As fighting rages, at least 600 Israelis and 370 Palestinians have been killed, with thousands more injured.
In Gaza City, the ruins of a structure after it was hit by an Israeli air strike. [Photo by Hatem Moussa/AP]
8 Oct 2023
Israel has proclaimed a “state of war” as its army continues to clash with Palestinian rebels across southern Israel.
This comes a day after the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, the Palestinian party that rules the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack.
In conjunction with Hamas, the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah conducted mortar attacks into the occupied Shebaa Farms on Sunday; Israel responded with artillery.
The escalation comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to convert the beleaguered Palestinian enclave into a “deserted island” if Israel did not launch a ground invasion.
According to health experts, the latest dead toll is 370 Palestinians and at least 600 Israelis.
Hamas stated that it launched its large-scale operation in response to Israel’s and its occupation administration’s continuous violence against Palestinians.
This includes watching as Israeli settlers wage violent attacks on Palestinian communities and neighborhoods, attacking Al-Aqsa Mosque pilgrims, and killing an increasing number of Palestinians this year.
In Tel Aviv, Israel, Israelis investigate the ruins of a building damaged by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip. [Photo by Oded Balilty/AP]
Fire and smoke rise following an Israeli air attack, in Gaza City. [Fatima Shbair/AP Photo]
In Sderot, southern Israel, Israeli soldiers inspect the ruins of a police station that was the location of a battle following a large invasion by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip. [Reuters/Ronen Zvulun]
In Sderot, southern Israel, Israeli soldiers inspect the ruins of a police station that was the location of a battle following a large invasion by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip. [Reuters/Ronen Zvulun]
Mourners pray near the bodies of Hamas militant Salem Abu Quta’s family during a funeral after they were killed in an Israeli attack on their home in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip. [Photo by Hatem Ali/AP]
Israeli lawmaker blames pogroms against Palestinians for ‘terrible’ attacks.
Ofer Cassif says he warned the situation would ‘erupt’ if Israel did not change its treatment of Palestinians.
Ofer Cassif, a Knesset member, warned that the situation will ‘erupt’ if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government did not adjust its policy toward Palestinians. [Photo: Atef Safadi/EPA]
By Eliyahu Freedman
8 Oct 2023
According to an Israeli lawmaker, if the country’s government continues its unlawful occupation of Palestinian areas, events like as Saturday’s Hamas attack on Israel will occur.
towards dawn on Saturday, Hamas started a multipronged assault, firing thousands of missiles towards Israel and infiltrating Israeli communities and illegal settlements.
