Gunmen from Hamas carried out a devastating attack in Israeli towns, resulting in the deaths of at least 250 Israelis and the capture of numerous hostages. This marked the deadliest day of violence in Israel since the Yom Kippur war 50 years ago. In response, Israel launched retaliatory strikes, causing the deaths of over 230 Gazans. The fighting continued throughout the night.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to seek vengeance for the attack, describing it as a cruel and wicked war launched by Hamas. He emphasized that Hamas aims to murder innocent civilians, including mothers, children, and the elderly. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh declared that the assault would extend to the West Bank and Jerusalem, citing threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the blockade on Gaza, and Israeli normalization with regional countries.

The streets of Sderot in southern Israel were filled with the bodies of Israeli civilians, a grim scene of destruction. Terrified Israelis, trapped in safe rooms, shared their harrowing experiences on live TV. Esther Borochov, who survived an attack at a dance rave party, recounted playing dead in a car after the driver attempting to help her was shot. Senior military officers were among those killed in the fighting near Gaza.

By the early hours of the morning, Israeli troops were still engaged in clashes with Hamas fighters in some parts of southern Israel. The situation was not fully under control, according to an Israeli army spokesperson on social media. The Israeli prime minister’s office stated that the heavy price paid in this war was unbearable, but victory was certain. The international community condemned the violence, while the United States pledged its support for Israel.The security cabinet has approved measures to dismantle the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which have been ongoing for many years. These measures include cutting off electricity and fuel supplies, as well as restricting the entry of goods into Gaza.

In Gaza, the sky was filled with black smoke, orange flashes, and sparks. Mourners carried the bodies of recently killed militants through the streets, draped in green Hamas flags.

Gaza’s hospitals, which are already crumbling and overcrowded, received the dead and wounded. However, they are facing severe shortages of medical supplies and equipment. According to the health ministry, 232 people have been killed and at least 1,700 wounded.

The streets of Gaza were empty, except for ambulances rushing to the sites of air strikes. Israel deliberately cut off the power, plunging the city into darkness.

The attack by Hamas and Islamic Jihad has been condemned by Western countries, led by the United States. President Joe Biden expressed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself and issued a strong warning to Iran and other nations hostile to Israel. He emphasized that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to take advantage of the situation.

The United States is working with other governments to ensure that the crisis remains contained within Gaza and does not spread further. Efforts have been made to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which is seen as a significant achievement in Israel’s quest for Arab recognition. However, Palestinians are concerned that such a deal may compromise their aspirations for an independent state.

Demonstrations in support of Hamas took place across the Middle East, with Israeli and U.S. flags being burned and marchers waving Palestinian flags in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

Iran and its Lebanese allies, Hezbollah, openly praised the Hamas attack.

Even after nightfall, residents were still not allowed to return home, indicating that the situation is far from over.Dani Rahamim, who was hiding in a shelter in Nahal Oz near the Gaza fence, confirmed to RushHourDaily that the kibbutz was free of terrorists. Although the gunfire had stopped, explosions could still be heard in the area.

In retaliation for an Israeli air strike that destroyed a high-rise building with over 100 apartments, Hamas claimed to have fired 150 rockets towards Tel Aviv on Saturday evening.

Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy chief of Hamas, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that the group was holding numerous Israeli captives, including senior officials. He further declared that Hamas had enough captives to secure the release of all Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

Hamas, an organization that seeks the destruction of Israel, attributed the attack to what they perceived as escalated Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Israeli prisons.

Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif announced the start of the operation in a broadcast on Hamas media, proclaiming it as the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth. He called on Palestinians worldwide to join the fight.

While Gaza has endured four wars and numerous clashes between Hamas and Israel since 2007, the scenes of violence within Israel itself surpassed anything witnessed during the Palestinian Intifada uprisings of previous decades.

Israel’s complete lack of preparedness was considered one of the most significant intelligence failures in its history, shocking a nation that prides itself on its extensive infiltration and monitoring of militants.

In Gaza, where 2.3 million Palestinians have lived under an Israeli blockade for 16 years, residents rushed to purchase supplies and some sought refuge in shelters.

At the border into Israel, clashes resulted in the deaths of scores of Palestinians and hundreds of injuries. Fighters managed to capture the crossing point and dismantle fences. Among the casualties were civilians who had attempted to cross into Israel through the damaged gates.

“We are afraid,” expressed Amal Abu Daqqa, a Palestinian woman from Khan Younis, as she left her house.

The surge in violence occurs amidst ongoing clashes between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The West Bank, where a Palestinian authority exercises limited self-rule, is opposed by Hamas, which seeks the destruction of Israel.

In the West Bank, clashes between stone-throwing youths and Israeli troops took place in several locations on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of four Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy. Palestinian factions have called for a general strike on Sunday.

Israel itself has been experiencing internal political turmoil, with its most right-wing government attempting to reform the judiciary.

This article was reported by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, and Ammar Anwar in Sderot. Additional reporting was done by Henriette Chacar, Emily Rose, and Dan Williams in Jerusalem, and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah. The writing credits go to James Mackenzie, Tom Perry, Michael Georgy, Peter Graff, and Patricia Zengerle. The article was edited by William Mallard, Robert Birsel, Alex Richardson, Nick Macfie, Diane Craft, and Lisa Shumaker.A journalist with extensive knowledge of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including multiple wars and the initial peace agreement between the two parties, has been working as a senior correspondent for almost 25 years.

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