Israel-Gaza Conflict – In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war on Saturday as Palestinian militants from Gaza unleashed a deadly barrage of rockets and infiltrated Israeli territory. This unexpected and massive escalation has thrown the region into turmoil.
Unprecedented Rocket Barrage and Infiltration
In this long Israel-Gaza Conflict, the Israeli military reported a staggering 2,200 rockets launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Simultaneously, armed terror groups infiltrated Israel through land, sea, and even paragliders.
The explosions reverberated over key cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and southern Israel, with some of the blasts likely resulting from the interception of incoming rockets. The chaos forced Israeli civilians to seek refuge in underground shelters.
Hostages and Casualties
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed that Hamas had taken “hostages and prisoners of war,” though they did not specify the number. Tragically in this new escalation in the long Israel-Gaza Conflict, the attack has already claimed the lives of at least 200 Israelis, with 1,452 reported wounded, according to Israel’s emergency rescue service and health ministry.
Israeli Response and Gaza Tower Collapse
In retaliation, Israel launched strikes on what it deemed Hamas targets in Gaza. One of the most significant incidents during this response was the collapse of the Palestine Tower, a high-rise building housing both residential apartments and media offices in Gaza City. Video footage captured the shocking moment when an explosion reduced the tower to rubble.
Historic Timing in the Israel-Gaza Conflict
The surprise assault on Saturday is unprecedented in recent history, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the 1973 War, when Arab states launched a surprise attack on Israel during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
International Response and U.S. Involvement
President Joe Biden addressed the situation from the White House, affirming Israel’s right to defend itself and issuing a stern warning. He emphasized, “This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage. The world is watching.”
A senior Biden administration official confirmed that the United States is engaged in intense discussions with Israel to address its specific needs as it responds to the attack. The official also noted that Washington is actively sharing timely intelligence and coordinating with other governments to prevent the crisis from spreading beyond Gaza.
IDF’s Ground Operations
IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, in a briefing, disclosed that Israeli forces are currently engaged in ground operations. He listed several locations where fighting is ongoing, including various villages, army bases, and border crossings. However, he declined to respond to repeated questions from journalists regarding whether the IDF had missed intelligence regarding the impending attack.
The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with international attention focused on the region as both sides grapple with the consequences of this major escalation in conflict.
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