Dozens of rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel on Saturday morning, October 7, in which more than 300 Israelis were reportedly killed and 1,864 wounded.
Medical sources in Gaza told Al Jazeera that at least 256 Palestinians including 20 children have been killed in Israel’s attacks and 1,788 wounded.
Following the attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his “country is at war and Hamas will pay an unprecedented price.”
“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. This is not an operation, not an escalation – this is war. And we will win. Hamas will pay an unprecedented price.” he said in a video message.
Following the massive barrage of rockets from Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces declared war after an assessment by the IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.
“Hamas… which is behind this attack, will bear the results and responsibility for the events,” the IDF said.
This comes as part of Hamas’ new operation to avenge the recent and frequent storming of Al-Aqsa mosque by Israelis.
The rocket fire was launched from multiple locations in Gaza starting at 6:30 am local time (0330 GMT), setting off sirens in numerous cities and towns.
The Israeli Army reports that Palestinian militants have entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, prompting residents along the border to stay indoors.
Video clips circulated on social media platforms showed burning cars in Ashkelon, as a result of rockets falling.
Explosions could be heard in the videos.
In another video, large black plumes of smoke from fires can be seen from a suspected impact site.
The launches occurred amid increased tensions along Israel’s border with Gaza and heavy fighting in the West Bank.
Israel has imposed a siege on Gaza since 2007 after Hamas seized power in the Strip. Since then, the Palestinian and Israeli factions have fought a devastating escalation.
Hamas launches military operation against Israel
As per a report by the Associated Press, the leader of Hamas’s military wing says the group has launched a new operation against Israel.
In a rare public statement, Mohammed Deif said that 5,000 rockets had been fired into Israel early Saturday to begin “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm”. Israel also reported an infiltration from Gaza.
“We’ve decided to say enough is enough,” Deif said as he urged all Palestinians to confront Israel.
Israeli army launches ‘Operation Iron Swords’
The Israeli army has launched ‘Operation Iron Swords’ against the Hamas group in the Gaza Strip in response to recent attacks.
Israeli raids have commenced, with explosions reported by witnesses to the Reuters news agency.
“Dozens of Israeli fighter jets are currently attacking several targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip,” the army said.
The Israeli army has shared a video, showing air strikes in their operation against Hamas fighters.
Head of Sha’ar Hanegev council Ofir Liebstein killed
Israeli Army Radio announces the killing of Ofir Lipstein, head of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council in the Gaza Strip, during an exchange of fire with the resistance.
Hamas captured Israelis
As per a report by Shehab News Agency, dozens of Palestinian militants stormed an Israeli army site in the northern Gaza Strip, where soldiers were captured.
Hamas fighters took control of the police station in Israel’s Sderot and a number of people were injured in an exchange of fire, the Israel Broadcasting Authority reported.
35 Israelis have been captured so far.
Gun battles continue
The Israeli military is fighting Hamas fighters in 22 locations in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip, Shehab News Agency reported.
Palestinian journalist killed
Palestinian journalist Mohammed Al-Salhi was killed by Israeli forces during his coverage in the Gaza Strip.
Hezbollah congratulates Palestinian people on operation Al-Aqsa flood
Lebanon’s Hezbollah congratulated the Palestinian people for their heroic work in the Gaza Strip, saying: “We congratulate this heroic operation to the Palestinian nation, fighters, and the brothers of the Al-Qassam Brigade.”
Hezbollah added that “this victorious operation is a decisive response to the occupiers’ continuous crimes and desecration of sanctities,” calling on the peoples of the Arab and Islamic nation and the free people of the world to declare support, The National News Agency reported.
Footage shows bulldozer breaking the border fence
A video clip showed a Palestinian bulldozer removing the border fence separating the Gaza Strip from the occupied Palestinian interior.
The clip shows the bulldozer working amid the shouts of takbir from Palestinian citizens, and great joy at removing the fence.
Abbas: Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement, “Protection must be provided to our people, and we affirm the right of the Palestinian people to defend themselves against the terrorism of settlers and occupation forces,” Shehab News Agency reported.
