The Israeli army claims to have largely regained control of cities attacked by Hamas terrorists. Meanwhile, aerial alarms were raised in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The number of deaths continues to rise.
Two days after the start of Hamas’ major attack on Israel, an air alarm was raised in Jerusalem about rocket attacks, as a result of which several explosions were heard. Sirens also sounded in Tel Aviv.
The Israeli army had previously announced that it had regained control of the southern areas of Israel attacked by Hamas. However, terrorists may still be in the region, said army spokesman Daniel Hagari.
Soldiers protect border fence
In the morning, the Israeli army initially announced that there were still “between seven and eight” battle sites open in the border area with the Gaza Strip, where fighting continued. He said he could not rule out the possibility of more militants penetrating Israeli territory.
The military is currently trying to secure the border fence, which has been breached in several locations, reports ARD correspondent Sophie von der Tann from Tel Aviv. Between 800 and 1,000 Palestinian militants are presumed to have penetrated the border fence in recent days, von der Tann reports.
Fight in the swimming pool in the border town of Sderot
According to media reports, there was a violent exchange of gunfire in a swimming pool in the Israeli city of Sderot, with several Israelis injured. The Israeli military said the paratrooper brigade was involved in a “stubborn battle” during which soldiers searched Sderot “to liberate the city from terrorists.” Sderot is located about a kilometer from the Gaza Strip. City residents were asked to stay in their homes and not let anyone enter.
300,000 reservists mobilized
In response to Hamas attacks, the Israeli army is mobilizing around 300,000 reservists. This is the largest mobilization in Israel’s history in such a short period of time, an army spokesman confirmed.
During the night, a spokesman for the Israeli armed forces said that the aim was to ensure that, at the end of the war, Hamas would no longer be able to threaten the Israelis militarily. At the same time, it will be guaranteed that Hamas will not be able to continue to govern the Gaza Strip.
Air strikes in the Gaza Strip – many civilian casualties
Meanwhile, Israel continues to bomb Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip. According to the Israeli military, more than 1,000 targets in the Gaza Strip were hit as a result of the offensive, including the homes of Hamas terrorists. At the same time, several Hamas command centers were attacked, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The IDF also targeted a Hamas operational facility located in a mosque in the city of Jabalia, it said.
According to Palestinian information, the Jabalia refugee camp was also hit by air strikes. Gaza’s Health Ministry said many Palestinians were killed and injured.
According to ARD correspondent von der Tann, more and more civilians are dying due to the dense population in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 560 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. At least 78 children and 41 women were killed. Around 2,900 people were injured.
Closure of the Gaza Strip
Furthermore, the densely populated Palestinian area will be completely isolated until further notice. Defense Minister Joav Galant said he had given appropriate instructions. “There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel,” Galant said. We are dealing with barbarians and will act accordingly. The Israeli security cabinet had already decided on Sunday night to fundamentally stop the import of electricity, fuel and goods into the Gaza Strip.
More than 130 thousand people displaced in the Gaza Strip
According to the United Nations, more than 123,000 people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip so far. A total of 123,538 of the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million residents have fled their homes “out of fear, concern for their protection and because of the destruction of their homes”, the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. ). More than 73 thousand refugees are housed in schools.
According to a spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNWRA), a further increase in the number of refugees is expected. There is electricity in schools, some of which have been declared emergency shelters. UN staff also provided people with “meals, drinking water, psychological support and medical treatment,” he told AFP.
More than 700 Israelis killed
According to the military, around 700 people have been killed on the Israeli side so far. These included mainly civilians and more than 40 soldiers. At least 260 people died in an attack by Hamas terrorists on a music festival in the Negev desert alone.
In total, more than 2,100 people suffered injuries, the Israeli military said. Many are in critical condition, which is why the death toll may continue to rise.
According to the Israeli government, Hamas has also abducted at least 100 people from Israel to the Gaza Strip since the attacks began, including women, children and the elderly. According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are also German citizens among the hostages. According to Hamas, the hostages will be released if thousands of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel are released in exchange.
Hamas spokesperson: “open fight to defend our people”
Furthermore, Hamas wants to put an end to all Israeli provocations in the West Bank and Jerusalem, especially at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Abdel-Latif al-Kanua told the AP news agency by phone.
Hamas members continued to fight the Israeli military and captured more Israelis in the morning. “We are in an open battle to defend our people and Al-Aqsa Mosque,” he said. “This struggle is linked to the release of all Palestinian prisoners and the end of the activities of this fascist government in Jerusalem.”
Evacuation of citizens, warnings against travel in the region
More and more countries are withdrawing their citizens from Israel. Romania evacuated 245 of its citizens from Tel Aviv. This also includes two groups of pilgrims. The announcement was made by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Poland transported almost 300 citizens on three military planes that landed in Warsaw in the morning. “The first people evacuated from Israel are already in Poland,” said Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak on the X online service. Furthermore, an armed forces Boeing plane is on its way to Israel “to evacuate more people,” he added. Blaszczak.
Airlines such as Lufthansa, United Airlines and Air France have temporarily suspended all flights to and from Israel. Additionally, several countries have strengthened their travel warnings for Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Worst attack in 50 years
The Hamas attack was the worst attack on Israel since the Yom Kippur War, exactly 50 years ago. The Islamic terrorist organization that rules the Gaza Strip unexpectedly launched its major attack on Saturday morning. He fired thousands of rockets at Israel and, according to the Israeli army, entered Israeli territory with around a thousand fighters. The US promised full support and comprehensive military assistance.