Israeli cabinet convenes seven hours after Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
7 Oct 2023 16:02

Israeli media say the occupation's security cabinet meeting started 50 minutes late.

Smoke billows from a power station in Asqalan on October 7, 2023, as barrages of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward illegal Israeli settlements. (AFP)

Israeli media reported that the Israeli occupation's security cabinet meeting started 50 minutes late, seven and a half hours after the Palestinian Resistance launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in response to the Israeli occupation’s violations against the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque.

Meanwhile, Israeli media also reported that in addition to rocket fire toward Gaza envelope illegal settlements, a cyber attack targeted "Israel". The Israeli occupation Information Security Unit reported an attempted large-scale cyberattack.

Some Israeli media outlets suggested that an official investigation committee must be formed to investigate the major intelligence failure of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate and the Shin Bet, noting that Hamas succeeded in cutting off power to some settlements and damaging cellular communications.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that the second largest power station in "Israel" was attacked by rockets, while international airlines canceled their flights to and from the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israeli media had previously commented on the current developments in occupied Palestine, saying, "Israel has no control over what is currently happening in the Gaza envelope," highlighting that there are some who have not yet realized the gravity of the situation.

Israeli media outlets further stressed in its coverage what it described as "the most strategic event witnessed in the Palestinian scene," which it said took "Israel" by surprise that the settlers were panicking and "calling us to help them and ask the police to answer their calls."

Hours after the Resistance launched its operation, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged on Saturday that "Israel" is "at war", adding that this morning, Hamas initiated "a surprise attack".

In a filmed statement published several hours after the Palestinian Resistance launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Netanyahu confirmed that he convened the heads of the Israeli security establishment and directed that Palestinian Resistance fighters who crossed into Gaza envelope settlements be "neutralized".

"In parallel, I am initiating an extensive mobilization of the reserves to fight back on a scale and intensity that the enemy has so far not experienced," he added.

"The enemy will pay an unprecedented price."

In contrast to Netanyahu's statements, an Israeli occupation minister warned in an interview for the Israeli Ynet news website that there is a reasonable possibility that the event in the south could be a "mere distraction from a war in the north," in reference to the borders with Lebanon.

The Israeli minister suggested that "it is not unlikely that the Israeli army will be drawn to the south in order to deliver a strong and more illuminating blow in the north," adding that "this is a situation that Israel has not experienced in decades."

Earlier, Mohammad Deif, Commander-in-Chief of al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced the launching of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood following a barrage of rockets fired and an infiltration operation into Gaza Envelope settlements, which resulted in dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries among settlers.

Since the early morning hours, Palestinian Resistance fighters in Gaza succeeded in kidnapping Israeli occupation soldiers.

#Watch | Footage shows #Palestinian Resistance fighters capturing a number of Israeli occupation soldiers from inside their tanks during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.#Palestine #Gaza #طوفان_الأقصى
#فلسطين pic.twitter.com/HzFyxSKVxe
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 7, 2023

The Resistance fighters were also able to take control of seven illegal Israeli settlements in the Gaza envelope. In addition, the fighters stormed the headquarters of the so-called Gaza Division in the Israeli occupation army.