Second day of war in Israel: IDF managed to rescue a number of hostages, Netanyahu advised Gazans to "flee immediately" (updated)

On Sunday, October 8, Israel, which had suffered a massive rocket attack and land invasion by Hamas the day before, announced its entry into a long war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured that the first stage of the war was ending with the destruction of most of the militants and the rescue of hostages, and at the same time advised residents of the Gaza Strip to "flee immediately."

The invasion of a country with one of the strongest armies in the world has already been called by military observers the largest since the Yom Kippur War, which until now was the last time the state of Israel allowed an external military attack on its territory. OBOZREVATEL is following the Palestinian-Israeli conflict online (to see photos and videos, scroll down to the bottom of the news).

08:07 - The IDF website has updated the data with photos of the dead soldiers of the Israeli army. As of this hour, it contains information about 30 soldiers.

08:05 - On Sunday morning, the IDF launched artillery strikes on Lebanon after several mortar shells were fired towards Israeli territory. There were no reports of casualties or damage.

08:00 - The Israeli Defense Forces reported that they struck Hamas' operational infrastructure in the Gaza Strip during the night, which is used to carry out terror from there against Israeli civilians. In particular, the headquarters of the militants' intelligence and a military air base were hit. At the same time, the IDF struck two banks belonging to Hamas, an aircraft manufacturing facility used by the Islamic Jihad air force in Gaza City, as well as a building with offices and warehouses where the terrorist organization stores weapons and military equipment.

07:50 - IDF releases video of strikes on numerous terrorist cells in the Gaza Strip fence area over the past 24 hours.

07:40 - The Wall Street Journal, citing Egyptian officials, reports that Israel has asked Egypt to facilitate the release of Israelis captured by Hamas militants. At the same time, the exact number of prisoners is unknown.

07:30 - The IDF says that fighting continues in Israel in several settlements near the Gaza Strip. About 100 militants were killed in new attempts to break through into Israel.

07:20 - According to unofficial reports, at least 750 Israelis are missing, the Jerusalem Post reports.

06:55 - The Israeli army press service publishes a video of strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, located in high-rise buildings.

06:30 - The Israeli army announces the establishment of a closed military zone in the Gaza Strip. "We emphasize that entry into the closed military zone is prohibited.

"We ask citizens to be vigilant and not to enter this area," the military said.

06:20 - Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad said that "Iran supported the Palestinian terrorist group" in its sudden attack on Israel. Tehran is a key supporter of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

06:00 - Senate Democrats have called for the swift confirmation of US President Joe Biden's nominee Jack Lew as the next ambassador to Israel. Against the backdrop of the war between Israel and Hamas, Republican Ted Cruz (from Texas) said they would try to block Lew's confirmation because of their "objections to the Biden administration's policy towards Israel."

05:40 - Terrorists of the Palestinian group Hamas have taken dozens of Israeli soldiers and civilians hostage. At the same time, the people who were captured in a canteen in Beersheba have been released. According to The Jerusalem Post, the terrorists who held them were neutralized.

IDF: Does Israel really have one of the strongest armies in the world?

05:20 - Israeli military strikes Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The IDF did not disclose details about the results.

05:05 - Hamas terrorists kidnapped, brutally abused and probably killed German citizen Shani Luk during an attack on Israel. The woman, who had traveled abroad to attend a festival, was recognized by her hairstyle (dreadlocks) and tattoo.

04:50 - U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and urged him to take steps to resolve the situation. However, he responded by calling the United States "the occupiers of Palestine." Blinken also spoke with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to condemn the "horrific terrorist attacks on Israel" and reaffirm "Israel's right to self-defense."

Hamas: what is this movement and why is it so eager to destroy Israel?

04:25 - Israeli Border Police Commander Amir Cohen praised the IDF for regaining control of the police station in Sderot, which was seized by terrorists on Saturday morning, after an hour-long operation to dislodge them. According to the report, at least 10 militants were killed during the operation.

03:40 - Israel's Prime Minister says the country is entering a long and difficult war, which was forced by a murderous Hamas attack. According to him, most of the militants who infiltrated Israeli territory have been killed. The government has decided to stop supplying electricity, fuel and goods to the Gaza Strip.

"At the same time, we have launched an offensive phase, and it will continue until the goal is achieved," he added.

02:30 - Due to the Hamas attack, Israel has extended a state of emergency to the entire country. This significantly expands the powers of the police.

02:00 - The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they have destroyed Hamas cells and are moving towards Gaza.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, as a result of an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on Israel on the morning of October 7, 300 Israeli civilians and security forces were killed and more than 1590 were injured. An unknown number of people were kidnapped by terrorists in southern Israel and taken to the Gaza Strip.

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