Unprecedented Hamas Assault Shakes Israelis: A New Level of Conflict Emerges Near Gaza Frontier

Residents in southern Israel near the fraught border with Gaza have grown accustomed to sporadic conflicts between the Israeli military and Hamas militants, viewing air raid sirens as an unfortunate but regular aspect of life.

However, the situation escalated significantly this past Saturday, defying any sense of normalcy that had been established. Locals described the ground invasion executed by Hamas — involving pick-up trucks, boats, and hang-gliders — as an actualization of their worst fears.

For those residing within striking distance of Gaza, the imagery of armed Hamas militants patrolling the streets outside their homes, and news of the group abducting civilians and military personnel, represented a disturbing departure from anything previously experienced.

Jehan Berman, a 42-year-old resident of the small community of Avshalom near the Gaza border, indicated that it took eight hours for the Israeli forces to arrive at his kibbutz to counter the invading militants. Berman, who has sustained multiple injuries and disabilities over the years due to ongoing conflicts, also revealed that his 75-year-old mother-in-law had been kidnapped by Hamas. Her last communication was a frantic phone call at 10:30 a.m., in which she informed him that her husband had been fatally shot by the militants.

Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system, capable of intercepting around 90% of incoming rockets from Gaza, offered no protection against the militants who entered residences and opened fire. Despite a fortified border fence replete with advanced sensors, it was unable to withstand the heavy artillery and explosives deployed by the Hamas militants.

Gone were the customary expressions of resilience and defiance among local residents; the atmosphere was one of palpable fear and emotional upheaval.

Adele Raemer, a 68-year-old living in the southern kibbutz of Nir Am, expressed feeling profoundly violated upon discovering her windows had been shattered by the militants. “The situation is so unbearable, words fail me,” she stated.

Israeli media aired multiple harrowing phone calls from terrified civilians, confined within their homes, as the crisis unfolded. These calls painted a vivid picture of a populace under siege, uncertain whether they would make it through alive.

The impact of the invasion, evocative of the traumatic 1973 Mideast War, prompted millions of Israelis to seek refuge in bomb shelters, with some being evacuated to safer locations in the north.

Janet Cwaigenbaum, a 57-year-old residing in the southern kibbutz of Nir Yitzhak, explained that she and her neighbors remained in their basements, afraid to emerge even for basic necessities due to the ongoing conflict. Images of bodies strewn on the streets and homes vandalized with Hamas graffiti only added to the pervasive dread.

Footage on social media further intensified the shock, showing scenes of abducted Israeli soldiers and civilians. The Israeli military confirmed the capture of a “significant” number of its citizens, without providing specifics.

Harrowing videos revealed moments of utter desperation and fear: Palestinian crowds cheering as Hamas militants paraded captured Israelis through Gaza’s streets. Families discovered the fate of their missing loved ones through social media, adding another layer of anguish to an already grave situation.

The devastating reality of the attack settled in at various moments for Israelis, including an incident involving some 3,000 Israelis at a desert rave being fired upon by Hamas militants, leading to numerous casualties.

In the wake of this unparalleled assault, residents like Berman found themselves grappling with not only immediate concerns for their loved ones but also with a profound sadness for the future of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

“There is no hope for us, or for the children in Palestine, or for this entire region,” Berman lamented.

Contributions to this report were made by Tia Goldenberg, a correspondent based in Tel Aviv, Israel.

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More about Unprecedented Hamas Assault in Southern Israel

• Israel-Hamas Historical Conflicts
• Iron Dome Defense System
• Jehan Berman’s Account
• Channel 12 Israel News Coverage
• Southern Israel and Gaza Border
• Impact of Conflict on Civilians
• Israeli Military Response
• Abductions in Conflict Zones