JERUSALEM: The elusive leader of Hamas’ military wing has said the armed group has commenced a new military operation against Israel.
In a rare public statement, Mohammed Deif said that 5,000 rockets had been fired into Israel early Saturday to begin “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.” Israel also reported an infiltration from Gaza.
Surviving multiple Israeli assassination attempts, Deif emphasized that “enough is enough” and called on all Palestinians to confront Israel.
In an unprecedented move, Palestinian militants infiltrated southern Israel, firing dozens of rockets into the region. Israel responded by instructing residents to remain indoors. The Israeli military confirmed the infiltration, with videos circulating on social media showing what seemed to be uniformed gunmen in the Israeli border town of Sderot.
The situation escalated as Gaza militants continued launching rockets into Israel, triggering air raid sirens across the country. The sound of outgoing rockets and gunfire echoed through the region, causing injuries and damage. Millions of Israelis were instructed to stay near bomb shelters, with those near Gaza advised to stay indoors due to the “security incident.”
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While Palestinian media reported a possible infiltration attempt, Israel has yet to respond officially. The heightened tensions follow weeks of unrest along the Israel-Gaza border and intense clashes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where nearly 200 Palestinians have been killed in military raids. The ongoing blockade of Gaza, maintained by Israel since 2007, has further fueled the conflict, leading to economic devastation and widespread suffering.
As rocket fire intensifies, the risk of broader fighting looms. The historical enmity between Israel and Hamas, marked by four wars and numerous smaller confrontations, continues to strain the region. The blockade, criticized as collective punishment by Palestinians, remains a contentious issue, with Israel justifying it as a measure to prevent the buildup of militant arsenals.
The West Bank has also witnessed a surge in violence, with Israeli military raids resulting in casualties. Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets have added to the toll, underscoring the complexity and volatility of the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
#BREAKING: Hamas says that its members are carrying out an operation in #Israel called “Al-Aqsa Flood”https://t.co/gS5GXsUBze pic.twitter.com/N7Y127OIQY
— Arab News (@arabnews) October 7, 2023
The recent demonstrations along the Israeli border in Gaza, orchestrated by Hamas-linked activists, were temporarily halted through international mediation in late September. However, the resumption of hostilities suggests a precarious and unsettled situation in the region.
