New Delhi: Hours after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented aerial and ground attack in southern Israel early Saturday morning, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the country is “at war”.
“We are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war,” he said in a 49-second video message in Hebrew posted on X. He went on to say that Hamas had “launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens”.
Adding that the “enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” Netanyahu said he had ordered an “extensive mobilisation of reserves” and instructed Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to “return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known”.
Further, he urged citizens to follow the instructions of the IDF and Home Front Command — the unit responsible for rescue and evacuation. “I convened the heads of the security establishment and ordered, first of all, to clear out the communities that have been infiltrated by terrorists. This is currently being carried out,” he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
"Citizens of Israel,
We are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours. pic.twitter.com/C7YQUviItR
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 7, 2023
Earlier in the day, Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’s military wing al-Qassam Brigades declared that the Palestinian militant outfit had launched ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’ by firing “5,000 missiles and shells” towards Israel.
Hamas gunmen also reportedly stormed several military bases and overrun parts of Netivot and Ofakim towns in southern Israel.
This marks the most significant offensive of its kind against Israel by Hamas since the militant group took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. It is also being viewed as the most serious escalation since the 10-day war between Israeli forces and Hamas in 2021.
The Israel Defense Forces responded to the coordinated attack by mounting a counter-offensive (‘Swords of Iron’), with the Israeli Air Force sending out fighter jets to target locations linked to Hamas.
Also Read: ‘Civilians sleeping in their beds attacked’ — Israel mounts counter-offensive against Hamas