Hamas militants have been paragliding into southern Israel after launching a shocking early morning attack, sparking a declaration of war from Israel. In response, Israeli military forces have launched operation “Iron Swords” after thousands of rockets rained down and killed 22 people early this morning in the cities of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Sderot.
Israeli army spokesperson Richard Hecht said of the incursion: “It was a combined ground raid which happened through paragliders, through the sea and through the ground.”
Footage caught the chaotic scenes as Hamas paragliders, small boats and armed men in cars entered Israeli territory. Militants were also filmed breaking through Israeli borders on motorcycles and with tractors through the frontier barrier.
In a video address posted on Twitter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a chilling warning: “We are at war and we will win. “Our enemy will pay a price, the type of which it has never known.”
UK PM Rishi Sunak wrote on Twitter: “I am shocked by this morning’s attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens. Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. “We’re in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice.” Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets are reportedly attacking Hamas locations in the Gaza Strip as Netanyahu’s forces fight back.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad said its fighters have joined Hamas militants in attacking Israel. A statement read: “Our cadres stand alongside their brothers in Hamas, shoulder to shoulder, until victory.”
Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant has authorized the mobilization of military reservists. Multiple reports have suggested Hamas is actively kidnapping soldiers of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and parading them as captives on military trucks.
In response to the attacks, the IDF has announced a large-scale operation called “Swords of Iron” to defend its citizens. At least 22 Israelis have died in the attacks so far, but experts fear the true toll may be much higher.
More than 5,000 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Saturday, Hamas’ armed wing said, declaring it had started “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”.
“We decided to put an end to all the crimes of the occupation (Israel), their time for rampaging without being held accountable is over,” the group said. “We announce Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and we fired, in the first strike of 20 minutes, more than 5,000 rockets.”
