By In an astonishing surprise assault this Saturday, Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, initiated a massive attack by launching an astounding 5,000 rockets into Israel from Gaza.
Israel officially announced a state of war as the country was hit by a barrage of rockets launched by the militant group Hamas. The eruption of this conflict comes after a surge in violence over recent months within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reaching a level of casualties in the occupied West Bank not witnessed for years.
This brazen act was swiftly followed by armed infiltrations into southern regions of the country, marking the commencement of what they termed “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.”
Mohammad Deif, a high-ranking Hamas military commander, made the announcement of this operation through Hamas media.
He passionately urged Palestinians across all regions to unite and fight against the occupation. The scale of the assault was unprecedented, with the launch of a staggering 5,000 rockets.
The consequences of this assault were grave. Ambulance crews were swiftly dispatched to areas surrounding the Gaza Strip as warning sirens blared across Israel, including Jerusalem.
Tragically, one Israeli woman lost her life due to a direct rocket hit, and 15 others were injured, two of them in critical condition, as reported by medics.
In response to the incursion, the Israeli military released a statement confirming the infiltration of terrorists from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory. The military warned residents in the vicinity to remain indoors while affirming their commitment to defend civilians and hold Hamas accountable for their actions.
This attack by Hamas represents the most significant assault on Israel in recent years. It combined both armed infiltrations and a massive rocket barrage from the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli forces were put on high alert, with warning sirens ringing across southern and central Israel, including the revered city of Jerusalem.
The last time such a serious conflict erupted was during the 2021 10-day war between Israel and Hamas. During this current onslaught, there were reports of intense gun battles between Palestinian fighters and Israeli security forces in various towns in southern Israel.
Hamas, through its military commander Mohammad Deif, expressed a firm resolve to bring an end to what they view as the last occupation on earth.
They proclaimed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, underscoring their determination to cease what they see as the crimes of the Israeli occupation. This declaration was followed by a formidable display of firepower, launching over 5,000 rockets within the first 20 minutes.
As the situation escalates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has convened an emergency meeting with top security officials. Furthermore, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has authorized the call-up of reservists, indicating a heightened state of preparedness within the Israeli defence forces.
This latest attack has caused widespread concern and raised questions about the potential for further escalation in the already volatile Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community closely watches these developments, hoping for a swift resolution and an end to the violence plaguing the region.
