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Netanyahu Declares Israel in State of War Following Unprecedented Hamas Attack That Claims At Least 22 Lives

by Andrew Wright
10 comments
Hamas attack on Israel

The governing body of Hamas in the Gaza Strip launched a multi-pronged, unparalleled assault on Israel early Saturday morning, catching the nation unaware during a significant holiday. The attack involved thousands of rocket firings and the infiltration of Hamas militants through Israel’s highly fortified border by multiple means—air, land, and sea.

Six hours into the attack, ongoing armed confrontations were taking place within several Israeli localities, revealing an unexpected display of military capacity from Hamas and rattling the Israeli populace. Israel’s national emergency service reported a death toll of at least 22 individuals and hundreds more injured, marking it as the most fatal attack on Israel in recent history.

Beersheba’s Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel confirmed the treatment of approximately 280 casualties, 60 of whom were in critical condition. Meanwhile, there were no official figures regarding Gaza’s casualties, although reporters from Big Big News observed the funerals of 15 individuals and saw another eight bodies brought to a local hospital. The identity of these casualties—whether combatants or civilians—was not immediately clear.

Footage circulating on social media portrayed Hamas militants parading what appeared to be commandeered Israeli military vehicles and at least one deceased Israeli soldier being mistreated by an irate Palestinian crowd shouting religious slogans. Videos released by Hamas seemed to indicate the capture of at least three living Israelis. The Israeli military refrained from revealing details about casualties or abductions while combat operations against infiltrators were ongoing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised statement, asserted, “We are at war,” mobilizing a large contingent of the country’s army reserves. “The enemy will incur an unprecedented cost,” he added, pledging an unprecedented level of counterattack by Israel.

The attack occurred on Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday, echoing unsettlingly with the surprise attack launched against Israel during Yom Kippur in 1973. This historical parallel heightened criticisms of Netanyahu and his hawkish allies for their perceived failure to anticipate the well-coordinated Hamas offensive.

Israel’s emergency medical organization, Magen David Adom, disclosed at least 16 casualties, including a woman in her 60s who was fatally hit by a rocket from Gaza. Reports hinted at a significantly higher number of casualties on both sides, but official details were pending.

In retaliation, the Israeli military struck targets across Gaza, in response to the 2,500 rockets that triggered air raid alarms as far north as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli forces were engaged in armed conflicts with Hamas militants who had managed to bypass Israel’s separation fence and also infiltrate the country through other innovative means like paragliders.

The motives behind Hamas’ abrupt attack, following weeks of escalated tensions along the Gaza border, remain unclear. Mohammed Deif, the enigmatic leader of Hamas’ military wing, announced the beginning of “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm,” calling on Palestinians to join the resistance.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant cautioned in a televised speech that Hamas had committed “a grave error,” assuring that “the state of Israel will prevail in this war.”

The attack added another layer of complexity to an already tense political landscape in Israel, marked by extensive public protests and military discontent over Netanyahu’s controversial plans to reform the judiciary. It raised further concerns over the military’s preparedness and its ability to deter its enemies.

Both Israeli and Palestinian health agencies urged for blood donations, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, a spokesperson for the Israeli army, confirmed the mobilization of reserve forces but declined to discuss how the army was caught by surprise.

Hamas’ exiled leader, Ismail Haniyeh, claimed that Palestinian militants were participating in a “historic operation” aimed at defending Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque and the numerous Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The attack forced millions of Israelis into secure locations, disrupting lives in cities and towns and causing road closures near Gaza.

The incident revealed cracks in the unity of Israel’s military reserves and threatened Netanyahu’s credibility as a security expert. It also jeopardized the stability of a nation already embroiled in low-intensity conflicts on multiple fronts and facing threats from militant groups like Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Israel has been enforcing a blockade on Gaza since 2007, following Hamas’ seizure of the territory. This has led to multiple conflicts and has severely impacted Gaza’s economy. Israel justifies the blockade as a measure to prevent militant groups from arming themselves, while Palestinians view it as collective punishment.

The episode of rocket attacks occurs amidst escalating violence in the West Bank, where nearly 200 Palestinians have been killed this year in Israeli military operations. Tensions have also recently escalated in Gaza itself, marked by violent protests along the Israeli border, although these were halted in late September following international mediation efforts.

Reported by Adwan from Rafah, Gaza Strip, with contributions from Big Big News writer Isabel DeBre in Jerusalem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hamas attack on Israel

What happened in the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel?

