Israel officially declares war, entering a long and difficult war
Israel’s mainland and its air defense network were breached by all-out airstrikes in the early morning hours by Hamas, an armed group that rules the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian autonomous region. It has been 50 years since the ‘Yom Kippur War’ in 1973, when Egypt and Syria attacked Israel, and it was evaluated as ‘Israel’s version of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.’ In this airstrike, Israel’s low-altitude air defense network ‘Iron Dome’, famous for its ‘missile catching missiles’, and Mosado, the world’s top intelligence agency, were helpless.
Israel immediately declared “strong retaliation” and officially declared that it had entered war. Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group that supported Hamas’ attacks, is also joining in the attack on military facilities in northern Israel near the border, raising concerns that it could escalate into a ‘new Middle East war’.
Rockets are being launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel on the 7th (local time). 2023.10.08 Tel Aviv = AP/NewsisOn the morning of the 7th (local time), Hamas Supreme Commander Mohammad Deif announced the launch of Operation ‘Al Aqsa Flood’, saying, “This is the biggest day of battle to end the last occupation on Earth.” According to Hamas TV, starting around 6:30 a.m. on this day, 7,000 missiles were fired from the Gaza Strip toward cities in central and southern Israel. At the same time, militants infiltrated Israel by land, sea, and air and took civilians and soldiers hostage. As of today, more than 300 people have been killed and more than 1,500 injured in Israel alone as a result of this surprise attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the official entry into war in a statement on the 8th, a day after the attack, saying, “We are beginning a long and difficult war.” He went on to predict thorough punishment and retaliation, saying, “Everywhere Hamas is, wherever it is hiding, and wherever it is active will be reduced to ruins.” Immediately afterwards, an airstrike was launched on the Gaza Strip.
Palestinians gather around a destroyed Israeli tank in the Gaza Strip near Khan Younis, Palestine, on the 7th (local time). 2023.10.08. Khan Yunis = AP/NewsisThere are observations in the international community that instability in the Middle East could prolong as it spreads into a proxy war between Iran, which has supported Hamas and Hezbollah, and the United States, which supports Israel.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu that day and made an emergency speech, saying, “The United States stands with Israel.” At the same time, he said, “I make it clear that now is not the time for any political faction hostile to Israel to seek profit from this attack.” It sent a warning about the possibility of intervention by Iran, which has supported Hamas. On the other hand, Iran defended Hamas through a statement under the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying, “It is the rights of the Palestinian people.”
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.