Israel-Palestine war: First week ends with over 2,500 Palestinians, 1,400 Israelis killed

Abu Ubaida, the military spokesman of the Al-Qassam Brigades, called on people to rally to liberate Al-Aqsa Mosque and says that the fight is “still ongoing”.

“Contribute to the honour and bring the occupation to its knees,” he said in his speech.

“Operations are taking place on the ground in all areas as planned, and the occupation knows nothing about the results of them,” he added.

Over three hours after the attack started, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement in a video posted on X, formerly known as twitter.

“We are at war, this is not an operation,” he said.

“Hamas has launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. Firstly, I have ordered for all of the settlements to be cleansed of the terrorists who have infiltrated and I have ordered for a large-scale mobilisation of reserves. The enemy will pay a price he has never known."

According to Israeli media, more than 200 Israelis have been reportedly wounded in the attacks, and six have been confirmed dead. 

Reports from various hospitals state that around two dozen are critically wounded.
 

The Lebanese armed group, Hezbollah, issued a statement following the attacks, saying they were a "decisive response to the occupation’s persistent crimes and the continued violation of sacred places, our honour and dignity".

"Resistance is the only option in the face of aggression and occupation and  a message to the Arab and Islamic world and the entire international community, especially those seeking normalisation with this enemy, that the Palestinian issue is a living issue that will not die until victory and liberation," the statement continued 
 

Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, said in a statement Palestinian resistance was in a "heroic fight" to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque. 

“Our brave and hard-working Palestinian people, those freeing the world, the Palestinian resistance, in these historical moments are engaged in a heroic fight for Al-Aqsa Mosque, our sacred sites, and our prisoners,” he said. 

“Over the last few days, thousands of fascist and criminal settlers desecrated the shrine of the Prophet [Muhammad] and performed their prayers there to impose sovereignty over the area. If the world will be silent, we will not be silent about this aggression."

The Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, has released footage purportedly showing their take over of an Israel military site near the border fence. 

The video showed fighters exchanging fire with Israeli soldiers, who were later filmed dead.

Palestinian fighters were also filmed moving on foot inside the military site, which showed several unmanned tanks in the location. 

Middle East Eye has not been able to independently verify the footage. The Israeli military has not commented on casualties or losses. 

At least 100 people have been wounded from rocket fire in southern and central Israel, according to medics. 

Many are in very serious condition, Israeli media has said, with the number of casualties likely to rise. 

Palestinian media has reported that Hamas fighters have taken Israeli captives and taken them back to Gaza. 

Footage published by Hamas's military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, showed that fighters have taken over an Israeli military site. 

Other footage showed a destroyed Israeli tank. 

According to Reuters, the Israeli military was aware of reports of captives, a security source said, but provided no further details.

Middle East Eye has not been able to independently verify the reports. 

The Israeli police chief said in a statement the country has come under a "massive attack from the Gaza Strip" and that they were in a "state of war".

He added that there were "21 active confrontation locations in southern Israel" with army special forces present at the scene.

He also declared the entire southern region closed for civilians.

Haaretz reported clashes on the streets and Palestinian fighters in several Israeli communities in the south.

Hello Middle East Eye readers,

In the early hours of Saturday, the Palestinian movement Hamas launched a surprise military attack against Israel.

The scale of the assault, which is continuing, is not fully clear but appears to be unprecedented in nature. 

A barrage of rockets were fired into Israel's south and centre, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. 

At the same time, Palestinian fighters infiltrated the border fence separating Israel and Gaza and reached deep into Israeli cities. 

Dozens of armed squads were filmed walking on foot in Sderot and other areas. Another video showed them in vans. 

There were reports of exchanges of fire between the Palestinian fighters and Israeli police in some areas.

Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas's military wing, Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement the group had launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. 

He said it was in response to Israel's continued aggression on Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinians elsewhere. He added that "today was the time for the Palestinian people to rise, correct their path, and establish their independent Palestinian state". 

The Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared a state of emergency within a range of 80km, which includes Tel Aviv and Beersheba. 

The Israeli military has said it is in a state of war and called up its reservists.

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