In a rapidly escalating conflict, Israeli forces clashed with Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning of a “long and difficult” war against the Palestinian militant group. The Israeli army revealed that tens of thousands of soldiers had been deployed to confront militants in the southern desert areas bordering the coastal enclave.
“We’ll reach each and every community till we kill every terrorist in Israel,” declared military spokesman Daniel Hagari. The Israeli military’s mission for the next 24 hours is to evacuate residents from communities surrounding the Gaza Strip.
This ongoing conflict took a new turn when Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched missiles and artillery shells “in solidarity” with Hamas, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
Hamas initiated the conflict with a multi-pronged assault involving thousands of rockets and ground, air, and sea forces, resulting in casualties on both sides. More than 200 Israelis have been killed, and over 1,000 wounded, while on the Gaza side, at least 313 people have died and over 1,700 have been reported wounded.
The situation took a grim turn when an unknown number of Israeli soldiers and civilians were abducted into Gaza as hostages, adding complexity to Israel’s military response. Gun battles continued on Sunday between Israeli forces and hundreds of Hamas fighters in various locations.
The international community has expressed increasing concern, with Western capitals condemning Hamas’s attack. In contrast, Israel’s adversaries, including Iran and Hezbollah, have voiced support for the assault.
Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged to turn Hamas hideouts “to rubble” and called for Palestinians in the affected areas to evacuate as Israeli airstrikes continued.
Meanwhile, the United States reaffirmed its support for Israel, with President Joe Biden expressing “rock-solid and unwavering” backing for the country.
The conflict, labeled “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” by Hamas, marks a significant escalation in hostilities, echoing events from half a century ago. Hamas leaders have vowed to press on with their campaign, while Israel continues its military response.
The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further escalation on the horizon. Israel’s actions have already resulted in significant destruction in Gaza, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.