More than 700 Israelis have been killed since the start of the war against Israel launched Saturday morning by Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorist organization.
Statement for the international media by IDF Spokesperson, Rdml Daniel Hagari
“This weekend, Hamas started a war against Israel with the worst massacre of innocent civilians in Israel’s history. Hamas was more barbaric and more brutal than ISIS. pic.twitter.com/M4WRlui1fu
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 8, 2023
As of 10 pm Sunday night, some 2,243 Israelis were wounded, and at least 100 Israelis and other nations were abducted and spirited away by the terrorists across the border into Gaza, where they are being held captive by Hamas.
Hamas terrorists claimed to have captured enough Israeli hostages to be able to free all Palestinian Authority prisoners being held in Israel.
This is what the last day and a half in Israel has looked like.
Entire families butchered in their homes.
Grandmothers, mothers and children kidnapped and taken hostage by Hamas.
700 Israelis murdered.
Hamas will pay heavily for these war crimes.
Share. pic.twitter.com/DQUW9gdK6T
— Israel ישראל ?? (@Israel) October 8, 2023
The residents of Kibbutz Mefalsim and Sderot were asked not to leave their homes until further notice as Israeli security forces search their towns, since Hamas terrorists may still be in the area.
For the first time since the start of the war, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi spoke to reporters. “It is time for war,” he said. “No ’round,’ no ‘operation’ — time for war, and in the midst of this war, we will be strong and win.
“Long and complex days of fighting await us,” he added. “We will maintain readiness in all arenas.”
Several US citizens are among those killed and taken captive by the Hamas terrorists, according to multiple Israeli media, a report verified by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“We have reports that several Americans may be among the dead,” Blinken told NBC News in an interview Sunday. “Similarly we’ve seen reports about hostages and there, again, we’re very active trying to verify them and nail that down.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Brigadier General (ret.) Gal Hirsch as coordinator for the captives and missing, and the prime minister’s office (PMO) said all government ministries will carry out his directives on this issue.
All classes have been canceled across the country, including those in the special education sector, until Wednesday.
On Saturday night, Israel’s security cabinet voted unanimously to approve a declaration of war — Operation Iron Swords — for the first time since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
The decision makes available “significant military activities” and enables the IDF Home Front Command to expand its instructions to the public as necessary.
