Hamas commander Mohammed Deif has said that the Palestinian armed group had ‘decided to say enough is enough’ as Israel confirmed the killing of at least 70 civilians and soldiers in a deadly attack. Israel has claimed to kill more than 200 Palestinians in a retaliatory attacks.
According to reports, hundreds of Israelis are being treated in hospitals. Hamas fighters are believed to have captured dozens of Israelis in what’s being termed as an unprecedented assault into Israeli territory.
Reacting to the development, US President Joe Biden said, “Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”
There were reports of a senior Israeli army general among those captured by Hamas. However, Israeli officials have denied the reports that an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) major general has been kidnapped.
According to the BBC, the deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau, Saleh al-Arouri, has claimed ‘senior officers’ from Israel’s army have been captured
Speaking to Al Jazeera’s Arabic channel, he said that ‘what is in our hands will free all the prisoners’ in Israel – an apparent reference to Palestinians being held in Israeli jails.
He added, “We captured senior officers from the occupation army.”
“There are many Palestinians killed and many Israelis dead as well as prisoners, and the battle is still at its peak.”
Hamas claimed it has taken 53 ‘prisoners of war.’