Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas after a surprise attack killed hundreds of Israelis.
The early morning assault on Saturday, Oct. 7, marks one of the largest escalations of conflict between Israel and Hamas in recent years. The terrorist group fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza and invaded nearby towns after using explosives to break through the Gaza border fence, according to the Associated Press (AP). Hamas gunned down and took civilians and Israeli soldiers hostage during their pursuits.
“We will win this war, but the price is too heavy to bear,” Netanyahu wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “This is a very difficult day for all of us. Hamas wants to murder us all. It is an enemy who murders children and mothers in their homes, in their beds. An enemy who kidnaps the elderly, children, girls. Murderers who slap and slaughter our citizens, our children, who all in all went out to spend the holiday. What happened today is not seen in Israel–and I will make sure that it does not happen again. The entire government stands behind this decision.”
The Israeli military reported that Hamas launched about 2,200 rockets into Israel. As a result, the country unleashed counterattacks.
Just on Saturday, about 200 people in the Gaza Strip were killed and over 1,600 injured, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported.
Airstrikes also escalated during the nighttime, leading to the destruction of multiple residential buildings in Gaza City. However, Israel fired a warning just before this retaliation, according to the AP. This prompted Hamas to launch rockets that hit four Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv. This retaliation cycle is likely to continue.
Following the initial attack by Hamas, world leaders reacted to the shocking news.
“The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”
Biden’s reaffirmed commitment to Israel brings into question how much the U.S. is willing to aid its ally’s efforts, as his statement is merely symbolic.
Multiple GOP presidential hopefuls have, in part, blamed Iran for the attack on Israel, since Hamas is an Iranian-backed group. Republicans have also called out Biden for unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian assets only months before the Hamas attack. Public pressure may compel Biden to take an even stronger stance against Hamas and Iran amid the 2024 election.
On the day of the initial attack, Iranian state television aired clips of parliament members chanting, “Death to Israel,” and “Palestine is victorious,” according to Politico. This raises concern about the further escalation of conflict within the Middle East.
It is currently unknown how Iran will support Hamas’ efforts, but it congratulated the terrorist group for its surprise attack.
With Netanyahu’s vow to “take mighty vengeance for this black day” in a televised statement, it appears the conflict will continue.
