Admin I Sunday, Oct. 08, 2023
TEL AVIV – At least 700 Israelis have been killed following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, while several Israelis were taken hostage, some children, allegedly and now in birdcages, the international media have reported.
However Israel’s state-run Kan radio broadcaster reported that more than 600 Israelis have been killed while over 2,000 have been injured but no official statement from Israel on definite number of casualties in Israel.
Hamas launched hundreds of rocket into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Several militants were reported to have infiltrated Israel, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced as it launched Operation ‘Iron Swords’ in retaliation for the attack, coming from the Palestinian exclave.
Ismail Haniyeh, the current head of HAMAS’s Political Bureau, said the Palestinian attack was launched in retaliation for Israel’s aggressive actions regarding the Al Aqsa mosque in central Jerusalem.
Previous reports announced that rocket attacks left at least over 600 Israelis dead and up to 2,000 injured.
But Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement that over 300 people were killed and some 1,900 sustained wounds in Palestine following retaliatory attacks by Israel in Gaza.
Explaining the war, IDF Spokesperson, Rdml Daniel Hagari said Hamas started a war against Israel with the worst massacre of innocent civilians in Israel’s history, adding that Hamas was more barbaric and more brutal than ISIS.
He noted that Israel will respond with determination and force to their unprovoked war crimes.
“Hamas murdered hundreds of Israelis — men, women and children — and took dozens hostage into Gaza. This horrific terror act demands a forceful, determined, and sustained response — which is exactly what we are doing and continue to do”, he said.
He said the Air Force is attacking hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza.
“We follow international law, while exercising our right and responsibility to protect our civilians. The days ahead will be long and difficult…We have paid a heavy price; but we will restore security to the people of Israel. Let me repeat: We will restore security to the people of Israel.
“Israeli intelligence indicates that Hamas are hiding among Gazan civilians, inside Gazan homes and schools, hospitals and mosques.
“Hamas behaves like ISIS — I repeat — Hamas behaves like ISIS. It’s the same strategy: to maximize civilian casualties in Gaza and Israel and make you all forget the massacre of hundreds of Israelis that started this war in the first place. We will not forget.
“Hamas terrorists target Israeli civilians; Israel will target Hamas terrorists wherever they will be in Gaza. We will do whatever it takes to protect our people and restore security to Israel.
“We are also looking to the north as well. With full readiness, we are fully coordinated with CENTCOM. General Halevi just finished a conversation with General Kurilla and will keep talking in the next hours again. Those who attack us from all over the Middle East will face a decisive attack back”, he said.
He said that in the past two days, the “Night Riders” Squadron (118), the “Desert Birds” Squadron (123) and the “Rolling Sword” Squadron (124) have been engaged in the work of evacuating the wounded, rescuing and flying forces to carry out various missions, in cooperation with the other security and rescue services.
According to him, evacuation desk teams directed dozens of hundreds of wounded, both civilians and soldiers, under complex conditions of fighting in the territories of the country.
“Under live fire, the helicopters fly rescue forces to the towns surrounding Gaza to help the residents of the area and fight the terrorists.
Commanding Officer of the Evacuation Desk in the Collaboration Cell, Lt. Col. N. said his team activated the helicopter squadrons. The teamwork of the rescue units with the ground forces resulted in us being able to evacuate a very large amount of wounded at a very fast pace.
“The emphasis on evacuating the wounded as quickly as possible, in the best and safest way possible. We focus on our mission to help the ground forces as much as possible.”
