 5,000 rockets.
Emergency services report that one Israeli woman died while ambulance teams were stationed outside of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military said that its personnel were in Gaza but provided no further information.
Hamas, according to Israeli Defense Minister Gallant, “launched a war against the State of Israel.” He claimed that Israeli “troops are battling the enemy everywhere.”
A Hamas unit called Saqr is one of the divisions that participated in the infiltration of southern Israel today. pic.twitter.com/eey0KY5GRC
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023
The Israeli military announced in a statement that “a number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip,” adding that locals in the region bordering the Gaza Strip had been advised to remain in their homes.
Israeli media reported that shooters opened fire on bystanders in the southern Israeli town of Sderot, and videos that circulated on social media appeared to show street battles and gunmen driving about in jeeps.
“We were told there are terrorists inside the kibbutz, and we can hear gunfire,” a young woman called Dvir from Beeri Kibbutz told Israeli Army Radio from her bomb shelter.
Reports of captured Israelis
A number of Israelis had reportedly been kidnapped by fighters, according to Palestinian media, and a video that appeared to show an Israeli tank being damaged was widely distributed by Hamas.
A security source claimed that the Israeli military was aware of rumors of hostages but gave no other information.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the call-up of reservists, and Netanyahu’s office said that the prime minister would meet with senior security officials soon.
Residents of the southern town of Khan Younis in Gaza reported violent skirmishes along the fence separating Gaza and Israel, and they claimed to have observed large movement of armed fighters.
What appears to be an Israeli Merkava IV (or Merkava 3?) MBT destroyed during the ongoing Hamas led ground offensive
This would be one of the first confirmed destructions of a tank with hardkill APS. Previously Turkish M-60TMs fitted with Zaslon/Pulat APS were destroyed in Syria pic.twitter.com/swXrzLmq3a
— Iran Defense|نیروهای مسلح جمهوری اسلامی ایران (@IranDefense) October 7, 2023
Israel’s ambulance service reported that teams had been sent to southern Israel neighborhoods close to Gaza and that locals had been advised to stay indoors.
Military reservists who had planned to skip training because they opposed the government’s plans to restructure the court were urged to report for service by a group that represents them.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad said that its fighters were collaborating with Hamas on the assault.
Israeli citizens fleeing border settlements. pic.twitter.com/knJNHr5obj
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 7, 2023
The armed branch of Islamic Jihad’s spokesperson, Abu Hamza, wrote on Telegram, “We are in this fight, and our fighters are fighting side by side with their brothers in the Qassam Brigades until victory is achieved.”
Disbelief about the incursion into Israel was expressed by Palestinians in Gaza. “It feels dreamlike. “Fighters inside our occupied land? I still can’t believe it,” a Gaza shopkeeper exclaimed.
The assault happened a day after Israel celebrated the 50th anniversary of the war in 1973 which nearly resulted in a devastating loss when Syria and Egypt launched an unexpected offensive.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.
