Developing Story
Updated at 7:00pm Eastern Time, October 8.
Hamas has launched the "biggest attack in years" on Israel, launching a barrage of "5,000 rockets" on the nation, media reports explained.
Over 700 people in Israel have been confirmed dead. In addition to the people who have been killed, civilians and soldiers have been captured and brutalized.
The operation has been dubbed “Al Aqsa Storm” and has taken Israel by surprise. Rescue Service Zaka, the Associated Press reports, has confirmed that an additional 1,100 people were wounded in Israel as a result of the attack. Updated reports estimated that 1,500 people are wounded.
“Al Aqsa Storm” is the deadliest attack on Israel in “decades.”
In response to the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated:
“We are war, not in operations or in rounds, but at war.”
In a follow up report by the Associated Press, Netanyahu was quoted explaining to his frightened and grieving nation over a televised address that the war with Hamas would “take time.” The Israeli military has pledged to use all of the strength it has to “destroy” Hamas’ weapons capabilities.
The Associated Press also reports that international leaders are making efforts to de-escalate the situation. The Jordanian King and the Saudi foreign minister have been in communication with members of the Biden administration, urging for international players to media against escalations and warning of the implications of regional instability.
Israel has declared full-scale war on Hamas for the attack and has promised aggressive retaliation.
At the time of this updated report, Netanyahu had declared that the “first stage” of Israel’s counteroffensive against the Hamas attack had been completed. However, Netanyahu explained that the war against Hamas would be a “long and difficult war,” that is in direct response to the “murderous” terror attack.
Israel has not given a complete figure of the people captured in the attack, at the time of this report.
In response attacks, at least 413 Palestinians have been killed. The wounded included at least 2,300.
The United States, a long time ally of Israel, responded to the attack in support of Israel’s self-defense efforts.
“The United States unequivocally condemns the appalling attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israel, including civilians and civilian communities. There is never any justification for terrorism.
We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel, and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks. We will remain in close contact with our Israeli partners. The United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself,” reads the press statement of the US State Department, posted October 7.