Updated at 12:45 p.m.
Hamas has reportedly launched another wave of rocket attacks against Israel, with explosions heard in the vicinity of Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv.
“Just landed at Tel Aviv airport, was disembarking when sirens went off followed by the sound of multiple explosions… passengers told to lay flat on the ground,” wrote social media user and reporter Secunder Kermani, sharing a photo of people taking cover on the tarmac.
The pro-Israel advocacy group Israel War Room posted a video purportedly showing a fresh barrage of rockets being fired into Israel by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.
#BREAKING Hamas launches fresh barrage of approximately 150 rockets across southern and central Israel, sirens sound in dozens of cities and towns including Tel Aviv
pic.twitter.com/BHeEB4Hmzm— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) October 7, 2023
The Israeli government has mobilized its military in response to a series of deadly attacks carried out by terrorists affiliated with the Palestinian group Hamas.
Early Saturday morning, thousands of rockets were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip, which Hamas controls. Terrorists also reportedly entered the country using paragliders to launch attacks within its borders.
“There are hostages and prisoners of war that Hamas took. There are also deaths among [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers. We don’t have an exact number yet,” said IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari, according to CNN.
More than 100 Israelis have been killed so far, and almost 1,000 have been wounded, according to the Israeli Health Ministry, The Jerusalem Post reported.
“Since this morning, the State of Israel has been at war. Our first goal is … to cleanse the area of the enemy forces that have infiltrated and restore security and peace to the towns that were attacked,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, per CNN. “The second goal, at the same time, is to exact a huge price from the enemy, also in the Gaza Strip. … We are at war, in war you have to keep calm. I call on all citizens of Israel to unite to achieve our highest goal — victory in the war.”
Since the incursion began, Israel has responded by carrying out military strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza. Palestinian health officials said roughly 200 Palestinians were killed and more than 1,600 wounded, per The Jerusalem Post.
Multiple world leaders have reached out to the Israeli government to express their support for the country in the face of what could be the deadliest day in Israeli history since 1973. Netanyahu’s office confirmed he and President Joe Biden have spoken about the situation.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked U.S. President Biden for the unreserved support and made it clear that a forceful, prolonged campaign — which Israel will win — is necessary,” reads a social media post by Netanyahu’s office.
The Dallas Express will update this article as events develop.