RAMALLAH: Israel’s military has launched a series of air strikes on Gaza in response to a barrage of more than 2,000 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the death of at least 22 Israelis and left hundreds wounded. Multiple Israeli air raids struck various locations in Gaza City, causing numerous casualties. Images from Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City showed grieving families rushing to the hospital after the Israeli bombardment.
Looks like Israel's apartheid fence is being torn down.#AlAqsaFlood pic.twitter.com/swbpwUvVKB
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) October 7, 2023
The Israel-Palestine conflict escalated further as Palestinian fighters claimed to have captured Israelis after crossing into Israel from the Gaza Strip in a large-scale offensive. Hamas, the group governing the besieged enclave, stated that its surprise operation was a response to the desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.
The Israeli military confirmed the operation, stating, “Dozens of IDF fighter jets are currently striking a number of targets belonging to the Hamas organisation in the Gaza Strip.” The strikes targeted locations associated with Hamas, the group governing Gaza, in retaliation for the rocket attacks.
The escalation prompted hundreds of residents in eastern Gaza to flee their homes, particularly in the northeastern part of the territory, moving away from the border with Israel. Men, women, and children were seen carrying essential items such as blankets and food as they sought safety from the intensifying conflict.
Media Coverage: “Palestinian fighters set an Israeli military tank on fire, after seizing it on the border of the Gaza Strip.” pic.twitter.com/ln6DDLggCa
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) October 7, 2023
In Tel Aviv, the streets and beaches remained scarily empty, with only a handful of tourists visible. The city, usually bustling with activity, was paralyzed as businesses shut down and public events were canceled. Football games were called off, and even the weekly anti-judicial overhaul protests were paused for the second time since their inception in February. Similar disruptions were observed in other cities like Haifa, where the annual International Film Festival was canceled due to the escalating conflict.
Israel’s Violence in Palestinian Territories
Mahjoub Zweiri, a scholar from Qatar University, commented on the Israeli government’s precarious situation. He outlined three possible paths: a decisive yet potentially internationally criticized military response, portraying Israel as a victim of Hamas aggression to garner sympathy, or utilizing the crisis for political balance amid domestic protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies.
Qatar’s foreign ministry issued a statement placing sole responsibility on Israel for the escalating violence with the Palestinian people. The ministry urged both sides to exercise restraint while calling on the international community to prevent Israel from using the situation as a pretext for a disproportionate war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
READ ALSO: Hamas Releases Video Showing 3 Men Captured by Its Fighters
Reports of a bulldozer breaking through the border fence between Israel and Gaza circulated widely on social media. Israeli police in the southern district indicated that the fighting was likely to persist in the coming days. Rocket sirens continued to blare in Israeli areas near the border and in the southern city of Sderot.
