Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just released a video message to Israelis about the attacks launched at dawn by Hamas from the Gaza Strip: "We are at war and we will win," says the president and assures that "the enemy will pay a price like he has never known." Shortly before, the Israeli army responded with a bombardment on the Gaza Strip to the unprecedented attack on Israel unleashed this morning by Gaza militias with the launch of hundreds of missiles – up to 5,000, according to a Hamas spokesman; 2,500, according to the Israeli army—and with the incursion of militiamen from the Strip into Israel. An Israeli military spokesman said there was gunfire between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants at the Erez border crossing and the Zikim military base. The Israeli army also announces that it will mobilize thousands of reservists. Hamas says it is in possession of the bodies of several Israeli soldiers and at least one alive, although the army does not confirm this. Health services report one woman dead and at least 15 injured.
Back to top
New publications
The Country
European Union condemns Hamas attacks
The president of the European Commission has "unequivocally" condemned the Hamas attacks and expressed "her solidarity with Israel." "This is terrorism in its most despicable form. Israel has the right to defend itself from these heinous attacks," he said in a message from X (formerly Twitter).
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, has also spoken about Hamas' attack on Israel: "We are anxiously following the news from Israel. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence do not solve anything," he stressed. "The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these difficult times," he added. European Council President Charles Michel has also insisted on his disapproval of violence against Israelis. "I strongly condemn the indiscriminate attacks launched against Israel and its people this morning, inflicting terror and violence on innocent citizens." "My thoughts are with all the victims," added the president of the institution that brings together the 27 member states of the EU.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 10:53
The Country
Netanyahu: 'We are at war'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just released a video message to Israelis about the attacks launched at dawn by Hamas from the Gaza Strip: "We are at war and we will win," says the president and assures that "the enemy will pay a price like he has never known."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just released a video message to Israelis about the attacks launched at dawn by Hamas from the Gaza Strip: "We are at war and we will win," says the president and assures that "the enemy will pay a price like he has never known."
"Citizens of Israel, we are at war. This is not an operation or an escalation, but a war," Netanyahu said in his first comment after the beginning of the operation 'Al Aqsa Storm' unleashed this morning by the armed wing of the Islamist movement Hamas, the Ezedin al Qassam Brigades.
"Our country is at war and we are going to win it," added the prime minister, who has called an emergency meeting of his security council.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 10:57
Reuters
Hezbollah says Hamas attack is a message to those seeking to normalize relations with Israel
The Lebanese Islamist organization Hezbollah has claimed that the attack launched by Palestinian militias against Israel on Saturday are "a determined response to the continued Israeli occupation [of the Palestinian territories] and a message to those who seek normalization with Israel," referring to Muslim states that have recently normalized their relations with Tel Aviv. like Morocco or Saudi Arabia.
The Lebanese group says it is closely following developments in Gaza and Israel "in direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian resistance."
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 10:41
Reuters
France condemns "terrorist attacks against Israel"
The French Foreign Ministry has issued a statement condemning the "terrorist attacks that are being carried out against Israel and its population." In the note, Paris expresses its full solidarity with Israel.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 10:28
The Country
Haaretz reports death of Israeli regional leader
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports on its website that the president of Israel's Southern Regional Council (one of Israel's regional administrations) has been killed in a shootout with Israeli militants. It also reports "fighting" in various parts of the country.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 10:26
EFE
Israel launches 'Iron Swords' operation against Gaza in response to Hamas attack
Several dozen Israeli military aircraft have begun Operation Iron Swords, a bombing of several Hamas facilities in the Gaza Strip, in response to the multiple attack that the Palestinian Islamist group launched this morning against Israeli territory.
"Currently, dozens of Israeli warplanes are attacking several targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip," the army said.
