In the Palestinian territory of Gaza, over 1,600 people have been hurt and at least 198 people have died. According to the local health ministry, it was Israel’s response to a fatal, multifaceted attack by Hamas fighters into Israel.
The number of fatalities increased on Saturday after the Palestinian organization in charge of the Gaza Strip unleashed its biggest onslaught against Israel in a decade. Following a bombardment of over 2,000 rockets fired from the beleaguered enclave, it invaded regions in the country’s southern soils.
A total of forty people have been confirmed dead, according to Israel’s national rescue service, Magen David Adom, as hundreds of injured individuals are being treated in Israeli hospitals, including many who are in serious condition.
Hamas had a “grave mistake” warning from Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, for initiating the assault. The initial assault, which started at 6:30 local time, involved militants invading Israel by land, sea, and air in addition to a barrage of missiles fired from various points in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister stated in a video address from Tel Aviv’s military command center, “Israeli citizens, we are at war.”
Israel’s military claimed later that day that it had attacked Gaza with airstrikes. The Israeli army reported that “dozens of [its] fighter jets are currently attacking a number of sites connected to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.”
Prior to the missile launch, Mohammed Deif, a top Hamas military leader, declared that “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” had begun. He urged Palestinian people all across the world to oppose Israeli colonialism.
“We’ve decided to say enough is enough. This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on Earth,” Deif said in an audio message prior to Israel’s attacks.
Retaliations; Heavier the Expected
Hamas was going to pay a “heavy price for its actions,” the Israeli army advised Israeli citizens living near the Gaza Strip, ordering them to remain inside their houses.
According to Israeli media, Palestinian armed men opened fire on bystanders in the Israeli town of Sderot in south. Social media videos seemed to depict Palestinians in uniform fighting in the border region.
Another video that circulated on social media purported to show a blazing Israeli tank encircled by joyful Palestinians.
Israeli jets had begun bombing areas in Gaza by late Saturday morning as part of “Operation Iron Swords,” according to the military, while Israeli forces were involved in ground combat in a number of places close to the embattled Palestinian territory. “We’re battling right now. Our soldiers are now engaged in ground combat in certain areas surrounding the Gaza Strip, Israel’s army spokesperson Richard Hecht told media.
According to media accounts, the initial round of Israeli airstrikes resulted in loud blasts that were heard by bystanders in Gaza, and at least one person was confirmed dead.
Another social media footage that went viral alleged that it displayed a burning Israeli tank surrounded by happy Palestinians.
According to the IDF, Israeli planes had started striking sites in Gaza late on Saturday morning as part of “Operation Iron Swords,” while Israeli soldiers were engaged in ground battles in a number of locations adjacent to the beleaguered Palestinian enclave.
Right now, we’re engaged in combat. According to Israel’s army spokesperson Richard Hecht, our forces are now involved in combat on the ground in certain regions bordering the Gaza Strip. According to reports, the first round of Israeli airstrikes produced loud explosions that Gaza onlookers could hear, and at least one Palestinian was confirmed deceased.
