spokesman

Over 700 Israelis, most of them civilians, have been killed since the attack on Gaza began. Local media reported that 2,500 people were injured. ‘At least four Americans died in the attack on Israel’, the US media reported. ‘ 750 are ‘missing’, perhaps hostages in the Territories.
On the Palestinian front the number of victims caused by Israeli raids on the Strip has risen to 370.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says the security cabinet of the Israeli government voted to put the country in a state of war and that “significant military activities” can be undertaken. The passage of the Security Cabinet is necessary under Israeli laws according to which one cannot go to war without a government decision.

The Israeli air force is massively hitting the Strip. The military spokesman said this according to which “the targets are in the areas near the Beit Hanoun barrier used by Hamas terrorists to launch attacks against Israel”. Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi gathered the Southern Military Command in Beer Sheva.

Americans are among “dozens” of hostages held in Gaza. Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer said this on CNN. The minister refused to estimate the number of Americans kidnapped, and called the attack on Israel “savage,” saying women, children and the elderly were among the hostages in Gaza.

Also several German citizens, who also have Israeli nationality, are among those abducted by Hamas during the attack on Israel, the German Foreign Ministry said today. “As far as we know, these are people who, in addition to German, all have Israeli nationality”, specified the ministry, without specifying the number of citizens affected.

Local sources in the Strip claim that there are three armed Palestinian factions in Gaza who are holding Israeli civilians hostage, both dead and alive. The factions are Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Each of these – but above all Hamas – has Israeli civilians or soldiers held hostage in tunnels or in safe houses. Israeli sources estimated that there were around 100 prisoners in Gaza.

Joe Biden assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “further assistance is on the way, and other aid will follow in the coming days”, communicates the White House reporting the conversation between the two leaders.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin announces that the United States is sending a aircraft carrier in the eastern Mediterranean.

For further information ANSA Agency Israel has declared a state of war (from Tel Aviv Massimo Lomonaco) – Daily – Ansa.it Deluge of bombs on the Gaza Strip, fighting on the border continues. Israeli deaths rise to 600. (HANDLE)

Turkish President Recep Tayyp Erdogan he appealed to Israel and Hamas to “support peace” and refrain from targeting civilians. “There is no good in attacking civilians,” Erdogan said, adding: “We are ready to do everything to reduce tensions. We call on all actors to support peace.”

Israel is not “conducting any negotiations with Hamas through Egypt.” The Times of Israel website reports this, referring to news circulating in this sense. Other official sources told the site that “for now we are fighting the terrorists who are on Israeli soil. We are not involved so far in any conversations, in any hostage negotiations.” The government has officially confirmed the number of hostages in Gaza as at least 100, although some media outlets speak of 170.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking on military radio at the end of a security meeting, said it was necessary prepare for the evacuation of communities in the north of Israel.

Video Gaza, firefighters at work among the rubble of a building

A long line of Israeli tanks heading south, on the border with Gaza, was filmed in a video that is currently circulating on social media, including on the profiles of various media. “The start of the land invasion is only a matter of time,” is the most frequent comment. There is obviously no confirmation from the Israeli army.

Video Israel under attack. Netanyahu: ‘We are at war with Hamas’

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press conference that “Hamas forces remain in Israeli territory“, adding that Israeli troops are busy finding them to kill them. “We will attack the terrorists wherever they are and liberate the area,” he said. The IDF has conducted strikes on around 800 targets in Gaza, the Times of Israel reports.

For further information Agenzia ANSA Meloni calls Netanyahu, Italy alongside Israel – News – Ansa.it The government will work with international partners to coordinate support (ANSA)

Telephone conversation between Benyamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader expressed “solidarity” with the Israeli prime minister after the Hamas attacks.

“Our fighters are still attacking targets in our Occupied Territorieswe managed to replace the fighters on the battlefield with new fighters and we managed to provide supplies to those who are still fighting.” This was stated by the spokesperson of the al Qassam Brigades, Hamas military wing, Abu Obaida: “We ask all our people – he added – to take part in this important battle”.

For further information Agenzia ANSA The Pope, no more clashes in Israel, war is always defeated – Middle East – Ansa.it “I am following with apprehension and pain what is happening in Israel, where violence has exploded even more ferociously, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries “, Pope Francis said at the Angelus. (HANDLE)

The Israeli army fired warning shots at “a group of suspects present in the area” hit earlier on Har Dov near the border with Lebanon. The Israeli military spokesman said this.

