The Palestinian militant organization Hamas has launched a large-scale assault on Israel, marking one of the most significant escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent years, the foreign media reported on Saturday.
The attack, which took place on Saturday, involved a combination of heavily armed gunmen infiltrating Israeli towns and a relentless barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
The assault has resulted in a devastating toll, with at least 22 Israelis confirmed dead and over 250 others wounded, according to Israel’s ambulance service.
The casualty count is expected to rise as the situation unfolds. Hamas has claimed responsibility for the attack, which they described as a response to what they perceive as Israel’s continued occupation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly declared the incident an “act of war”, asserting that Israel was engaged in a battle that it would win at any cost. “Our enemy will pay a price the type of which it has never known,” he declared, vowing retaliation against Hamas.
The situation on the ground is dire, with reports of Hamas fighters infiltrating homes in Israeli towns, leading to hostage situations.
Gun battles have erupted between Palestinian militants and Israeli security forces in several areas, leading to chaotic scenes. Additionally, disturbing reports suggest that Israeli soldiers have been taken captive by the attackers, though these claims have not been independently verified.
However, the social media is flooded with the video depicting the overall situation unfolding in Israel.
Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif announced the operation in a broadcast, calling on Palestinians everywhere to join the fight against what he referred to as the “last occupation on earth.” He claimed that a staggering 5,000 rockets had been launched as part of the attack.
The situation has led to widespread panic and chaos, with residents in Israeli towns near Gaza seeking shelter from the ongoing clashes.
The Israeli military has responded with air strikes into Gaza, resulting in heavy explosions. Witnesses on both sides have reported significant movements of armed fighters and clashes along the Gaza-Israel border.
This attack comes amidst escalating violence between Israel and Palestinian fighters in the West Bank, further destabilizing the region.
International observers are closely monitoring the situation as political tensions in Israel and diplomatic efforts in the region add further complexity to the already volatile situation.
