Israel Archives - Page 6 of 8 - Lokmarg

London: Pro-Israeli, Pro-Palestinian Protestors Clash

By LokMarg 10th October 2023

Amid protest rallies over the Israel-Hamas conflict, groups of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters clashed at High Street Kensington Tube Station in London on Monday evening.

Police officers were dispatched to restrain tensions between sympathisers on opposing sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their priority was keeping the peace and avoiding violence between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters as events overseas triggered heated demonstrations in London.

Videos on various social media platforms showed dozens of police officers attempting to separate demonstrators at High Street Kensington Tube Station as a pro-Palestine rally taking place outside the Israeli embassy started to escalate.

In a major escalation on October 7, Hamas launched a “surprise attack” on Israel, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country, killing over 700 people.

Meanwhile, UK PM Rishi Sunak has branded the people supporting Hamas for the “appalling attack” as “terrorists”.

“The people who support Hamas are fully responsible for this appalling attack. They are not militants. They are not freedom fighters. They are terrorists,” posted Sunak on X.

Thousands gathered for the pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Israeli Embassy on Monday evening at around 6 pm (GMT). Some protestors were seen climbing lampposts with flags and flares. Protesters chanted “Israel is a terrorist state” and “Allahu Akhbar.” Stalls were set up selling “Free Palestine” merchandise. Some launched fireworks towards the embassy building.

“Events in central London this evening – following the attack in Israel and the escalation of conflict along the border with Gaza in recent days – have now concluded, with three arrests and further live arrest enquiries underway,” said Metropolitan Police in a statement.

In contrast, weeping Israelis held a vigil outside Downing Street in the evening to honour victims and hostages taken by Hamas during an assault over the Gaza border on Saturday. UK PM Rishi Sunak also visited a London synagogue in a show of support for Israel.

On the other hand, Suella Braverman, Member of Parliament of the UK called for zero tolerance of terrorism on the streets of Britain.

“There must be zero tolerance for anti-semitism or glorification of terrorism on the streets of Britain. I expect the police to use the full force of the law against displays of support for Hamas, other proscribed terrorist groups or attempts to intimidate British Jews,” Braverman posted on X.

The protests reflected growing overseas tensions over the escalating violence between Israel and Palestine.

Earlier on Monday, a Kosher restaurant in the Golders Green area in London was vandalised, and a nearby bridge was graffitied with “Free Palestine.” The UK’s Chief Rabbi said hardly any Jewish family is unaffected by the Hamas attack, calling it a time of “grief and worry”.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan posted online, “There is no tolerance for hate in our city. I remain in close contact with the Met Police. Whoever did this will face the full force of the law.

“I stand with Jewish Londoners, today and always,” he said.

The pro-Palestinian rally featured angry condemnation of Israeli military actions in Gaza, which they view as occupation. Meanwhile, pro-Israel demonstrators mourned recent casualties and emphasized Hamas’s role in instigating unrest.

As emotions run high, the Metropolitan Police is on alert.

Londoners will continue to see officers on the streets, in our communities across London in the days to come following days to reassure and protect, the Metropolitan Police’s statement added.

More protests are scheduled in London by both sides through the week. A huge pro-Palestinian rally is to take place in front of the BBC building on Oxford Street. (ANI)

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Israel-Hamas Conflict: Violence Not Pathway To Resolution,” Says UNGA Prez

By LokMarg 10th October 2023

Stating “violence is not a pathway to a resolution of the conflict,” United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis has called to “halt the hostilities” in Israel.

In an exclusive ANI interview, the UNGA President said that a diplomatic process can lead to a secure pathway.

“I have said before, and as the Secretary-General himself, has said, that violence is not a pathway to a resolution of the conflict…So I would want to call a halt to the hostilities and for there to be, the engagement of a diplomatic process that can lead to a secure pathway…,” said Francis.

Israel has begun its retaliation after a surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday morning which led to the death of as many as 700 Israelis and injuring 2,300 others. In a stern warning to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said that though Israel did not start this war but will finish it.

