At Least 15 Injured... Israel Announces Retaliation Warning
The armed faction Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip in Palestine, launched a large-scale offensive against Israel, resulting in casualties. Israel declared a special state of emergency and warned of retaliation against Hamas.
According to local media on the 7th (local time), Hamas fired hundreds of rockets toward southern Israel starting around 6:30 a.m. At least one Israeli woman was killed and at least 15 others were injured by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian armed group Islamic Jihad also announced its participation in Hamas's offensive against Israel.
Mohammad Deif, the commander leading Hamas's military wing, claimed responsibility for the bombardment in a statement, saying, "Today is a great day to end Israel's occupation. We have decided to put an end to the crimes of the occupying force (Israel). Their reckless impunity is now over."
Hamas further declared, "We announce the 'Al-Aqsa Flood' operation. In the first 20 minutes, we fired more than 5,000 rockets," urging all Palestinian residents to join the fight.
The Israeli police chief stated in a press release, "This is a state of war. We are under massive attack from the Gaza Strip. Clashes are occurring in 21 locations across the southern region," and banned civilian movement throughout the south.
The Israeli military announced that Hamas not only fired rockets but also infiltrated operatives into Israel, declaring a special state of emergency for areas up to 80 km from the Gaza Strip separation barrier and warning of retaliation against Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emergency meeting with security ministers and other officials to discuss countermeasures. This Hamas offensive is expected to be the largest since the '11-day war' between Israel and Hamas in May 2021, which occurred amid conflicts surrounding the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque.
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