The Israeli Defense Force launched Operation “Iron Swords” on Saturday after declaring a state of war in response to widespread Palestinian terrorist attacks over the weekend that left numerous Israeli citizens dead or injured.
The attacks were carried out by Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic terrorist group that is funded in-part by Iran, during the holiday of Simchat Torah and on Shabbat — the Jewish day of rest that is observed by many in Israel.
“In response to the barrages of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza at Israel, the IDF is currently striking Hamas targets in Gaza,” Israel’s military said in a statement.
The IDF described Operation Iron Swords as a “large-scale operation.”
⚔️Swords of Iron⚔️
The IDF is initiating a large-scale operation to defend Israeli civilians against the combined attack launched against Israel by Hamas this morning. pic.twitter.com/O2fuWjFvNb
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 7, 2023
Israel said that it was calling up reservists to fight in the war. The IDF, armed with advanced weaponry, has nearly 170,000 active-duty soldiers and nearly half a million reservists, making it “the Middle East’s most formidable force,” The Wall Street Journal reports.
A Hamas terrorist official said that over 5,000 rockets had been fired into Israel while the IDF appeared to dispute that figure, suggesting that it was closer to 2,500.
“Hamas now controls several population centers in southern Israel,” a local Israeli journalist said on Channel 12, according to a top former Israeli official. “I can’t believe I’m saying this. The residents are begging for help.”
NEW: Israeli army confirms that Israeli settlements near Gaza stripe are under the control of Palestinian groups – Israel’s Channel 12
Below you see a footage of Palestinian reinforcements arriving in the Israeli settlements pic.twitter.com/PXZQUMM6SZ
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) October 7, 2023
NOW: Hamas says more of their fighters are infiltrating Israeli territory. pic.twitter.com/6Vg2y0cTnj
— Hamdah Salhut (@hamdahsalhut) October 7, 2023
The Islamic terrorists invaded Israel by land, sea, and by air using paragliders, according to Israeli officials.
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Fighting was taking place at Erez Crossing, Nahal Oz, Magen, Kibbutz Beeri, Rehim Army Base, Ziikim Army base, and Kfar Azz, an Israel defense official said.
The terrorist attack happened on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war — known as the Yom Kippur War — where Israel’s Arab neighbors launched a surprise attack during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar.
Images and video circulating on social media that were reported on by various newswires, major newspapers, and local publications showed horrifying scenes as rockets smashed into the side of residential buildings, cars and at least one military tank were on fire, numerous bodies lay on the ground in pools of blood, the bodies of Israeli soldiers were desecrated by Palestinians, and Islamic terrorist roamed the streets hunting for Israeli citizens. There were also reports that hostages may have been taken — Israeli soldiers and potentially civilians — and it appears that the terrorists were able to steal significant military hardware from Israel.