The UNGA President also reiterated that the United Nations is willing to play the role of diplomatic negotiator hoping combatants will realise the importance of dialogue.

“Well, the United Nations, as you know, is always the home of diplomacy negotiation and discourse. And those realities, exist. We are willing to play that role, in all situations of conflict. So, my hope is that the combatants will recognize the importance of rebooting to a process of dialogue. In order to save lives and minimize the destruction and the harm that results from violent engagement…,” added Francis.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for stopping these attacks and the release of the hostages.

“I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people. But nothing can justify acts of terror & the killing, maiming & abduction of civilians. I reiterate my call to immediately cease these attacks & release all hostages,” posted Guterres on the social media platform, X.

As part of its retaliation against Hamas, Israel has mobilised 3,00,000 troops. This is the largest mobilisation since the 1973 Yom Kippur War when Israel called up 400,000 reservists, Times of Israel reported.

In another development, the Israeli military has also deployed troops against a suspected infiltration from Lebanon. Meanwhile, the IDF continued to carry out airstrikes, with the military saying it was hitting targets belonging to the Hamas terror group. (ANI)

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Everyone Involved Will Pay The Price: Israeli MFA Spokesperson

By LokMarg 9th October 2023

Calling Hamas a “terror organisation”, Lior Haiat, the spokesperson of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the only way to fight the terror group is to make everyone involved in the attack “pay the price”.

He also reiterated the allegation that Iran is the “main financer” of the terror organisations in the Middle East.

Speaking to ANI, Haiat said, “Hamas is a terror organisation…The only way to fight it is to get each and every terrorist and have him pay the price – not only the ones that participated but also the ones that sent them, the ones that financed them and the ones that are behind them. We know that Iran is the main financer of the terror organisations in the Middle East and they are also deeply involved in what happens in the Gaza Strip…There will be consequences for this attack for each and everyone responsible…”

He also emphasised that the Hamas attack will not be impacting the India-Israel relations, affirming hope that the relations will continue to flourish.

“I don’t think the war will have an impact on the relations between Israel and India. I do hope that the initiatives will continue to flourish. This is not just for Israel but the entire region…I do believe that the strong relations between Israel and India will continue and get even stronger,” Haiat said.

In a major escalation on October 7, Hamas launched a “surprise attack” on Israel, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country.

According to Israeli local media cited by The Times of Israel, the death toll in Israel has jumped to 800 Israelis since Saturday’s attack. According to Israeli government, over 2400 people have been injured as well.

The spokesperson said that Israel is receiving support and solidarity from many countries and also thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the support.

“We saw a huge support and solidarity that we received from many countries and leaders in the Middle East and the entire world, including the European Union and the US. We really appreciate the support. Israel will defend itself,” Haiat said.

He added, “We appreciate the support from the Prime Minister of India, from other leaders in India and also from the people of India in general. We got thousands of messages of support…We will remember who stood with us and supported us”.

The Israeli spokesperson further said that Israel is working towards achieving peace in the Middle East, further adding that they won’t evacuate from Israel as it is the only place the people have.

“Israel is doing a lot in order to achieve peace in the Middle East. We signed the Abraham Accords three years ago. We are working in order to include other countries in the circle of peace. Unfortunately, this attack was not just against Israel, it was against the peace in the Middle East,” Haiat said.

He added, “We are evacuating people from that area, in the south of Israel to the centre of Israel. We are not evacuating people from the state of Israel, especially because this is the only place we have. We have no other place to go to. We will stay here, we will defend ourselves and we will win this war against terror”. (ANI)

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Global Crude Oil Prices Soar Following Hamas Attack

By LokMarg 9th October 2023

Global crude oil prices moved in the northward direction on Monday, following the Israel-Hamas war that entered Day 3 with large fatalities on both sides. Brent crude, often considered the global benchmark, soared as high as about 5 per cent before some correction.

