Isreal declares 'state of war' amid Hamas infiltration, rocket attacks
Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip reportedly fired a barrage of rockets toward Israel on Saturday morning, triggering air raid sirens that could be heard in the greater Tel Aviv area. According to the Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has declared a state of readiness for war amid the attack, and Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi is holding a review and approving plans of action.
Visuals of rockets being fired along Gaza Strip
At least 1 dead amid rocket attacks in Israel
Reportedly, more than 5,000 rockets pierced the sky toward Israel, and the barrage lasted for over 30 minutes, killing at least one person. Following the attack, the IDF also took to X (formerly Twitter) and announced that a "number of terrorists" had entered the country's territory from the Gaza Strip and asked the residents in the region to stay indoors.
Hamas terrorist organization will pay for its actions: Israel
Israel's Foreign Ministry also tweeted that the Hamas terrorist organization carried out a combined attack, including the firing of rockets and terrorist infiltrations into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. "The IDF will defend Israeli civilians, and the Hamas terrorist organization will pay a heavy price for its actions," it added. The ministry also asked Israelis to "act according" to the particular instructions shared on the National Emergency Portal.
You can check out Israel Foreign Ministry's tweet here
Hamas claims responsibility for attack
The Palestinian militant Islamist group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday. In a statement, Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif announced it had begun "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" and added that the ongoing attacks are in retaliation to Israel's "desecration" of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Deif also alleged Israel injured and killed hundreds of Palestinians this year and that the country refused offers for prisoner exchange deals, reported Times of Israel.
Two sides had just negotiated truce
The incident—which occurred on the last day of the Jewish High Holidays—caught both Israelis and Palestinians off guard. After three weeks of violence and unrest along the separation fence, the two sides recently struck a truce mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations (UN). However, it is worth noting that Hamas officials always said they would retaliate against Israel "at a time and place of our choosing." The attack is the most serious since the 10-day 2021 Israel-Hamas war.
Know about ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas
Israel has imposed a blockade over Gaza since Hamas seized control of the area in 2007, and the two sides have fought four wars since then. While the blockade has ravaged the region's economy, Israel maintains it is necessary to prevent militant groups from building up their arsenals. Saturday's rocket fire also comes during a period of heavy fighting in the West Bank, where almost 200 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Israeli military incursions this year.
