Hamas, the militant wing of the Palestinian group, has claimed responsibility for launching a series of rocket attacks on the cities of Beersheba, Sderot, and Ashkelon in southern Israel. The attacks triggered air raid sirens in the affected areas, causing panic among the residents. This latest escalation comes after Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israeli territory on October 7th, marking the beginning of their operation named “Flood of Al-Aqsa.”
The situation escalated further when thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated Israeli territory, seizing dozens of military vehicles and taking over a hundred hostages. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces launched a retaliatory operation called “Iron Swords,” with the objective of neutralizing Hamas.
The Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes, targeting hundreds of Hamas facilities in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, the Israeli National Security Council decided to halt the supply of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the region.
Amidst the escalating tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country is now in a state of war. The situation has raised concerns in the international community, with Israel informing the United Nations that 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza must evacuate to the south within 24 hours in anticipation of a ground operation.
Earlier, Hamas urged residents of the Gaza Strip not to evacuate, despite Israel’s request. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to exchange fire and engage in military operations, further exacerbating the already fragile situation in the region.
