Mumbai: After Hamas fired 5,000 rockets at Israel, the militant group’s commander Mohammad Deif said, “This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on Earth.”
Local media reported that gunmen had opened fire on passers-by in the town of Sderot. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant authorized the call-up of reservists.
The defense minister claimed that the Iran-backed Hamas had made a “grave mistake” by declaring war on Israel as warning sirens sounded across southern and central Israel, including in Jerusalem. Israel’s military declared that it was on a war footing.
Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions in Gaza, where the Israeli military claimed to have launched airstrikes.
The attack was one of the most dangerous escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent years, and it represented an unprecedented entry into Israel from Gaza of unidentified numbers of Hamas gunmen. According to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan, at least two Israelis were slain. According to medical personnel, there were numerous injuries.
In communities in southern Israel, security personnel and gangs of Palestinian fighters engaged in fire engagements, according to Israeli media. The scale of the attack was indicated by the police commander of Israel’s statement that there were “21 active scenes” in southern Israel.
In Gaza, many hurried to acquire supplies because they expected days of fighting. Many people left their homes and went to shelters.
In a broadcast on Hamas media, Mohammad Deif, the military chief of Hamas, called for Palestinians all over the world to battle and proclaimed the beginning of the operation.
He declared, “This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth,” noting the launch of 5,000 rockets.
The most recent significant conflict between Israel and Hamas lasted for 10 days in 2021.
Videos of what Hamas media claimed were Israeli army bodies being taken into Gaza by fighters and of Palestinian gunmen entering Israeli homes and driving through an Israeli community in jeeps that the terrorists allegedly drove into Israel were shown.
The clip could not immediately be verified by Reuters.
A number of Israelis had reportedly been kidnapped by fighters, according to Palestinian media, and a video that appeared to show an Israeli tank being damaged was widely distributed by Hamas.
An army source claimed that the Israeli military was aware of rumors of hostages but gave no other information. An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to respond during a press briefing.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he would meet with senior security officers soon, and Gallant approved the call-up of reservists.
Residents in the southern town of Khan Younis in Gaza reported hearing rocket launches, seeing large movement of armed fighters, and hearing armed clashes along the border fence with Israel.
Israel’s ambulance service reported that teams had been sent to southern Israel neighborhoods close to Gaza and that locals had been advised to stay indoors.
Military reservists who had planned to skip training because they opposed the government’s plans to restructure the court were urged to report for service by a group that represents them.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad said that several of its fighters had joined Hamas.
The armed branch of Islamic Jihad’s spokesperson, Abu Hamza, wrote on Telegram, “We are in this fight, and our fighters are fighting side by side with their brothers in the Qassam Brigades until victory is achieved.”
Disbelief about the incursion into Israel was expressed by Palestinians in Gaza. “It feels dreamlike. One Gaza shopkeeper stated, “I still can’t believe it.
The assault happened a day after Israel celebrated the 50th anniversary of the war in 1973 that nearly resulted in a devastating loss when Syria and Egypt launched an unexpected offensive.
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