Hamas, the Palestinian group, launched a surprise attack on Israel, marking one of the most significant assaults in years. The attack involved armed militants crossing into several Israeli towns and a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
Mohammad Deif, a senior Hamas military leader, declared the operation's commencement in a broadcast on Hamas-affiliated media, urging Palestinians worldwide to join the fight. He stated that this was a pivotal battle to end what he called the last occupation on Earth and claimed that 5,000 rockets had been launched.
Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas spokesperson and former deputy foreign minister in Gaza's government, conveyed to Al Jazeera that the Palestinian operation also served as a message to Arab nations that had normalized relations with Israel.
As warning sirens sounded across southern and central Israel, including in Jerusalem, the Israeli military announced its readiness for war, with the defense minister stating that Hamas had made a grave mistake by declaring war on Israel. Israel responded with airstrikes into Gaza, which witnesses reported as causing significant explosions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office indicated that he would hold meetings with top security officials, and there was authorization for the call-up of reservists.
In May, a series of Israeli airstrikes and Gaza rocket attacks resulted in the deaths of 34 Palestinians and one Israeli. So far this year, the conflict has led to at least 247 Palestinian casualties, 32 Israeli casualties, and two foreigners killed, including both combatants and civilians on both sides, according to official figures from Israeli and Palestinian sources.