Iranian media, meanwhile, report that President Raisi spoke with the leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Israel at the UN, it’s time to eliminate Hamas

“It’s time to completely erase Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure.” Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan said this before the closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council. “The money given to Gaza is used not to eat or to build schools, but only for terrorism – he added – Economic incentives cannot change a genocidal ideology. It would not have worked with ISIS and Al Qaeda, it doesn’t work with Hamas”.

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2023-10-08 18:28:00
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“The death toll from the massive attack by the terrorist group Hamas against Israel has risen to over 250 deaths”. The Times of Israel writes this, citing medical officials, specifying that “the toll could continue to rise. At least 1,450 people have been injured, many of them serious”.
They are in the Gaza Strip at least 232 people killed and 1,650 injured in Israeli retaliatory airstrikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Palestinians to “leave Gaza” and he promised to reduce Hamas hideouts to “ruins.”
“We will take revenge on Hamas for this black day,” the prime minister said in a speech to the nation in which he reiterated that “the army will use all its strength to undermine Hamas, we will hit them everywhere“. “What happened today had not been seen in Israel and I will make sure it does not happen again.” According to the prime minister “it will be a war that will take time, it will be difficult, challenging days are ahead of us.” Then he warned Hamas “not to harm a single hair of the hostages in Gaza”. “You – he added, addressing them – are part of the chain of heroes of Israel and we are all with you”.

New salvo of rockets in the central area of ​​Israel and on Tel Aviv where the alarm sirens rang out for a long time. Numerous explosions in the sky due to the interception of rockets by the Iron Dome.

Video In Jerusalem, disbelief and waiting

Dramatic escalation in the Middle East, where Hamas declared war and put Israel in check. Taken by surprise, the Jewish state tonight finds itself dealing with hundreds of deaths and an unprecedented hostage-taking. At the first light of dawn, on the day that closes the Jewish holidays of Sukkot – as happened 50 years ago during Yom Kippur – 5,000 rockets rained down from Gaza, causing destruction and death. For hours, warning sirens rang out in the center and south of the country, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where people ran into shelters. The rocket launch was only the beginning of the conflict: from dozens of points along the border, armed Hamas militiamen (between 200 and 300) entered Jewish territory and the kibbutzim close to the Strip from heaven, earth and sea, taking civilians and soldiers hostage and killing others, while people ran to barricade themselves in shelters. Videos released on social media by sites close to Hamas show terrible scenes of the capture of hostages: according to the media there would be at least 50, but the number was not confirmed either by the military spokesperson or by the political authorities.

For further information ANSA Agency Israel under attack (from Tel Aviv Massimo Lomonaco) – Daily – Ansa.it (ANSA)

Clashes between Israeli soldiers and Hamas militiamen occurred in the border kibbutzim, from Ofakim and Beeri to Nirim and others: in the evening the army announced that fighting was still ongoing in 22 locations. Images spread on social media also showed the battle in the streets of Sderot, where Hamas allegedly took control of a police station. There was also tension in the West Bank, while in Gaza, as darkness fell, electricity was cut.

Video Netanyahu: ‘It’s not an operation, we’re at war’

“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. It’s not just an operation, it’s a war”, announced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that he had given orders to the army to recall the reservists and to “respond to the war with an impetuosity and scale that the enemy has never known before. They will pay a price that they have never had to pay, and in the end we will win.” The Israeli air force – according to the media after some uncertainty – began to pound the Strip with attacks that caused at least 232 deaths and almost 1,600 injuries, hitting Hamas and Jihad positions. According to the military spokesman, Hamas military infrastructure which was housed in two skyscrapers in central Gaza was also attacked. Doctors Without Borders spoke about two affected hospitals, the Indonesian Hospital and the Nasser Hospital. From the Strip, the elusive head of the military wing of Hamas, Mohammad Deif, defined the ‘Flood al-Aqsa’ operation as a response to the “desecration of holy places” and “detentions”. “We have warned the Zionist enemy several times – said Deif – but we have always received refusals”.

For further information Agenzia ANSA Israel: Pizzaballa, serious emergency, I fear it will lead to war – World – Ansa.it The cardinal, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, comments to SIR on the attack launched at dawn today by Hamas (ANSA)

While the deputy head of Hamas, Saleh al-Arouri, claimed that his organization is engaged in a battle “for freedom”. “This – he specified – is not a hit and run operation, we have started an all-out battle. We expect the fighting to continue and the combat front to expand. We have a primary objective: our freedom and the freedom of our holy places”. There are now many who fear that the situation will worsen in the north too, with a possible intervention by the Lebanese Hezbollah: some militiamen, according to the Israeli media, tried to breach the border line but were repelled with gunfire fired by Israeli soldiers. The news, however, was denied by the Shiite militiamen. In Israel we are holding our breath and wondering how it was possible to be caught so off guard by Hamas, fearing Iranian direction behind the attack.

