The Israeli Embassy in Portugal confirmed this Saturday that the Israeli army declared “a state of war and the highest level of emergency alert” following a Hamas attack on Israeli territory that resulted in civilian casualties.
The embassy added that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “called for the mobilization of reserves” and asked “all citizens to remain in their homes.”
“Israel is shocked by the sudden attack and unprovoked aggression. Israel has not only the right, but also the responsibility to protect its citizens, their lives and safety,” the Israeli Embassy in Lisbon said in a statement.
The Islamic group Hamas launched an attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip this Saturday at 6:30 am, firing more than 5,000 rockets into the air.
According to the Israeli mission in Lisbon, “under the cover of rocket fire fired from the Gaza Strip targeting civilians, dozens of terrorists entered Israel” and since then “the majority of Israeli citizens have been hiding in shelters.”
“Terrorists entered private homes, took hostages, killed civilians and stole soldiers, civilians and bodies. [cadáveres] to Gaza. We have confirmed Israeli civilian casualties as terrorists continue to target civilians, women and children. Celebrations have been taking place in the Gaza Strip since the morning in connection with the death of the Israelis,” he added.
The Islamic Jihad group in the West Bank has joined Hamas “and called for ‘total mobilization’ to kill Israelis,” the embassy added, adding that “mosques in Shoafat (East Jerusalem) are asking Muslim civilians in Israel to take up arms and kill the Israelites too.”
The commander of Hamas’s armed wing confirmed this Saturday the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, during which more than 5,000 rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip, calling for an uprising of all Arabs on Israeli territory.
The commander expressed regret that Hamas requests for “humanitarian exchanges” were rejected and that “violations in the West Bank continue every day.”
In response, Israel air-bombed several Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, launching Operation Iron Swords, the army announced.
According to official sources, three deaths have now been confirmed as a result of the escalation: one in Israel and two in the Gaza Strip, although these are preliminary figures.