In a shocking development, Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif initiated an operation via a broadcast on Hamas media, calling upon Palestinians worldwide to join the struggle.
Deif proclaimed, “This marks the onset of the greatest battle to liberate the last occupied territory on earth,” and revealed that over 5,000 rockets had been launched in this endeavor.
This startling event unfolds on the heels of a 10-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in 2021.
Hamas Initiates a Conflict with Israel
A woman named Dorin, residing in Nir Oz, a kibbutz near Gaza, recounted a harrowing encounter. Militants had infiltrated her home, attempting to breach the bomb shelter where she was seeking refuge.
She urgently pleaded, “They have breached our security once again; we need immediate assistance.” Describing the dire situation, she added, “Many homes have sustained damage… My husband is desperately holding the door shut as they continue firing rounds of bullets.”
Israeli Defence Minister Gallant unequivocally stated that Hamas had “declared war on the State of Israel.” He affirmed that Israeli forces were engaged in combat across various fronts.
The Israeli military confirmed its operations inside Gaza without revealing specific details. A military statement conveyed, “A number of terrorists have crossed into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip.” It urged residents in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip to remain indoors.
Reports of Confrontations and Captives
Israeli media reported gunfire targeting civilians in the town of Sderot in southern Israel. Social media circulated videos depicting street clashes and armed militants in jeeps roaming the countryside.
Dvir, a young woman from Beeri Kibbutz, reported from her bomb shelter, “We have received information about terrorists inside the kibbutz, and we can hear gunfire.”
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Hamas media released videos purporting to show Israeli soldiers’ bodies brought into Gaza by fighters, Palestinian gunmen inside Israeli homes, and armed militants touring an Israeli town in jeeps that had allegedly been driven into Israel by the attackers. However, Reuters could not independently verify this footage.
Palestinian media claimed that several Israelis had been taken captive by fighters, and Hamas media circulated video footage apparently showing a destroyed Israeli tank. Israeli authorities acknowledged the reports of captives but declined to provide further details in a briefing with reporters.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced his forthcoming meeting with top security officials, while Gallant authorized the mobilization of reservists.
In Gaza, the sound of rocket launches reverberated, and residents reported armed clashes near the separation fence with Israel, close to the southern town of Khan Younis. There were also reports of significant movements by armed fighters.
Israel’s ambulance service dispatched teams to areas near Gaza in southern Israel, urging residents to remain indoors.
A group representing military reservists, initially planning to refuse to attend training due to objections to the government’s judicial reforms, called upon reservists to report for duty.
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The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group declared their alliance with Hamas in this endeavor. Their armed wing spokesman, Abu Hamza, conveyed, “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers in the Qassam Brigades until victory is achieved,” via a post on Telegram.
In Gaza, Palestinians expressed astonishment at the infiltration into Israel. One shopkeeper exclaimed, “It’s like a dream. I still can’t believe it.”
This assault transpired just one day after Israel commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war, a historical event that nearly led to the country’s catastrophic defeat in a surprise attack by Syria and Egypt.
