Israeli forces were tirelessly tracking down hundreds of infiltrated Palestinian fighters on their territory and bombarding the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described it as a “long and challenging” war against Hamas, the instigator of this unprecedented offensive against Israel.
The unexpected offensive, launched by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in power in Gaza on Saturday at dawn, has resulted in hundreds of casualties on both sides. Many Israelis, both civilians and military personnel, have been taken captive by Palestinian fighters.
“The first phase is nearing its end… with the elimination of the vast majority of enemy forces that infiltrated our territory,” said Mr. Netanyahu, cautioning Israelis that they are “engaged in a long and difficult war.”
“We are regaining complete control of Israeli territory,” stated Richard Hecht, the military spokesperson, after the army reported “hundreds” of infiltrators still present in the southern bordering localities of Gaza.
The army announced that it would evacuate all residents living near the Palestinian territory within the next 24 hours.
Under the cover of a barrage of rockets fired at Israel, Hamas fighters, the sworn enemy of Israel, using vehicles, boats, and even motorized paragliders, breached the imposing barrier around Gaza, attacking military positions and civilians in the streets.
Israeli forces responded by pounding numerous targets in Gaza, while ground combat continued between Israeli forces and infiltrated Palestinian fighters. On Sunday, Israeli forces regained control of the Sderot police station, bordering Gaza, after “neutralizing 10 terrorists who were there,” according to the police.
50 Years
Israeli authorities have not provided any figures regarding civilians and military personnel captured by Palestinian fighters, but the Israeli online news site Ynet estimates “around a hundred individuals.”
Israelis searching for their missing loved ones were repeatedly interviewed on Israeli radios and televisions on Sunday. Some explained that they had seen them in Hamas hostage videos from Gaza circulating on social media.
Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, another armed Palestinian group, claimed to have captured “numerous Israeli soldiers.”
“What happened is unprecedented in Israel,” admitted Benjamin Netanyahu, commenting on the deadliest attack in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in decades.
The fighting has resulted in “over 200 deaths” and “over 1,000 injuries” on the Israeli side, according to the army, which accused Hamas of “massacring civilians” even in their homes. The army listed 26 soldiers, both men and women, killed.
“I have seen many bodies,” said Shlomi, an Israeli, next to covered corpses on a road near the kibbutz Gevim (south).
