The insurgent group that rules Gaza, Hamas, launched an unprecedented multi-pronged attack on Israel on Saturday, firing thousands of projectiles as dozens of fighters crossed the protected border at various points, surprising the country on a major holiday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was “at war” and called for the mass mobilization of army reservists.
The invasion revived painful memories of the 1973 Yom Kippur War almost 50 years later.
Here is the latest news:
Airlines suspend flights to Israel
According to FlightAware, airlines canceled more than 80 flights to and from Tel Aviv on Saturday evening – about 14% of all scheduled flights – due to the militant group Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel.
Delta Air Lines and American Airlines canceled flights from New York’s JFK Airport to Tel Aviv on Saturday evening and Sunday evening, although a return Delta flight was able to leave Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. United Airlines also canceled a Saturday flight from San Francisco. An earlier United flight crossed Greenland and returned to San Francisco.
The German airline Lufthansa has canceled several flights between Frankfurt and Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu vows revenge after Hamas surprise attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address to his shocked country that the war against the extremist group Hamas, which launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, “will take time.”
The latest conflagration erupted when dozens of Hamas militants entered the Gaza Strip and nearby Israeli towns early in the day during a major Jewish holiday, killing dozens of people and kidnapping others.
Netanyahu said Israeli forces would use all their strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities. He also promised that those responsible would pay a heavy price if they “hurt even a single hair” of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. The bitter enemies have fought four wars since then.
The King of Jordan speaks to Biden and asks to avoid escalation
Jordan’s King Abdullah II called for increased international efforts to stop an escalation of the latest wave of violence between Palestinians and Israel.
In a statement, the royal palace said Abdullah spoke with President Joe Biden about ways to prevent an escalation of the conflict and protect civilians.
Abdullah warned that further escalation would have a negative impact on the region and stressed the need to exercise restraint, protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law.
Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and dozens of them entered Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented surprise attack early Saturday during a key Jewish holiday.
It was the bloodiest attack against Israel in decades.
UN chief condemns attacks on Israel
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Hamas’ attacks “in the strongest possible terms”, called for restraint and stressed that violence cannot solve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Guterres said through his spokesman Stephane Dujarric that “peace can only be achieved through negotiations leading to a two-state solution.”
The Secretary General called for “respect and protection of civilians at all times,” as required by international law.
The UN Security Council convened an emergency closed-door meeting at 7pm GMT on Sunday at the request of Malta and the United Arab Emirates.
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The Israeli opposition leader proposes a unity government
The Israeli opposition leader says he is proposing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu form an emergency government.
Yair Lapid said in a statement that he met with Netanyahu on Saturday and proposed replacing his far-right coalition with a broad government of national unity with centrist parties.
He said Netanyahu knew he “couldn’t handle a war” with his current partners. “Israel must be led by a professional, experienced and responsible government,” he said, adding that such a coalition would signal to enemies that Israel is united.
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Hamas says it has captured dozens of Israeli soldiers
The Hamas militia says it has held “dozens” of Israeli soldiers captive in the Gaza Strip.
A spokesman for the group’s military wing said the soldiers – including some officers – were captured in a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday.
Abu Obedia said the prisoners were in “safe places” and in the militants’ tunnels.
Separately, the UN Security Council convened an emergency closed-door meeting at 7pm GMT on Sunday at the request of Malta and the United Arab Emirates.
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The death toll in Israel rises to 70
According to Israeli emergency services, at least 70 people were killed and hundreds more injured during Hamas’ invasion of the country.
The figure was released by the Magen David Adom service as fighting continued on Saturday.
Hospitals are treating hundreds of injured people, dozens of whom are in critical condition.
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At least 198 Palestinians have died
At least 198 people were killed and another 1,610 injured in Israeli retaliation for Hamas’ attack on Israel in the territory, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza.
Israel has carried out several airstrikes in the Gaza Strip and there have been clashes with gunmen at the border fence surrounding the coastal area.
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They are fighting in 22 cities in southern Israel
An Israeli army spokesman said fighting continued in 22 cities in southern Israel about 12 hours after Hamas’ surprise attack from the Gaza Strip.
