Israel has declared a state of war after Hamas launches a massive surprise attack. At least 70 Israelis have been killed, over 900 wounded, and dozens of hostages in Israel and Gaza have been taken. Hamas has been reportedly using Islamic State tactics as it stormed Israeli communities and took captives.

“At least five different communities were attacked on the ground by terrorists. They were in pickup trucks, much like ISIS uses,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus.

Since this morning, the State of Israel has been at war. Our first objective is to clear out the hostile forces that infiltrated our territory and restore the security and quiet to the communities that have been attacked.

The second objective, at the same time, is to exact an… pic.twitter.com/MzKs7tfv4M

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 7, 2023

Biden didn’t release a statement until after 11:00 AM:

BREAKING: President Biden condemns terrorist attacks against Israel

In a statement minutes ago, Biden wrote, “This morning, I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about the horrific and ongoing attacks in Israel. The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault… pic.twitter.com/vGDVo4YZLu

— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) October 7, 2023

Operation Swords of Iron is now on.

Meanwhile Saudi Arabia, along with Iran and Qatar are blaming Israel for the attack because of its alleged “occupation.” Many say that Iran launched this attack in order to head off Israeli-Saudi normalization.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran say Israel has only itself to blame for Hamas attacks

by Nick Robertson, The Hill, October 2, 2023:

The governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran appeared to back Hamas in its escalating conflict with Israel on Saturday.

The Palestinian militant group launched a mass attack on Israeli forces and settlements, killing at least 40 people early Saturday.

While leaders in the U.S. and Europe quickly denounced the attack and gave support for Israel, the three Middle Eastern nations criticized the country over its treatment of Palestinians.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely following the developments of the unprecedented situation between a number of Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, which has resulted in a high level of violence on several fronts there,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“The Kingdom recalls its repeated warnings of the dangers of the explosion of the situation as a result of the continued occupation, and deprivation of the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights, and the repetition of systematic provocations against its sanctities,” the statement continues.

The condemnation comes as both the Israeli and Saudi governments have attempted to normalize relations in recent years, at the encouragement of the U.S.

A senior Iranian government advisor explicitly endorsed Hamas in the conflict, the most direct support for the militant group from any government official globally.

“We congratulate the Palestinian fighters,” advisor Yahya Rahim Safavi said, according to state media via Reuters. “We will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem.”

Iran state media showed video of parliament members chanting in support of Hamas on Saturday, saying “Death to Israel” and “Palestine is victorious, Israel will be destroyed”.

Iran has funded and supplied Hamas for years as part of its decades-long conflict with Israel….

Read more.

AUTHOR

CHRISTINE DOUGLASS-WILLIAMS

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EDITORS NOTE: This Jihad Watch column is republished with permission. ©All rights reserved.