At the time of filing this report, crude oil prices were trading at USD 87.61 per barrel, up 3.52 per cent from last week’s closing. WTI crude was over 3 per cent higher at USD 85.96 per barrel, against their intra-day high of USD 87.23. This comes amid uncertainty in the global inflation outlook as oil prices were already elevated on supply concerns caused by output cuts by some producing countries.

So far, at least 700 Israelis have reportedly been killed, and 300 deaths were recorded on the Palestine side.

On the impact on the oil and energy sector amid the Israel-Hamas war, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said: “India will handle it with maturity. As far as the energy sector is concerned, the place where the action is taking place is in many respects the centre of global energy. We will watch very carefully. We will navigate our way through this. These kinds of uncertainties only encourage people to sustainable and cleaner fuel.”

“Oil prices rose more than 4 per cent in early Asian trading on Monday as Hamas attack on Israel threatened to inflame tensions in the Middle East, the source of around a third of the world’s crude…,” Ravindra V.Rao, CMT, CFTe, EPATian VP-Head Commodity Research, said.

“The fallout in markets will likely be determined by whether conflict spreads to the rest of the Middle East region, with oil traders also shifting focus to Iran, which is both a major oil producer and supporter of Hamas,” said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC securities.

Meanwhile, OPEC will likely issue its annual World Oil Outlook on Monday, providing updated forecasts for long-term demand and supply.

For India particularly, which is a large importer of crude oil from various sources, this latest price pressure on energy prices will likely be a headache for the policymakers.

On Friday, the Central Bank RBI showed utmost concern is the rising inflation and its attached potential risk to the growth outlook. The overall inflation outlook, RBI cautioned, saying it is clouded by uncertainties from the fall in kharif sowing for key crops like pulses and oilseeds, low water at key reservoirs, and volatile global food and energy prices. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the central bank is concerned and it has identified high inflation as a major risk to macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth.

Meanwhile, since the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out in February 2022, there has been a consistent rise in energy prices. India has been buying large quantities of crude oil from Russia and other possible sources and it has on several occasions maintained that its oil imports will be determined by its national interest and keeping in mind its large consumer base.

As recently as last week, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri urged OPEC to recognize the gravity of the current economic situation and urged the Secretary-General to use his office to “imbue a sense of pragmatism, balance and affordability in the oil markets.”

On the sidelines of the annual Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2023, on 3rd October 2023, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing, Hardeep Singh Puri had a bilateral discussion with Secretary General, OPEC, Haitham Al-Ghais.

In the interest of global good, the Minister advocated balancing global energy markets by ensuring that crude oil prices do not outstrip the paying ability of the consuming countries.

Cumulatively, OPEC and OPEC+ have reduced the availability of oil by 4.96 mb/d (~5 per cent of global oil demand) from the market since 2022, spiking Brent prices from approx USD 72 per barrel in June to approximately 97 per barrel in September 2023.

During the discussions, the Minister highlighted, that due to the production cuts carried out by OPEC (10) and OPEC+ countries from August 2022 onwards, effectively around 5 per cent of the total global oil availability has been removed from the market, causing crude oil price to rise 34 per cent in just last 3 months. (ANI)

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700 Dead, In Israel As Hamas Attack Continues

By LokMarg 9th October 2023

As Hamas terror groups continued their attack on Israel for the third consecutive day, at least 700 people have been killed and over 2000 injured and the numbers are expected to rise further, reported The Times of Israel.

Israel has declared a state of war on Sunday when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hamas, claiming that it had begun a terrible war and that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) would use all of its strength to undermine their capacity.

According to the Government Press Office, a body that operates under the Israeli PM’s office noted that over 100 people have been taken as hostages in Gaza.

Moreover, Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Sunday night said that they have been holding some 130 Israeli hostages and claimed that this includes high-ranking army officials, the Times of Israel reported.

Following the announcement by the Israeli PM, noting that the country is at war, Israeli jets carried out “intense” airstrikes on targets in Gaza on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, according to the reports by Jerusalem Post Senior Military and Intelligence Analyst, Yonah Jeremy Bob, the IDF has undertaken 1149 airstrikes on Gaza as of Monday morning, marking a jump of around 800 since Sunday midday, reported The Jerusalem Post.

