On Shabbat, Oct. 7, the holiday of Simchat Torah began with massive rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel, while Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel from a number of different points.
This was an extensive terrorist attack on the civilian population in Israel in the midst of Simchat Torah, when hundreds of thousands of Israelis were in their homes or on their way to the synagogues to celebrate with their communities and families.
As part of the attack, which is still ongoing, the Hamas terrorist organization is firing missiles indiscriminately towards cities in the south and center of Israel and towards Jerusalem, targeting civilians. Hamas terrorists have infiltrated Israeli territory in order to harm and murder as many civilians as they can.
Thus far, over 200 Israelis have been murdered and many hundreds have been wounded in terror attacks by Hamas terrorists. Additionally, there are reports of Israelis who have been abducted into the Gaza Strip. Due to the fact that the events are still ongoing, more accurate data will follow.
In response, the IDF has initiated a large-scale operation to defend Israeli civilians against the combined attack launched against Israel by Hamas this morning.
Israeli security forces are working to protect Israeli civilians on all fronts. The IDF will protect Israeli citizens. Hamas and all terrorist organizations will pay heavily for their actions.
Below are key points provided by the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast. Each bullet contains important circumstances that have taken place in chronological order over the first four days since Hamas attacked Israel.
Day 1: Oct. 7
• The terrorist organization Hamas launched an extensive attack on the citizens of Israel, through widespread and indiscriminate firing of missiles and rockets at the citizens of Israel, from southern Israel to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, infiltration of terrorists into the southern towns and villages and attempts to murder as many civilians as possible.
• This is an attack initiated by terrorist organizations led by Hamas, without any pretext or prior action on the part of Israel. Moreover, this attack comes after a long period in which Israel is trying to bring calm to the Gaza Strip, through extensive efforts to improve the civilian situation there.
• Israel will act in any way necessary to protect its citizens and will not shy from a broad operation in Gaza. Israel will exact the full price from the terrorist organizations and is prepared to act as necessary until its goals are achieved. Hamas is the sovereign power in the Gaza Strip, standing behind this attack, and will bear the results and responsibility for the events.
• The Hamas terrorist organization is a branch of the Ayatollah regime in Iran, which proactively promotes terror activity in Israel and against Israeli and Jewish targets all over the world.
• The residents of the Gaza Strip are not enemies of Israel, but the terror organizations that operate knowingly and deliberately from within densely populated areas and adjacent to humanitarian buildings and institutions make cynical use of them. Israel does and will do everything possible to prevent harm to uninvolved people, but the terrorist organizations knowingly operate from within the civilian population, committing double war crimes – indiscriminately shooting at civilians, while using the residents of the Gaza Strip as human shields.
Day 2: Oct. 8
• Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization, launched a massive attack on the citizens of Israel by infiltrating terrorists into Israeli communities in the south of the country, as well as by launching extensive missile and rocket fire that indiscriminately targeted Israeli civilians from the south of the country to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The terrorists infiltrated southern communities and began a murder spree, killing families and individuals in their homes, in the streets, and on their way to synagogue, in addition to abducting Israelis to the Gaza Strip – in particular defenseless families, women and children – anyone who crossed their path.
• This is a deadly and barbaric attack initiated by terrorist organizations led by Hamas, one launched with no legitimate pretext or provocative prior action on the part of Israel. Furthermore, this attack came after a long period in which Israel strove to bring calm to the Gaza Strip by making extensive efforts to improve the economic situation of Palestinians, with an emphasis on long-term projects in Gaza. In this context, discussions had begun on the implementation of the Gas for Gaza and Gaza Marine projects. Yet while Israel was working to stabilize the area by promoting long-term projects, Hamas launched a murderous and destructive terrorist operation designed to hurt Israel and undermine stability in the area.
• If anyone still has doubts, this attack reveals once again the true face of these terror organizations – bloodthirsty and uncontrollable groups, devoid of any moral inhibitions, who are motivated by hatred, the desire to hurt Israeli citizens in every way, and to bring about the destruction of the State of Israel. Hamas is not interested in the safety or well-being of civilians in the Gaza Strip and views them as nothing more than pawns to be exploited in its efforts to harm the citizens of Israel.
• Israel is in a war against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip. Hamas started this war, and Israel is preparing for a prolonged military response to remove the threat posed by that organization. Hamas is in control of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip – it is behind this attack, and it will be accountable for the results of these events. Hamas’ leadership bears full responsibility for the current deterioration and for the actions Israel must take in response. Israel will do everything necessary to protect its citizens and its territory.
