Israel has declared a state of war after Hamas launched a large-scale aerial and ground assault from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the most serious escalation in the region in years. At least 100 Israelis have been confirmed dead and 908 injured, with the death toll expected to rise. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported that at one point, seven villages and towns were under Hamas control.
The attack began at around 7am with volleys of rockets, which Hamas claimed numbered 5,000, while the Israeli army put the figure at about 2,200. Sirens sounded across Israel, including in Jerusalem. In an unprecedented development, Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israeli towns and villages on the Gaza periphery, with unconfirmed reports of shootings in the border town of Sderot.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised statement: “Our enemy will pay a price the type of which it has never known. We are in a war and we will win it.” The IDF confirmed that both civilian and military hostages had been taken to Gaza, but did not provide details. Unverified social media footage showed captives inside Gaza.
Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif announced the start of a new operation, citing the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, which has seen an increase in Jewish visitors during the high holidays. He called on Palestinians everywhere to launch attacks without restraint. Islamic Jihad later said it had joined the fighting.
In response, Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza, killing at least 198 Palestinians, according to reports. Five Hamas militants were also reported killed inside Israel. The IDF mobilised reservist forces and told residents near the Gaza border to stay in their homes. Hezbollah and Iran issued statements of support for Hamas.
Civilians on both sides expressed shock and fear. Mona Awda, a 31-year-old from Gaza City, said: “I was helping my children to go to school. All of a sudden explosions happened. My children were freaked out.” Shaike Shaked, 70, from the Israeli town of Netiv Hahasara, said: “We are locked in the security room and don’t know what is happening outside.”
