Following a violent rocket attack from the bordered Gaza Strip, which Palestinian militant group Hamas claimed was merely their “first strike,” Israel has proclaimed a “state of war.”
On a joyful holiday morning, as blaring sirens rang out across the nation, more than 5,000 missiles tore through the sky toward Israel.
The nation’s defense forces have also claimed that terrorist-designated Hamas militants have infiltrated its ranks. According to Israeli footage, paragliders were employed in the attack, and automobiles driving by were fired upon.
“The Israel Defense Forces declares a state of readiness for war. There has been widespread rocket fire into Israeli territory from Gaza, and terrorists have infiltrated Israeli territory through various entry points,” said the military.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a meeting of security chiefs will be called shortly. His government has stated that Hamas will suffer the consequences of its activities.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the most recent violence represents yet another significant escalation in geopolitics.
Multiple areas of impact have been reported in the southern and central regions of the country, setting off sirens in Israel’s capital city of Jerusalem and throughout the country.
Hamas’s armed wing announced the start of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” and claimed to have launched more than 5,000 missiles in the “first strike of 20 minutes.” In a pre-recorded address, Hamas militant chief Mohamed Deif declared: “We have decided to put an end to all of this, with the help of God, so that the enemy understands that the time of recklessness without accountability is over.”
According to emergency services, a senior Israeli woman was killed “due to a direct hit” in the missile attacks, and 15 other people were hurt. The government has urged residents to stay at home and close to emergency shelters.
Since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, Israel and Palestinian terrorists have engaged in a number of battles. The incident comes as tensions rose as a result of Israel closing its gates to employees from Gaza.
A day prior, Hamas had declared that “people had to draw a line to end the occupation” and that Israel was still committing atrocities on Palestinian territory, particularly around the sacred site of Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.