PM vows to exact ‘unprecedented price’ from terror group after dozens of gunmen cross border, attack homes and IDF bases; thousands of rockets fired; opposition backs gov’t, IDF
Today, 12:49 pm 27
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement on October 7, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Screen grab)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “is at war” after Hamas launched a devastating surprise attack on the country on Saturday, and vowed to exact an “unprecedented price” from the terror group.
“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. Not an operation, not a round [of fighting,] at war! This morning Hamas initiated a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens,” Netanyahu said in his filmed statement in Hebrew.
The statement, which appeared to have been filmed at the Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv, was posted at around 11 a.m., several hours into the fighting that erupted after Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel and dozens of gunmen crossed the border with the Gaza Strip and invaded multiple Israeli towns and communities.
At least 22 Israelis were confirmed killed and hundreds wounded by early afternoon. Additional casualties were reported from the Gaza border communities, where gun battles still raged between the IDF and terrorists who were seen roaming freely in several places.
“We have been in this since the early morning hours. I have convened the heads of the defense establishment. I’ve given directives, first and foremost, to clear the [affected] urban areas of the terrorists who penetrated them,” Netanyahu said. “This is happening right now.”
“In parallel, I am initiating an extensive mobilization of the reserves to fight back on a scale and intensity that the enemy has so far not experienced. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” Netanyahu said.
Police officers evacuate a woman and a child from a site hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, Oct. 7, 2023 (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)<
“I urge the public to follow strictly the directives of the military, the Home Front Command. We are at war and will win,” Netanyahu said.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also vowed that Israel “will win this war.”
“Hamas made a grave mistake this morning and started a war against the State of Israel. IDF soldiers are fighting the enemy at all the infiltration sites,” Gallant said in remarks provided by his office.
“The State of Israel will win this war,” he added.
A joint statement from Knesset opposition party heads gave full backing to the IDF and called on the international community to condemn the acts of terror.
Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid, National Unity head Benny Gantz, Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Lieberman and Labor party head Merav Michaeli said, “In days like these there is no opposition and no coalition in Israel.”
We “are united in the face of terrorism” and the need to strike with “a strong and determined fist,” said the statement, calling for retribution against Hamas and all terrorist organizations that cooperate with it.
Rockets are fired from Gaza City towards Israel on October 7, 2023. (SAID KHATIB / AFP)<
“It is necessary to mobilize the international community against terrorism,” the statement continued, ending with strong support for the citizens of Israel, active and reserve IDF soldiers all security and emergency forces.
“We call on all citizens — obey the directives of the Home Front Command, take care of yourselves and together we will overcome terrorism,” said the statement.
Organizers of protests against the government’s judicial overhaul scheduled for Saturday night announced the cancellation of the weekly demonstrations.
“We stand with the residents of Israel and give full support to the IDF and the security forces,” the protest organizers said in a statement.
“We call on all those who are needed to report [for duty] and play their part to safeguard the security and health of of the residents of Israel.”
The Brothers and Sisters in Arms protest group also urges all those who are needed to report for duty “without hesitation.”
Israeli soldiers head south near Ashkelon, Israel, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)<
Hundreds of reservists had previously refused to report for duty so long as the government pursued its controversial reform.
President Isaac Herzog also called for solidarity.
“The State of Israel is at a difficult moment. I am wishing much strength to the IDF, its commanders and fighters and the entirety of the security and rescue forces,” Herzog wrote on X.
“I wish to encourage and strengthen all in Israel who are under attack. I urge everyone to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, and demonstrate mutual solidarity and calm. Together we will triumph over those who wish to harm us.”
Hi, Felix. You said,
Do you have any idea what you’re talking about? I sure don’t. Have you been listening to Joe Biden, or Hillary Clinton? Every now and then, they blurt out something meaningless. They’re like “word farts”. In medical lingo, that would be “verbal flatus”. Sometimes they string words that don’t belong together, like “MAGA”, “deplorable”, “parent” and terrorist”, and conflate them with one another. I’ve coined a word for this,
“conflatus”.
You’re excused.
Michael stop mocking the Jews
You fire out massive verbiage
And leave the American border issue out. You insult Jews
Hamas claims 53 Israeli captives taken to Gaza
This is so so so sick making
He has spent years defending Biden
Chin up, brother! These things are only devastating if we let them devastate us. My wife and I have already started praying for Israel, and for Netanyahu. God is not mocked. He that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Ritter shows his Israel hate
Scott Ritter must be condemned for this. Is he happy to see Jews being attacked?
