Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is at war after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack against the nation and its citizens in the early morning hours.
Netanyahu ordered a mobilization of reserves and promised a forceful response that the enemy has not experienced before.
Hamas militants are believed to have killed at least 100 people in the overnight raid which has also seen a large number of kidnappings of Israeli citizens, some of whom are thought to have been dragged over the Gaza border.
Reports suggest a whopping 700 injured, with militants breaking through the border at key points to launch their sneak attack which also included thousands of rockets.
The Israeli response is believed to have killed over 200 Gazans so far, with thousands believed injured.
For those playing catch up on Israel —
According to reports: At least 60 Israelis taken hostage and brought to Gaza, including IDF members and a former commanding general of the Gaza Division. Air land, and sea infiltration under the cover of thousands of rockets. Terrorists…
— Alex Plitsas 🇺🇸 (@alexplitsas) October 7, 2023
The Associated Press reports:
The Israeli military struck targets in Gaza in response for some 2,500 rockets that sent air raid sirens wailing constantly as far north as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) away. It said its forces were engaged in gunfights with Hamas militants who had infiltrated Israel in at least seven locations. The fighters had sneaked across the separation fence and even invaded Israel through the air with paragliders, the army said.
“The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians,” said U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
“There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” she added.
Former President Trump released a statement Saturday morning: “These Hamas attacks are a disgrace and Israel has every right to defend itself with overwhelming force. Sadly, American taxpayer dollars helped fund these attacks, which many reports are saying came from the Biden Administration. We brought so much peace to the Middle East through the Abraham Accords, only to see Biden whittle it away at a far more rapid pace than anyone thought possible. Here we go again.”