Israeli PM Netanyahu issued his first public statement on the massive attack by the Hamas terrorist group and said the country is at war.
“Citizens of Israel, We are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours. I convened the heads of the security establishment and ordered – first of all – to clear out the communities that have been infiltrated by terrorists. This currently is being carried out,” Netanyahu said in a video message.
“At the same time, I have ordered an extensive mobilization of reserves and that we return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” he further said.
“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,” the PM added.
Netanyahu’s statement hours after the start of the surprise attack by the Gaza-based Palestinian terror group.
Health Ministry said 545 people have been hospitalized since the start of the massive attack by the terror group. Earlier, the Magen David Adom emergency service said that at least 22 people have been killed. The death toll is expected to rise, The Times of Israel has reported.
“More than 2,000 rockets have been fired. Terrorists infiltrated, and some are still in Israel,” the Israel Defense Forces’ top spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said.
