Israel Declares 'State of War' After Hamas Attack

Facts

• On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a 'state of war' against Palestine's Hamas after the ruling militant group in the Gaza Strip reportedly fired thousands of rockets into Israel, which has responded with air strikes in Gaza.¹
• In what is being seen as the most severe escalation of violence in decades, several Hamas fighters also allegedly infiltrated southern Israel, taking an unknown number of Israeli civilians and military members hostage. So far, at least 100 Israelis have been confirmed dead and nearly 1K injured, while at least 198 Palestinians have been killed and over 1.6K injured.²
• Meanwhile, the military wing of Hamas announced 'Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,' claiming to have fired over 5K rockets, and vowed to end the war 'so that the enemy understands that the time of recklessness without accountability is over.'³
• In a statement, Mohammad Deif, Hamas' military commander in Gaza, added: 'We warned the enemy not to continue his aggression against the al-Aqsa mosque… I call on Palestinians everywhere in the West Bank and within the Green Line to launch an attack without restraint.'⁴
• The Al-Aqsa Mosque, known as Temple Mount to Jews, is on the Palestinian side of the disputed city of Jerusalem. Under an agreement with Jordan, Israel controls security outside of the compound but has reportedly recently conducted several violent raids inside the facility.⁵
• This comes as Israelis celebrated the last day of the weeklong Sukkot festival and one day after the 50th anniversary of the surprise attack by Egypt and Syria that launched the Yom Kippur War.⁶

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²Guardian, ³Ndtv.com, ⁴News18, ⁵Al Jazeera and ⁶The times of israel.

Narratives

• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by The times of israel. Though the Hamas militants have infiltrated from land, sea, and air, the Israel Defense Forces will act sternly to defend itself from any violent provocation. An attack on the Israeli territory and civilians is an attack on the country's sovereignty. Hamas will bear the results and responsibility for its vicious and terrorizing actions.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al jazeera. Hamas has launched armed resistance in direct response to the increasing attacks on the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the mounting crimes following years of illegal and oppressive Israeli occupation. Tel Aviv alone is responsible for this latest escalation of violence.

Predictions