The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a major attack on Israel, marking the biggest assault in recent years. The surprise offensive involved a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip and gunmen infiltrating several Israeli towns.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has declared this a “war” initiated by Hamas. “Hamas has made a grave mistake this morning and launched a war against the State of Israel,” he stated.
The attack has resulted in dozens of casualties and hundreds of injuries. Hamas sent rockets and fighters into Israel, which has started bombing Gaza in response. Multiple injuries have been reported after rockets were fired from Gaza toward Israel. A woman in her 70s in the Gderot region of Israel is in critical condition following the barrage.
In retaliation, Israel has commenced air strikes on Gaza. Some residents of Gaza, fearing Israeli reprisals, have fled their homes near the border.