Tel Aviv — Israeli soldiers engaged in a continued battle with Hamas militants in southern Israel on Sunday. At the same time, they exchanged fire with Hezbollah militants who were launching rockets from Lebanon in the northern part of the country. Due to the escalating violence, Israeli communities near the Lebanon border were urged to evacuate.
Israeli officials confirmed on Sunday that since Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza early Saturday morning, at least 600 Israeli civilians and members of the military have died. Another 1,800 were wounded. The Israeli rescue service, Zaka, reported removing about 260 bodies from a music festival that was attacked by Hamas militants. The number of casualties is expected to rise as other paramedic teams continue their work.
This attack marks the deadliest day in decades in the long-standing Israel-Palestinian conflict. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 370 Palestinians have died and 2,200 were wounded.
U.S. President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and assured him of full support from the U.S. government. The White House also stated that additional assistance for the Israeli Defense Forces is on its way and that more will follow in the coming days. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that the U.S. will rapidly provide the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has been directed to the eastern Mediterranean to provide support.
Many U.S. politicians have condemned the Hamas assault and pledged their support for Israel.
Who attacked Israel?
Early Saturday morning, Hamas militants launched thousands of missiles from the Gaza Strip and breached the heavily fortified border fence. They infiltrated Israeli communities using motorcycles, paragliders, and pickup trucks, catching Israel off guard. Hamas fighters stormed approximately 22 different locations in southern Israel, shooting people in the streets and abducting both civilians and security forces.
Hamas is the militant faction governing the Gaza Strip, home to more than two million people. Designated as a terror organization by Israel and the U.S., Hamas is accused of receiving direct funding and support from Iran. Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.
Israeli authorities are still fighting Hamas militants in six locations inside Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is engaged in a long and difficult war and vowed to use all its strength to destroy Hamas. He urged Gaza residents to evacuate, even though they have no means of leaving the blockaded territory as Israel cut off their electricity.
In a show of solidarity with the “Palestinian resistance,” Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, fired multiple rockets at Israeli positions in the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights is a disputed, Israeli-occupied region bordering Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The U.S. government states that Hezbollah, like Hamas, receives most of its funding and support from Iran.
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