Hamas Launches Surprise Offensive, Firing Thousands of Rockets Into Israel
In a shocking turn of events, Hamas militants launched a surprise offensive attack on Saturday by crossing the fence into Israeli-occupied cities and bombarding them with a heavy barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip. The armed wing of Hamas, known as the Qassam Brigades, revealed that over 5,000 rockets were fired into Israel, marking the beginning of their operation dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
Hamas declared that they are determined to bring an end to what they deem as the crimes of the occupation. They believe that the time for the Israeli regime to rampage without being held accountable is over. Their mission with Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is to hold Israel responsible for their actions. Within the first 20 minutes of the offensive, they successfully launched over 5,000 rockets.
The escalation saw other Palestinian resistance groups join forces with Hamas. Gaza-based Islamic Jihad fighters expressed their solidarity and joined the operation, while Hamas called on Palestinians worldwide to stand up and fight against Israel. They also urged resistance groups in Lebanon to join the battle.
Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, addressed the operation, characterizing it as a historic and epic event. He claimed that the primary reason for initiating the offensive was the criminal aggression of the Zionists in Al-Aqsa Mosque. He further declared that the storm unleashed from Gaza would spread to the West Bank and beyond, wherever Palestinians reside.
The infiltration of Hamas militants into Israeli occupied territories left Palestinians in Gaza in disbelief. Witnessing fighters inside their occupied land seemed unimaginable for many. The impact of their actions reverberated through the region, with significant movement of armed fighters reported and clashes occurring along the separation fence near Khan Younis in the south.
As tensions escalated, the Israeli Army confirmed the capture of their Commander, Brigadier General Aloni, by Hamas. Moreover, Hamas’ assault, comprised of rocket attacks and armed confrontations, resulted in at least 40 fatalities and over 779 injuries, according to the State Rescue Service, Magen David Adom.
Responding to the offensive, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared that the country is now at war. In a video statement, he condemned Hamas for launching a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. Netanyahu emphasized that they are currently engaged in a war, not just an operation or rounds of conflict, and announced operations to clear out infiltrated towns, along with a call-up of reservists.
The situation in the region remains tense as both sides escalate their efforts. With rockets raining down on Israel and armed clashes intensifying, there seems to be no immediate resolution in sight. The impact of these events extends beyond the physical casualties, encompassing deep-rooted emotions and historical grievances, fueling a cycle of violence that appears difficult to break. The world watches with concern as the conflict unfolds, hoping for a peaceful resolution that can bring an end to the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.