• The false claims being made by Hamas and other terrorist organizations that “Al Aqsa is in danger” and their absurd attempt to link the terror attack to Jews visiting the Temple Mount (which routinely takes place every year) is a smoke screen that bears no resemblance to reality. This is a fabricated claim designed to fan flames in the sector, to inflame passions, and to gather support from extremists to expand the arena of combat in Israel.
• The terrorist organizations involved are branches of the Ayatollah regime in Iran, which proactively promotes terrorist activity in Israel and against Israeli and Jewish targets around the world. Iranian President Raisi spoke with Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of Hamas’ Political Bureau, as well as with Ziyad Nakhaleh, Secretary-General of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
• Israeli security forces are currently operating to restore full control over all the communities and the security fence area on the border with the Gaza Strip.
• Israel will act to free the hostages that were kidnapped to the Gaza Strip, to seriously damage the terrorist infrastructure, and to return to a situation in which no terrorist group in Gaza will be able to harm Israeli citizens again.
• The international community must make it clear to the axis states (Iran, Syria, and Lebanon) and to the terrorist organizations in the region that they must refrain from taking part in Hamas’ war and stipulate that they should not promote, encourage, or enable the opening of another front against Israel. The expansion of the arena of combat against Israel will be met with a particularly harsh response, including determined and lethal actions by Israel.
• Israel expects the international community to condemn the Hamas terror group’s attack on Israeli civilians and to express clear support for Israel’s complete right to defend itself. Israel will act resolutely against the terrorist organizations and will do all that is necessary to protect its citizens.
Day 3: Oct. 9
• Hamas would not have been able to carry this murderous attack without the financing, logistical support, and weapons it received from Iran. Iran bears direct responsibility for Hamas’ capabilities, and therefore bears responsibility also for the use Hamas made of these capabilities.
• The terrorist organizations involved are branches of the Ayatollah regime in Iran, which proactively promotes terrorist activity in Israel and against Israeli and Jewish targets around the world. Iranian President Raisi spoke with Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of Hamas’ Political Bureau, as well as with Ziyad Nakhaleh, Secretary-General of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and expressed his support for the atrocious actions of the terrorist organization.
Day 4: Oct. 10
• The terrorist organizations have shown their true faces: bloodthirsty and uncontrollable groups with similar roots to those of ISIS, who are devoid of any moral inhibitions, and are motivated by hatred, the desire to hurt Israeli citizens in every way, and to bring about the destruction of the State of Israel. Hamas is not interested in the safety or well-being of civilians in the Gaza Strip and views them as nothing more than pawns to be exploited in its efforts to harm the citizens of Israel.
• The terrorists were raised with constant exposure to incessant incitement to murder Israelis, incitement that also includes the encouragement of terrorism, the glorification of terrorists, and the compensating of assailants and their families.
• Israel is in a war against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip. Hamas started this war, and Israel is preparing for a prolonged military response to remove the threat posed by that organization. Hamas is the ruler of the Gaza Strip, controlling all aspects of life there. It is behind this attack, and it will be held accountable for the results of these events. Hamas’ leadership bears full responsibility for the current deterioration and for the actions Israel must take in response. Israel will do everything necessary to protect its citizens and its territory.
• The passage of fuel and goods to the Gaza Strip has been halted, as has the supply of water and electricity originating in Israel. A country under attack cannot continue to support its attackers. Israel will act to free the hostages that were kidnapped to the Gaza Strip, to heavily damage the terrorist infrastructure, and to reach a situation in which no terrorist group in Gaza will be able to harm Israeli citizens again.
• The terrorist organizations operate knowingly and deliberately from within civilian populated areas and adjacent to humanitarian buildings and institutions, making cynical use of them. Israel is doing, and will continue to do, everything possible to prevent harm to non-involved persons. However, these terrorist organizations which intentionally operate from within the civilian population are committing double war crimes: indiscriminately targeting Israeli civilians while using the residents of the Gaza Strip as human shields.
• Israel expects the international community to condemn the terrorist attack on Israeli citizens and to express clear support for Israel’s complete right to defend itself. Israel will act resolutely against the terrorist organizations and will do all that is necessary to protect its citizens.
Consul General Sultan-Dadon and their team are available to answer questions from the media. Please send an email to publicaffairs@atlanta.mfa.gov.il to request an interview/statement.
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