The Palestinian militant organization, Hamas, initiated an assault on Israel on Saturday morning, killing scores of people.
The attack dubbed “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” marks the most significant escalation since the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in 2021, Goldennewsng understands.
Hamas claimed in a publication made public that it launched 5,000 rockets, while Israel also confirmed that the group’s fighters had entered its territory. This news platform understands that the initial round of rockets was fired at 06:30 a.m. local time (03:30 GMT).
In response to the assault, the Israeli army also launched “Operation Iron Swords” against the Hamas group in the Gaza Strip. These early-morning strikes occurred on Simchat Torah, a holiday that concludes the weeklong Jewish festival known as Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles.
The rockets were fired as far north as Tel Aviv, and Hamas has also sent fighters into southern Israel. According to Israeli media, gunmen have opened fire on passers-by in the town of Sderot, and footage circulating on social media appears to show clashes in city streets, as well as gunmen in jeeps roaming the countryside.
Israel Army Comment On Hamas War
In a statement made available to the media, Israel’s army said it was fighting Gaza militants who entered Israel by land, sea and air using paragliders on Saturday after a barrage of rockets was fired at Israel from the Palestinian enclave.
“It was a combined ground raid which happened through paragliders, through the sea and through the ground,” army spokesman Richard Hecht told reporters.
“Right now, we’re fighting. We’re fighting in certain locations around the Gaza Strip… our forces are now fighting on the ground” in Israel, he added.
Hecht confirmed there are casualties but would not be drawn on details, nor discuss reports that multiple Israelis had been captured by Palestinian militants.
Thousands of military reservists are set to be drawn up for Gaza, as well as northern Israel, near foes Lebanon and Syria, and the occupied West Bank.
“We’re looking at all arenas… we understand this is something big,” Hecht said.
