Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented surprise early morning attack during a major Jewish holiday Saturday, killing dozens and stunning the country. Israel said it is now at war with Hamas and launched airstrikes in Gaza, vowing to inflict an “unprecedented price.”

Hours after the incursion began, Israeli troops were still fighting Hamas gunmen in 22 locations near the Gaza Strip, including towns and other communities, army spokesman Daniel Hagari said — a startling sign of the breadth of the assault.

Israel’s national rescue service said at least 100 people were killed and hundreds wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years. An unknown number of Israeli soldiers and civilians were also taken captive and brought into Gaza, an enormously sensitive issue for Israel. Hagari said militants were also holding hostages in standoffs in two towns, Beeri and Ofakim, which is 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the Gaza border.

  • PugJesus
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    541 year ago

    This is nothing but a boon for the far-right on both sides of this conflict. Hamas has started a conflict to shore up their own “Us vs. Them” credentials, and Bibi’s government is more than willing to accept the opportunity. God help the people caught in the middle.

    • @[email protected]
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      71 year ago

      Bibi’s government is happy this has happened. Basically the only option given to Palestinians is: die a slow death or go down fighting. This is not a “both sides” issue. Israel is fascist dump.

    • NoneOfUrBusiness
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      11 year ago

      Hamas has started a conflict to shore up their own “Us vs. Them” credentials,

      I mean they don’t really need the help. They probably have a strategic goal somewhere.

    • jawa21
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      111 year ago

      Only death. And the long-heated border dispute likely won’t even end after one side is literally conquered.

  • Silverseren
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    11 year ago

    “into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip”

    This is worded strangely. Are these towns in Israel or are they in the Gaza Strip? Based on the rest of the article, I assume in Gaza, especially with the hostages note that don’t seem to be kidnapped people from elsewhere.

    Wait, in fact, reading the article again, is this all entirely taking place in Gaza? There was no actual incursion into Israel?

    But then it says “deadliest attack in Israel” and “were also taken captive and brought into Gaza”. So I’m confused again.

    Where the heck is this all happening? Because Israel and Gaza are two different places.

      • Silverseren
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        1 year ago

        “There are no Israeli settlements inside Gaza borders since 2006.”

        Huh? What are you talking about. Israel has been constantly building new settlements inside the border. The International Court of Justice even called Israel out for it being a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

        Edit: Sorry, you’re right. I was confused with West Bank

    • @Alteon
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      -21 year ago

      It was also originally an “Israeli Music Festival” held in an open field and “a rave next to the border in a desert near Kibbutz Re’im”. Now it’s towns. Are they both correct? Was this attack in multiple locations?