Hamas Ministry: almost 200 dead
Heavy air strikes on Gaza – Israel strikes back
October 7, 2023, 5:28 p.m
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Israel is responding to the major attack by Hamas with massive air strikes in which, according to information from the Gaza Strip, hundreds of people are killed and injured. Meanwhile, support comes from several international partners who point to Israel’s right to self-defense.
The Israeli Air Force has carried out numerous heavy airstrikes on Hamas in retaliation for attacks from the Gaza Strip. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 198 people were killed and more than 1,600 injured. Pictures showed large columns of smoke following explosions in Gaza City. The Israeli army said 17 military installations and four Hamas command centers were attacked.
The attacks are a response to attacks from the Gaza Strip, from where Palestinian militants fired thousands of rockets in the morning. Fighters also advanced on the ground. Political expert Thomas Jäger told ntv that he was already expecting an “extremely strong” response from Israel. This time he does not believe in a ceasefire like in previous conflicts. At least 100 people were killed on the Israeli side in the major attack. This was reported by several media outlets, citing medical circles. Around 900 others were injured.
Israel is “not in an operation or in battles, but in a war,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech. He ordered the “comprehensive mobilization of reservists.” “The enemy will pay an unprecedented price.” An Israeli official threatened that Hamas had opened “the gates to hell” with its attack. They will be held accountable, said the spokesman for Israel’s Cogat authority, which is responsible for entry and work permits for Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip.
“Israel has the right to self-defense”
Numerous international partners pledged support to Israel. The country has the right to defend itself, it was said, among others, from the USA, Ukraine and a NATO spokesman. “We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel and express our condolences for the Israeli victims of these attacks,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann called for all aid to the Palestinian Gaza Strip to be reviewed. “The existence of the Jewish state of Israel is rightly part of the inseparable core of German reasons of state,” she told the newspapers of the Funke media group. “Therefore, this cowardly attack by Hamas on innocent civilians must be taken as an opportunity to thoroughly review all German, EU and UN aid funds destined for the Gaza Strip to see how they are being used.” Any use for anti-Israel or anti-Semitic purposes must be completely excluded.