Netanyahu says 'Israel' at war, Hamas initiated 'surprise attack'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
7 Oct 2023 15:03
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While Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vows an unprecedented price, an Israeli minister suggests an alternative perspective.

A member of the Israeli fire brigade puts out the blaze following a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on an illegal Israeli settlement, on October 7, 2023 (AFP)

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."

#Watch | Footage shows Palestinian Resistance destroying a Merkava tank in the #Gaza Strip.#AlAqsaFlood #طوفان_الأقصى
#Palestine pic.twitter.com/PpylCXG8Gj
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 7, 2023

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.

Palestinian Resistance kidnaps IOF soldiers

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 Palestinian Resistance fighters crossed the separation barrier, reached the intersection of the "Urim" settlement and opened fire toward a settler's vehicle.

#WATCH | Palestinian Resistance launches a salvo of rockets toward illegal Israeli settlements as part of Operation #AlAqsaFlood.#Palestine #Gaza #طوفان_الأقصى pic.twitter.com/kJCeXE14AJ
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 7, 2023

Injuries were also reported as a result of a shooting at the "Urim" junction in the northern Al-Naqab and western "Ofakim".

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.

#Watch | #Palestinians crossing over to illegal Israeli settlements.#AlAqsaFlood #طوفان_الأقصى #Palestine pic.twitter.com/x6iBLqWLiT
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 7, 2023

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 violations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and al-Quds, as well as a suffocating siege on the Gaza Strip.