Al Qassam Brigades launch ‘Operation Tuphon Al Aqsa’
Israeli journalist Emanuel Fabian has reported casualties among settlers and troops inside Israeli settlements; Israel’s Megan David Paramedics said there are many deaths.
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Sources told the Israeli daily that clashes between the Palestinian fighters and Israeli security inside the settlements are ongoing.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant approved a widescale call-up of reservists, the Israeli newspaper reported.
The number of reservists to be called up will depend on the military’s needs, Gallant’s office said.
Currently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military officials are evaluating the situation and decisions are expected to emerge soon.
Update: 5,000 rockets, shells fired from Gaza towards Israel in 1st 20 minutes of operation: Al-Qassam Brigades
Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip fired an intense barrage of rockets early Saturday toward Israel. The rocket salvoes were fired from different locations in the enclave but Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted many, according to an Anadolu correspondent.
Sirens sounded in central Israel and Tel Aviv, the Israeli army said in a statement. Sirens sounded also in Tel Aviv, Rehovot, Rishon Lezion and the Palmachim Airbase, according to media outlets, including the Walla news website. Schools were suspended in the Gaza Strip until further notice, according to the Palestinian Education Ministry in Gaza.
Update: Hamas fighters take control of police station in Israel’s Sderot
At 6:15am, Palestinian resistance launched the largest barrage of rockets towards Israeli settlements near Gaza in a round of fight giving it the codename “Operation Tuphon Al Aqsa.”
Mohammad Deif, chief of Hamas Military Wing Al Qassam Brigades, announced that 5,000 rockets and missiles launched towards the Israeli occupation settlements.
Deif said that the operation was launched to “deter the Israeli violations against Al Aqsa Mosque and to force Israel to respect international law.”
The Palestinian resistance also carried out attacks from the air, sea and ground as tens of fighters reached several settlements – Israeli sources confirmed they entered the settlement of Sderot.
Settlers posted on their social media the Palestinian fighters wandering in the streets of the Israeli settlements and opening fire at certain targets.
The website of Al Qassam Brigades published a picture of a dozen detained Israeli occupation troops with their hands tied behind their backs.
Israeli media reported that Hamas fighters, who surprised them with the attack, could enter the settlement of Sderot without resistance by the Israeli army.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has declared an emergency situation within a range of 80 kilometres from the Gaza Strip, his office says.
The “special situation” allows the military’s Home Front Command to restrict gatherings and close off areas, including the major cities Tel Aviv and Beersheba, his office said.
