Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared war in the face of an unprecedented assault by the terrorist group Hamas.
A heartbreaking turn of events continues to transpire in Israel after a surprise attack has left hundreds dead and thousands injured, a number that continues to rise. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a state of war in the face of an unprecedented assault by the terrorist group Hamas, which claimed responsibility for the assault. The attack was launched during the celebration of Simchat Torah, with 2,000 rockets flying across the Israeli skyline, followed by an infiltration of armed terrorists breaking through the heavily guarded border.
Hamas captured Israeli civilians, soldiers, and property to exchange them for incarcerated militants. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israel initiated airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, leading to 232 casualties and over 1600 injuries. Longstanding tensions between Gaza and Jerusalem leave the conflict unfolding in multiple locations, with gun babbles near the border and ongoing fighting inside IDF bases and southern Israeli communities.
Netanyahu asserted Israel’s readiness for a prolonged and powerful campaign. The surprise nature of the attack caught Israel off guard, prompting a mass mobilization of reserves and the initiation of Operation Swords of Iron.
Amidst the unfolding crisis, global leaders supported Israel’s right to defend itself. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the attacks, expressing unwavering support for Israel. The historical context of the conflict, rooted in Israel’s occupation of territories since 1967 and ongoing tensions with Hamas, was underscored by the assault occurring on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. Hamas’s capture of Israeli
As the conflict ensues, many on the ground in the war zone have taken to social media to post about what’s happening. Many ask for prayer for God’s merciful intervention, guidance for Israel, and solace for the grieving amid heartbreak and devastation.
The conflict commenced with multiple rocket launches from different locations within the Palestinian territory, prompting air raid sirens across southern and central Israel. The armed wing of Hamas claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks, asserting that thousands of rockets had been launched. Israeli forces reported an attempted seizure of an Israeli tank during the chaos. Air raid sirens were activated in Israel, urging people to seek shelter in bomb shelters—Israeli air defense systems.
Tragically, the head of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, Ofir Liebstein, lost his life in Hamas’s deadly rocket fire, as The Times of Israel reported. The report indicated that “Ofir was killed when he went to defend a town during the terrorist attack.” Following Liebstein’s death, the deputy head of the Council, Yossi Keren, assumed interim leadership. Regrettably, four other individuals have also been killed in the attack.
