According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), dozens of Israeli jets have attacked Hamas locations in Gaza. The airstrikes were carried out in response to a surprise offensive launched against Israel by a Palestinian armed organisation on Saturday morning.
According to IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, “Hamas terrorists” had penetrated Israeli territory via land, sea, and air.
According to the official, more than 2,200 missiles have been fired from Gaza. In the first 20 minutes of its bombardment, Hamas claimed to have used almost 5,000 rockets.
Many cities in Israel, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Beersheba, and Ashkelon, have heard rocket sirens.
According to Hagari, there were at least seven instances of confrontation between IDF troops and Hamas militants.
Gun engagements have been reported in and near the cities of Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen, Be’eri, and the IDF’s Re’im military base, according to the Times of Israel.
The IDF had previously proclaimed “a state of readiness for war” in response to the incident. “Hamas terror organisation will pay a very heavy price,” the statement said.
In response to Hamas’s actions, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced the activation of reservists.
On Saturday, at least six individuals are suspected to have been slain in Israel. Four people were killed in missile attacks in Kuseife and one in the Gderot area.
Ofir Liebstein, the mayor of Sha’ar HaNegev, was also killed in a battle with Hamas gunmen. “Ofir was killed when he went to defend a town during the terrorist attack,” according to the local authorities.
According to medical institutions across Israel, at than 200 people were injured, with many in critical condition.
During the day, some films apparently show a number of IDF troops being killed and seized by Hamas gunmen. There’s also footage and photographs on social media of what appears to be a burning Israeli tank and Palestinians celebrating the seizure of a US-made Humvee combat vehicle from the IDF. The videos are still being confirmed.
