Israel announced casualties after Hamas fired thousands of rockets
(Dan Tri) – At least 40 people were killed and nearly 800 injured in Israel, while some Israeli citizens may be being held hostage, local media said.
Cars burned to the ground in Israel after a Hamas attack on the morning of October 7 (Photo: AFP).
On October 7, Israeli television quoted information from the Israeli Ministry of Health as saying that at least 40 people were killed and about 779 injured in this country after a surprise attack by Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip.
`We are holding a large number of Israeli hostages, including high-ranking officers,` said Hamas deputy commander Saleh Al-Arouri.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have not confirmed information that some of its citizens are being held hostage.
Local media fear that Israel could face a hostage crisis.
This morning, Hamas forces in Gaza suddenly attacked Israeli territory.
Previously, Mr. Mohammad Deif, a senior military commander of Hamas, announced the opening of the campaign in a broadcast on this Islamic force’s media and called on Palestinians everywhere to fight.
`This is the day of the greatest battle, the end of the last occupation of the earth,` Mr. Deif declared.
According to Reuters, this is the most serious outbreak of violence in this volatile region since the bloody 10-day clash between Israel and Hamas in 2021.
Since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, a 42km2 strip of land, in 2007, there have been four wars and several smaller conflicts, causing heavy damage to 2.3 million Gazans.
Screenshot of Israeli military airstrikes in response to Hamas in Gaza (Photo: Getty).
At today’s cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced: `Since this morning, Israel is in a state of war.`
He also stated: `Our first goal is to clear the area infiltrated by enemy troops and restore security and peace to the attacked towns.`
`Hamas, the force behind this attack, will bear the consequences and responsibility,` the Israeli military stated.
Al Jazeera sources said that today’s fighting left at least 160 Palestinians dead and more than 1,000 injured.
International leaders, including German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula Leyen, simultaneously condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel.
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell emphasized: `This act of violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence cannot solve anything.`
Meanwhile, Russia and Türkiye called on all sides to exercise restraint.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that Moscow is contacting Israel, Palestine and Arab countries to reduce tensions.