Israel struck 21 Hamas targets in air raids
Dozens of fighter jets and other military aircraft attacked 17 military compounds and four operational headquarters of Hamas in Gaza, the Israeli army said.
Saudi Arabia calls for immediate end to violence between Israel, Palestinians
The Saudi Foreign Ministry called for an immediate end to the acts of violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
PM Narendra Modi expresses solidarity with 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 Prime Minister posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Hamas claims to have captured many Israeli captives
Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri told Al Jazeera that the group has captured a significant number of Israelis, including senior officers.
Palestinian Foreign Ministry issues statement
The State of Palestine expresses its condemnation for the Israeli occupation’s deliberate assault on the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The Palestine Foreign Ministry also said that “Security, stability and peace in our region can be attained by ending the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the 1967 lines, and recognising the people’s right to independence and sovereignty.”
Number of airlines cancel flights to Israel
German airline Lufthansa is halting flights to Israel due to a surge in Palestinian attacks, a spokesperson told AFP.
Swiss Air, Austrian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines are among the companies that have been reported to cancel flights to and from Israel.
IDF confirms Hamas has taken Israeli hostages to Gaza Strip
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the top spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, has confirmed that Hamas has taken Israelis hostage in the Gaza Strip.
Biden offers Israel unwavering support to Israel
US President Joe Biden has offered its full support for Israel and its security.
“Today, I spoke with @IsraeliPM about the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel,” Biden wrote. “I offered our support and reiterated my unwavering commitment to Israel’s security. @FLOTUS and I express our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones,” Biden wrote on X.
Israel hit two high-rise towers in Gaza
Israel Air Forces says it carried out airstrikes against two high-rise towers in the Gaza Strip that were used to house Hamas assets.
“The Hamas terrorist organization deliberately places its military assets in the heart of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip,” the IAF said.
“Prior to the strike, the IDF provided advance warning to the occupants of the building and asked them to evacuate,” it added.
Israel halts electricity supply to Gaza
Israel Energy Minister Israel Katz had ordered the state-run electricity company to halt supply in a Gaza Strip.
Hamas again launches rockets towards Israel
Rockets are fired again at Tel Aviv and surrounding areas after Hamas threatened to target the area.
Hamas had earlier threatened to target Tel Aviv after the IDF bombed two high-rise towers in the Gaza Strip that were used to house Hamas assets.
Sirens are sounding in Rehovot, Nes Ziona, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Ramat Gan, Yavneh, Rishon Lezion, Givatayim, Ramat Hasharon, Petah Tikva, Kiryat Ono, Bnei Brak, Givat Shmuel, Beer Ya’akov, Ramla, Holon, Mikve Israel, Bat Yam.
Israeli politician Ofer Cassif points out occupation is the root cause of the death toll
Hadash party and Israeli Knesset member Ofer Cassif condemned the killing of civilians and attributed the death toll to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories and the actions of the government led by Netanyahu, Al Jazeera reported.
Israeli army destroys two more towers in Gaza
Israeli army destroys two more towers in Gaza, claiming they were in use by Palestinian group Hamas.
Netanyahu: We will turn Gaza into rubble
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s army will turn Gaza into rubble and called on Palestinians to leave the strip.
“All the places in which Hamas is based, in this city of evil, all the places Hamas is hiding in, acting from — we’ll turn them into rubble,” he said.
“I’m telling the people of Gaza: get out of there now, because we’re about to act everywhere with all our force,” he said in a brief televised statement.
Israeli forces regain control of Sderot police station
Israeli security forces took control of a Sderot police station where Hamas militants who had infiltrated from Gaza were holed up, after an hours-long standoff.
Israeli police reported achieving full control and neutralizing approximately 10 Hamas militants in a station, as reported by the Times of Israel.
750 Israelis missing: Report
Unofficial reports indicate that about 750 Israelis are missing.
Mortar shells fired from Lebanon into Northern Israel
On Sunday, October 8, Israeli army radio reported that mortar shells were fired from Lebanon hit an Israeli military site in Shebaa Farms.
The Israeli army is reportedly launching an artillery strike in the area of Lebanon where shorts were fired.
