Hamas pummels Israel with 5,000 rockets; at least 1 killed, 100 wounded: Updates
Israel-Palestine conflict: Israeli Army warned of sirens across country's south and central areas. It also said it has declared “state of readiness for war”.
The Israeli military on Saturday said that Palestinian militants, Hamas, have infiltrated into Israel through the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces said barrages of rockets were also fired from the blockaded Gaza Strip, killing at least one person in Israel. Rockets streamed the sky repeatedly after the first launches from multiple locations in Gaza.
The Israeli Army warned of sirens across the country's south and central areas, urging the public to stay near bomb shelters. The army also said it has declared a “state of readiness for war”.
“In the last hour, a massive firing of rockets into Israeli territory from Gaza began, and terrorists penetrated into Israeli territory in a number of different locations,” a statement by the Israeli army social media platform X.
“Hamas … which is behind this attack, will bear the results and responsibility for the events,” it said.
The attack comes as a military wing of Hamas, Al Qassam Bridages, announced an operation — ‘Al Aqsa Storm’ and fired thousands of rockets in reponse to the ongoing provocations in Al-Aqsa and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Several videos went viral on social media in which Palestinian gunmen are seen firing on a police van in Israel's Sderot.
Top updates on Israel-Palestine escalation news:
- As reported by Times of Israel, gun battles among Israeli military and Hamas fighters are ongoing in seven locations in southern Israel near the Gaza border. They are taking place in Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen and Be’eri towns, and the Re’im military base.
- Mayor of Israel's Sha'ar Hanegev region Ofir Libstein killed by Hamas.
- Israel's army carried out at least two air strikes on the Gaza Strip, an AFP journalist reported.
- Israeli news organisation Ynet news reported that Hamas' military arm announced they captured 35 Israeli soldiers. “Our forces managed to capture more than 35 Israeli soldiers and civilians from the [Israeli] settlement of Sderot, and they were transferred to the Gaza Strip.”
- Israel launches operation “Iron Swords” amid the escalating attack by Palestine fighters. This will involve major operations against Hamas in Southern Israel and along the Gaza Strip. Israel also called up over 10,000 Reservists to join the country's defense forces.
- Local reports say that airports in central and southern Israel have been shut for commercial use. Ben Gurion Airport will remain operational and is supposed to only act according to the security instructions and guidelines.
- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will reportedly order an Official Declaration of War against Hamas and other Palestinian Groups who are assisting fighters in today's attack in the cabinet meeting.
- Israel Defense Minister Gallant said, “The Hamas [terrorist organization] has made a grave mistake this morning and launched a war against the State of Israel. IDF troops are fighting against the enemy at every location. I call on all of Israel’s citizens to follow security instructions. The State of Israel will win this war.”
- Israel hospital say that over 100 have been wounded in rocket strikes across south and central Israel with many in severe conditions. Soraka Hospital in Beersheba town said it received 80 patients. Whereas, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center near Tel Aviv said 17 patients were admitted. Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot is treating 21 casualties, The Times of Israel reported.
- Rockets from Gaza Strip land in Mevaseret Zion, a town near Jerusalem.
- Israel's police commissioner said that at least 21 active operations are ongoing against the terrorist groups in Southern regions.
- Palestinian fighters have reportedly captured a Israeli Military Base near the Gaza border.
- Israeli leader Isaac Herzog said on X, “I wish to offer strength to the army and rescue services. I send my encouragement and strength to all the residents of Israel who are under attack. We can overcome all those who wish us harm.”
- Hamaz fighters have reportedly taken five Israeli soldiers hostage.
- United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires in Israel Stephanie Hallett condemned the attack saying, “I condemn the indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. I am in contact with Israeli officials, and fully support Israel's right to defend itself from such terrorist acts.”
- Local media reports state that two Palestinian youth have died and five others were wounded by Israeli forces near Bureij camp.
- Mayor of Israel's southern Bedouin town of Kuseife Abd al-Aziz Nassara said that at least four people had died and several were wounded in the rocket strikes by Hamas fighters.
- All roads, bridges and border crossings near the Gaza Strip have beel shut down by the Israeli Defense Forces.
- The Israeli Police's Southern District Commander Superintenden Amir Cohen has been Injured by Shrapnel after a gunfire exchange with the Palestinian fighters in Southern Israel.
- Rocket firing continues from Gaza strip towards Southern and Central Israel.
- Israel's Ambassador to India Naor Gilon said on X, “Israel is under a combined attack from Gaza during the Jewish holiday. Both by rockets and ground infiltration of Hamas terrorists. The situation is not simple but Israel will prevail.”
- Israel's Prime Minister’s Office said that a top-level security cabinet will hold a meeting amid the attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also set to hold an assessment meet with security chiefs.
- Hamaz fighters have been firing at all passing civillians and vehicles.
- Israeli Defense Forces reportedly eliminated a terrorist group near Mordechai town.
- Israel's Defence Minister Joav Gallant has approved mobilisation of reservists, who are called upon duty as per military's needs.
- The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group has extended its support to the Large-Scale Assault by Hamas against Israel. The group said that is it “part of this battle”. A spokesperson said, “Our cadres stand alongside their brothers in Hamas, shoulder to shoulder, until victory.”
- Protests in Israel against government’s judicial overhaul plan have been cancelled as organisers extended their support to the country's citizens amid Palestinian attack. They also called upon those who were participating in the protests “to play their part to safeguard the security and health of the residents of Israel”.
- Israeli Broadcasting Authority reports that Hamaz fighters have taken control of a police station in Israel’s Sderot and several people have been ijured in fighting.
- Palestinian soldiers are roaming around Israel's Sderot and shooting citizens on streets.
- Several reports are saying that Israel's military has lost its control over the border crossing with Gaza strip.
- Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared an emergency situation within 80 kms from the Gaza Strip. This would allow the Home Front Command to restrict all gatherings.
- In its attempt to fight back, Israeli military said that it was striking targets in the Gaza Strip.
- It has been reported that Palestinian fighters have captured equipment and vehicles of Israeli Defense Forces.
- A video also showed that the Palestinian infiltrators used motorised hand gliders to enter Israel.
- Videos uploaded by Israeli citizens showed infiltrators on the streets and terraces trying to enter people's homes.
- Local journalists reported that Palestinian militants took Israelis hostage in Sderot's Kibbutz region. It also has been reported that several civilians were killed by Hamas fighters.
- Furthermore, upon attacking, Palestinian fighters urged Lebanon's armed groups to join forces with them to fight against Israel, the Spectator Index reported.
- Hamas has claimed that it launched over 5,000 rockets towards Southern and Central Israel in the past three hours as a part of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”.
- Rocket sirens were heard across Israel, especially near disputed Jerusalem.
