At least 198 people were killed and 1,610 wounded in Gaza as a result of Israel’s retaliation to this morning’s attack by Hamas, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced.
Meanwhile, at least 40 Israelis were killed after Hamas militants launched a multi-front attack on Israeli soil at dawn on Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border at several locations by air, land and sea.
After members of Hamas and other Palestinian organizations invaded the southern parts of Israel, fired rockets into a number of areas and killed several civilians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) condemned Saturday’s “terrorist attacks by Hamas against NATO partner Israel,” a NATO spokesman said.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected. Terrorism is a fundamental threat to free societies, and Israel has the right to defend itself,” spokesman Dylan White said.
French President Emmanuel Macron sent a message of support for Israel on social media on Saturday and said he had spoken with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“France stands in solidarity with Israel and Israelis, committed to their security and right to defend themselves,” Macron said.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed support for the attack launched by Hamas against Israel on Saturday, calling it a “proud operation”, Klix.ba reports.