The Hamas attack, which the Palestinian group has dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, has been "by land, sea and air," an Israeli military spokesman confirmed.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 10:18
The Country
The Israeli army estimates 2,500 rockets launched by Hamas and responds by bombing Gaza
The Israeli army has estimated at 2,500 rockets launched against Israel from the Gaza Strip in the unprecedented attack unleashed on Saturday by Palestinian militias, led by the Islamic organization Hamas. In addition, according to a military spokesman, Hamas has infiltrated Israeli territory by an undetermined number of militants by air (with paragliders), sea and land.
The response is already underway in the form of air strikes on Gaza, the army said, adding that there is gunfire between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militiamen at the Erez border crossing and at the Zikim military base. The Israeli army also announces that it will mobilize thousands of reservists.
The spokesman, however, declined to comment on Hamas' claim to have the bodies of several Israeli soldiers and at least one alive.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 10:16
EFE
Hamas claims to have launched 5,000 rockets and killed and captured Israeli soldiers.
The Ezedin Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, confirmed on Sunday that they have launched more than 5,000 rockets from Gaza into Israel, and that they have kidnapped the bodies of dozens of Israeli soldiers killed in clashes on the border, and at least one alive.
The commander of the Al Qassam Brigades, Mohamed Deif, announced the launch of Operation Al Aqsa Storm, "a battle that has opened with the launching of more than 5,000 rockets towards the heart of Tel Aviv," the Islamist group said.
In addition, militants of the group infiltrated today in the Israeli city of Sderot, where a battle with Israeli troops broke out, as well as on the border with Gaza, where militants kidnapped dozens of dead and wounded Israeli soldiers, as confirmed by the Al Qassam Brigades. According to the militia, its members have released Palestinian prisoners from Israel's Ashkelon jail, and videos posted on social media also show them inside the streets of Gaza with an Israeli military vehicle and the dead body of a soldier. The Islamist group Islamic Jihad, also with a strong presence and an armed wing inside Gaza, said it had joined the attack.
According to Israeli media, the multiple attacks by Gaza caught the Israeli intelligence services off guard. Beyond the state of war declared by the army, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the mobilization of reservists and announced "a special security situation" inside Israel, "within a radius of zero to 80 kilometers from the Gaza Strip." This allows the army to "provide civilians with security instructions and close relevant sites." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with his Security Cabinet at 12:00 CET.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 09:59
The Country
Dawn air alarms
The attack by Palestinian militias began at about 5.30 a.m., when air alarms began to sound in Israeli cities near the Gaza Strip. At that time, there was talk of dozens of rockets, although shortly after, Mohammed Deif, commander of Hamas' armed wing, the Ezedin Al Qassam Brigades, has estimated 5,000 projectiles launched against Israel. "This is the day of the great battle to end the last occupation of the planet," he said. At least one Israeli woman has been killed by rocket fire.
At the same time, armed Palestinian militants have crossed the border and Israeli media say they have shot anyone who crosses their path in the city of Sderot. The army has asked people to stay in their homes.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 09:50
LOOP
Gaza militias launch unprecedented surprise attack on Israel
Antonio Pita
Gaza militias have launched an unprecedented surprise assault on Israel, with an intense barrage of rockets and infiltrations by gunmen from the Strip. The alarms that warn of the launching of projectiles have sounded one after another in the early hours of this Saturday, including in places where it only happens in the greatest escalations of tension, such as Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. There have been at least dozens in just one hour, with the country at half gas to coincide with the day of the Sabbath and the end of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Health services have reported one dead and 15 injured, two of them seriously.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 09:36
The Country
Good morning. We start the narrative of the offensive unleashed in Israel by the Palestinian militias in Gaza. During the early morning, they have begun an unprecedented attack due to their intensity, with the launching of hundreds of rockets against the Israeli cities closest to the Strip, but also against Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. In addition, dozens of armed militiamen have crossed the border on foot, taking advantage of the fact that the country is half-gassed by the celebration of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Health services have reported one dead and 15 injured, two of them seriously. The Israeli army, which has claimed that Hamas will receive its punishment, has been put in a state of war readiness. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet this morning.
ACT.7 OCT 2023 - 09:36
Follow all the international information on Facebook and X, or in our weekly newsletter.