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Murderous Hamas attack shakes Israel, sparking escalation of conflict

Newsroom24x7 Network

Tel Aviv/ Jerusalem: In a surprise and murderous predawn assault during a major Jewish holiday on Saturday 7 October 2023, Hamas fired thousands of rockets from Gaza Strip into Israel and infiltrated Israeli towns, leaving dozens dead.

About 6 hours after the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas, the situation was horrific and was escalating with no signs of respite. Airstrikes were taking place and casualty figures were going up. Hamas claimed it had fired 7000 rockets from Gaza strip on Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a televised address declared: “We are at war”. He announced a mass army mobilization, emphasizing that this was a full-scale war with Hamas.

Israel declares war against Hamas

Israel has responded with devastating retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza strip, and announced that it will exact an “unprecedented price.”

The surprise attack began with Hamas terrorists infiltrating Israeli territory near Gaza. They engaged in gunbattles lasting many hours. Shortly after the Hamas attack, Israel’s national rescue service reported a death toll of at least 40. Hours later, local media reported 100 Israelis and 198 Palestinians killed. Many Israeli soldiers and civilians were also taken into Gaza as captives. There are reports that 53 Israelis have been taken as hostage.Such a scale of Israelis being taken as hostage has never been seen before.

Images are doing the rounds across media showing Hamas gunmen parading captured Israeli military vehicles through the streets.

World leaders expressed their concerns and support in the wake of this crisis. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his shock and stated, “I am shocked by this morning’s attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens. Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. We’re in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice.”

US President Joe Biden reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense.

The situation remains highly volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments and hoping for a swift resolution to avoid further escalation in the region.

Published by Editor

Shivani Bhardwaj is Editor Newsroom24x7.com. She has more than a decade of experience as a journalist. She is also an expert on legal matters relating to Petroleum & Energy, Infrastructure, Mergers and Acquisitions, Project Development, Contracts, Corporate Dispute Resolution, Arbitration and Court related proceedings. She has a Masters Degree in Energy Laws from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun and a Bachelor in Law from the National Law Institute University, Bhopal. Acclaimed journalist Lalit Shastri is the founder of Newsroom24x7. He is is an Indian journalist, columnist, wildlife film maker and environmentalist. He has headed the Madhya Pradesh Bureau of The Hindu and The Asian Age - two of India's leading English newspapers - for nearly 25 years. He had quit a corporate job to investigate the causes leading to the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster. He also covered extensively from ground zero for The Hindu, the riots that followed the demolition of the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya and repeated attacks by Naxalite-Maoists in the Central Indian States of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

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