We are at war: Netanyahu after Hamas's attack on Israel
After Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a barrage of rockets toward Israel on Saturday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was "at war!" In an official video address after the attack, Netanyahu said, "Citizens of Israel, we are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens."
Why does this story matter?
Netanyahu's remarks come just hours after Hamas, a Palestinian militant Islamist group, claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack. In a release, Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif said that 5,000 rockets were fired into Israel early Saturday to begin "Operation Al-Aqsa Storm." Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that Deif claimed that the attack on Israel was connected to the country's "desecration" of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. The attack is the deadliest since the 10-day Israel-Hamas war in 2021.
Enemy will pay unprecedented price: Netanyahu
While providing security details, the Israeli prime minister announced, "I have ordered an extensive mobilization of reserves and that we return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known." He also urged the people of Israel to "strictly" follow the directives of the Home Front Command and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and asserted that the "enemy" will be paying an "unprecedented price."
You can watch Netanyahu's full address here
22 Israelis killed, over 500 injured
Since the attack on Israel early Saturday morning, about 545 people have been injured in the attacks, with at least 22 Israelis dead, according to Israeli officials. Among those killed were the mayor of Israel's Sha'ar Hanegev region, Ofir Libstein, who was reportedly killed during an "exchange of fire with terrorists." The Israel Foreign Ministry has asked Israelis to "act according" to the special instructions posted on the National Emergency Portal.
India issues advisory for citizens in Israel amid Hamas's attack
In view of the current situation in Israel, the Indian embassy in Israel issued an advisory for Indian citizens on Saturday afternoon. The advisory asked all Indian nationals in Israel to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities. "Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement, and stay close to safety shelters," the statement from the embassy read.
Check out Indian embassy's advisory here
Ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas
In 2007, Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza after Hamas seized control of the province, and since then, the two sides have fought four wars. While the siege devastated the area's economy, Israel claims it is essential to prevent militant outfits from building up their arsenals. Saturday's rocket fire also comes during the ongoing battle in the West Bank, where nearly 200 people from Palestine have allegedly died this year during Israeli military incursions.
