Showered With Hamas Rockets, Israeli Military Declare Ready For War

UNSPLASH/Shalev Cohen ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The Israeli army declared it ready for war after Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip fired rockets at its territory.

Rocket salvo attacks were fired from various locations in an area surrounded by Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip. However, Israel's Iron Dome defense system managed to thwart the attack in several areas, according to correspondent Anadolu quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, October 7.

Five people were reported killed and 15 injured in the Gaza rocket attack, the Israel Broadcasting Authority reported.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant has approved the mobilization of reserve troops on a large scale in response to the attack, Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported.

The emergency situation has been declared on the internal side in preparation for the long-term fighting, Galant said, according to the same source.

The sirens were heard in Tel Aviv, Rehovot, Rishon Lezion, and Palmachim Air Bases, according to reports from a number of media, including news site Walla.

The siren also reads in the city of Jerusalem, where the explosion was heard when Israel's Iron Dome air defense system was activated, according to Anadolu correspondent.

The Al-Qassam Brigade, armed wing of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, announced rocket attacks on enemy territory, airports, and military installations had begun.

5,000 rockets and bullets were fired from Gaza towards Israel in the first 20 minutes of operation, the Al-Qassam Brigade said in a statement.

Israeli radio reported a number of Palestinian armed men sneaked into Israeli territory adjacent to the Gaza Strip.

Israel deployed its troops to prevent the infiltration of Palestinians armed from Gaza, the Army Radio added.

Armed men from Hamas seized control of a police station in Sderot Israel, where a number of people were injured in a shootout, the Israel Broadcasting Authority reported.

Armed clashes between Palestinian factions and Israeli forces took place on the eastern fence of the Gaza Strip, according to correspondent Anadolu.

Israeli soldiers said they had begun attacking Hamas targets in Gaza.

Several eyewitnesses told Anadolu gunmen from Palestinian factions opened fire on Israeli ships off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian factions have fired rockets at Israeli settlements and cities continuously for more than an hour, according to a number of eyewitnesses.

Palestinian activists in the Gaza Strip shared a number of photos and video clips on social media showing a number of faction members and Palestinians taking over Israeli vehicles.

Israeli vehicles are seen entering the Palestinian settlement environment in the circulating photos and videos.

An Anadolu correspondent reported that one of Israel's vehicles arrived at Al-Khalifa Square at Camp Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.

Schools in the Gaza Strip were closed until further announcements were made, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Education in Gaza.