5 Things to Know as Palestinian Group Hamas Launches Attack On Israel
Hamas, Israel - The controversial Palestinian group, Hamas, launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday, October 7, in a surprise assault that combined gunmen crossing into several Israeli towns with a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
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YEN.com.gh reports that many people worldwide have been reacting to the attack.
What is happening in the northern Gaza Strip? Here’s what we know:
1) Issue dates back to 2005
The Gaza–Israel conflict is a part of the localized Israeli–Palestinian conflict but is also a scene of power struggle between regional powers.
The conflict originated with the election of the Islamist political party Hamas in 2005 and 2006 in the Gaza Strip. It escalated with the split of the Palestinian Authority Palestinian government into the Fatah government in the West Bank and the Hamas government in Gaza and the violent ousting of Fatah (a Palestinian political party) after Fatah lost the election to Hamas.
2) 22 Israelis killed
According to Israeli media, at daybreak on Saturday, October 7, gunmen had opened fire on passers-by in the town of Sderot, and footage circulating on social media appeared to show clashes in city streets as well as gunmen in jeeps roaming the countryside. Several reports indicate that 22 people were killed.
3) Battle ongoing
Currently, gun battles are taking place in and around the towns of Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen, Be’eri, and the Re’im military base, the Times of Israel reported.
Israeli civilians living near the Gaza Strip continue to plead for help.
4) Israel angered
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that his country would exact a “huge price” on Hamas.
Netanyahu told his Security Cabinet on Saturday that Israel’s first goal is to “cleanse the area” of militants and regain control of the southern communities that were attacked.
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Israeli defence minister, Yoav Gallant, added that Hamas had made "a grave mistake" by launching "a war" against the country.
5) EU fumes over attack on Israel
European leaders condemned the attack and proclaimed Israel’s right to defend itself.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement:
“It is terrorism in its most despicable form.
“Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks.”
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YEN.com.gh reported earlier that the armed wing of Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, firing approximately 5,000 rockets.
In response, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “state of readiness for war” and initiated ‘Operation Iron Swords’.
At least 22 Israelis were killed and hundreds wounded in the conflict, with additional casualties reported from the Gaza border communities.
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Source: Legit.ng
Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.
Berlinda Entsie (Copy Editor) Berlinda Entsie is a Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh. She has worked as a proofreader and editor since 2016. Berlinda has over 5 years' experience editing and writing for leading publications in Ghana. She previously worked with Graphic Communications Group LTD, Business Insider SSA and Pulse.com.gh. She obtained a B.A in English Studies from the Methodist University College in 2016 and a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the GH Media School in 2019. Reach out to her via berlinda.entsie@yen.com.gh