Netanyahu: 'We are at war'

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has reached a critical juncture with a major escalation in violence. Palestinian militants in Gaza fired an astounding 2,200 rockets into Israel, accompanied by armed infiltrations into Israeli territory by land, sea, and air. This dramatic development, on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 War, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. By early afternoon, Israel reported at least 40 dead and nearly 800 injured, while Palestinian sources indicated nearly 200 deaths and 1,610 injuries, although the specifics of these figures remain unclear.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the situation as a state of "war," vowing to clear militants from infiltrated areas and mobilizing reservists. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing Gaza, cited reasons for their actions, including attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque, and the ongoing blockade of Gaza. International leaders have swiftly condemned the violence and called for an end to the conflict, with the White House expressing solidarity with Israel while emphasizing the importance of avoiding further escalation.

The situation remains fluid and highly volatile, with concerns growing over civilian casualties and the potential for further escalation in the region. The conflict highlights the deep-rooted complexities and tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, and international efforts to broker a ceasefire and address underlying issues are urgently needed.

[information sourced from CNN]