Between 2,000 and 5,000 rockets were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip, and Hamas militants infiltrated some Israeli cities. The rocket attacks resulted in civilian casualties. Find out how the Israeli army (IDF) is responding and what recommendations are given to Ukrainians staying in Israel

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Since the morning of October 7, sirens have been wailing and explosions have been heard in Israel after Palestinian Hamas militants massively attacked the country with rockets from the Gaza Strip. Amid the veritable mayhem, a state of emergency has been declared in border towns in the south of the country. We tell you what's going on and why Israel was unprepared for the aggression.

Hamas groups have struck and infiltrated Israel

According to the leader of Hamas, more than five thousand rockets were fired on the territory of Israel in the morning. However, the Israeli Army (IDF) reports an attack of just over 2,000 rockets.

Amid the massive strike on Israeli cities, Hamas factions have begun to infiltrate the country. Preliminarily, the militants advanced 10 kilometers deep into Israel and captured one of the border military bases of the Israeli army.

Meanwhile, the country's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that "Hamas made a serious mistake by starting a war against the state of Israel." Also, the Israeli army announced a "state of readiness for war" and a call-up of reservists.

As for the emergency regime, it was declared within 80 kilometers of the Gaza Strip. Tel Aviv also falls under the special regime, which will allow the military to restrict citizens' gatherings and close off neighborhoods.

According to an Israeli army spokesman, members of the Hamas group have infiltrated Israel from land, sea and air. He said there is now fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas in at least seven locations. 

There is panic in Israel, but the IDF is preparing a response

Hamas militants have carried out an invasion of Israel by pickup trucks and hang gliders. The corresponding video appears in the Israeli media, as well as on social networks.

The Palestinians, judging by the videos, are shelling not only Israeli security forces, but also civilians. Some footage shows Hamas opening fire on a civilian car in a town in southern Israel.

According to the latest information from Israeli hospitals, more than a hundred people were wounded, there are also casualties. Some citizens are in critical condition.

There is real panic in the border regions. People are trying to evacuate on their own to safer places in order not to become victims of Hamas militants. 

The Israeli Armed Forces, in turn, announced the beginning of a counter-terrorist operation in the Gaza Strip. The operation has been given the name "Iron Swords". So far, it is not clear what exact measures will be taken by the Israeli army, but it is clear that the region is on the cusp of a large-scale war.

Israel was unprepared, and the Hamas invasion is reminiscent of the russian federation's aggression against Ukraine 

The infiltration of Hamas militants seems to have taken not only Israel by surprise, but also their allies. 

Israeli intelligence is known to be one of the strongest in the world, but on the eve of the attack there was no open information from them. Thus, the citizens of Israel were not prepared for Hamas aggression.

If we draw a parallel between the situation in Israel and rf's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, both Kiev's allies and Ukrainian intelligence reported about russian plans, which allowed the AFU to divert its aviation and other units from strikes. The scale of the attacks, of course, cannot be compared, since rf has a full-fledged army and Hamas is a group of several thousand militants.

However, the situation in the border regions of Israel is very similar to the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Militants are not sparing civilians and are shelling peaceful neighborhoods and shooting cars of local residents.

It is impossible to claim that Israel was not aware of the militants' impending operation. But the situation speaks for itself - the militants broke through several sections of the border and penetrated into border towns, including, as Bild writes, Ashkelon, which is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea seven kilometers from the Gaza Strip, as well as six other communities near the border.

Analysts note that there has not been such a large-scale Hamas attack on Israel before.

Ukraine supported Israel and gave advice to its citizens

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued an official condemnation of the terrorist attack and expressed support for Israel in its right to defend itself and its people.

Also, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Ukrainian citizens were not among the victims of the fighting in Israel. And the Ukrainian Embassy is in constant contact with the Israeli authorities, the main hospitals. 

What rules Ukrainians should observe:

• Refrain from visiting the central and southern parts of the country;

• remain vigilant and closely monitor reports of local competent authorities in Israel to raise awareness of developments;

• in case of shelling, a warning siren may be activated. We urge you to heed all such warnings and follow the instructions of local authorities;

• in case of staying in the settlements of Israel, which are in close proximity to the Gaza Strip, during the activation of the air alert signal it is recommended to use bomb shelters without delay;

Where to address Ukrainians in Israel in case of emergency:

• Ukrainian Embassy in Israel: + 972 546 676 782.

• Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Ramallah: + 972 59 823 93 99.

Read here how foreign nationals can stay safe in Israel.

Photo: Getty images