The multiple attack launched from Gaza this morning has taken Israel by surprise in the middle of the morning of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. But the response has not been long in coming. Tel Aviv authorities have declared a state of war and Israeli troops are now carrying out retaliatory bombings against the enclave, under Israeli blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the Strip.
“The Israeli Army declares a state of war alert,” declared a military spokesman in a statement, while alarms continue to sound in the north and south of the country, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and at least one person was killed and 15 were injured.
“In the last hour, the terrorist organization Hamas began a massive rocket launch” and “terrorists infiltrated Israeli territory in several different places,” said the Army, which ordered “civilians in the central and southern area to remain next to the shelters”, while citizens of communities near Gaza must remain inside.
This order was given after armed Gaza militiamen infiltrated this morning into the city of Sderot, very close to the Strip, where they were confronting Israeli troops.
The Army Chief of Staff “is evaluating the situation and approves plans for the continuation of Army activity,” while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the recruitment of reserve soldiers in the face of the emergency.
Just in recent months, the issue of reservists has caused controversy in Israel due to the threat of many of them to refuse to do military service in protest of the judicial reform of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Government, which generated criticism among sectors that They see it as a risk to the country’s security.
Hamas military commander Mohamed Deif issued a statement calling the militant attacks and infiltration into Israel “the day of the great revolution.”
The Al Qasam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, confirmed today that they have launched more than 5,000 rockets from Gaza into Israel, and that they have kidnapped the bodies of dozens of Israeli soldiers killed in clashes on the border, and at least one alive .
Mohamed Deif announced the launch of Operation “Al Aqsa Storm”, “a battle that opened with the launch of more than 5,000 rockets towards the heart of Tel Aviv”, indicated the Islamist group.
In addition, militants from the group infiltrated Israeli territory bordering Gaza, where Palestinian militants kidnapped the bodies of dozens of dead Israeli soldiers and at least one wounded, according to the Al Qasam Brigades.
