“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. And we will win,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his first public statement on the ongoing rocket barrage and infiltration of Hamas terrorists from Gaza on Saturday morning, October 7th, the Times of Israel reported.
All of Israel woke this morning to the sound of explosions as Hamas launched thousands of rockets in the past few hours, covering the entire country. As Israeli citizens scrambled to rocket shelters, Hamas simultaneously launched an armed infiltration through the Gaza borders into Israel, taking control of at least seven Israeli settlements, including Sderot, a town of over 30 thousand residents.
At least 22 dead and around 300 wounded have been reported so far, as well as multiple sightings of Israeli civilians being kidnapped and taken hostage by Palestinian fighters.
Images have been circulating on social media depicting Hamas forces destroying an Israeli tank and capturing the crew inside. Terrorists also captured at least two Israeli army vehicles and even paraded the body of a young Israeli woman in one of their trucks.
“The enemy will pay a price like they have never known before,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said in the address nearly five hours after the attacks began.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are currently engaged with Hamas fighters in at least seven settlements that have been at least partially taken by the terrorists. Reports of Hamas infiltration into three other villages have been circulating as well. Citizens of Sderot reported that Hamas fighters arrived in several vehicles in the early hours, opening fire on civilian homes immediately after rolling into town.
Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari announced that the country is now officially in a state of war and air strikes against Gaza targets have commenced. “The IDF is flooding the area with troops. We are focusing on fighting on the Gaza border, [and] we have begun a widespread call-up in all parts of the IDF,” Hagari stated. “We are in a state of war.”
Hamas reportedly called on Hezbollah and other organizations in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt to join its efforts, but with no sign of response yet.
The IDF, however, announced that it launched “Operation Iron Sword,” promising to direct tens of thousands of IDF troops to the area in short order. Talks about a coming ground invasion of Gaza and drafting additional troops have also been circulating but not yet confirmed.
“Hamas opened the gates of hell on the Gaza Strip,” Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, the IDF’s Palestinian liaison chief, said, hinting that the first full-scale invasion into the area since 2014 might begin shortly. “Hamas made the decision, and Hamas will bear the responsibility and pay the price.”
Meanwhile, gatherings have been restricted while schools and public buildings have been ordered to close in central and southern Israel amid the still ongoing rocket barrage from Gaza. Businesses can only stay open if they have direct access to bomb shelters, the IDF said.
