On October 7, 2023, following the barrage of rockets on Israel from the Gaza Strip, Israel’s ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, said that his country would repel this combined assault and ground infiltration of Hamas terrorists. Meanwhile, Israel hit back with Operation Iron Swords, deploying its fighter jets to launch air strikes in the Gaza Strip, especially on HAMAS targets.
Details of the Statement
“Israel is currently fighting to repel coordinated, large and multi-pronged Palestinian terror attacks. These attacks, which were launched early this morning by HAMAS on our civilians sleeping peacefully in their beds in cities and villages of south and central Israel, are war crimes, read an official statement from Ambassador Naor Gilon.
The cowardly actions of Hamas targeting and killing men, women, children and elderly, injuring hundreds of civilians and firing indiscriminately over 2000 missiles and rockets at our cities, came during the sacred Jewish Holiday of Simchat Torah,” the statement said.
A barrage of rockets slammed into southern and central Israel on the morning of October 7, 2023. The sirens went as far as Jerusalem multiple times beginning at 8:15 AM, and were heard again at 10:15 AM (local time). At least one rocket directly hit a building in Gederot Regional Council, killing a woman in her 60s, according to Magen David Adom, an Israeli national emergency service.
HAMAS launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on October 7, 2023, a surprise assault that combined gunmen crossing the border with a heavy barrage from the Gaza Strip during the sacred Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. “Israel will repel this combined assault of rocket fire and ground infiltration of Hamas terrorists and will take any and all actions to protect our citizens,” Gilon said.
India’s Support
Gilon also appreciated support from India and added that we stand firm in the face of terrorism. Israel has declared that it is in a state of war after infiltration of HAMS fighters and missile attacks from Gaza.
Israeli Response
According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), dozens of fighter aircraft of the Air Force are carrying out strikes on HAMAS sites in the Gaza Strip in several locations. More details to follow, the Israeli Air Force posted on X (formerly on Twitter).
International Condemnation
The President of the EU Commission, Ursula Von der Lyen, also unequivocally condemned the attack on Israel. “it is terrorism in its most despicable form. Israel has the right to defend itself against heinous attacks,” she posted on X.
The Defence Minister of Israel, Yoav Gallant, said, “Hamas terrorists made a grave mistake this morning and launched a war against Israel,” Continuing further, he said, “IDF troops are fighting the enemy at every location. I call on all the citizens of Israel to follow security instructions. The State of Israel will win this war, he said.
The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, James Cleverley, also condemned the horrific attacks by HAMAS on Israeli civilians, saying that the UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself. The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks made by HAMAS on Israeli civilians. The United Kingdom will always support Israel’s right to defend itself, he posted on X.
