Early on Saturday morning (7 October 2023), in an act of war, hundreds of terrorists infiltrated Israel from Gaza, attacking at several locations. Prior to the attack and to serve as a distraction, massive rocket barrages were launched into Israeli territory.The terrorists infiltrated Israeli territory by land, sea, and air, advancing towards and then penetrating Israeli communities in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip. This while indiscriminate firing - of more than 6,600 rockets and missiles so far - was targeting towns and cities in the south, the center of the country, and Jerusalem with the intent of maximizing harm to civilians.
Thus far, more than 1,400 people have been murdered in Israel and more than 3,500 wounded to varying degrees. It is also reported that over 120 people are classified as missing or captive after being kidnapped and taken to Gaza. This is the highest number of Jews slaughtered in a single day since the Holocaust.
Among the victims, approximately 152 of those murdered and 141 of the missing hold foreign citizenship (including dual citizenship).
Over the past few days, anti-tank missiles and mortar shells were fired from Lebanese territory at IDF positions on the Lebanese border while terrorists, under the auspices of Hezbollah, attempted to infiltrate Israel. In response, IDF forces returned fire towards the sources of the shooting and also thwarted the infiltration of the terrorists.
As a result of these events, Israel is in a war targeting the terrorist organizations in Gaza. Its security forces are working to protect Israeli civilians on all fronts. The IDF will safeguard the lives of Israeli citizens, while Hamas and all other involved terrorists will pay a heavy price.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the chairman of the National Unity party announced that the National Unity party is joining the government and that a national emergency government was established. In this framework, a narrow war cabinet was created that includes PM Netanyahu, Chairman of the National Unity Party Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with Minister Ron Dermer and MK Gadi Eisenkot serving as observers.
Over the past few days, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen has hosted several foreign ministers in Israel on solidarity visits, including the US Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Canada. Additional visits are expected in the upcoming days, including one by the leaders of the most important Jewish organizations in the US.