In a startling turn of events, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas launched its most substantial attack on Israel in years, marking a significant escalation in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The attack, which occurred on a Saturday, took Israel by surprise, as it featured a combination of armed militants crossing the border and a relentless barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
As sirens blared across southern and central Israel, including Jerusalem, the Israeli military swiftly declared a state of readiness. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with top security officials, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
This incident is characterized by an unparalleled infiltration of Hamas gunmen into Israeli territory from Gaza, signifying the most serious escalation since the 10-day war between Israel and Hamas in 2021. Israeli media reported skirmishes between groups of Palestinian fighters and security forces in southern Israeli towns. Meanwhile, in Gaza, residents rushed to stock up on essential supplies in anticipation of prolonged conflict.
Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif formally announced the commencement of the operation through a broadcast on Hamas media. Deif called upon Palestinians worldwide to join the struggle, declaring, "This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth," and claimed that a staggering 5,000 rockets had been launched.
International reactions swiftly followed. Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks originating from Gaza against Israel. She expressed full solidarity with Israel, emphasizing its right to self-defense, a right guaranteed by international law, through her social media channels.
Egypt, through a foreign ministry statement, warned of the grave consequences of the current escalation between Israeli and Palestinian factions, while the governments of France and the United Kingdom also strongly condemned the attacks.
Amidst the chaos, emergency services reported the tragic death of one Israeli woman. Ambulance crews were dispatched to areas surrounding the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military confirmed its forces were operating inside Gaza but provided no further details. A statement from the military noted that "a number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip," and residents in the vicinity were advised to stay indoors.
Reports from Israeli media indicated that gunmen had opened fire on passers-by in the town of Sderot in southern Israel. Footage circulating on social media seemed to depict street clashes and armed individuals in jeeps patrolling the countryside.
Dvir, a young woman from Beeri Kibbutz, shared her experience from a bomb shelter, saying, "We were told there are terrorists inside the kibbutz; we can hear gunfire."
Palestinian media reported that several Israelis had been taken captive by fighters, with Hamas media circulating video footage that appeared to show a destroyed Israeli tank. The Israeli military acknowledged awareness of these reports but provided no further details.
Netanyahu's office announced his intention to convene top security officials in the coming hours, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant authorized the call-up of reservists.
In Gaza, the sound of rocket launches reverberated, and residents reported armed confrontations along the separation fence with Israel near the southern town of Khan Younis. There were also reports of significant movements among armed fighters.
Israel's ambulance service dispatched teams to areas in southern Israel near Gaza, and residents were cautioned to remain indoors.
Notably, a group representing military reservists, initially planning to refuse training in protest of the government's plans to overhaul the judiciary, issued a call for reservists to report for duty, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group announced its fighters' participation in the attack alongside Hamas, further intensifying the conflict. Abu Hamza, the spokesman for Islamic Jihad's armed wing, stated, "We are part of this battle; our fighters are side-by-side with their brothers in the Qassam Brigades until victory is achieved."
Among Palestinians in Gaza, disbelief was palpable regarding the infiltration into Israel. One shopkeeper expressed astonishment, saying, "It is like a dream. I still can't believe it, fighters inside our occupied land."
This attack unfolded just one day after Israel commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war, a conflict that brought the country perilously close to catastrophic defeat in a surprise attack by Syria and Egypt. The events underscore the volatile and enduring nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which continues to shape the region's geopolitical landscape.