Israel is “at war” after a brutal, widespread Hamas terrorist assault left scores of Israeli civilians dead and nearly 1000 wounded thus far.
According to the BBC, Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israel early Saturday morning and began shooting civilians, soldiers and police officers in multiple communities. Thousands of rockets were also fired by Hamas, along with apparent attacks using explosive-laden drones. Palestinian gunmen have also kidnapped an unknown number of Israeli civilians.
Israel immediately launched retaliatory airstrikes in the Gaza Strip while vowing that “those who harm innocents pay a heavy price.”
We are at war.
We will protect our citizens.
We will not give in to terror.
We will make sure that those who harm innocents pay a heavy price.
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) October 7, 2023
The attack comes one day after the 50th anniversary of the start of the Yom Kippur War.
Iran, which funds and supports Hamas, is reportedly congratulating terrorists for savagely slaughtering Israeli civilians.
“We will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem,” said Yahya Rahim Safavi, a top adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as quoted by Reuters while monitoring Iranian state media.
Stream contributor Dr. Michael Brown posts from a source inside Israel.
A report from a friend in Israel: the Hamas terrorists “have been slaughtering civilians, including mothers and children, breaking into houses and indiscriminately killing the inhabitants. We have friends who have terrorists in their house as I write.”
— Dr. Michael L. Brown (@DrMichaelLBrown) October 7, 2023
Colin P. Clarke, research director at The Soufan Group, posted on X that Saturday’s terrorist attacks and Israel’s declaration of war will have far-reaching consequences throughout the Middle East.
“Israel preparing for massive response,” Clarke wrote in bullet points. “Conflict will spread beyond Gaza and go regional.”
Much to unpack with #Hamas attack on #Israel
– Israel preparing for massive response
– Conflict will spread beyond #Gaza & go regional
– This war will be highly kinetic but also occur in the information environment
– Seems like clear Israeli intelligence failure
– Role of #Iran— Colin P. Clarke (@ColinPClarke) October 7, 2023
As The Stream reminded readers on Friday, thousands of U.S. troops are still deployed to the Middle East, including Syria and Iraq. As we stand united against terrorism and pray for the people of Israel, please also ask God to keep the brave men and women of our country’s military safe.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is the author of the forthcoming I Have Your Back, the recently released Be Bold and co-author of Three Wise Men, Brothers Forever, 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on X @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.