Israel PM Declares ‘We Are At War’ After Hamas Attack Kills Over 100, Injures Over 500

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on the Hamas terror group on Saturday, following a massive attack that left at least 100 people dead, over 500 people injured, and involved terrorist incursions into several southern towns along with the launch of thousands of rockets targeting the central and southern regions of the country, as reported by Israel's N12. In fact, around 50 Israeli hostages are also held by Hamas gunmen in Beeri Kibbutz near Gaza border.

In a video message shared on social media, Netanyahu said, "We are in a state of war," and further asserted that Israel is determined to emerge victorious in this conflict. He went on to declare, "The adversary will face consequences unlike any they have ever experienced."

Notably, these robust remarks were delivered approximately five hours after the onset of the assault by the Gaza-based terror organization.

According to the Health Ministry, 545 persons have been hospitalised in the wake of the large-scale assault initiated by Hamas, which began at approximately 6:30 a.m. today.

Previously, the Magen David Adom emergency service reported a minimum of 22 casualties. Unfortunately, it is anticipated that the number of fatalities will increase.

Local media reports said that some 500 Israelis have been injured and several killed in the attacks since the morning, with some reports saying that as per Israel police estimates some 60 infiltrators have been located across 14 different locations.

Unconfirmed reports of people being taken hostages and also kidnapping of soldiers have been doing the rounds, but they remain unverified.

"At the same time, I have ordered an extensive mobilisation of reserves and that we return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price," Netanyahu warned as the Israeli army called for mobilisation of reservists.

"In the meantime, I call on the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the IDF and Home Front Command. We are at war, and we will win it," Netanyahu asserted.

The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out the unprecedented attack on Israel at daybreak, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea and caught the country off-guard on a major holiday. A senior commander from Hamas has claimed that thousands of rockets were launched from Gaza into Israel.

The serious invasion on Simchat Torah revived painful memories of the 1973 war practically 50 years to the day, in which Israel's enemies launched a surprise attack on Yom Kippur.