The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Saturday launched operation ‘Iron Swords’ against Palestinian soldiers, after the Hamas had retailiated to Al-Aqsa desecration and crimes of occupation by Israeli forces, by launching surprise attack on Israel.
“In response to the barrages of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza at Israel, the IDF is currently striking Hamas targets in Gaza,” Israel Defense Forces said in a post on ‘X’.
Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that the country will win this war and noted that Hamas has made a “grave mistake” by launching a surprise attack on Israel with rockets.
“Hamas made a grave mistake this morning and started a war against the State of Israel. IDF soldiers are fighting the enemy at all the infiltration sites. The State of Israel will win this war,” Gallant said, Times of Israel reported citing his office.
The fight between Hamas soldiers and Israeli military continues in different locations in Southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip, including the towns of Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen, Be’eri and the Re’im military base.
IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that over 2200 rockets were fired into Israel since 6:30am on Saturday, international media reported. The firing took place for more than 3.5 hours.
Hagari said that Hamas soldiers reached there from land, sea and air. He further added that there are at least seven sites of fighting between Hamas soldiers and IDF personnel.
Israel’s military is expecting to draft tens of thousands of military personnel, the report said. Hamas claimed to have kidnapped five IDF personnnel.
This incident marked the most serious attack on Israel in years, with armed groups crossing the border from the Gaza Strip and launching a heavy barrage of rockets. Warning sirens sounded across southern and central Israel, including in Jerusalem, prompting Israel’s military to go on a war footing, and Netanyahu called for an emergency meeting of security officials.
Palestinian media reported that several Israelis had been taken captive by fighters, and Hamas media circulated video footage apparently showing a destroyed Israeli tank. In Gaza, the sound of rocket launches could be heard, and there were reports of armed clashes along the separation fence with Israel near the southern town of Khan Younis, with significant movement of armed fighters reported.
Social media images depicted cars on fire and some damaged buildings. The Israeli ambulance service reported one fatality and at least 15 individuals wounded as a result of the attacks, Sky News reported.
Mobile phone footage showed Hamas fighters attempting to reach Israel by sea using small boats, and an unusual development occurred as Palestinian fighters crossed the border using paragliders, eventually reaching the town of Sderot where gun battles ensued. Cameras captured them entering the town in pickup trucks and on motorbikes.
Hamas group also called on armed groups in Lebanon to join the fighting. Senior Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif announced on Hamas radio that 5,000 rockets had been launched, declaring it “the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth.”
