Israel, Hamas Missile Attack, Netanyahu: “We Are At War”

Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic group, fired thousands of rockets at Israel today, October 7th. This is the largest attack in recent years, an action that for the Israeli authorities is tantamount to a “declaration of war.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared “Operation Iron Swords,” calling up tens of thousands of reservists to respond “to war with a speed and scale the enemy has never known before.” The attack, according to Israeli sources, consisted of the launch of “at least 2,200 rockets from the Gaza Strip” (5,000 according to Hamas), supplemented by several ground incursions. Fighting is reported to be taking place in seven different locations.

Initial figures indicate 40 dead and 740 wounded, while Palestinian sources from the Gaza Strip report 161 dead and more than 900 wounded. Israel responded with airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, which reportedly killed about 200 Palestinians.

Hamas’ statement motivates the invasion as a response to repeated attacks Israel has allegedly carried out against Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Commander Mohammed Deif simultaneously called on all Palestinians in the world to take up arms. “This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth.”

The first international reaction came from Europe, the USA, and Iran. The Western position can be summed up by what EU High Representative Josep Borrell expressed: we “are painfully aware of the news coming out of Israel. We unequivocally condemn Hamas attacks. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing.”

Iran’s position is diametrically opposed, according to Rahim Safavi, an adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who says he is “proud” of Hamas and emphasizes Tehran’s closeness “to Palestinian militants until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem.”