Aftermath of Hamas Rocket Attack in Ashkelon Shows Damaged Houses
Description
Footage shows the aftermath after a rocket fired from Gaza hit a street in the city of Ashkelon on Monday. Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, October 7, firing thousands of rockets as militants broke through into Israeli territory as part of what the group described as 'Operation Al-Aqsa Flood'. Israel responded with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and issued a formal declaration of war on Hamas, warning residents in Gaza to leave their homes. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a full lockdown on Gaza, with electricity, fuel, water and food cut off to the area. Hamas said the operation was due to the long-running Israeli blockade, raids on West Bank cities and other attacks, while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed 'mighty vengeance' on the group. The Israeli death toll since the beginning of the attack reached 800, according to reports by the local media. Figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry confirm that the death toll from retaliatory strikes by the IDF in Gaza has climbed to 560 people. According to the UN, over 120,000 Palestinians have been displaced during the current fighting.