In a shocking turn of events, the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a major attack on Israel, marking one of the most serious escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in years. The attack, which took place on a Saturday, caught Israel by surprise and involved a combination of gunmen crossing into several Israeli towns and a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
As warning sirens blared across southern and central Israel, including in Jerusalem, Israel’s military declared a war footing. The defense minister pointed out that Hamas, backed by Iran, had made a grave mistake by declaring war on Israel.
The Israeli military swiftly responded by launching airstrikes into Gaza, resulting in heavy explosions witnessed by onlookers. This attack was particularly notable for the unprecedented infiltration of an unknown number of Hamas gunmen into Israel from Gaza.
Tragically, at least two Israelis lost their lives, and dozens were wounded, according to medical officials. Reports emerged of gun battles between Palestinian fighters and security forces in southern Israeli towns. Israel’s police chief mentioned that there were “21 active scenes” in southern Israel, underscoring the extent of the attack.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, residents rushed to buy supplies in anticipation of days of conflict ahead, with some evacuating their homes and seeking shelter.
Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif announced the commencement of the operation in a broadcast, urging Palestinians everywhere to join the fight. He claimed that 5,000 rockets had been launched, setting a highly dangerous precedent.
The last significant flare-up between Israel and Hamas had occurred during a 10-day war in 2021. The current situation marked a severe escalation, with Israel’s defense minister asserting that Hamas had effectively “launched a war against the State of Israel.”
The Israeli military acknowledged that its forces were operating inside Gaza but provided no specific details. There were reports of terrorists infiltrating Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, prompting warnings for residents in the area to remain in their homes.
Disturbingly, there were reports of Palestinian fighters entering Israeli homes, circulating video footage showing purported Israeli soldiers’ bodies brought into Gaza by Hamas fighters, and claims of Israelis being taken captive. These developments further heightened tensions in the region.
As the conflict unfolded, the roar of rocket launches echoed in Gaza, while residents reported armed clashes along the separation fence with Israel near the southern town of Khan Younis. Israel’s ambulance service dispatched teams to areas in southern Israel near Gaza, cautioning residents to stay indoors.
In a surprising development, a group representing military reservists, who had initially planned to refuse training due to objections to the government’s judiciary overhaul plans, called on reservists to report for duty.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group also announced its fighters’ involvement in the attack, pledging solidarity with Hamas.
This attack occurred just a day after Israel marked the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war, adding further complexity to the evolving situation in the region.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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