Militants on paragliders and ‘5,000’ rockets: How Hamas carried out lethal Israel assault | World Information

Hamas has launched considered one of its largest assaults on Israel in years.

The militant group started its offensive – which it named “Operation Al Aqsa Storm” – on Saturday with a barrage of missiles from Gaza adopted by militants crossing the border.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared “we’re at struggle” and launched “Operation Swords of Iron”.

Here’s what we all know thus far about how the assault unfolded.

Israel-Gaza latest: Hamas fighters on the ground after ‘5,000 rockets’ fired

7am: Hamas launches rockets

The operation began simply earlier than 7am native time and got here with out warning.

The primary Israelis knew about it was by way of air raid sirens in southern areas close to the Gaza border.

Explosions have been reported in Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, Yavne and Kfar Aviv, whereas massive plumes of black smoke have been seen rising from quite a lot of Israeli cities.

Israeli officers stated round 2,500 rockets have been fired, although Hamas’s navy commander Mohammad Deif claimed the determine was double that.

7.30am: Clashes on the Gaza border

Because the rockets rained down, Hamas militants crossed into Israel utilizing paragliders, boats and on foot.

Reviews emerged of armed clashes alongside the separation fence between Gaza and Israel, close to the southern city of Khan Younis.

Video filmed on Saturday morning and verified by Sky Information confirmed two Hamas militants flying throughout the border into Israel.

The footage emerged as Hamas launched a video displaying armed militants coaching to make use of the paragliders in preparation for the assault.

8am: Hamas confirms accountability

Round 8am native time, Hamas claimed accountability and introduced it had began a brand new offensive in opposition to Israel.

The group additionally referred to as on armed teams in Lebanon to affix the preventing.

8.30am: Israel calls up reservists and begins air strikes

Round half-hour later, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant accredited the call-up of navy reservists, whereas the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIL) stated its militants had joined the assault.

In the meantime, Israel Protection Forces (IDF) confirmed troops had clashed with Hamas militants at Erez Crossing – often known as the Beit Hanoun Crossing – on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Additionally they confirmed that preventing had taken place on the Zikim base to the south of Ashkelon.

Footage then emerged of an Israeli tank on fireplace on the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis and, later, an Israeli armoured automobile being pushed into Shejaiya in Gaza.

Round this time, the IDF introduced retaliatory strikes on Gaza and stated an “in depth” mobilisation course of had begun.

Explosions have been reported throughout central Gaza and in Gaza Metropolis.

“Quite a few IDF troopers, together with particular forces, have been dispatched to the world surrounding the Gaza Strip and are working in quite a lot of totally different places within the division to be able to shield the residents of southern Israel,” stated a press release.

“Dozens of IDF fighter jets struck quite a lot of targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist group within the Gaza Strip.”

11am: Netanyahu says Israel ‘at struggle’

At round 11am, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation in a press release, declaring: “We’re at struggle and we’ll win.”

“Our enemy pays a value the kind of which it has by no means identified,” he added.