Additionally, there are still six ongoing fights with Hamas in Israeli villages on the Gaza corridor, his report added.

Moreover, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer told CNN in an interview that the death toll was “well north of 600 people,” adding, “There will probably be more hundreds, several hundred more.”

In a retaliatory move against the Hamas attack in Israel, the Israel Air Force on Monday attacked various buildings where the leaders of the terrorist organization Hamas was staying, along with several operational headquarters.

According to the Israel Air Force, the air force also attacked a headquarters spread over an area of three floors and a headquarters associated with the senior Hamas naval force, Muhammad Kashta.

Moreover, the Air Force also destroyed an operational asset used by the terrorist organization, which is located in the heart of a mosque in the Jabaliya area. (ANI)

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Netanyahu Speaks Again To Biden, Affirms Full Support

By LokMarg 8th October 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday spoke with the US President Joe Biden who showed his unconditional support to his country.

Taking to X, Israel’s PMO informed about the conversation saying, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today with US President Joe Biden, in continuation of their conversation last night. President Biden reiterated his unreserved support for the State of Israel.”

Earlier, PM Netanyahu also spoke with other world leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who also supported the Israeli side for defending its country.

Israel PMO shared on X, “Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, all of whom expressed unreserved support for Israel’s right to defend itself as necessary.”

As per the Israel PM office, PM Netanyahu appointed Brig.-Gen. (Ret.) Gal Hirsch as coordinator for the captives and the missing and all government ministries will carry out his directives on this issue.

On October 7, US President Joe Biden held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and affirmed full support for Israel’s right to self-defence, amid the ‘surprise attack’ by Hamas.

Netanyahu also thanked Biden for the “unreserved support” and stressed that a “prolonged campaign” is necessary.

“US President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasized that the US stands alongside Israel and fully supports Israel’s right to self-defence,” the official handle of Israel PM posted on X (formerly Twitter).

It added, “Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked US President Biden for the unreserved support and made it clear that a forceful, prolonged campaign – which Israel will win – is necessary”.

President Biden also posted on X, condemning the “appalling Hamas terrorist attacks” and expressed his condolences.”Today, I spoke with @IsraeliPM about the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. I offered our support and reiterated my unwavering commitment to Israel’s security. @FLOTUS and I express our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones,” Biden stated.

In a major escalation on Saturday, Hamas launched a “surprise attack” on Israel, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country.

The toll from the rocket attacks and ground assault by Hamas went past 400 on Sunday, with another 1,864 people reported to be injured.

Several Israelis were taken as hostages in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported citing officials.

In retaliation to the Hamas attack on Israel that claimed the lives of hundreds and left thousands injured, the Israel Air Force has launched a very powerful and lethal air strike in the Gaza Strip with dozens of fighter jets attacking the areas used by Hamas terrorists. (ANI)

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Israeli Death Toll Rises To More Than 400

By LokMarg 8th October 2023

Over 400 people lost their lives and still counting after Hamas launched an attack on Israel near the Gaza Strip, Times of Israel reported on Sunday.

Among the dead, dozens of soldiers and police were killed in the attack.

Additionally, the Israel-based media outlet claimed that over 2,048 wounded in the deadliest attack are being treated in hospitals, including 20 in critical condition and 330 seriously wounded.

More than 24 hours after Hamas launched rocket attacks followed by an unprecedented ground assault, firefights between forces and terrorists were ongoing in Kfar Aza, close to the Gaza border. The IDF was attempting to neutralise all terrorists still present, The Times of Israel reported.

In a major escalation on Saturday, Hamas launched a “surprise attack” on Israel, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country.

The toll from the rocket attacks and ground assault by Hamas went past 300 on Sunday, with another 1,864 people reported to be injured.

Several Israelis were taken as hostages in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported citing officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hamas, claiming that it had begun a terrible war and that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) would use all of its strength to undermine their capacity.

