Hamas initiated “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” with a relentless barrage of over 5,000 rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. It led to the killing of more than 22 Israeli lives and injuries to over 500 individuals in southern Israel.
The attack left Israelis in a state of profound shock on Saturday. Israelis are seeking refuge in bomb shelters.
Meanwhile, Hamas fighters have captured several villages and towns in Southern Israel.
Shortly after this large-scale surprise assault, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war against Palestine. He asserted that Hamas had committed a “grave mistake.”
In response to Palestinian attacks, the Israeli military confirmed launching airstrikes into Gaza, with witnesses reporting intense explosions in the region.
This attack marked an extraordinary infiltration by an undetermined number of Hamas militants from Gaza and represented one of the most serious escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent years, as reported by Reuters.
Israel’s police chief indicated the gravity of the situation, mentioning “21 active scenes” in southern Israel affected by the attack.
In anticipation of days of conflict, Gaza residents rushed to procure essential supplies, with some evacuating their homes and seeking refuge in shelters.
Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif officially announced the commencement of the operation through a broadcast on Hamas media, calling on Palestinians worldwide to join the fight. He declared it the “day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth” and disclosed that 5,000 rockets had been launched.
The last significant confrontation between Israel and Hamas occurred during a 10-day war in 2021.
