Posted on 10/09/23
| News Source: i24
Netanyahu appoints ex-army general Gal Hirsch as coordinator for captive and missing Israelis
More than 700 Israelis have lost their lives in a surprise large-scale multi-front attack by the Palestinian terror group Hamas on Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the attack by vowing to reduce the group's Gaza hideouts to "rubble."
Over 2,100 people were reported wounded as a result of Hamas's massive rocket barrage, ground, air, and sea offensive, marking one of the bloodiest escalations of the conflict in decades.
Throughout the night, intense gun battles ensued between Israeli forces and hundreds of Hamas fighters in at least 22 locations across Israel, with at least two incidents involving gunmen holding hostages, as confirmed by the army.
The army described the situation, stating, "Terrorists rampaged and broke into homes, massacring civilians."
Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation, declaring, "We are at war," following Hamas's multi-pronged attack at dawn.
He issued a stern warning to the people of Gaza, urging them to evacuate immediately, as Israel prepared to respond with full force. Netanyahu emphasized, "We'll strike them to the bitter end and avenge with force this black day they brought on Israel and its people." He further pledged to turn all locations in which Hamas operated, and the areas it used as hideouts, into rubble.
"What happened today is unprecedented in Israel, and I will see to it that it does not happen again."
From Yesterday:
Hamas launched a surprise attack this morning, with over 2,000 missiles fired from Gaza and terrorists infiltrating and murdering Israeli civilians in the south
Sirens alerting residents to incoming rockets blared across southern regions surrounding Gaza, Negev areas, and the greater Tel Aviv region in the early hours of Saturday.
The IDF has also confirmed that Hamas terrorists infiltrated into Israeli border towns next to Gaza Strip, with Hamas terrorists are engaged in multiple locations across southern Israel, according to the Police Commissioner.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with several regional counterparts
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with several regional counterparts, including foreign ministers and other senior members of government from Turkey, Qatar and Jordan.
In addition, Blinken released a joint statement with some of his European counterparts, saying "Together, we must work toward an immediate halt to these attacks and support Israel’s right to defend itself, rescue hostages, and protect its citizens."
I spoke with @ABaerbock, @Antonio_Tajani, @JamesCleverly, and @JosepBorrellF on Hamas’ attacks on Israel. Together, we must work toward an immediate halt to these attacks and support Israel’s right to defend itself, rescue hostages, and protect its citizens.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 8, 2023
Second barrage of rockets hit homes in Sderot, Ashkelon and Barzilai hospital
Rockets launched by the Hamas terrorist organization struck several locations in southern Israel, wounding at least one 50-year-old woman according to Israeli media.
The rocket attack in the early hours of Sunday had hit homes in Ashkelon and Sderot, which was still an active location of firefights between Israeli security forces and Hamas terrorists. A woman in her fifties was reportedly in serious condition from the first barrage an hour earlier.
In addition, the Barzilai Medical Center was directly hit by a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip. There were no casualties, but the hospital was damaged.
Efforts to secure southern Israel from terrorist infiltrators continues
Sirens sound in Ashkelon and southern Israel
Israeli security forces rescue Ofakim hostages
During the efforts to rescue the town of Ofakim and hostages being held at gunpoint at several points, there were many wounded.
After a hostage negotiation effort that lasted almost 24 hours, the Israeli security forces killed 10 terrorists in the southern town, but there were wounded.
Netanyahu: 'The first phase will end in these hours'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that offensive formations began after approaching the end of the "first phase" by securing areas in southern Israel that were overrun by Hamas terrorists.
"We are embarking on a long and difficult war. The war was forced upon us by a murderous attack by Hamas," Netanyahu stated, after the security cabinet met in the late hours between Saturday and Sunday.
"The first phase will end in these hours by destroying most of the enemy forces that have penetrated our territory," the Israeli prime minister assured.
"At the same time, we started the offensive formation and it will continue without reservation and without respite - until the goals are achieved," he announced. "We will restore security to the citizens of Israel and we will win."
Israeli security forces rescue about 50 hostages from Be'eri
The southern village of Be'eri was rescued, after having barricaded themselves within a community dining hall, and held hostage inside by Hamas terrorists.
The Israeli security forces were able to retake the area and free the hostages.
Israeli security forces continue fight with terrorists in Sderot
Hamas terrorists barricaded themselves within a police station in the southern city of Sderot, Israeli security forces started efforts to destroy the building, including by the use of shoulder-mounted rocket launchers.
The death toll from Hamas massacre up to over 300