“We are at war and we will win,” said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he declared a 'state of war' in response to a surprise rocket attack by Palestine's Hamas militants and retaliated with air strikes on Gaza strip.
“Our enemy will receive a response that it has never known,” said Netanyahu hours after the attack. Following this, India issued advisory for its citizens in Israel and asked them to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols.
According to Israel national rescue service, at least 22 people have been killed and hundreds were injured. The Soroka Medical Centre in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it is treating at least 280 casualties.
Launching Operation Iron Swords to retaliate, the IDF said it “is initiating a large-scale operation to defend Israeli civilians against the combined attack launched against Israel by Hamas this morning.” The Israeli military has instructed residents of towns near the Gaza Strip to remain in their homes, and the rest of the public to remain near bomb shelters.
Meanwhile, India expressed its shock over the attacks and extended its support to Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that "We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour."
Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 7, 2023
Speaking about Operation Iron Swords, Israel's Ambassador to India Naor Gilon told ANI, "Israel is currently fighting to repel coordinated, large and multi-pronged Palestinian terror attacks. These attacks which were launched early this morning by Hamas on our civilians, sleeping peacefully in their beds, in cities and villages of the south and central Israel are war crimes.
“The cowardly actions of Hamas, targeting and killing women, children and elderly, injuring hundreds of civilians and firing indiscriminately over 2,000 missiles and rockets at our cities, came during the sacred Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah,” he added. “Israel will repel this combined assault of rocket fire and ground infiltration of Hamas terrorists and will take any and all actions to protect our citizens. We appreciate the support of the people of India as we stand firm in the face of terrorism."
Following the attacks, Ha'aretz quoted Mohammed Deif, the Head of Hamas' military wing as saying, "We warned the enemy not to continue its aggression against the Al-Aqsa Mosque.” He added that this is only the “first stage" of Hamas' renewed efforts against Israel.
