Fierce gun battles raged well into the night after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale attack against Israel on a Saturday.
This attack involved firing thousands of rockets from Gaza and deploying fighters to target and abduct soldiers and civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “We are at war,” as the Israeli army responded by striking various targets in the blockaded Gaza Strip, resulting in the destruction of several residential tower blocks.
In the wake of this conflict, about 80 people lost their lives in Israel according to medical services, while Gaza authorities reported a death toll of 232, marking one of the deadliest escalations in years, with hundreds on both sides sustaining injuries.
As global concerns mounted and the United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Sunday,
President Joe Biden expressed unwavering support for the United States’ ally, Israel, cautioning any other parties against taking advantage of the situation to harm Israel.
Throughout the night, the Israeli army reported ongoing gun battles in 22 different locations within Israel, as part of their operation referred to as “Swords of Iron.” Reservists were being mobilized to support the effort.
Hamas released images of several Israelis they had taken captive, and an Israeli army spokesman confirmed the presence of kidnapped soldiers and civilians.
The situation escalated further with a severe hostage situation reported in the Negev desert communities of Beeri and Ofakim east of Gaza.
Hamas initiated a multi-pronged attack early in the morning, launching thousands of rockets that reached as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, some bypassing the Iron Dome defense system and causing damage to buildings.
Hamas fighters used various means, including ground vehicles, motorized paragliders, and boats, to breach Gaza’s security barrier and attack nearby Israeli towns and military posts, opening fire on residents and bystanders.
Major General Ghasan Alyan of the Israeli army warned that Hamas had unleashed a catastrophic situation.
In Gaza, a residential tower with 100 apartments was targeted, leading to smoke billowing from its remains.
Israel’s military claimed to have issued evacuation warnings before striking multi-story buildings used by Hamas.
Amidst the escalating violence, Israel’s state-run electricity company cut power to Gaza, and army flares illuminated the night sky.
This conflict followed months of increasing violence, particularly in the occupied West Bank, as well as mounting tensions around Gaza’s border and contested holy sites in Jerusalem.
Before this outbreak of violence, there had already been casualties on both sides this year, with at least 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis, and two foreigners losing their lives, including combatants and civilians.
Hamas named its attack “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” and called upon resistance fighters not only in the West Bank but also in Arab and Islamic nations to join the battle.
The armed wing of Hamas claimed to have fired over 5,000 rockets, while Israel reported more than 3,000 incoming rockets during the day.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh expressed confidence in a televised address, stating they were on the verge of a significant victory on the Gaza front.
He emphasized the need to complete the cycle of uprisings and revolutions to liberate their land and prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Air raid sirens rang out across southern and central Israel, as well as in Jerusalem, where incoming rockets were intercepted by air defense systems.
Tel Aviv witnessed a building with a gaping hole, prompting residents to flee to safety.
Rocket attacks also targeted Ashkelon, north of Gaza, causing major disruptions at Tel Aviv airport with numerous flight cancellations.
Schools in Israel remained closed on Sunday.
It’s important to note that Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, leading to Israel’s stringent blockade of the densely populated enclave of 2.3 million people.
Israel and Hamas have engaged in several wars since then, with the last major military exchange occurring in May, resulting in casualties on both sides.
On this Saturday, in northern Gaza, hundreds of people evacuated their homes, carrying food and blankets.
Violence also erupted across the West Bank, including annexed east Jerusalem, where clashes with Israeli forces and settlers resulted in the deaths of five Palestinians and over 120 wounded, according to Palestinian medical services.
While Western capitals condemned Hamas’ wave of attacks, considering it a terrorist group, other adversaries of Israel, including Iran’s supreme leader and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, expressed support for what they called a “heroic operation.”
The UN Middle East peace envoy cautioned against a dangerous precipice and called on all sides to step back from the brink.
