On Sunday, Israeli soldiers engaged in combat with Hamas militants in several southern cities, while also countering a rocket attack launched by Hezbollah terrorists in the north.
This escalation in violence marked the formal declaration of war by Israel, a significant event as it is the first time the nation has declared war in fifty years; the last such declaration was during the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
The declaration was made official by Israel’s security cabinet on Saturday night.
During a Jewish holiday celebration on Saturday morning, Hamas militants initiated a surprise attack. They deployed thousands of rockets and took dozens of hostages, drawing Israeli troops into the streets to respond.
The scale and destructive nature of this unexpected attack became more apparent on Sunday, with Western experts speculating about the involvement of Iran behind this surge of violence.
The engagement resulted in a substantial loss of civilian life, with Israeli officials reporting the death of at least 600 Israeli citizens due to the initial attacks and subsequent fighting.
In contrast, Palestinian authorities documented approximately 300 deaths in Gaza, where Israel had launched a substantial counteroffensive.
Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced a robust response to these events, vowing to “go through every community until we kill every terrorist that is in Israeli territory.”
He emphasized that every individual terrorist, including those located within houses and commanding units from these positions, would be targeted and eliminated by Israeli fire. This strategy is expected to intensify in the coming hours as the situation develops.
In the United States, the Republican party pointed fingers at the Biden administration, criticizing it for the recent release of $6 billion to Iran, which they argue occurred just before the new wave of attacks in Israel.
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In response to these claims, President Joe Biden voiced unequivocal support for Israel. On Saturday, he publicly acknowledged that Israel is facing attacks orchestrated by the terrorist organization Hamas.
He conveyed a strong message of solidarity with Israel to both its citizens and the global community, emphasizing that the United States stands firmly with its Middle Eastern ally.
The situation in northern Israel also remains tense, with Hezbollah taking responsibility for launching rockets into a disputed area known as Mount Dov.
In reaction to this aggression, Israel executed bombings targeting Hezbollah’s positions, leading to a temporary de-escalation of violence in the northern region, as per official reports.
In the south, Hamas seems to be preparing for an extended conflict with Israel.
Saleh al-Arouri, a top official of Hamas, conveyed the organization’s readiness for all potential scenarios, including the possibility of an all-out war.
In a statement to Al-Jazeera TV, al-Arouri asserted Hamas’ commitment to undertaking whatever actions are deemed necessary to uphold the dignity and freedom of the Palestinian people.
The tone and content of this statement signal that Hamas is bracing itself for a protracted and intense conflict with Israeli forces.
