NEWS
Israel vs. Hamas: Israeli Govt keeps its promise of Vengeance
In the aftermath of the deadly attack by Hamas, the Israeli government has launched retaliatory strikes, pushing the death toll beyond 1,100 people, with thousands more wounded on both sides of the conflict.
The retaliation comes in response to one of the deadliest attacks in Israeli history, perpetrated by the Islamist group Hamas, resulting in the deaths of 700 Israelis and the abduction of dozens more.
Hamas fighters unleashed a rampage through Israeli towns on Saturday, October 7th, marking the deadliest attack since Egypt and Syria’s assaults during the Yom Kippur War half a century ago.
In retaliation, Israeli airstrikes targeted housing blocks, tunnels, a mosque, and the residences of Hamas officials in Gaza, leading to the tragic loss of over 400 lives, including 20 children. These actions align with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow of “mighty vengeance.”
As the conflict raged on, Israel’s military continued its efforts into Monday, October 9th, relentlessly pursuing fighters entrenched in southern towns and escalating its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
More than 40 hours after Hamas initiated its unprecedented incursion from Gaza, Israeli forces were still engaged in confrontations with militants in several locations.
Reportedly, at least 700 people have lost their lives in Israel, while over 400 have been killed in Gaza.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking from the town of Ofakim, which suffered casualties and hostage situations, warned that “the price the Gaza Strip will pay will be a very heavy one that will change reality for generations.”
Beyond the blockaded Gaza Strip, tensions escalated as Israeli forces clashed with Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, exchanging artillery fire and rocket attacks.
In Egypt, two Israeli tourists and a guide were tragically shot dead.
Calls for restraint poured in from around the world, although Western nations largely expressed support for Israel, while Iran, Hezbollah, and demonstrators in various Middle Eastern nations praised Hamas.
In southern Israel on Sunday, Hamas gunmen continued to engage Israeli security forces over 24 hours after their audacious surprise assault, characterized by rocket barrages and groups of gunmen infiltrating army bases and border towns.
Heartbreaking stories emerged from the conflict, including accounts of Palestinian gunmen seizing innocent civilians.
A father, Uri David, recounted a harrowing 30-minute phone call with his daughters during the attack, after which they went silent.
The conflict took a toll on Mayyan Zin, a divorced mother who discovered that her daughters had been abducted through photos sent by a relative.
Online videos showed her daughters in captivity, along with a chilling scene of her ex-husband’s home, where gunmen confronted him before taking him across the border into Gaza.
Israel’s military claimed to have regained control of most infiltration points along security barriers, neutralizing hundreds of attackers and apprehending dozens more.
Tens of thousands of soldiers were deployed around Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, as the evacuation of Israelis near the frontier commenced.
Israel has not officially released a death toll, but its media reported that at least 700 people, including children, have lost their lives.
Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari labeled it “the worst massacre of innocent civilians in Israel’s history.”