Video The Israeli army releases footage of attacks on the Gaza Strip

There will be a time for controversy, but in the spirit of unity that characterizes Israel in times of danger, even after 8 months of division over judicial reform, all the Saturday evening protests were cancelled. The opposition to Netanyahu has offered the prime minister the formation of “a united national emergency government”. While in Gaza, after the first moment of euphoria due to the news of the rockets and the incursion of the militiamen into Jewish territory, the fear of reprisal now prevails: many have already left the area closest to the border in fear of a army land. It is difficult to establish which scenario may unfold in the next few hours: the only certain thing seems to be that the conflict is not destined to end in a short time. Netanyahu on the phone with US President Joe Biden spoke of “a powerful and prolonged military campaign” at the end of which Israel “will have the upper hand”. Operation ‘Iron Swords’, the Jerusalem government called it.

For further information Agenzia ANSA Italia: ‘Israel’s right to defence’. Iran praises Hamas. Moscow calls for a truce – Middle East – Ansa.it Numerous reactions from around the world to the unprecedented attack, with thousands of rockets, by Palestinian militiamen (ANSA)

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“Citizens of Israel we are at war and it is not just an operation, it is a war.” The prime minister said it Benjamin Netanyahu adding that he had given the order to the army to recall the reservists and to “respond to the war with vehemence and a breadth that the enemy has not known so far”. “The enemy – he underlined – will pay a price that he has never had to pay. We will win”.

The Israeli army has called up tens of thousands of reservists, public television Kan has learned. According to the broadcaster, this is the beginning of ‘Operation Iron Swords’. The army confirmed the firing of at least 2,200 rockets from Gaza. ”Fighting is underway in seven locations in Israel,” the broadcaster updated. Missile warning sirens from Gaza have once again sounded in Tel Aviv. ANSA confirmed this on the spot. “Dozens of Israeli planes are attacking a number of Hamas targets in Gaza”. The military spokesman announced it.

“Dozens of Israeli planes are attacking a number of Hamas targets in the Strip in Gaza.” The military spokesman announced it.

“Il Italian government closely follows the brutal attack unfolding in Israel. Condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing terror and violence against innocent civilians. Terror will never prevail. We support Israel’s right to defend itself“. This is what we read in a note from Palazzo Chigi. “The Government condemns in the utmost firmness the attacks on Israel. People’s lives, the security of the region and the resumption of any political process are at risk. Hamas must immediately stop this barbaric violence. We support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself”. This was underlined in a note from the Farnesina by the Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani.

“We are following the situation and we are assisting our compatriots who may need assistance. What we are seeing is very serious. We are following the events. The network has been activated and for the moment all our compatriots are well.” As Sergio BarbantiAmbassador of Italy to Israel on the sidelines of ComoLake2023 – Next Generation Innovations underway in Cernobbio (Como).

“We follow the news coming from Israel with anguish and unreservedly condemn the attacks carried out by Hamas.” This is what he writes on X lHigh EU representative Josep Borrell. “This horrible violence must stop immediately. Nothing can be solved with terrorism and violence”, adds Borrell. “The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these difficult moments.” France also “condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel and its population”: the Quai d’Orsay wrote this in a note this morning. Paris “expresses full solidarity with Israel and the victims of these attacks” and “reaffirms its absolute rejection of terrorism and its commitment to Israel’s security”.

Video Israel under attack, 5,000 rockets from Gaza

Following the outbreak of hostilities, supermarkets in Gaza have been stormed by residents who fear they will now face a prolonged conflict with Israel. The shelves of food products – local sources report – were soon emptied. Long queues are also reported by bakers. At petrol stations, motorists try to grab the last available supplies of fuel, in a highly tense atmosphere.

Hamas claimed to have launched against Israel “5,000 rockets” in the opening phase of the operation which he called ‘Al-Aqsa’ flood. “We have decided to put an end to Israel’s crimes”, he reads in a statement in which he denounces “desecrations” that have occurred in the Holy Places of Jerusalem.

Rockets fired from Gaza hit in the Negev the Bedouin village of Kseifeh. The mayor of that locality said this on Kan public television, according to which so far there is news of four dead. Residents, he added, have no shelter in which to protect themselves during rocket attacks.

