Hamas launched a surprise combined attack on Israel on Saturday morning, including continuous firing of thousands of rockets into the south and center, the infiltration of hundreds of terrorists from the Gaza Strip into communities in the south and several attempted attacks inside Israel. More than 300 people have been murdered, and the Ministry of Health said more than 1,600 people have been injured and are being treated in hospitals, including about 280 in critical condition. Dozens of civilians and soldiers were abducted into the Gaza Strip.Since noon, the IDF has begun an extensive reserve mobilization.
Documentation: Terrorist who tried to return to the Gaza Strip from Israeli territory prevented // IDF Spokesperson
Regular updates:
02:58: Heavy barrage on Ashkelon. Reports of direct damage to buildings. MDA: A 50-year-old woman is in serious condition, and five were lightly wounded.
02:51: Biden reiterates his support for Israel and sends a message to its enemy: "Don't take advantage of the attack, our stand with Israel is rock-solid."
Let me say this as clearly as I can.
This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage.
My Administration's support for Israel's security is rock solid and unwavering.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 7, 2023
02:37: The area of the Gaza Division is declared a closed military zone.
02:33: Heavy barrages to Ashkelon. Direct hit on Barzilai Hospital in the city - no casualties at the scene.
The attack on Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, photo: the use under section 27A of the Copyright Law
SWAT fighters released hostages in Ofakim. The terrorists were eliminated, three fighters were wounded - two in light condition, one in moderate condition.
02:17: The political-security cabinet meeting ends. The announcement presented several decisions regarding the objectives of the fighting: "The destruction of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and the PIJ in a way that will negate their ability and desire to threaten and harm Israeli citizens for many years."
"We are embarking on a long and difficult war. The war was forced on us by a murderous attack by Hamas," Prime Minister Netanyahu said at the end of the discussion.
"The first phase of the fighting ends during these hours by destroying the vast majority of the enemy forces that have infiltrated our territory. At the same time, we began the offensive formation, and it will continue unreservedly and unabated until the goals are achieved. We will restore security to the citizens of Israel and we will win," concluded the Prime Minister.
Netanyahu: "The war will take time, but we will avenge this black day" // GPO
Among the decisions made by the cabinet are the halt in the supply of electricity, fuel and goods.
01:56: IDF Spokesperson in Arabic, Lt. Col. Avichai Edrei, tweeted to residents of several areas in the Gaza Strip calling on them to leave their homes and go to city centers.
01:22: IDF Spokesperson: Israeli navy forces thwart infiltration of seven terrorists at Zikim Beach; Fighter jets attacked three headquarters of the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.
01:15: After hours of fierce fighting, the hostages in Bari were released safe and sound.
00:45: The staff of the Israeli embassy in Jordan arrived safely in Israel a short time ago. The Foreign Ministry headquarters ordered the evacuation of the embassy due to the war.
00:41: The spokesman of Hamas' military-terrorist wing, Abu Obeida, in a recorded message tonight, responds to Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu's remarks: "The number of prisoners in our hands is many times greater than the enemy thinks, make no mistake in the assessment, and we suggest that you count your soldiers well."
Obeida added that "the threats voiced from the top echelons of the Israeli leadership are a broken record: and noted that the Israeli abductees are all over the Gaza Strip.
Direct hit in Tel Aviv, photo: Erez Lin
As noted, Hamas' combined attack came from land, sea and air. Hundreds of terrorists in vans, motorcycles, boats, and paragliders entered Israeli territory along the entire length of the border fence in the Gaza Strip. Dozens of civilians and soldiers have been captured and are being held in Gaza.
The political-security cabinet met tonight and made a series of operational decisions regarding the continuation of the fighting in Gaza. The decisions made: halting the supply of electricity, fuel and goods entering the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the end of the discussion: "We are embarking on a long and difficult war. The war was forced upon us by a murderous attack by Hamas. The first phase ends during these hours by destroying the vast majority of the enemy forces that have infiltrated our territory. At the same time, we began the offensive formation, and it will continue unreservedly and unabated until the goals are achieved. We will restore security to the citizens of Israel and we will win."
A statement issued at the end of the meeting said that "the cabinet made a series of operational decisions aimed at destroying the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in a way that will negate their ability and desire to threaten and harm Israeli citizens for many years."
Following a security assessment, the IDF decided to issue a closed military zone order for the Gaza Division. The IDF clarifies that entry into the area is strictly forbidden and asks the public to be vigilant and not to enter the area.
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