Israel launches airstrikes against Hamas in response to Gaza rocket attacks
Israel launched airstrikes against the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, in response to a series of rocket attacks by the group, the Associated Press reported.
The Israeli Security Cabinet approved measures to "destroy the military and governmental capabilities" of Hamas, a statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Israel also announced that it would cut off the supply of electricity, fuel, and goods to the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Israel was "embarking on a long and difficult war."
"The war was forced upon us by a criminal attack by Hamas," he wrote.
The offensive has begun "and will continue without reservation and without respite - until the objectives are achieved. We will restore the security of the citizens of Israel and we will win," the Israeli prime minister said.
At least 300 people were killed in Israel after the Hamas rocket attacks, and over 1,590 were wounded, according to the Israeli rescue service Zaka.
In Gaza, 242 people were killed and approximately 1,700 wounded in Israeli airstrikes in retaliation for the Hamas attacks, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