“Hamas forces invaded Israeli territory this morning, on the morning of a holiday and Shabbat, and murdered innocent civilians, children and the elderly. Hamas started a cruel and evil war. We will win this war, but the price is too heavy to bear. This is a very difficult day for all of us,” the Israeli PM posted on ‘X’ on Sunday.

Netanyahu added, “Hamas wants to murder us all. It is an enemy who murders children and mothers in their homes, in their beds. An enemy who kidnaps the elderly, children, and girls. Murderers who slap and slaughter our citizens, our children, who all in all went out to spend the holiday.”He said after what happened in Israel on Saturday, he will make sure that it does not happen again.

Earlier on Sunday, the IDF said Israeli fighter jets hit a military facility at the residence of the terrorist group Hamas’ intelligence chief in Gaza.

Sharing an update on the ongoing counter-offensive on social media platform X, the IDF posted a video and wrote, “Fighter jets recently attacked a military infrastructure at the home of the head of the intelligence department of the terrorist organization Hamas.”

“At this time, the IDF continues its attacks throughout the Gaza Strip,” the IDF added in its post.

The attack, which began at 6.30 am local time (03:30 GMT) on Saturday involved Hamas fighters, who infiltrated Israel by land, sea, and air.

Israel’s military launched a series of air raids on Gaza in response to the attacks.

Senior Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif declared earlier that the attacks were the beginning of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”, urging Palestinians all over the world to resist Israeli occupation.

Hamas would pay a “heavy price for its actions”, the Israeli military told citizens living near the Gaza Strip, ordering them to remain inside their houses.

Significantly, Al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas, referred to Saturday’s attack on Israel as an effort “in defence of the Al-Aqsa Mosque”, a disputed religious site significant to both Muslims and Jews. (ANI)

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Israel Defense: Over 400 Terrorists Killed Inside Gaza

By LokMarg 8th October 2023

Over 400 terrorists have been killed inside Gaza, and dozens more have been held captive, the spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday.

At a press conference on Sunday, top IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said the searches for Hamas terrorists were underway at several besieged towns.

“As of this hour, there are forces fighting in [Kibbutz] Kfar Aza, there are searches in a large number of towns. There are IDF forces in all towns, there is no town that does not have an IDF force in it,” Israel Defense Forces’ top spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.

According to Hagari, the IDF’s mission objectives are to evacuate all civilians from border communities in Gaza, put an end to fighting there, manage security barrier breaches, and keep attacking terrorist targets in the Strip.

In a major escalation on Saturday, Hamas launched a “surprise attack” on Israel, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country.

The toll from the rocket attacks and ground assault by Hamas went past 300 on Sunday, with another 1,864 people reported to be injured.

Several Israelis were taken as hostages in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported citing officials.

He said after what happened in Israel on Saturday, he will make sure that it does not happen again.

Earlier on Sunday, the IDF said Israeli fighter jets hit a military facility at the residence of the terrorist group Hamas’ intelligence chief in Gaza.

“At this time, the IDF continues its attacks throughout the Gaza Strip,” the IDF added in its post.

The attack, which began at 6.30 am local time (03:30 GMT) on Saturday involved Hamas fighters, who infiltrated Israel by land, sea, and air.

Israel’s military launched a series of air raids on Gaza in response to the attacks.

Senior Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif declared earlier that the attacks were the beginning of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”, urging Palestinians all over the world to resist Israeli occupation.

Hamas would pay a “heavy price for its actions”, the Israeli military told citizens living near the Gaza Strip, ordering them to remain inside their houses.

Significantly, Al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas, referred to Saturday’s attack on Israel as an effort “in defense of the Al-Aqsa Mosque”, a disputed religious site significant to both Muslims and Jews. (ANI)

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Will Restore Security To Citizens Of Israel: Netanyahu

By LokMarg 8th October 2023

As Israel’s political-security cabinet convened late on Saturday to decide how to respond to Hamas’ terror attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the security to the citizens of Israel will be “restored” and the nation will win.

A statement from the office of Israel’s Prime Minister read that the Israeli cabinet also made a “series of operational decisions aimed at bringing about the destruction of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority”.

