Hamas launches ‘OPERATION AL-AQSA FLOOD
Hamas fighters cross into Israel and fight underway in more than 25 locations
Israel lauches ‘OPERATION IRON SHEILD
Over 200 Israeli Killed, 1,100 injured; 232 Palestinian martyred,over 1500 injured
Our Jihad is for desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque, occupation of Palestine and inhuman treatment of prisoners- Ismail Haniyeh
This has never been seen in Israel, we will take mighty vengeance for this black day- Netanyahu
The ruling Hamas group in the Gaza Strip defending the occupied Palestinian territories, carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at early morning on Saturday, firing over 2500 rockets into Israeli territory as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in more than 25 locations by air, land and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major offensive. Hamas fighters used explosives to break through the border fence enclosing the long-blockaded Mediterranean territory, then crossed with motorcycles, pickup trucks, paragliders and speed boats on the coast.
Israel’s national rescue service says more than 200 have been killed and hundreds injured in the Hamas militant group’s incursion in southern Israel, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years.
The attack began with an early-dawn rocket attack that lasted for nearly half an hour. Thousands of rockets were launched from inside Gaza, some making it as far as Tel Aviv, causing widespread damage. Next came an invasion from Hamas who had infiltrated Israel in at least more than 20 locations. The fighters had sneaked across the separation fence and even invaded Israel through the air with paragliders and by sea, the army said. The fighters stormed the streets of nearby border towns, setting Israeli tanks on fire as they went.
The Israeli military confirmed Saturday that Hamas are holding several Israeli civilians and soldiers hostage in Gaza. The military did not say how many hostages were seized, but their capture marks how significant and massive the incursion of Hamas into Israeli territories.
“We are at war,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address, declaring a mass mobilization of the country’s army reserves. “Not an ‘operation,’ not a ’round,’ but at war.”
This has never been seen in Israel, we will take vengeance for this black day said Netanyahu after the magnitude of the attack became apparent.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has also confirmed that at least 232 civilians have been killed and at least 1,610 wounded in the territory from Israeli offensive after the attack. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported injuries among “many citizens” and are using loudspeakers on mosques to broadcast prayers of mourning for killed martyrs.
“The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” said Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister. He added that Israel would “return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known.”
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas said the unprecedented attack is in retaliation of the activities unjust occupiers of the sacred land and the desecration of Aqsah and the continuous killing of Palestinians. In a televised speech, Haniyeh addressed the Arab countries that have normalised ties with Israel in recent years.
“We say to all countries, including our Arab brothers, that this entity, which cannot protect itself in the face of resistors, cannot provide you with any protection,” he said. Haniyeh has called on other Islamic groups to join the war.
Israel is baffled about how Hamas could breach her security and has failed to make comments directly on the issue. Israel has built a massive fence along the Gaza border meant to prevent infiltrations. It goes deep underground and is equipped with cameras, high-tech sensors and sensitive listening technology.
Israel has maintained a blockade over Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007.
The blockade, which restricts the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza, has devastated the territory’s economy. Israel says the blockade is needed to keep militant groups from building up their arsenals. The blockade impoverished more than 61% of Gaza’s total population of about two million and 380 thousand people. The Palestinian territory is just like an open- air prison with access to basic amenities of life being at the mercy of Israel.
The scores of fighters and Palestinian residents poured into the streets in celebration at the news of the rocket barrages against Israel
