Israel on Saturday declared a ‘state of war’ and launched air strikes on Gaza strip after a fierce rocket attack by Palestine’s Hamas militants, which it said was only their “first strike”.
Over 5,000 rockets pierced the sky towards Israel as loud sires blared across the country on this festive holiday morning. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Hamas made a “grave mistake” in launching a war against Israel.
The country’s defence forces also alleged an infiltration by Hamas militants, whom they consider terrorists. Paragliders were used in the attack and cars passing by were fired at on the roads, showed visuals from Israel.
“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.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he will shortly convene a meeting of security chiefs. Hamas will pay heavy price for its actions, his government has asserted.
The latest violence marks another big escalation in geopolitics in recent years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sirens are blazing in the holy city of Jerusalem and across Israel as multiple points of impact have been reported across southern and central parts of the country.
The armed wing of Hamas declared it has begun “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” and said it has fired over 5,000 rockets in the “first strike of 20 minutes.” “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,” Hamas militant leader Mohamed Deif said in a pre-recorded speech.
An elderly Israeli woman was killed “due to a direct hit” in the rocket attacks and 15 others were injured, emergency services said. The government has asked civilians to stay near shelters and those near the Gaza strip to stay home.
“On Shabbat and the holiday of Simchat Torah – non-stop rocket sirens are sounding across Israel, including Jerusalem. Israel is under terrorist infiltration carried out by the Hamas terrorist organization. We will do everything to protect ourselves,” asserted the government.
Israel and Palestinian militants have fought several wars since Hamas took power in Gaza in 2007. The latest comes after tensions heightened after Israel closed borders to Gazan workers.
The violence erupted a day after Hamas said that the “people had to draw a line to end the occupation” and added that Israel continued to commit crimes across Palestinian land, and especially on the holy site of Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.
As many as 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis and two foreigners have been killed in the conflict this year so far. These include both fighters and civilians.