:DEVELOPING: Palestinian gunmen infiltrate Israel after rocket barrage from Gaza – The IDF Declares a State of Alert for War
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Israel at War: Dozens dead as Israel targets Gaza in response
Hundreds of Israelis injured in Hamas rocket assault from Beersheba to Jerusalem, Israeli Air Force targets Hamas in Gaza Strip. A barrage of rockets slammed into southern and central Israel Saturday morning as Hamas terrorists infiltrated the country and took over Southern Israeli towns.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel is at war.
At least 40 people have been killed in Israel after a major surprise attack with militants crossing into Israel from Gaza during heavy rocket fire. Several Israelis have reportedly been taken back to Gaza as hostages.
Israel has responded with a wave of air strikes on targets in Gaza killing 161 people, Palestinian officials say.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is “at war” and vowed that Hamas, Gaza’s rulers, will “pay a price it has never known”. “This morning Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens,” he said in a video address.
This is one of the most serious escalations in the Israel-Palestinian conflict in years.
The attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas saw fighters cross the perimeter fence just after dawn. At the same time, barrages of rockets were launched from Gaza – some reaching as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. How the gunmen managed to penetrate one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world is unclear.
TIMELINE
06:35 Sirens sounded in Central and Southern Israel.
Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip launched massive rocket barrages at southern and central Israel on Saturday morning, combined with an assault by dozens of gunmen who infiltrated the border town of Sderot and other communities, clashing with Israel Defense Force troops. At least six people were killed and nearly 300 wounded, and casualties were reported from Sderot.
The unprecedented surprise attack by terrorists in the Gaza Strip started at around 6:30 a.m. and Israelis celebrated the last day of the weeklong Sukkot festival with hundreds of rockets fired at Israel. It came a day after Israel and the Arab world marked the 50th anniversary of the surprise attack by Egypt and Syria that launched the Yom Kippur War.
6:57 Dozens of rockets were fired from the blockaded Gaza Strip towards Israel on Saturday as sirens warning of incoming fire blared in Israel:
07:12 Over the past half an hour, barrages of rockets have been launched by the Hamas terrorist organization from Gaza into Israel. We urge the public in southern and central Israel to stay near protected areas and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command.
The Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip said Saturday that it had launched over 5,000 rockets at Israelis in a surprise attack that it called “Operation Al-Aqsa Deluge.”
The terror group also breached the barrier surrounding Gaza, with dozens of gunmen infiltrating Israeli towns and communities in an unprecedented attack.
“Today the people are regaining their revolution,” Hamas military commander Muhammad Deif said in the recorded message, as he called on Palestinians from East Jerusalem to northern Israel to join the fight and “expel the occupiers and demolish the walls.”
07:40 Initial report – A number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory from Gaza. Residents in the surrounding area have been asked to remain in their homes.
07:45-08:20 Sirens continue to sound throughout Central and Southern Israel.
08:23 The IDF declares a state of alert for war.
Over the past hour, the Hamas terrorist organization launched massive barrages of rockets from Gaza into Israel, and its terrorist operatives have infiltrated into Israel in a number of different locations in the south.
Civilians in southern and central Israel must remain near shelters, and in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip, inside shelters.
The Chief of the General staff is currently conducting a situational assessment and approving plans for the IDF’s continued activity.
The Hamas terrorist organization is responsible for these attacks and will face consequences for them
10:10 Hundreds of residents in the Gaza Strip fled their homes close to the border with Israel after barrages of rockets were fired from the coastal enclave into Israel
10:50 Israel’s army carried out at least two air strikes on the Gaza Strip
11: 30 Palestinian militants have begun a “war” against Israel, the country’s defence minister said Saturday after a barrage of rockets were fired and fighters from the Palestinian enclave infiltrated Israel, in a major escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
STATEMENT FROM ISRAEL POLICE
Over the last few hours, a dynamic conflict situation has unfolded in the southern district, accompanied by a substantial influx of rockets targeting urban areas across Israel. All members of the Israel Police, including specialized units, have been deployed to the area and are actively engaged in various combat zones, providing professional response and assistance in different zones.
Our commanders and officers are dedicated to responding promptly, and being prepared for any eventuality. The Israel Police is prepared to respond to any threat to the safety of the State of Israel and collaborate with other security forces against any threat or incident, all for the security and peace of every citizen of Israel.
We ask the public to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and cooperate with the police forces
The Israel Police will continue to provide updates and important information through various communication channels, including the police’s website, Facebook page (in Hebrew and Arabic), Twitter, and more, as well as through the national police information hotline at 110
Jordan Warns of Dangerous Escalation in Gaza
Jordan stressed on Saturday the need to stop the dangerous escalation in Gaza and its environs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates warned of the dangerous repercussions of this escalation, especially in light of what cities and regions in the West Bank are witnessing: Israeli attacks and violations against the Palestinian people and Islamic and Christian sanctities as well as depriving the Palestinian people of their rights.
The Ministry, in a statement, warned of the consequences of this escalation on efforts to achieve comprehensive calm. It stressed the importance of restraint, protection of civilians, and adherence to international humanitarian law.
The Ministry emphasized that the escalation of violence in all its forms and continued escalation will lead to worse outcomes and will negatively impact everyone. It stressed the need for a real political horizon to achieve peace based on a two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
This solution would end the occupation and establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the lines of June 4, 1967, allowing it to live in security and peace alongside Israel.
The Ministry urged a halt to Israeli measures that perpetuate the occupation and reduce the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace. This, it stated, is the only way to halt the deterioration and ensure security for all.
Furthermore, the Ministry’s official spokesman, Ambassador Dr. Sufyan Qudah, said that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, is in intensive contact with his regional and international counterparts.
The discussions center on urgent and effective international action to stop the escalation in all its forms, shield the region from the repercussions of a new wave of violence, and halt all provocative measures which perpetuate the occupation, violate the rights of the Palestinian people, and push towards escalation.
Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Attacks Against Israel
I am closely monitoring developments in Israel. Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering, and I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this abhorrent attack on civilians. Over the coming days the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.
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