Vice Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel was attacking Gaza from the air and ground operations were imminent.
Hagari confirmed that hostage-taking took place in the cities of Ofakim and Beeri. Israeli and Hamas spokesmen had previously confirmed that Israel had taken hostages.
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UN monitors border between Lebanon and Israel
The UN peacekeeping mission stationed on the Lebanese-Israeli border said it was closely monitoring the situation in Israel.
In a statement, the force said its members were deployed along the border to maintain stability and prevent the situation from escalating.
“We have also adapted and strengthened our presence across our entire area of operations, including missile defense operations,” said the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
It has been months since rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel. Since the end of the months-long war between Israel and Hezbollah in August 2006, things have remained relatively quiet in the border area.
UNIFIL said its chief has been in contact with all parties since the violence began in southern Israel “to ensure effective coordination and avoid misunderstandings.”
The force said its main objective was to maintain stability along the Blue Line and prevent escalation “which could have catastrophic consequences for people living in the region.”
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Israeli soldiers and civilians are taken hostage
The Israeli military has confirmed that Hamas militants are holding Israeli civilians and soldiers hostage in Gaza. The military did not say how many hostages were taken, but their capture marked a significant escalation in fighting.
The army confirmed Hamas’s claim that its fighters kidnapped several Israelis after infiltrating Israel’s heavily fortified separation fence and storming Israeli communities in the south of the country.
The military did not provide any further information on Saturday. Social media is awash with videos showing Hamas militants dragging lifeless Israeli soldiers across the ground and parading captured civilians through the streets of Gaza.
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At least 462 people are receiving medical treatment
Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it was treating at least 280 victims, 60 of them in serious condition. Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, near Gaza, said it was treating 182 wounded people, 12 of whom were critical.
There was no official information about casualties in the Gaza Strip, but Associated Press reporters witnessed the funeral of 15 people and saw another eight bodies arrive at a hospital. It was not immediately clear whether they were combatants or civilians.
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UN human rights chief calls for an end to the violence
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said he was “shocked and horrified” by the firing of large numbers of projectiles against Israel and the deaths of at least 22 people in the country.
Volker Türk called for an immediate end to the violence and called on both sides and “important countries in the region” to reduce tensions and avoid further bloodshed.
In a statement, Turk said he was “deeply concerned by reports of Israeli civilians being taken hostage.”
Türk pointed out that “this attack has a terrible impact on the Israeli civilian population” and recalled that civilians should not be targeted in these operations.
“I also note that Israeli forces have responded with airstrikes on the densely populated Gaza Strip, which have reportedly left at least five people dead. I ask you to take all precautions to avoid civilian casualties there,” he added.
European leaders express their support for Israel
European leaders condemned the Hamas attack and expressed solidarity with Israel.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote further
Chancellor OIaf Scholz pointed out that the firing of projectiles by the insurgents and the escalation of violence had “deeply shocked us”. He also stated: “Germany condemns these attacks by Hamas and stands with Israel.”
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron said he condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the “terrorist attacks” against Israel and expressed “my full solidarity with the victims, their families and their loved ones.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his government condemned the incidents “with the utmost firmness.”
“Human lives, the security of the region and the resumption of any political processes are at risk,” he said in X.
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Hezbollah says the attack was just a response to Israeli occupation
The Lebanese insurgent group Hezbollah congratulated Hamas on its action against Israel, noting that it has “divine support and promises a final and complete victory.”
According to Hezbollah, the attack is in response to “Israel’s crimes” and attacks on holy sites, and “the will of the Palestinian people and the rifle of resistance are the only alternative to confront the occupation.”
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New York mayor condemns Hamas attack
New York Mayor Eric Adams, whose city has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, called the attack a “cowardly act by a terrorist organization.”
The mayor said local authorities are monitoring the situation in case of possible threats.
“While there is currently no credible threat to New York City, our government is in contact with Jewish leaders in all five boroughs and we have directed police to send additional resources to Jewish communities and houses of worship to ensure “everyone has something.” “You must feel safe,” he said in a statement in which he also expressed his condolences.
This story was originally published on October 7, 2023 at 7:48 am.