According to various media sources, it has been reported that there have been 200 casualties in Gaza, as stated by Palestine.
Simultaneously, in Israel, 40 fatalities have been recorded following an unexpected assault involving the firing of approximately 5,000 rockets by the militant group Hamas. In response to this severe attack, Israel has officially declared war against Hamas, expressing their determination to seek retribution, and has initiated a series of airstrikes.
“Citizens of Israel, we are at war—not in an operation or in rounds, but at war,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address to the nation. “This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours.”
Militants from the blockaded Palestinian territory infiltrated Israel with paragliders, as well as boats and motor vehicles, in a brazen Saturday attack, according to multiple reports.
“Over the past half an hour, barrages of rockets have been launched by the Hamas terrorist organization from Gaza into Israel,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement early Saturday morning. “We urge the public in southern and central Israel to stay near protected areas and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command.”
The incident marked an unprecedented infiltration by an undisclosed number of Hamas militants from Gaza into Israel, representing one of the most significant escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent decades. According to reports from Israeli media, armed clashes erupted between groups of Palestinian fighters and security forces in various towns in southern Israel.
The Israeli police chief confirmed the existence of “21 active scenes” in the southern region. In Gaza, residents hurriedly purchased essential supplies in anticipation of prolonged hostilities.
Some individuals even evacuated their homes and sought refuge in shelters. In a broadcast on Hamas media, the Hamas military commander, Mohammad Deif, officially declared the commencement of the operation, urging Palestinians worldwide to join the fight.
Israeli woman in the hands of Hamas bleeding and beaten.
— Ashlea Simon (@AshleaSimonBF) October 7, 2023
This is the Israeli woman from my previous video.
This is horrifying!#Israel #Hamas #Palestine #Palestinian #IronDome #Gaza #TelAviv
pic.twitter.com/jhDzDvGXDu
“This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth,” he said, adding that 5,000 rockets had been launched.
Speaking to Israel N12 News by phone from a Nir Oz, a kibbutz near Gaza, a woman identified as Dorin said militants had infiltrated her house and tried to open the bomb shelter where she was hiding.
“They just came in again, please send help,” she said. “There are a lot of homes harmed … My husband is holding the door closed … They are firing rounds of bullets.”
Palestinian media reported that a number of Israelis had been taken captive by fighters and Hamas media circulated video footage apparently showing a destroyed Israeli tank.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech this morning said the country was in war. His office said he would meet top security officials in the coming hours.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said its fighters were joining Hamas in the attack.
“We are part of this battle, our fighters are side-by-side with their brothers in the Qassam Brigades until victory is achieved,” said Islamic Jihad armed wing spokesman Abu Hamza on a post on Telegram.
The attack came a day after Israel marked the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war that brought the country to the verge of catastrophic defeat in a surprise attack by Syria and Egypt.
