When this editor signed off last night, the World was much the same as it had been for the last year. Congress was dysfunctional, the Russian war of aggression was still going on and there was little on the horizon that looked like it was going to change.
When I first checked the news today, I see that the terrorists of Hamas had launched an invasion of Israel from the Gaza strip.
The attacks were launched over the security fence separating Palestine from Israel, but also from the water and even by air using gliders. Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, stating that, “We are at war.”
The ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday.
Six hours after the invasion began, Hamas militants were still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities in a surprising show of strength that shook the country. Israel’s national rescue service said at least 22 people have been killed and hundreds wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years.
The Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it was treating at least 280 casualties, with 60 in serious condition.
Here is the public address that Netanyahu delivered, courtesy of the Telegraph. (Subtitles in English are provided.)
More than 10,000 Israeli reservists have been called up. The Israeli Defense Forces have announced Operation Swords of Iron in response.
⚔️Swords of Iron⚔️
The IDF is initiating a large-scale operation to defend Israeli civilians against the combined attack launched against Israel by Hamas this morning. pic.twitter.com/O2fuWjFvNb
Since this morning, the State of Israel has been at war. Our first objective is to clear out the hostile forces that infiltrated our territory and restore the security and quiet to the communities that have been attacked.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 7, 2023
Since this morning, the State of Israel has been at war. Our first objective is to clear out the hostile forces that infiltrated our territory and restore the security and quiet to the communities that have been attacked.
The second objective, at the same time, is to exact an immense price from the enemy, within the Gaza Strip as well. The third objective is to reinforce other fronts so that nobody should mistakenly join this war.
We are at war. In war, one needs to be level-headed. I call on all citizens of Israel to unite in order to achieve our highest goal – victory in the war.
Hamas claims they’ve taken dozens of Israelis hostage. Gun battles continue in the distance. pic.twitter.com/nDXw3JZgZi
According to IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagari:
Hamas took hostages and captives. There are also deaths of IDF soldiers. We don’t have an exact number yet – we are at war, Dozens of terrorists infiltrated on foot a large number of locations. There was also a naval infiltration bringing the terrorists to Zikim. There are also a large number of breaches in the security fence.
We are fighting in 22 locations. There is no community in Southern Israel where we do not have forces, in all the towns. There are communities that have been rid of terrorists, but we want to finish additional scans of the area before declaring so. In Ofakim and Beeri there are hostage situations, there are special forces there with senior commanders and live fire fights are going on there.
There are deaths – including deaths of IDF soldiers, when we have all the numbers we will give them.
We are engaged in combat in the Gaza division, including the combat-assistance of fighter jets, we are in control there.
We have roadblocks with the Israel Police in all areas.
There are strikes by the Air Force in several locations. UAVS, scanners, and fighter jets are striking in the area of the fence. Hundreds of such strikes were carried out – hundreds of deaths, including many terrorists.
The main effort is to eliminate all the terrorists on the security fence, all those who infiltrated Israel and are trying to return to the Gaza Strip. First of all we will strike from the air, and then also with heavy ground means.
There are a lot of fake news – it was said that Nimrod Aloni (a top general) was kidnapped, this is not true. They said that Avi Rosenfeld (Commander of the Gaza Division) was kidnapped, that’s not true.
Our goals are that all the terrorists will be killed, that all the communities will be rid of terrorists. Until then, continue to shut yourself in the houses in the area near the Gaza Strip.
A wide mobilization of reserves has begun – there are 4 divisions that we are immediately bringing down to Gaza. 31 regular battalions are already in the area around the Gaza Strip and Southern Israel. Tanks have also been brought down to the Gaza Strip.
In the Northern Command we are on high alert, there are currently no events there but we are ready for any event and whoever attacks us in the entire northern arena – will pay a very heavy price. Our focus is on Gaza but we are on high alert in case we encounter any incident, we currently do not have such information.
The IDF is striking all Hamas and PIJ targets in the Gaza Strip. Wherever there are Hamas terrorists they will be found and eliminated, they have no immunity. We are also striking high profile targets.
The Central Command is also being bolstered with regular battalions and preparations are made for riots.
We will do a very sharp and thourough review. We are currently busy regaining control of the area, striking broadly and especially taking care of the area around the Gaza Strip.
The citizens of the State of Israel are require great resilience, with an emphasis on the residents of the Gaza Strip. These are difficult hours of fighting – but at the end we will reach full security in the Gaza Strip.
This is a developing story, look for additional coverage later today.