Israel, shocked by the most lethal attack in five decades, declared a state of war against Hamas on Sunday as the death toll in the ongoing conflict climbed past 1,000, triggered by a massive surprise assault from Gaza by the Palestinian militant group.
In response to a barrage of rockets fired by Hamas on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned the stunned and grieving nation to brace for what he termed a “lengthy and arduous” conflict, as a wave of fighters descended, targeting civilians and holding over 100 hostages.
The violent escalation has greatly intensified tensions in the Middle East, resulting in more than 600 casualties on the Israeli side, marking Israel’s most significant losses since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, when it was targeted by a coalition led by Egypt and Syria.
‘Israel was caught flat-footed by the unprecedented attack,’ said Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative. ‘I’ve heard multiple comparisons to 9/11, and many Israelis are struggling to understand how this could have happened.’
Gaza, which faced Israeli air strikes hitting 800 targets in anticipation of a possible ground invasion, saw officials report at least 413 deaths, with thousands more individuals suffering injuries within the war-torn region.
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US President Joe Biden ordered ‘additional support for Israel in the face of this unprecedented terrorist assault by Hamas,’ the White House said.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington ‘will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions’.
Austin further stated that he had given orders for the USS Gerald R. Ford, an aircraft carrier, and its accompanying warships to be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean. He also highlighted that fighter aircraft squadrons in the region were being reinforced.
A number of foreign countries have shared reports of their nationals being killed, abducted, or going missing as a result of the conflict. These nations include Brazil, Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, Ukraine, and the United States.
Israeli forces numbering in the tens of thousands were positioned in the south to confront Hamas fighters who were holding out. Tragically, the remains of civilians were found scattered along roads and in town centers.
‘The enemy is still on the ground,’ said military spokesman Daniel Hagari as a second night fell after the attack, adding that Israel was reinforcing its military strength near the Gaza Strip.
Gun battles raged as the Israeli army sought to secure desert regions near the coastal enclave, rescue Israeli hostages and evacuate all areas near Gaza.
‘We’ll reach each and every community until we kill every terrorist in Israel,’ vowed Hagari, a day after Hamas fighters launched their shock offensive and surged into Israel using vehicles, boats and motorised paragliders.