JERUSALEM Hamas militants
fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near
the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented surprise early morning attack during a
major Jewish holiday Saturday, killing dozens and stunning the country. Israel
said it was now at war with Hamas and launched airstrikes in Gaza, vowing to
inflict an “unprecedented price.”
Several hours after the incursion began, Hamas militants were
still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities near Gaza. Israel’s
national rescue service said at least 40 people have been killed and hundreds
wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years. Also, an unknown
number of Israeli soldiers and civilians had been seized and taken into Gaza.
At least198 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed in Israel’s
retaliation and at least 1,610 wounded, the Palestinian H
The strength, sophistication and timing of the attack sho ealth
Ministry in Gaza said.cked Israelis, with images of Hamas gunmen bringing
seized soldiers and civilians into Gaza on motorbikes and parading what
appeared to be captured Israeli military vehicles through the streets. Videos
on social media showed what appeared to be at least one dead Israeli soldier
within Gaza being dragged and trampled by an angry crowd of Palestinians
shouting “God is Greatest.”
