MOSCOW, Oct. 8 The efforts of the Israeli army are concentrated on clearing the southern regions of Hamas, and on carrying out airstrikes on the organization’s facilities in Gaza, said Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Avichai Adrai.
““…At the moment, our main efforts are focused on clearing settlements on the border with the Gaza Strip from Hamas saboteurs, and at the same time carrying out airstrikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip,» Adraei said.
The agency's interlocutor also noted that accurate data on the number of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas is currently not available, since the situation is It's still getting clearer.
“We don’t have exact and confirmed figures and data, the situation is still being clarified… There are no approximate figures either. The issue is being resolved at the highest level; there are hostages, there are also killed, both among civilians and among military personnel,” he said Adrai.
On Saturday morning, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. The press service of the Israeli army said that more than 3 thousand rockets were launched. In addition, Hamas fighters, after massive rocket attacks, penetrated into the border areas in southern Israel.
The military wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas on Saturday announced Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel. The Israel Defense Forces announced the launch of Operation Iron Swords against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an address to the nation, said that the country was in a state of war and said that he had ordered a widespread mobilization of reserves. The Israeli military is clearing populated areas.
Russia calls on Israel and Palestine to cease fire and return to the negotiating table, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, related to the territorial interests of the parties, has been a source of tension and fighting in the region for many decades. A UN decision with the active role of the USSR in 1947 determined the creation of two states — Israel and Palestine, but only the Israeli one was created. Israel, while declaring agreement with the two-state principle, did not completely liberate the Palestinian territories.