Rocket barrages were launched from the blockaded Gaza Strip on Saturday, resulting in the unfortunate loss of at least one life in Israel, as reported by an AFP journalist and medical personnel. The Israeli army issued a warning of sirens sounding throughout the southern and central regions of the country, while urging the public to seek refuge near bomb shelters.
The armed wing of the Palestinian group Hamas, taking responsibility for the rocket fire, asserted that its militants had initiated an onslaught of over 5,000 rockets. In their statement, they declared, “We have chosen to put an end to the occupation’s (Israel) continuous transgressions; their era of unchecked aggression is over.” Furthermore, they announced the “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” and claimed to launch more than 5,000 rockets within the first 20 minutes of the operation.
Since 2007, Israel has enforced a severe blockade on Gaza, a measure initiated after Hamas assumed control of the territory. Over the years, Palestinian militants and Israel have engaged in multiple destructive conflicts.
The recent rocket attacks come in the wake of escalating tensions in September, during which Israel temporarily closed its border to Gazan laborers for a span of two weeks. This border shutdown coincided with heightened Palestinian protests along the heavily militarized border region.
Naor Gilon the Ambassador of Israel to India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan took to Twitter to share the following message:
#Israel is under a combined attack from Gaza during the Jewish holiday.
Both by rockets and ground infiltration of Hamas terrorists.The situation is not simple but Israel will prevail.
— Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) October 7, 2023
Following the volley of rockets launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel, hundreds of residents in the coastal enclave decided to evacuate their homes near the Israeli border, according to an AFP correspondent’s account. Men, women, and children could be observed carrying essential supplies like blankets and food items as they departed from their residences, predominantly located in the northeastern region of the Palestinian territory.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, has stated that the Palestinian militant group Hamas has initiated what he describes as a “war” against Israel.
The Hamas terorist organization made a grave mistake this morning and launched a war against the State of Israel.
IDF troops are fighting the enemy at every location.
I call on all of Israel’s citizens to follow
security instructions.The State of Israel will win this war. pic.twitter.com/WwAmBkYZCG
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) October 7, 2023
At approximately 1:18 PM (IST), Israel’s military conducted a minimum of two airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, as reported by an AFP journalist. This action came in response to the barrage of rockets launched from the Palestinian territory into Israel.
According to the armed wing of Hamas, which exercises control over the blockaded coastal enclave, over 5,000 rockets had been fired from the Gaza Strip. Tragically, medics confirmed that this rocket fire resulted in the death of at least one Israeli individual, a woman in her 60s.
The 13th President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her thoughts on Twitter.
I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel.
It is terrorism in its most despicable form.
Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 7, 2023