“We are embarking on a long and difficult war. The war was forced upon us by a murderous attack by Hamas,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, adding, “The first phase ends at these hours by the destruction of the majority of the enemy forces that penetrated our territory. At the same time, we started the offensive formation, and it will continue without reservation and without respite until the objectives are achieved.”

Netanyahu underscored that Israel wants to ensure that Hamas doesn’t pose a threat to Israeli citizens or harm them in any way in the future.

“The goal is to achieve the destruction of the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in a way that will preclude their ability and willingness to threaten and attack the citizens of Israel for many years,” Netanyahu said.

“We will restore security to the citizens of Israel and we will win,” the Israel PM, said, adding, “Among the decisions made by the cabinet are the stopping of the supply of electricity, fuel and goods.”

In an unprecedented attack that few Israelis saw coming on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah on Saturday, Hamas fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip.

Israel launched “Operation Swords of Iron,” striking a number of suspected Hamas hideouts in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s response to the Hamas incursion will “exact a huge price” on the militant group.

Meanwhile, the toll from the deadly rocket and ground assault by Hamas soared past 300 people, with another 2000 reported to be injured in Gaza and Israel, The Times of Israel reported.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 232 people were killed and 1,790 injured in Gaza. According to the Israeli Health Ministry over 100 people are dead and over 900 others injured.

Taking the top brass of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the country’s political establishment by surprise, Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers attacked Israel by land, air, and sea.

Millions of Israelis in the country’s south awoke to the searing sound of incoming rockets and the inevitable thud of impact. Air raid sirens wailed as far north as Tel Aviv. Israel’s anti-rocket interceptors thundered in Jerusalem.

In an unprecedented escalation, armed Hamas fighters blew up parts of Israel’s highly fortified separation fence and strode into Israeli communities along the Gaza frontier, terrorising residents and trading fire with Israeli soldiers. (ANI)

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Israeli Warplanes Continue To Pound Gaza

By LokMarg 8th October 2023

Israel’s warplanes continued to bombard Gaza on Sunday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, adding that 426 targets were struck in Gaza, including 10 towers used by Hamas.

The defence forces of Israel also evacuated Israeli residents around the Gaza Strip overnight, as tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers are operating on the ground around the conflicted region, CNN reported quoting the IDF.

The majority of the power grids is out since Saturday, and internet connectivity is still only partially functional. The CNN reporter in Gaza reported that throughout the night, there was constant sound of thundering jets and explosions, adding that there was a strong smell of gunpowder.

The IDF released video of a hit on a city building with multiple stories. The strike hit “Hamas military targets located in multi-story buildings in the Gaza Strip.

“Attached is footage of a strike on Hamas military targets located in multi-story buildings in the Gaza Strip,” Israel Air Force posted on X.

At least 232 people were killed in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza on Sunday as Israel carried out retaliatory strikes following the Hamas rocket fire and the unprecedented ground assault in the Middle Eastern country, Al Jazeera reported.

Following a barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, Hamas fighters launched the biggest offensive on Israel in years on Saturday, penetrating areas in the south of the nation.

According to Israel’s national rescue service, the attack was the bloodiest in years, with the death toll soaring past 300.

Additionally, an undermined number of Israeli citizens and military personnel were apprehended and brought into Gaza. Late on Saturday, both Israel and Hamas claimed that gunfights were ongoing at numerous locations within Israeli territory.

The attack, which began at 6.30 am local time (03:30 GMT) on Saturday involved Hamas fighters, who infiltrated Israel by land, sea, and air.

Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned Hamas it made a “grave mistake” in carrying out the rocket attacks and ground assault.

“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message from military headquarters in Tel Aviv after the attacks broke out.

Israel’s military launched a series of air raids on Gaza in response to the attacks.

Senior Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif declared that the rocket launch was the beginning of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”, urging Palestinians all over the world to resist Israeli occupation.

Hamas would pay a “heavy price for its actions”, the Israeli military told citizens living near the Gaza Strip, asking them to remain inside their houses. (ANI)

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