Israeli media reported on Thursday that panic and hysteria prevailed among Israeli settlers in the south and north of occupied Palestine, who took the decision upon themselves to open bomb shelters.

The Israeli Channel 12 confirmed that "the opening of the shelters is not based on the recommendations of the Israeli Home Front Command."

The chaos was mainly a direct result of the state of confusion striking the Israeli political, military, and security institutions, at a time when the occupation government is still hesitating on how to respond to the rockets launched from Lebanon, Israeli media added.

Channel 12 noted that the hysteria is linked to news coming from all over the occupation entity "about opening the shelters," saying that the Israeli settlers "made the decision to open them themselves, despite not receiving notice from the relevant institutions."

Read more: Archbishop Hanna: An attack on Muslims is also an attack on Christians

At the same time, the United States warned of the repercussions of the escalation.

"We are very concerned about the escalation, and we call on everyone to exercise restraint," the White House said in a statement.

Israeli media reported earlier today that 34 rockets were launched from southern Lebanon toward northern occupied Palestine, adding that 25 were intercepted by the Iron Dome, 5 hit occupation settlements, while it is still unknown where the remaining four landed.

Times of Israel highlighted that the attack "may mark the largest number of rockets fired from Lebanon" since the July 2006 war.

Hours after the first barrage of rockets, the council of "Metula" settlement said, as cited by Yedioth Ahronoth, that "four rockets landed on our areas, and I call on the settlers not to leave the shelters."

Related News

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

Israeli settlers storm al-Aqsa compound, IOF detain al-Khalil mayor

Israeli Channel 13 Military affairs commentator, Alon Ben David, stated that "Israel" was surprised by the breadth of the missile attack.

The chairman of the "Yisrael Beiteinu" party, MK Avigdor Lieberman, commented on Thursday's rocket barrage from Lebanon toward illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine, saying, "The writing was on the wall."

Lieberman pointed out that in three months, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dragged "Israel" into an impossible situation, adding, "We have never been so disintegrated from the inside and isolated from the outside."

According to Lieberman, "Despite all the warnings that were placed on the Prime Minister's desk, he preferred to deal with matters of honor, ego and settling accounts" with his Security Minister.

The MK concluded that "for all this promiscuous and irresponsible conduct, he [Netanyhau] will have to stand in front of an investigative committee one day and give explanations."

Behind the statements 

This comes as Israeli occupation forces stormed and desecrated Al-Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday, protecting the Israeli settlers' incursions for the second consecutive day.

On Thursday morning, a group of settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque again, also heavily protected by the occupation forces.

Read more: IOF on high alert after bombing sites in Gaza, Resistance responds

In parallel, the IOF launched airstrikes, allegedly targeting Resistance positions west of the Gaza Strip, while Israeli helicopters also targeted several positions in the center of the Strip.

According to Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza, "The Resistance fired several rockets toward the Gaza envelope settlements," adding that the rockets have triggered "the sirens to sound off."

The IOF warships also fired "sonic shells at the Beit Lahia coast north of the Strip."

“They’re besieging us, they want to kill us”

Palestinian women worshipers are crying out as Israeli forces savagely assault them inside Al-Aqsa Mosque. pic.twitter.com/slW5yhakRL

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 5, 2023