Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the world, and more specifically his fellow countrymen, on Saturday in response to the massive surprise terrorist attacks carried out against the country by Palestinian Islamic jihadists.
The attacks were carried out by Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic terrorist group that is funded in-part by Iran, during the holiday of Simchat Torah and on Shabbat — the Jewish day of rest that is observed by many in Israel. The terrorist attack happened on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war — known as the Yom Kippur War — where Israel’s Arab neighbors launched a surprise attack during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar.
“We are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours,” Netanyahu said. “I convened the heads of the security establishment and ordered – first of all – to clear out the communities that have been infiltrated by terrorists. This currently is being carried out.”
“At the same time, I have ordered an extensive mobilization of reserves and that we return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” he continued. “In the meantime, I call on the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the IDF and Home Front Command. We are at war and we will win it.”
Hundreds of people have been injured and many killed after thousands of rockets were fired into Israel from inside Gaza and Palestinian terrorists invaded Israel as they hunted down Israeli citizens.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
"Citizens of Israel,
We are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours. pic.twitter.com/C7YQUviItR— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 7, 2023
The Islamic terrorists invaded Israel by land, sea, and by air using paragliders, according to Israeli officials.
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Fighting was taking place at Erez Crossing, Nahal Oz, Magen, Kibbutz Beeri, Rehim Army Base, Ziikim Army Base, and Kfar Azz, an Israel defense official said.
Images and video circulating on social media that were reported on by various newswires, major newspapers, and local publications showed horrifying scenes as rockets smashed into the side of residential buildings, cars and at least one military tank were on fire, numerous bodies lay on the ground in pools of blood, the bodies of Israeli soldiers were desecrated by Palestinians, and Islamic terrorist roamed the streets hunting for Israeli citizens. There were also reports that hostages may have been taken — Israeli soldiers and potentially civilians — and it appears that the terrorists were able to steal significant military hardware from Israel.