“We are in a state of war. We have 21 episodes underway in the south of the country”: This was stated by the head of the Israeli police, Yaakov Shabtai. Selected police units, he added, had been mobilized and sent to the area of ​​the clashes. Police also erected checkpoints on arteries between southern and central Israel. Security measures have also been put in place along the demarcation line with the West Bank and in Israeli cities with a mixed population of Jews and Arabs.

Hamas “made a grave mistake

Video Alarm sirens in central and southern Israel

hours this morning and launched a war against the State of Israel”. defense minister Yoav Gallant adding that the army “is fighting against the enemy everywhere. I invite all Israeli citizens to follow the security instructions. The State of Israel – he concluded – will win this war”.

According to media reports – but not officially confirmed – Hamas militiamen who have infiltrated southern Israel have taken Israeli civilians hostage. In particular – according to Haaretz – in the town of Ofakim close to the Gaza Strip. According to the newspaper, in Sderot the Hamas militiamen entered the local police station. Several firefights were also reported. Similar news also reported on TV – although not officially confirmed – refers to Israeli soldiers taken hostage by Hamas.

Mohammed Deif, head of Hammas’ military wing, specified that the ‘Flood al-Aqsa’ operation represents a reaction “to the desecration of the holy places in Jerusalem” and to Israel’s constant refusal to “free our prisoners”. He stated that the militiamen had orders “not to kill women and children”. He also called on all Palestinians to join the armed struggle. “The enemy,” he said, “is weaker than you think.” This text was spread on the web by Hamas which, as in the past, only showed a darkened profile of Deif’s face.

The Israeli military declared “lo state of war alert“. This was written by the military spokesperson, recalling that “the Hamas terrorist organization has begun a massive firing of rockets towards Israeli territory and in various places”. Israel has decided to recall the reservists.

Video Rockets from Gaza towards Israel, columns of smoke

Surprise attack from Gaza on Israel, with large rocket launches partly intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome defense batteries. An elderly woman in the Gederot area, near Ashkelon, was seriously injured and later died. There would be 15 injuries (one of which was serious) caused by the launch of missiles from the Strip. Missile warning sirens in Tel Aviv. Meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with security and military officials.

In the last half hour “rockets have been fired” from Gaza towards Israel. The army announced it, without however specifying for now the number of devices. The military spokesman recommended that citizens of southern and central Israel “remain in protected areas and follow the instructions of the Internal Command Center.” Israeli emergency services, cited by the media, reported one person was slightly injured in the town of Yavne, in the center of the country, due to rocket fire from Gaza.

War atmosphere in Gaza. From early morning the population saw numerous rocket launches towards Israel, some of which were intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome defense batteries. The attack – local sources report – began in the early morning while the children were going to school. They immediately returned to their homes while the streets – according to sources – are emptying.
Yesterday tens of thousands of Islamic Jihad supporters gathered in the streets of Gaza to celebrate the anniversary of the movement’s founding. But it is still not clear whether there is a link between that event and today’s launches.

Local sources add that jubilant messages are being broadcast from loudspeakers in mosques. Among these: “We surprised the enemy. It is a great victory for the armed resistance.”
He first Benyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will soon meet with security and military officials following the surprise attack from Gaza. Some analysts point out that the attack from Gaza occurred on almost the same date in October 1973 when Egypt and Israel attacked Israel on Yom Kippur. ‘A number of terrorists have entered Israeli territory from Gaza. The inhabitants of the area must remain in their homes”: this was announced by the Israeli military spokesperson.

Meanwhile, images have spread online – the authenticity of which has not yet been confirmed – showing Palestinian militiamen flying from Gaza to Israel on hang gliders.

Italian Embassy in Israel to fellow countrymen, ‘maximum attention’

The Italian embassy in Israel invited compatriots “to avoid any travel that is not strictly necessary, maintain maximum attention, stay informed and follow the instructions of the local authorities”. The embassy then recalled “the massive rocket launch in various locations in the country” and that “the Israeli authorities have declared a state of alert affecting all locations within a radius of 80 kilometers from the Gaza Strip”.

“The Farnesina, in close collaboration with the Italian embassy in Israel, continues to monitor the evolution of the security situation in the country. We invite our compatriots to exercise maximum caution. Crisis Unit activated. Emergency number: +39 06 36225”. This is the text of a message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X.

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2023-10-07 09:01:00
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