At least 22 Israelis killed as Hamas launches surprise ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’

At least 22 Israelis were killed as Hamas launched surprise ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’ on Saturday.

This is the largest attack on Israel in years!

As reported, more than 2,000 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip followed by gunmen infiltrating areas in the southern region of the country that killed at least 22 Israelis and more than 500 were wounded, local media reported, citing medical workers.

Announcing the launch of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”, Mohammad Deif, a senior Hamas military commander, in a broadcast on Hamas media, called on Palestinians everywhere to fight.

“We’ve decided to say enough is enough,” Deif said as he urged all Palestinians to confront Israel.

“This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on Earth,” he said, adding that 5,000 rockets had been launched.in an audio message.

In reaction, by late Saturday morning, Israeli warplanes started to pound locations in Gaza – in what the military named “Operation Iron Swords” – and Israeli soldiers are reported to be engaged in ground fighting in several locations around the besieged Palestinian enclave.

“Right now we’re fighting. We’re fighting in certain locations around the Gaza Strip … our forces are now fighting on the ground,” Israel’s army spokesman Richard Hecht told reporters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is at war and Hamas will pay an unprecedented price.

“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. This is not an operation, not an escalation – this is war. And we will win. Hamas will pay an unprecedented price,” he said in a video message.

In this year, at least 247 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, while 32 Israelis and two foreign nationals have been killed in Palestinian attacks.

Meanwhile, Tor Wennesland, United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, has issued a condemnatory statement following Saturday’s development.