Smoke over Gaza City after an airstrike. Photo Credit: CNN.
The brutal attacks on Israel by the militant group, Hamas, has resulted in over nine-hundred lives lost, many more injured, and hundreds missing. Hamas is an Islamist militant movement, known for its armed resistance to Israel.
In the early morning of October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a massive attack on southern Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers and taking hundreds of hostages. According to an article by crisisgroup.org, “Hamas launched what is called ‘Operation al-Aqsa Deluge, a multi-pronged attack on Israel… Thousands of rockets rained down on areas in Israel in the first few hours.”
Hamas militants sent armed drones to Israel’s electronic border alarm system, flew over the barriers in motorized hang gliders, and entered urban areas, where they continued to murder people by the hundreds.
It is reported in an article on Al Jazeera that “Hamas fighters crossed from the Gaza strip into southern Israel with motorcycles, pick-up trucks, paragliders, and speed boats and attacked 22 locations.”
This attack left Israel to officially declare war on the terrorist group to defend their country. They’ve made plans to track down and punish Hamas fighters, announcing a blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, released a televised statement saying: “We are at war, and we will win. Our military will use all of its strength to destroy Hamas’s capabilities, but be warned, this war will take time, it will be difficult.”
With the astounding number of deaths in Israel at the hand of the terrorist group, the U.S will support and defend the country.
A statement released by President Biden on October 9, he said, “the safety of American citizens, whether home or abroad, is my top priority as President… I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage efforts.” He continued, “the United States and the State of Israel are inseparable partners, and I affirmed to Prime Minister Netanyahu again when we spoke yesterday that the United States will continue to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its people.”
The U.S holds their alliance with Israel and will be shelling out military support and equipment to help Israel locate and find Hamas to stop their attacks and bring justice. Its top priority is to remain in constant contact with Israel and support their most urgent requirements in any capacity.
According to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, in a statement on defense.gov, “The United States is ‘surging’ support to Israel, including air defense capabilities and munitions. Austin ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier strike to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea… The force will conduct maritime and air operations in order to assure allies and partners throughout the region and ensure regional stability.”
This tragic event has harnessed support from other countries, as well, including the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The most recent death toll is now over 900 people and 2600 injured, with reports of at least eleven Americans among those who were killed.
