Israel-Palestine Conflict: On Saturday, gunmen from Hamas, the country’s dominant militant group, went on the rampage in southern Israeli towns, infiltrating these communities on foot and firing thousands of rockets from the air. This was Israel’s deadliest day of violence since the Yom Kippur War fifty years ago. In retaliation, Tel Aviv launched lethal airstrikes in Gaza, sparking a full-fledged conflict in the region. In his impending “long and difficult” combat warning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that the “enemy will pay an unprecedented price.”
Several Israeli media outlets reported that 600 people had died as the fighting entered its second day on Sunday. According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least 500 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli airstrikes in retaliation, according to Reuters. In the meantime, as tensions between Israel and Palestine have increased, at least 2,000 people have been hurt as of now. Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, the international spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces, recorded an update message on Sunday and referred to the attack as “Hamas’ 9/11.”
The Israel Defence Forces continue to attack terrorist targets in Gaza while conducting continued Israeli airstrikes in a number of locations close to the Gaza Strip. At the same time, tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border are rising as both nations trade artillery and rocket fire. The Israeli military reported that one of its drones had destroyed a Hezbollah outpost near the border in the Har Dov region. When Israel invaded the Shebaa Farms, Hezbollah, an armed organization funded by Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was “in solidarity” with the Palestinian people. Hashem Safieddine, a senior Hezbollah official, even claimed that Palestinian terrorists had access to the “guns and rockets” of his organization.
Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, the IDF’s international spokesperson, recorded an update message on Sunday and said, “Very hard 24 hours. unforeseen circumstances. Yesterday, Hamas attacked us…For years, we have discussed Hamas, who they are, and what they seek—the destruction of our state.They assaulted us from the sea, the air, and the ground. They targeted civilians rather than military targets.The figures are exceptional. We’re going to react to this really harshly.We’ll take whatever action is required. The attack was carried out in a brutal manner.This may be considered our 9/11”.
