Israel Gaza live updates: We are at war, says Israel's PM, after major attack - BBC News

7 Oct 2023

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time. The hours noted are based on the time zone of the United Kingdom.

Reports Over 500 Injuries In Israel

According to Reuters, the health ministry of Israel has reported that more than 545 individuals have been harmed as a result of the assaults carried out by Palestinians.

President Of Palestine Criticizes 'occupation Forces'

The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, has been sharing more of his thoughts and opinions.

He has been discussing the importance of safeguarding our citizens and emphasizing the Palestinian people's entitlement to protect themselves from the settler's "terrorism and occupation troops".

The head of state was leading an urgent gathering in Ramallah alongside high-ranking members of the Palestinian Authority.

Unforeseen And Unprecedented Twist

The events that occurred this morning are unlike anything that has happened in over 15 years since Hamas took over control of Gaza.

After several months of aggressive behavior and heightened stress between Israelis and Palestinians, the Gaza conflict has erupted. However, the majority of the unrest has been centered in the West Bank, an area that Israel has controlled since 1967, that extends from Jerusalem to the boundary with Jordan.

Israel claims they have been under attack and Hamas has essentially declared war on them. It is expected that the measures being taken by Israel will lead to a forceful retaliation, as they have declared this to be their course of action.

In my opinion, it's highly probable that they may deploy soldiers in Gaza.

Things are going to happen quickly and the situation is expected to get even more intense. A major concern is what comes next, not only in Gaza, but also in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Violence between Palestinian armed groups and Israeli security forces and settlers has been occurring frequently and becoming more severe for months.

These events will make an already unstable situation even worse.

I believe that at present, Israelis and Palestinians are experiencing a completely surprising and extremely alarming morning that is causing great distress.

22 Israelis Dead In Emergency Services Response

Israel's authorities who respond to emergencies reported that an unexpected attack by Palestinians has caused the death of no less than 22 Israeli individuals. This attack is considered an unprecedented event.

Abbas: Palestinians Have Right To Defend Themselves

According to a report from Reuters, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has stated that his fellow citizens are entitled to protect themselves from the violence inflicted by settlers and military occupation forces.

We will provide you with additional remarks from him soon.

What We've Learned

The situation is changing quickly, however, these are the current details we have:

UK PM Supports Israel's Self-defense

We've received new information from the United Kingdom's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is addressing the ongoing circumstances.

He expresses his dismay regarding the attacks committed earlier today by Hamas militants targeting innocent civilians in Israel.

The given statement signifies that Israel has every right to protect itself. We are maintaining communication with the Israeli officials and people from Britain who are in Israel should adhere to the travel guidance provided.

Nightmarish Situation For Gaza Strip Residents

As a journalist who covers events in the Middle East, I am currently in Jerusalem providing updates.

At this moment, a lot of individuals from Israel had high hopes of savoring the conclusion of the Jewish Sukkot celebration.

On the other hand, people who reside or temporarily stay near the Gaza Strip are facing a dreadful scenario due to a significant invasion by Palestinian insurgents. Apparently, multiple Israeli towns adjacent to Gaza are under the control of members of Hamas.

The 12th channel reported that Israelis, who were extremely frightened, were concealing themselves in secure chambers and making heartfelt appeals for soldiers to come and save them. Reports suggest that militant forces have taken over their households.

According to a lady in Be'eri, her father has been taken captive. A multitude of individuals who were present at a party outdoors in southern Israel during the night have been concealing themselves, anticipating a rescue.

According to their statement, they got caught in the crossfire and claim that there are people who got hurt. There are official reports from Israeli authorities that around 60 fighters affiliated with Hamas came into Israeli territory from Gaza.

Images that have not been verified seem to indicate that Palestinian combatants have arrived using pickup trucks, hang-gliders, and motorcycles. They entered Israel through a gap in the boundary fence.

Full Statement By Israeli PM

Fellow people of Israel, we are currently engaged in a war, not a mere operation or an escalation, but an actual war.

Early today, Hamas unexpectedly attacked Israel and its people in a deadly manner. We have been dealing with the situation ever since the early hours of the morning.

I gathered the leaders in charge of maintaining security and gave them orders to flush out those infiltrating terrorists from nearby communities. As of now, the mission is underway and actively being executed.

Simultaneously, I initiated a vast mobilization of reserves and a counterattack of unprecedented magnitude and power, which the adversary had never experienced before.

The adversary will face consequences unlike any they've encountered before. Consequently, I urge all Israeli inhabitants to fully comply with the army's and Home Command's directives.

"We are currently engaged in a conflict and we are determined to emerge victorious."

"Unfolding Situations: A Look Inside"

On the map provided, you can see the Gaza Strip and Israel. Additionally, there is Sderot, a city in Israel where Palestinian militants have been observed walking around.

Netanyahu: Enemy To Pay Price

As per the report by Reuters, which is translating the statement of Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel mentioned that "the foe shall face consequences that surpasses anything it has ever experienced".

According to Netanyahu, Israel is currently in a state of warfare and they are determined to emerge victorious.

We're going to provide you with additional updates regarding his most recent remarks in a brief moment.

Netanyahu Declares, "We Are At War"

Israeli Intelligence Fail Catches Nation Off-guard

Israel has experienced an enormous mishap in their intelligence operations.

The nation possesses a highly advanced and expansive intelligence system, both internally and externally, within the Middle East region.

The organization has spies infiltrated within extremist factions, not only in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, but also in countries like Lebanon and Syria.

In previous times, they've had success in taking out militant commanders through targeted drone attacks or by using mobile phones rigged with explosives.

However, it seems that today, during the conclusion of a Jewish celebration, it was not paying attention or being vigilant.

Hamas managed to organize and execute a meticulously planned attack on Israel without revealing any details beforehand.

It is certain that Israel will respond with great force, but the people of Israel may question why their country's intelligence agents did not anticipate this and alert them.

Clashes Persist At Israel-Gaza Border Crossing

After speaking, the spokesman for the Israeli military stated that there is still active fighting occurring at both the Erez border crossing and the Zikim training base, which is property of the Israel Defense Forces.

Silent On Israelis' Capture Reports

The spokesperson for the Israeli military has refused to provide any information regarding the alleged capture of Israelis by Hamas, as reported by Reuters.

"Israel Summons Reservists," Says Spokesperson

A report from Reuters reveals that Israel's military representative has announced the need to summon "thousands of reservists" consequent to the previous rocket strikes aimed at Israel.

Spokesperson: 2,500 Rockets Launched At Israel

According to reports from Reuters, a representative from the Israeli military has claimed that Palestinians have shot 2,500 missiles at their country. Also, they have apparently attempted to infiltrate Israel using methods such as paragliders, sea vehicles, and by foot.

Israel Attacks Hamas In Gaza

The Israel military is currently conducting airstrikes on Hamas targets located in Gaza. The reasoning behind these air strikes is due to the previous occurrence of multiple "barrages of rockets" being launched from Gaza into Israel.

Several hospitals in Israel have reported treating a significant amount of individuals following the unexpected assaults that occurred.

We will keep on refreshing these figures during the day.