Oct. 7 (UPI) — Israel’s defense forces have announced that the country is now engaged in a full-scale war with Hamas militants. The military operations were launched in response to a series of rocket attacks that targeted southern and central areas of Israel. The surprise attacks have resulted in the death of at least 40 people and left hundreds more wounded, according to emergency responders’ reports.
The Israeli Defense Forces issued a “state of war” alert just after midnight on Saturday local time, following a massive round of rocket fire from Gaza into Israeli territory. Approximately 2,200 rockets were fired during the assault, and there were multiple incursions made into Israel’s south. Hamas militants managed to infiltrate various locations within Israeli territory, prompting the military to order residents in the south and central regions to seek safety in protected areas.
Rockets rained down on cities across Israel, including Tel Aviv, Rishon Lezion, Holon, and Bat Yam, causing widespread alarm and forcing civilians to take cover. The attacks occurred during the morning and were accompanied by emergency sirens sounding in Jerusalem.
In response to the attacks, the Israeli military has launched “Operation Swords of Iron,” a large-scale operation aimed at defending Israeli civilians against the combined assault by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that since the morning, the State of Israel has been at war. The primary objectives of the operation are to remove the hostile forces that have infiltrated Israeli territory, restore security and tranquility to the affected communities, and impose a significant cost on the enemy, both within Gaza and elsewhere.
The Israeli Air Force has conducted airstrikes on multiple Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, using dozens of fighter jets. The military has also attacked military compounds and operational headquarters of the Hamas organization. In addition, reports suggest that Hamas is holding dozens of hostages in an Israeli kibbutz in the south of the country.
The international community has condemned the attacks by Hamas, with statements of support coming from the White House, the National Security Council, and the U.S. Secretary of Defense. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Defense Minister James Cleverley also expressed their solidarity with Israel and denounced the terrorist actions of Hamas.
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