During their “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, the al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas reported taking hostages of civilians in addition to a number of Israeli soldiers. Hamas posted videos of what it claims are Israeli prisoners being transported alive into Gaza on their social media channels. Josep Borrell, the head of foreign policy for the EU, criticised the kidnapping of civilians as a breach of international law.
Israel launched ‘Operation Swords of Iron’ in response, declaring all out war against Hamas. The Israeli air force launched multiple attacks against Hamas in Palestine.
“News of civilians taken as hostages in their homes or to Gaza are appalling. This is against international law. Hostages must be released immediately,” he said on X, formerly Twitter as Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country is “at war”.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations demanded that the bloodshed in Gaza end right away. Volker Tuerk expressed his horror at reports that Israel had been hit by hundreds of rockets and that hostages were being held by Israeli people.
“This attack is having a horrific impact on Israeli civilians,” Volker Tuerk said in a statement.
“Civilians must never be the target of attack,” he added.
In a surprise strike, Hamas militants penetrated the southern regions Israel and launched nearly 2,000 missiles. Israeli national rescue agency was cited by local media as saying that 22 persons were killed in gunfights that broke out between Israeli soldiers and Gaza infiltrators. It said hundreds of people had been hurt, making it Israel’s bloodiest attack in years.
Hamas’ strike on Israel on Saturday was praised as a “proud operation” by a top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Yahya Rahim Safavi stated, “We support the proud operation of Al-Aqsa Flood,” at a gathering held in Tehran in favour of Palestinian youngsters.
