Roving Periscope: After Hamas fires 5,000 rockets, and kills 22, Israel back at war in Gaza

Virendra Pandit

New Delhi: Israel on Saturday declared “We are at war” and launched Operation Iron Swords after Iran-supported Hamas extremists fired around 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip, Palestine, into the Jewish nation whose Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed to win the fresh conflict.

Reports said 22 Israelis died and many others were wounded in the Hamas attack. Earlier, an elderly Israeli woman was killed “due to a direct hit” in the rocket attacks, and 15 others were injured, emergency services said.

The armed wing of Hamas declared it had begun “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” with over 5,000 rockets fired in “only the first strike of 20 minutes.” It also claimed to have kidnapped five Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli military also launched air strikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip. It might draft tens of thousands of soldiers to end the war quickly.

Since 2006, Israel and Hamas have fought four wars, the last in 2021.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) also launched a counter-attack after Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel. The Times of Israel said: “In response to the barrages of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza at Israel, the IDF is currently striking Hamas targets in Gaza.”

Defense Minister Gallant said: “Hamas made a grave mistake this morning and started a war against the State of Israel. IDF soldiers are fighting the enemy at all the infiltration sites. The State of Israel will win this war.” The Israeli military is fighting Hamas terrorists across Southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip.

IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that over 2,200 rockets were fired into Israel since 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. The firing continued for over three-and-a-half hours. Hamas terrorists infiltrated from land, sea, and air. The IDF troops and Hamas are fighting at least seven sites.

“The IDF has declared a state of readiness for war. There has been widespread rocket fire into Israeli territory from Gaza, and terrorists have infiltrated Israeli territory through various entry points,” the Israeli military said in its first reaction.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is at war and Hamas will pay an unprecedented price. “Citizens of Israel, we are at war. This is not an operation, not an escalation – this is war. And we will win. Hamas will pay an unprecedented price,” he said in a video message.

On Saturday, over 5,000 rockets pierced the sky towards Israel as loud sirens blared across the country on this festive holiday morning. Paragliders were used in the attack and cars passing by were fired at on the roads, according to visuals.

The Indian embassy in Jerusalem has asked its citizens living in Israel to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities. “Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement, and stay close to safety shelters,” it said in an advisory.

Launching the attack on Israel, Hamas leader Mohamed Deif said in a pre-recorded speech: “We have decided to put an end to all of this, with the help of God, so that the enemy understands that the time of recklessness without accountability is over.”

Sirens blared across Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israel as multiple points of impact were reported in the southern and central parts of the country. The government advised civilians to stay near shelters and those near the Gaza Strip to stay home.

Haunting visuals of people fleeing their homes in Gazan border areas surfaced online. Hundreds were seen moving away from the border with Israel, carrying blankets and food items.

Israel and the Palestinian terrorists have fought several wars since Hamas took power in Gaza in 2007. The latest comes as tensions heightened after Israel closed its borders to Gazan workers. At least 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis, and two foreigners have been killed in the conflicts this year so far. These include both fighters and civilians.

Fresh violence erupted a day after Hamas said that the “people had to draw a line to end the occupation” and added that Israel continued to commit crimes across Palestinian land, especially on the holy site of Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.