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Israel has been rocked by one of the deadliest attacks in years, with at least 100 people killed and hundreds wounded, Israel’s national rescue service informed, as per news agency AP. The attack was launched by Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip, who surprised Israel with a massive assault. More than 1,000 are said to have been injured in the unprecedented incursion, news agency Reuters reported citing local Israeli media. Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip on Saturday, coinciding with a major Jewish holiday.
The attack resulted in a significant loss of life, including the capture of an unknown number of Israeli soldiers and civilians, who were taken hostage and transported into Gaza.
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Hamas Holding Israeli Civilians, Soldiers Hostage In Gaza As Fighting Underway Across 22 Locations — Top Updates
- Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israeli army spokesman, confirmed that fighting is still ongoing in 22 locations in southern Israel, approximately 12 hours after the attack commenced, as per AP’s report. Israel responded with air strikes on Gaza and indicated that ground operations were imminent.
The situation escalated with reports of hostage situations in the towns of Ofakim and Beeri, further intensifying the crisis. Both the Israeli military and Hamas acknowledged the capture and hostage-taking of Israelis, the report mentioned.
- In Gaza, at least 198 people have been killed, and over 1,610 have been wounded in Israel’s retaliatory actions, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
- A 14-story residential tower in central Gaza City, housing Hamas offices, was flattened in evening airstrikes. Israeli authorities had issued a warning before the strike, and the extent of casualties is yet to be determined, AP reported.
- The international community, including the United States, expressed concern over the escalating violence. US President Joe Biden offered support to Israel, reaffirming the commitment to its security and extending condolences to the affected families.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel will exact a “huge price” on Hamas in response to this unprecedented infiltration. Netanyahu conveyed during a Security Cabinet meeting that Israel’s primary objective is to “cleanse the area” of militants and regain control of the southern communities that have been attacked. Simultaneously, he stressed the need to hold Hamas accountable in the Gaza Strip.
- In the midst of the turmoil, Air India cancelled its flight from New Delhi to Tel Aviv as Hamas militants targeted the Israeli city. The full-service carrier, which operates five weekly flights to Tel Aviv, cited passenger and crew safety as the reason for the cancellations, as reported by news agency PTI.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed deep concern condemning the “terrorist attacks” on Israel, “Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.”
The Hamas attack coincided with Simchat Torah, a significant Jewish holiday, and evoked painful memories of the 1973 Middle East war. This surprise attack, occurring nearly 50 years to the day of the Yom Kippur War, came as a traumatic event for Israel which boasts of a strong military.
Notably, the incident has fueled criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies, who campaigned on a platform of more aggressive action against Gaza threats, for the intelligence failure that failed to avert the attack, as per AP’s report.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing hostilities and concerns over the potential for further escalation in the region. International leaders continue to closely monitor developments and strive for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
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