The Israeli army has called up tens of thousands of reservists, Kan public television has learned. According to the broadcaster, this is the beginning of “Operation Iron Swords”. The army confirmed firing at least 2,200 rockets from Gaza. “Fighting breaks out in seven locations in Israel,” the station updated. Missile warning sirens from Gaza sounded again in Tel Aviv. ANSA confirmed this on site. “Dozens of Israeli planes attack a number of Hamas targets in Gaza”. This was announced by a military spokesman.
“Dozens of Israeli aircraft are attacking a number of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip,” a military spokesman said.
Following the outbreak of hostilities, supermarkets in Gaza were stormed by residents who feared they were now facing a prolonged conflict with Israel. According to local sources, the food shelves were soon emptied. Bakers also report long queues. At gas stations, drivers try to get the last available fuel in a very tense atmosphere.
Hamas claimed to have acted against Israel “5,000 rockets” in the opening phase of the operation, which he “Al-Aqsa flood. “We have decided to put an end to Israel’s crimes,” said a statement denouncing the “desecrations” of Jerusalem’s holy sites.
Rockets fired from Gaza hit in the Negev the Bedouin village of Kseifeh. The mayor of this town said this on Kan public television, according to which news is available so far four dead. He added that residents had no shelter to protect themselves from rocket attacks.
“We are in a state of war. We have 21 episodes underway in the south of the country.”: This was stated by the head of the Israeli police, Yaakov Shabtai. Select police units have been mobilized and deployed to the area of clashes, he added. Police also set up checkpoints on arteries between southern and central Israel. Security measures were also taken along the West Bank demarcation line and in Israeli cities with mixed Jewish and Arab populations.
Hamas “made a serious mistake this morning and started a war against the State of Israel.” That’s what it said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant He added that the army is “fighting the enemy everywhere. I call on all Israeli citizens to follow the safety instructions. The State of Israel,” he concluded, “will win this war.”
According to media reports – which have not been officially confirmed – Hamas militants who have entered southern Israel have taken Israeli civilians hostage. In particular – according to Haaretz – in the town of Ofakim near the Gaza Strip. According to the newspaper, Hamas militants broke into the local police station in Sderot. Several firefights were also reported. Similar news, also reported on television – although not officially confirmed – relates to Hamas taking Israeli soldiers hostage.
Mohammed Deif, head of Hammas’s military wing, said that Operation Flood al-Aqsa was a response “to the desecration of the holy sites in Jerusalem” and to Israel’s constant refusal to “free our prisoners.” He said the militiamen were under orders “not to kill women and children.” He also called on all Palestinians to join the armed struggle. “The enemy,” he said, “is weaker than you think.” This text was distributed online by Hamas and, as in the past, showed only a darkened profile of Deif’s face.
The Israeli military declared: “Behold State of war alert“. This was written by the military spokesman, recalling that “the terrorist organization Hamas has begun massive rocket fire on Israeli territory and in various locations”. Israel has decided to recall the reservists.
Surprise attack from Gaza on Israel, with large rocket launches partially intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense batteries. An elderly woman in the Gederot area near Ashkelon was seriously injured and later died. The firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip is said to have left 15 injured (including one seriously). Missile warning sirens in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant meet with security and military officials.
In the last half hour, “rockets” have been fired from Gaza towards Israel. The army announced this without initially specifying the number of devices. The military spokesman recommended that citizens of southern and central Israel “stay in protected areas and follow the instructions of the Internal Command Center.” Israeli emergency services reported, citing media, that one person was slightly injured by rocket fire from Gaza in the city of Yavneh in the center of the country.
War atmosphere in Gaza. From early in the morning, the population saw numerous rocket launches towards Israel, some of which were intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome defense batteries. The attack – local sources report – began early in the morning when the children were going to school. They immediately returned to their homes as the streets began to empty, according to sources.
Yesterday, tens of thousands of Islamic Jihad supporters gathered in the streets of Gaza to mark the anniversary of the movement’s founding. However, it is still not clear whether there is a connection between this event and today’s launches.
Local sources add that jubilant messages are being heard from loudspeakers in mosques. Below: “We surprised the enemy. It is a great victory for the armed resistance.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will soon meet with security and military officials following the surprise attack from Gaza. Some analysts point out that the attack from Gaza came on almost the same day in October 1973 that Egypt and Israel attacked Israel on Yom Kippur. “A number of terrorists have crossed into Israeli territory from Gaza. “Residents in the area must remain in their homes,” the Israeli military spokesman announced.
Pictures have now been circulated on the Internet, the authenticity of which has not yet been confirmed, showing Palestinian militiamen flying from Gaza to Israel in hang gliders.
Italian embassy in Israel for compatriots, “maximum attention”
The Italian embassy in Israel urged compatriots to “avoid all non-essential travel, maintain maximum vigilance, stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities.” The embassy then recalled “the massive firing of rockets in various locations in the country” and that “the Israeli authorities have declared a state of alarm affecting all locations within an 80-kilometer radius of the Gaza Strip.”
“The Farnesina continues to monitor the development of the security situation in the country in close cooperation with the Italian Embassy in Israel. We call on our compatriots to exercise extreme caution. Crisis unit activated. Emergency number: +39 06 36225.” This is the text of a message from the Foreign Ministry on X.
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