Palestinian organizations entered Israeli territory and took many Israelis hostage.
Hamas, which controls Gaza under the Israeli blockade, has released new images of Israeli soldiers captured in the “Aqsa Flood” operation launched by its armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, in Israel’s southern regions, and the raids on military points in the Nahal Oz region.
Images posted on social media show Israelis in civilian clothes being taken hostage by armed men.
The images show that dozens of elements of the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigade, who arrived at the military points in Nahal Oz, clashed with Israeli soldiers and the Israeli soldiers were killed.
Another video shared showed images of elements of the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades taking captive some people “in civilian clothes” from an area considered a “military barracks.”
HAMAS: WE HAVE ISRAELI COMMANDERS
The Hamas spokesman announced that it had captured many Israelis, including senior Israeli commanders.
Israeli media reported that “Hamas terrorists” took approximately 50 people, including civilians, hostage.
It was announced that Ofir Liechstein, speaker of the parliament of the Shaar Hanegev region near the Gaza Strip, was killed in the clashes.
CONSECUTIVE STATEMENTS FROM THE USA AND EUROPE
The United States and European countries issued messages of support for Israel while reacting to the operation launched by Hamas.
Philistine groups entered Israeli territory by destroying the wire fences on the Gaza border with bulldozers.
The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called on all parties and key countries in the region to reduce tensions to avoid further bloodshed, in the face of tension between Palestine and Israel that began this morning.
While Saudi Arabia and Egypt called for restraint, Israel declared its support for the Hamas operation.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Israel warned US citizens in the country and announced that the travel ban in and around Gaza continues. (AGENCIES)