40 Israelis Killed, Over 500 Injured After Hamas Fires 5,000 Rockets From Gaza

40 Israelis Killed, Over 500 Injured After Hamas Fires 5,000 Rockets From Gaza

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has escalated to a new level of violence, as the Hamas militant group launched a massive attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The attack, which Hamas called "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood", involved firing over 5,000 rockets at various targets across Israel, as well as infiltrating several communities in the south of the country with armed cells. The attack resulted in at least 40 deaths and over 500 injuries among Israeli civilians and soldiers, according to the Magen David Adom emergency service¹. The Health Ministry reported that 779 people have been hospitalized.

The attack began around 6:30 a.m., when sirens sounded across Israel, warning of incoming rockets. The sound of outgoing rockets whooshing through the air could be heard in Gaza and sirens could be heard as far away as Tel Aviv, Israel's business and cultural capital, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) to the north³. The rockets targeted various cities and towns, including Jerusalem, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba, Netivot, Sderot, and Eilat. Some of the rockets were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, but many others hit buildings, cars, and streets, causing damage and casualties.

In response to the rocket barrage, Israel launched a counterattack with its fighter jets targeting the city of Gaza and other Hamas positions in the coastal enclave. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said they struck over 150 targets, including rocket launchers, weapons factories, command centers, tunnels, and training camps. The IDF also said they killed several senior Hamas commanders and operatives in the airstrikes. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that at least 22 people were killed and over 500 wounded in the Israeli strikes.

In addition to the rockets and airstrikes, the attack also involved a ground incursion by Hamas militants into several Israeli communities near the Gaza border. The militants used tunnels, motorcycles, and vehicles to enter the communities and engage in firefights with Israeli soldiers and residents. The IDF said they foiled several infiltration attempts and killed dozens of terrorists. Hamas claimed to have taken a number of hostages from Israel to the Gaza Strip. There has been no confirmation from Israel.

The attack by Hamas was unprecedented in its scale and intensity, surpassing the previous conflicts between Israel and Gaza in 2014 and 2018. Hamas said the attack was a response to Israel's "aggression" against the Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank, where tensions have been high over the past weeks due to clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, evictions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, and Israeli settlement expansion. Hamas also said the attack was a message to Israel that it cannot "violate" the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is Islam's third holiest site.

The attack was condemned by world leaders and international organizations, who called for an immediate end to the violence and a return to dialogue. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation and urged both sides to de-escalate and respect international humanitarian law. The United States expressed its support for Israel's right to defend itself against the rocket attacks, but also urged both sides to avoid civilian casualties and work towards restoring calm. The European Union called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a resumption of peace talks. The Arab League denounced the attack as a "dangerous escalation" that threatens regional stability and security.

The attack has raised fears of a full-scale war between Israel and Gaza, as well as a possible spillover of violence into other parts of the region. Lebanon's Hezbollah praised Hamas for its "heroic operation" in a statement. Iran also expressed its solidarity with Hamas and the Palestinian people. On the other hand, some Arab countries that have normalized relations with Israel in recent years, such as Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Bahrain, and Sudan, have called for restraint and mediation.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the longest-running and most complex conflicts in the world. It has its roots in the historical claims and grievances of both sides over the land that is now Israel and Palestine. Despite several attempts at reaching a peaceful solution based on a two-state formula, the conflict has remained unresolved and has periodically erupted into violence. The latest attack by Hamas is another reminder of the fragility of the situation and the urgency of finding a lasting peace.

Source: 
(3) Live: Hamas declares start of major operation against Israel, at least 40 Israelis killed. https://www.newarab.com/news/live-hamas-launches-major-attack-israel-40-killed.
Muskan

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