Palestinian militant group launches massive aerial and ground surprise attack from the Gaza Strip
Full report: Hamas launches surprise attack on Israel as Palestinian gunmen reported in south
Today is the last day of the Jewish high holidays, but Israelis all over the south of the country and as far north as the contested city of Jerusalem were woken early this morning by air raid sirens and the thud of missiles.
Hamas officials always say that they will respond to Israel “at a time and place of our choosing”. But the timing of this unprecedented aerial and ground attack has caught both Israelis and Palestinians completely by surprise. The two sides had just negotiated a truce, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the UN, after three weeks of violence and unrest at the separation fence.
Israelis across the country—on Shabbat and the holiday of Simchat Torah—woke up to sirens sounding and Hamas firing rockets at them from Gaza this morning.
We will defend ourselves.