Israel’s 26/11 Moment: Islamic Jihad Group Joins Palestinian Hamas Terrorists, Infiltrates Israel Regions
Terrorists from terror group Islamic Jihad joined Hamas terrorists in attacking Israel on Saturday after the latter declared war on Israel for arresting protesting Palestinians in Al-Aqsa mosque and the Israel-Gaza Strip border earlier this year.
According to a report by news agency Haaretz said that terrorists from the Islamic Jihad have joined the attack carried out by Hamas on Israel. Together, they have kidnapped dozens of Israeli citizens.
“We warned the enemy not to continue his aggression against the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The age of the enemy’s aggression without a response is over. I call on Palestinians everywhere in the West Bank and within the Green Line to launch an attack without restraint. Go to all the streets. I call on Muslims everywhere to launch an attack," Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military wing, issued a statement.
In a multi pronged attack, Hamas militants first fired around 5,000 missiles towards Israel from Gaza Strip, with some missiles penetrating Israel’s air defence system the Iron Dome and striking civilian areas. It led to the death of a sixty-year-old woman and injured over 300 people, according to Israeli news agencies.
The attacks are reminiscent of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks when a total of 166 people, including six Americans, were killed when 10 Pakistani terrorists laid a more than 60-hour siege in the financial capital of India.
Terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad have also captured several areas in southern Israel and many armed infiltrants are joining those who have already entered Israel, taking over police stations and other parts of towns bordering the Gaza Strip.
Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza since 2007 after the Hamas militant group took power. Palestinian militants and Israel have fought several devastating wars since.
Hamas has released several images and videos of its forces taking Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers hostage. “The Hamas terrorist organisation made a grave mistake this morning and launched a war against the State of Israel. IDF troops are fighting against the enemy at every location. I call on all of Israel’s citizens to follow security instructions. The State of Israel will win this war," Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said.
According to Israeli news agencies, Benjamin Netanyahu will reportedly order an Official Declaration of War against Hamas and the other Palestinian groups who are assisting in today’s attack on Israel.
The attack follows a period of heightened tensions in September when Israel closed the border to workers from Gaza for a fortnight. This led to heavy protests in the heavily-militarised border.
In 2023, at least 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis and two foreigners were killed in the conflict, including combatants and civilians on both sides, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials, a report by AFP said.
The vast majority of fatalities have occurred in the West Bank, which has been annexed by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict.There has been a rise in army raids, Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis and Israeli settler violence against Palestinians and their property. Several far-right Israeli ministers live in settlements in the West Bank, which are deemed illegal under international law.
Source: News18
