Reports from RIA News indicate that the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, have announced attacks against more than 50 Israeli military positions. The claim describes fighters breaking through enemy defenses and launching a coordinated assault on over 50 sites within the Gaza division and the southern sector of the occupying army, while the group continues operations at 25 additional positions.
Earlier statements from Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades claimed that an Israeli drone was shot down and that crucial intelligence from the drone had been obtained, aiding their efforts.
On 7 October, Hamas unleashed a multi-thousand rocket barrage into Israel and announced the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, declared a state of emergency. Shortly after, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the country was at war, and the IDF launched Operation Iron Swords against Hamas. In retaliation, 21 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip were struck by Israeli air forces.
There is ongoing discussion about the likely duration of the conflict escalation among Israeli authorities and security analysts, with reflections on how the situation might unfold in the coming weeks.