Michael You are a contemptible
You attack Biden now but have spent years supporting his NeoCons wars on Russia
From Maariv.co.is:
The HAMAS attack, eye-witness account:
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1710526432902877224.html
Most interesting comment:
Hey, Israel! Welcome to the club!
985 injured in massive Hamas attacks on Israel, Health Ministry says
Flashback:
cf. https://gettr.com/user/ilpresidento
Note the date.
Hi, Peloni
Chin up, brother! These things are only devastating if we let them devastate us. My wife and I have already started praying for Israel, and for Netanyahu. God is not mocked. He that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
These reports are devastating!
Are you still there, EvRe? This is where the kabuki theater begins.
Ah, WION Live — yet another “reliable, unbiased source” of the steady stream of pro-Russian comments on Israpundit! They just mention “Palestinian” dead in the headline. Is that impartial? Is that how it really happened?
The Saudis come across as downright pro-Israel!
RT is “balanced”, blaming Israel as much as “Palestine”. How’s that for honest, unbiased reporting? Does everyone here blame Israel as much as Palestine?
— The Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-palestine-news-hamas-gaza-strip-operation-al-aqsa-storm-live-updates/liveblog/104232526.cms
Partners for peace! (?) Note that Kuwait, like Russia, condemned Israel while the latter was still resting for Sabbath.
Typical Russian hypocrisy. Russia demands that Israel do precisely what Russia refuses to do in the internationally recognized country of Ukraine.
What’s the feast today? Purim? (ah– “Putin” with an “r”. I can’t make this stuff up!)
Hamas claims 50+ Israelis kidnapped to Gaza, 40 killed and 779 wounded
EvRe,
Putin was calling for Israel to stand down, before the Sabbath had even ended. The usual playbook for the other countries, is to wait a day or two before condemning Israel in the UN. The US usually stands virtually alone, in sticking with Israel longer than, say, a week. We’ll see how it pans out this time.
Xinhua (Communist China News Agency, English language) gives good, impartial coverage:
Massive rockets fired from Gaza into Israel, at least 22 Israelis illed
Source: Xinhua
Editor: huaxia
2023-10-07 19:23:00
https://english.news.cn/home.htm
I am praying for the success of Israelis who are fighting for the peace and security of their country.
The Israeli people are resilient and have fought murderous enemies before. They will not let them win this time either.
Many countries are united in their condemnation of Hamas. I do not think Hamas expected that, since their wars are fought as much for PR for the “victims” of Israel as for conquest of the land of Israel. The Palestinians, as many countries can see, are clearly the aggressors.
With Biden as President, countries around the world know the US is weak and flailing. Iran and Hamas chose this time thinking Israel would be weak and would not be supported by the US administration.
But all Israel is united in this fight for their survival. The US hardly matters. A united Israel can win and will win.
(Graphic) Israeli civilian areas struck by rockets — looks a lot like Iranian-built Russian rocket attack in Ukraine
https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2023/10/AP23280180805619.jpg
Europe and US were quick to condemn HAMAS. Also,
“Russia calls on Israel and Palestinians to cease fire”
https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-calls-israel-palestinians-cease-fire-2023-10-07/
Need I say, whose side Putin is on????
US defense chief: ‘We’ll ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, protect civilians from terror’
PA celebrations in Gaza:
https://televisor.tlgrm.dev/003/GBwAAIkFFkYAAAAA6NuLD6Smokg.8DQAAC2VCUmgs5NjGdwwvQI.AkYWBYkAABwYZSFVN0zAuujaVM2NXVMj2hNajGw/file.mp4?hash=PMUpru-PNFL9wsfWk4tJng&ts=1696683603
This is the same old PA playbook. Let’s see if Bibi mounts the same old Israeli response. You can bet there will be an anti-Israel outrage in the UN — by the same countries that are currently anti-Ukraine.
Looks like PA attackers dead (Warning: Graphic)
https://televisor.tlgrm.dev/003/FhwAAIkFFkYAAAAA6NuLD6Smokg.xTQAAC2VCUkAFBiQaWP0ZAI.AkYWBYkAABwWZSFCjkxe24-9G9xoOuEI6WLNF08/file.mp4?hash=-FDNRd8iMQWZVyYXFZ-vRw&ts=1696683603