Hamas Launches Major Attack on Israel: Key Details

By
Alan Gray
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In a sudden escalation of violence, the Hamas Palestinian group launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza early Saturday morning. This operation, apparently named “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” is the most intense confrontation since the 11-day war in 2021.

Key Points – Hamas Attack on Israel

  1. Hamas fired around 5,000 rockets, targeting areas as far north as Tel Aviv.
  2. Reports indicate Hamas fighters infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in gun battles in towns like Sderot. Videos on social media depict clashes in city streets and militants in vehicles patrolling the countryside. Some reports claim Hamas took control of certain Israeli civilian centers.
  3. Israel responded with “Operation Iron Swords” against Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli army reports ongoing aerial assaults on Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
  4. The initial Hamas attacks coincided with Simchat Torah, part of the Jewish festival Sukkot.

Casualties

  1. Gaza’s Palestinian health ministry reports at least 413 Palestinians dead and nearly 2,300 injured due to Israeli counterattacks.
  2. Israeli sources state the death toll from Hamas attacks reached at least 700, with 2,382 wounded.

This TimesNow video shows an excellent visual timeline.

Motivation Behind the Attacks

Hamas spokesperson Khaled Qadomi told Al Jazeera that these military actions are in retaliation for the “atrocities” Palestinians faced over the years. Hamas military commander, Mohammed Deif, urged all who possess weapons to join the conflict. The group also appealed to resistance fighters in the West Bank and other Arab and Islamic nations to support them.

Israeli Government Response

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declared the nation in a state of war. A formal statement released on Sunday confirmed “significant military steps” in response to the terrorist attack.

Hamas attack on Israel and response. youtube screenshot.
Hamas attack on Israel and response. youtube screenshot.

Current Situation

  1. As of Monday, gun battles continue in southern Israel, notably in Ashkelon, Sderot, and Karmia.
  2. Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah engaged in artillery exchanges, raising concerns of a wider conflict.
  3. Reports from Ashdod describe an active “hostage situation” in the Kfar Aza settlement, east of Gaza.
  4. Israeli attacks displaced over 123,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to UN data.
  5. Israel’s military recaptured most breached security points, though questions remain regarding the initial breach.

Live Updates

Al Jazeera has an excellent live updates page of the Hamas attack on Israel.

Alan Gray

Alan Gray is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of NewsBlaze Daily News and other online newspapers. He prefers to edit, rather than write, but sometimes an issue rears it’s head and makes him start hammering away on the keyboard.

Content Expertise

Alan has been on the internet since it first started. He loves to use his expertise in content and digital marketing to help businesses grow, through managed content services. After living in the United States for 15 years, he is now in South Australia. To learn more about how Alan can help you with content marketing and managed content services, contact him by email.

Technical Expertise

Alan is also a techie. His father was a British soldier in the 4th Indian Division in WWII, with Sikhs and Gurkhas. He was a sergeant in signals and after that, he was a printer who typeset magazines and books on his linotype machine. Those skills were passed on to Alan and his brothers, who all worked for Telecom Australia, on more advanced signals (communications). After studying electronics, communications, and computing at college, and building and repairing all kinds of electronics, Alan switched to programming and team building and management.

He has a fascination with shooting video footage and video editing, so watch out if he points his Canon 7d in your direction.

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