Hamas militants carried out a multi-front attack on Israel, involving thousands of rockets, as well as infiltrations by air, land, and sea. The militants engaged in gunbattles within several Israeli communities. This attack resulted in at least 22 Israeli fatalities and hundreds of injuries, making it one of the deadliest in years.

Who is Hamas?

Hamas is a Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip. It is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and some Western countries.

What was the Israeli government’s response to the attack?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war and announced a mass mobilization of the country’s army reserves. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that Hamas had made “a grave mistake” and promised that Israel would win the war.

Were there any casualties on the Gaza side?

The text did not provide official numbers for casualties in Gaza. However, reporters witnessed the funerals of 15 people and saw another eight bodies at a local hospital. It was unclear whether these individuals were fighters or civilians.

How has the attack impacted Israeli public opinion and politics?

The attack revived painful memories of past conflicts and led to criticism of Netanyahu and his far-right allies for failing to anticipate such a well-coordinated assault from Hamas. It has also heightened internal divisions within Israel over various issues including Netanyahu’s proposal to overhaul the judiciary.

What is the historical context of this attack?

The attack came nearly 50 years after the 1973 Mideast war, in which Israel was taken by surprise on Yom Kippur. The latest attack occurred on Simchat Torah, another major Jewish holiday, and has led to comparisons with that traumatic event in Israeli history.

Were any Israelis captured by Hamas?

Videos released by Hamas appeared to show at least three Israelis captured alive. However, the Israeli military declined to give details about casualties or kidnappings.

How did the attack affect everyday life in Israel?

The invasion forced millions of Israelis to take shelter, either in safe rooms or by evacuating areas close to the Gaza border. Roads near Gaza were closed, and cities and towns emptied out as residents sought safety.

What is “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm”?

Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas’ military wing, announced the start of what he called “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.” According to Deif, the operation aims to defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and calls for Palestinians across the region to join the fight.

What international repercussions have there been so far?

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah congratulated Hamas on the attack, praising it as a response to “Israeli crimes” and declaring that the militants had “divine backing.”

More about Hamas attack on Israel

  • Hamas Organization Overview
  • Israel Defense Forces Official Statement
  • History of Israel-Hamas Conflicts
  • Overview of 1973 Mideast War
  • Benjamin Netanyahu’s Political Profile
  • Israeli Public Opinion on Security Issues
  • Hezbollah’s Involvement in Regional Conflicts
  • Timeline of Recent Tensions in the Middle East
  • Palestinian Territories: Overview and Conflicts
  • International Reactions to Israel-Hamas Conflicts

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10 comments

Mike_1990 October 7, 2023 - 10:54 am

If Hezbollah’s congratulating Hamas, this can’t be good. The entire region might get unstable if other groups join in.

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HumanityFirst October 7, 2023 - 2:10 pm

War is never the answer. This will only perpetuate a cycle of violence and loss. Wish there was a way for both sides to find peace.

Reply
LindaF October 7, 2023 - 7:08 pm

the timing with Simchat Torah and memories of the ’73 war… it’s chilling. What are the odds? Makes you think.

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Political_Analyst October 7, 2023 - 8:19 pm

The divisions within Israel’s military reserves and judiciary reform plans couldn’t have come at a worse time. This will be a political hot potato for Netanyahu.

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JaneSmith October 7, 2023 - 8:20 pm

can’t believe the level of planning and coordination from Hamas here. They managed to catch an entire nation off-guard. This is gonna have repercussions.

Reply
JohnDoe October 8, 2023 - 1:47 am

Wow, this situation is escalating fast. Never thought I’d see the day when something like this happens. Netanyahu declaring war is a big deal.

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EmilyQ October 8, 2023 - 2:27 am

Is this going to start another war in the middle east? With all the internal division in Israel, this could be really bad timing. I hope cooler heads will prevail.

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GaryP October 8, 2023 - 7:36 am

Military strategy seems flawed here. If you campaign on strong defense, how do you get caught off guard like this? Netanyahu has some explaining to do.

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SarahInNY October 8, 2023 - 10:28 am

I feel for the innocent ppl caught in this mess, on both sides. So many lives changed forever. When is this cycle of violence gonna end?

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CryptoKen October 8, 2023 - 10:38 am

This will have economic impacts too, markets don’t like instability. Wonder how this will affect global finance, especially with crypto as an alternative to traditional investments.

Reply

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