Surprise attack by Hamas on Israel : Tensions rise even more

In a dramatic turn of events, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the nation to be “at war” following a sudden and deadly escalation of hostilities on Saturday. Palestinian militants from Gaza unleashed a devastating barrage of rockets and sent armed infiltrators into Israeli territory, marking a significant intensification of the longstanding conflict. It was a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel.

Surprise attack by Hamas on Israel:

This early-morning surprise attack has resulted in a tragic toll, with at least 22 lives lost and over 250 individuals injured, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency rescue service. It’s worth noting that this eruption of violence occurred on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 War, when Arab states launched a surprise attack on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

The Israeli military reported that around 2,200 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel during this assault. Simultaneously, armed militants crossed the border in a ground incursion into southern Israel.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization governing Gaza and claiming responsibility for the attack, asserted that its fighters had captured Israeli soldiers near the border. This operation, dubbed “Al-Aqsa Storm,” was outlined by Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif. He stated that the group had targeted enemy positions, airports, and military sites with 5,000 rockets. This assault was framed as a response to various grievances, including attacks on women, desecration of the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the ongoing siege of Gaza.

Israel’s Reaction:

In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched strikes against several Hamas targets in Gaza and initiated a call-up of thousands of reservists. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant condemned Hamas for initiating a war against Israel, emphasizing that IDF troops were engaged across multiple locations.

Gaza, an isolated coastal enclave of nearly 2 million people residing in just 140 square miles, is among the most densely populated places globally. Governed by Hamas, this territory has been largely cut off from the world since Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza’s land, air, and sea access in 2007. Egypt controls the southern border crossing at Rafah.

This eruption of violence unfolded shortly after Hamas called for action to end the occupation, citing ongoing Israeli activities across Palestinian territory, notably at the revered Al-Aqsa site in Jerusalem.

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