Israel’s military declared a “state of war alert” on Saturday, after Palestinian Islamist Group Hamas fired a barrage of 5,000 rockets and sent fighters into “Israeli territory,” killing at least 22 Israelis, as per many international media outlets.
The early morning missile attack was described as “massive” by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), injuring over 500 Israelis, with an unknown number of hostages, Israel’s Haaretz has reported.
The militant movement Hamas, which governs Gaza, dubbed the infiltration operation “Al Aqsa Flood” and called for a countrywide insurgency against Israel.
Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif said in a recorded message: “If you have a gun, get it out. This is the time to use it – get out with trucks, cars, axes, today the best and most honorable history starts”.
Al-Deif said that the group “targeted the enemy positions, airports, and military positions with 5,000 rockets” and that the strike on Israel was in retaliation to attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque, and the continued siege of Gaza.
Sirens warning of incoming rockets continued for at least three hours after the initial barrage of Gaza. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message: “Citizens of Israel, we are at war — not in an operation, not in rounds — at war.”
The attack coincides with the 50th anniversary of October War in 1973 between Israel and a coalition of Arab countries, mainly Egypt and Syria.