Mohammad Deif, Commander-in-Chief of al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, has announced the launching of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood following a barrage of rockets fired and an infiltration operation into Gaza Envelope settlements.

قائد هيئة الأركان في كتائب القسام محمد الضيف: نعلن بدء عملية "طوفان الأقصى". #الميادين #طوفان_الأقصى #غزة #محمد_الضيف pic.twitter.com/NmOHOUuEeU

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) October 7, 2023

The leader said the operation comes in response to the Israeli occupation's desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as multiple assaults against women in its yards. 

He added that the Resistance fired more than 5,000 rockets and shells during the first stage of strikes.

Deif addressed the Palestinian Resistance fighter, saying, "This is your day to make the enemy understand that its time has ended," adding that the Resistance had previously warned the Israeli occupation against assaulting women worshippers and desecrating al-Aqsa.

Al-Qassam Brigades leader also addressed the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, calling on them to "organize operations against settlements" and "sweep" the occupation away.

He then urged Palestinians residing in occupied al-Quds, as well as those in the 1948 occupied territories, to join the fight against the Israeli occupation.

Deif called on Palestinians to take up arms, utilizing any means possible.

Commander-in-Chief of al-Qassam Brigades Mohammad Deif addresses the #Palestinian people saying, “Take up your arms now."#AlMayadeenEnglish #Palestine #Gaza https://t.co/M4i9xxIxTY

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 7, 2023

He also addressed the Resistance in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, saying, "This is the day that fronts and banners shall unite."

Furthermore, he urged Algerians, Moroccans, Jordanians, Egyptians, and the rest of the Arab World to take action in support of the operation.

O our brethren in Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, and the rest of Arab countries, take action and respond to the calls.

Commander-in-Chief of al-Qassam Brigades Mohammad Deif#AlMayadeenEnglish #Palestine #Gaza https://t.co/esKJSvATL6

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 7, 2023

Read more: Gaza rockets shell illegal Israeli settlements, gunfire in 'Urim'

Palestinian Resistance kidnaps IOF soldier

The Palestinian Resistance in Gaza has launched barrages of rockets toward illegal Israeli settlements, including "Bat Yam" and "Rishon LeZiyyon" south of "Tel Aviv".

Sirens have sounded in the Gaza Envelope illegal Israeli settlements and "Tel Aviv". Simultaneously, the Iron Dome attempted to intercept the Resistance's rockets, as per Al Mayadeen's correspondent.

Concurrently, Israeli media reported that "the Palestinian Resistance crossed the separation barrier, reached the intersection of the "Urim" settlement, and opened fire toward a settler's vehicle."

It was also reported that "gunfire from light weapons occurred at the Urim junction in the northern Al-Naqab and western Ofakim," resulting in injuries.

Israeli media also reported that the Resistance launched a joint attack with an attempt of gliders to infiltrate the south.

Following the assault, Israeli forces opened shelters in “Tel Aviv” and “Ashdod” following the extensive rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, as reported by the Israeli army's radio.

Additionally, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that the Palestinian Resistance had successfully taken captive several Israeli occupation soldiers.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Shehab Agency confirmed that "Gaza Resistance, for the first time in history, has infiltrated occupation settlements with jeeps and has taken control of areas within them."

The Resistance's operation comes in the context of continued and unchecked Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the West Bank and al-Quds, as well as a suffocating siege on the Gaza Strip.

Read more: Al-Quds Brigades unveils homegrown weapons at unprecedented parade