Israel strikes back. Operation "Iron Swords" has begun
The situation in Israel is escalating. Since Saturday morning Eastern Time, Hamas has been bombarding the center and south of the country with rockets - there are fatalities and many injured. There may have been executions. Additionally, Palestinian militants also attacked areas located along the border with the Gaza Strip. Now the Israeli military has launched a counterattack codenamed "Operation Iron Swords".
6:08 AM EDT, October 7, 2023
As reported by the spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces, Hamas began an attack at 11:30 PM Eastern Time. Since then, at least 2200 rockets have been launched from the Gaza Strip towards cities in the southern and central parts of the country.
They fell among other places on Ashkelon, Tel Aviv and other towns. As local media report, so far five people have been killed and at least 300 have been injured due to explosions.
In the area within a radius of approximately 50 miles from the Gaza Strip border, the Israeli authorities have declared a state of emergency.
Fights in the border belt
In addition, the Israeli army reported that Hamas fighters have struck in multiple locations along the border with the Gaza Strip. Battles between them and the military are ongoing, among other places in the towns of Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen, Be’eri, and the Re’im military base.
In clashes with Hamas fighters, as reported by Israeli media, at least one civilian was killed. There were also reports that the Palestinians managed to kidnap one of the soldiers. The Israel Defense Forces did not confirm these reports.
A video has also surfaced online, showing Hamas fighters parading the body of a slain Israeli soldier through Gaza. A censored portion of it is included in the montage below of today's Hamas footage, prepared by Al-Jazeera television.
There have been videos posted online showing a burning Israeli Merkava Mark IV tank right by the border of Israel with Gaza.
The operation "Iron Swords" has started
In response to the unexpected Hamas offensive, the Israeli army began an operation codenamed "Iron Swords". Tens of thousands of reservists have already been called to arms. It was reported that planes were sent to bomb targets in Gaza.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Hamas made a "serious mistake" by launching an unexpected rocket attack on Israel and infiltrating cities on the border with the Gaza Strip.
"Hamas made a serious mistake this morning and started a war against the state of Israel. The soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces are fighting the enemy at all infiltration sites," he said.
"The State of Israel will win this war," he declared.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has also spoken out about the attack. "Citizens of Israel, we are at war. And we will win," he declared.
"The enemy will pay a high price, like never before," - Netanyahu assured.
Source: Times of Israel/Twitter
