Hamas Assault
Hamas’s “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm” has raised the Israeli death toll to 200, while Israel’s retaliatory air strikes have martyred at least 232 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s health ministry, cited by Israel’s N12 News, reported that the ongoing Hamas attack has caused the deaths of at least 200 Israelis and over 1,100 injuries.
The Palestinian health ministry stated that, as of 4:20 pm (1320 GMT), there were “232 martyrs and 1,610 wounded with different injuries” in the conflict. The highly coordinated assault by Palestinians worldwide has taken Tel Aviv by surprise and is celebrated for its historic success in resistance.
Israel Stunned by Ongoing Crisis
Lior Hayat, the spokesperson of the Israeli foreign ministry, expressed that Israel was in a state of shock due to the murders and attacks targeting civilians in Hamas’ military operation, as reported by Al Arabiya English.
Simultaneously, Israel’s army reported engaging with Gaza fighters who had infiltrated Israel through land, sea, and air using paragliders following a rocket barrage from the Palestinian enclave.
Army spokesman Richard Hecht informed reporters, “It was a combined ground raid which happened through paragliders, through the sea and through the ground. Right now we’re fighting. We’re fighting in certain locations around the Gaza Strip… our forces are now fighting on the ground” in Israel.”
Moreover, Hecht acknowledged casualties but refrained from providing specific details or discussing reports of multiple Israelis being captured by Palestinian fighters.
Thousands of military reservists are being mobilized for deployment in Gaza, as well as in northern Israel near Lebanon and Syria, and in the occupied West Bank. Hecht emphasized, “We’re looking at all arenas… we understand this is something big.”
The Right to defend
At an emergency meeting in Ramallah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that his people possess the right to defend themselves against the “terror of settlers and occupation troops.”
The Al-Aqsa Storm: Unfolding Events in the Ongoing Crisis
Hamas commandos launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, firing over 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip and facilitating the infiltration of armed fighters into Israel, leaving the Israeli population in shock.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Palestine, deeming Hamas’ actions a “grave mistake.” This attack marked a significant escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Israel’s police chief reporting “21 active scenes” in southern Israel.
In Gaza, residents rushed to secure supplies and shelters in anticipation of prolonged conflict. So, Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif announced the operation’s start, urging Palestinians to join the fight, having launched 5,000 rockets.
Israel at War: Escalating Conflict in the Region
In a video statement, Israeli PM Netanyahu declared that Israel is in a “war” it “will win,” vowing that their enemy would pay an unprecedented price.
In addition, a woman named Dorin, speaking to Israel N12 News from Nir Oz, described how gunmen infiltrated her house, attempting to access the bomb shelter where she sought refuge.
Israeli Defence Minister Gallant stated that Hamas had initiated “a war against the State of Israel,” with Israeli forces engaged against the enemy across various locations.
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) October 7, 2023
Israeli occupation army evacuates its air bases near the #Gaza Strip as resistance fighters begin to approach them.
FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/sU4Q8VJjo7 pic.twitter.com/oMNAbHZUFy
The Israeli military confirmed operations inside Gaza without providing details and noted that some terrorists had infiltrated Israeli territory from Gaza, urging local residents to stay in their homes.
Also, reports indicated that gunmen opened fire in the town of Sderot in southern Israel, while social media footage showed street clashes and gunmen in vehicles in the countryside.
Israelis Taken Captive: Escalation in the Ongoing Conflict
Hamas media showcased videos claiming to depict Israeli soldiers’ bodies brought into Gaza by fighters and Palestinian gunmen inside Israeli homes, as well as touring an Israeli town in jeeps reportedly driven into Israel by the attackers. Verification of the footage by Reuters was not immediately possible.
Reports circulating in Palestinian media indicated that fighters had taken Israelis captive, and Hamas media shared video footage suggesting the destruction of an Israeli tank. Also, Israeli authorities acknowledged the captive reports without providing further details.
BREAKING: Israeli settlers flee southern Israel as Gaza resistance fighters invade the settlements. pic.twitter.com/ezUFKdTYpC
— PALESTINE ONLINE(@OnlinePalEng) October 7, 2023
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced his upcoming meeting with top security officials, and Defence Minister Gallant authorized reservist call-ups.
Rocket launches persisted in Gaza, armed clashes occurred along the separation fence near Khan Younis, and significant fighter movement has witnessed. Israel’s ambulance service dispatched teams to southern Israel, urging residents to stay indoors.
A group representing military reservists, initially planning to boycott training over judicial system overhaul objections, called on reservists to report for duty.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group announced its fighters’ participation alongside Hamas in the attack. Gaza residents expressed astonishment at the infiltration into Israel. The attack followed Israel’s observance of the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war, a historical event near-catastrophic for the country.
