Israel began 2024 under a barrage of rockets that sent New Year’s Eve revelers running for cover, as Israeli officials warned that the war against Hamas would continue into the new year.
“New year, same Hamas terrorism” the IDF wrote in X along with images of the burst of more than 20 rockets that lit up the skies moments after midnight on Monday.
“While 129 Israelis remain held captive by Hamas in Gaza, Hamas also decided to start 2024 by launching a barrage of rockets against Israel,” the army added.
“There will be no ‘happy’ New Year’s until everyone is home.”
Most of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome system, the Times of Israel said.
Sirens sounded in several cities in central Israel, including Rehovot, Ness Ziona and Holon.
Sderot and Ashdod, in the south, were also under alert.
As Hamas attacked Israel, some Israelis ran for cover while others continued their New Year’s Eve parties with a shrug, France24 reported.
“My heart was pounding,” Gabriel Zemelman, 26, told the outlet. “It’s frightening”.
No injuries were initially reported, the Times of Israel said, citing the Magen David Adom ambulance service.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari warned Hamas that the war will escalate in the new year.
“We will be required for additional tasks and wars throughout this year,” Hagari said.
New year, same Hamas terrorism.
While Hamas still holds 129 Israelis captive in Gaza, Hamas also decided to begin the year 2024 by launching a barrage of rockets at Israel.
There will be no “happy” New Year until everyone is home. pic.twitter.com/Szl23qcLqZ
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 31, 2023
Later on Monday, Kibbutz Be’eri confirmed that resident Ilan Weiss, believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, was confirmed dead in the attack on the community, NBC News reported.
“He is believed to have been murdered,” the kibbutz announced.
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Weiss’s wife, Shiri, 53, and daughter Noga, 18, were taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack and were released on Nov. 25 as part of the temporary ceasefire agreement, the Times said. of Israel.
Some of the freed hostages and relatives of those still detained in Gaza returned to Be’eri on Monday to discuss their survival, the outlet added.
Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip. REUTERS
“I’m dealing with fear because what scares me the most is that my father, Yossi, who is being held hostage in Gaza, is still there,” Oran Sharabi, 13, told reporters at the emotional press conference organized by Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
The meeting took place in front of the charred remains of what was once the home of Raaya Rotem and her daughter, Hila, who were freed as part of the November agreement.
Raaya remembered eating an orange in captivity.
“We divided it between us. “Each of us received a small portion,” she said, adding that “the hostages are running out of time.” The food is running out. The water is running out. “We need to bring the hostages back.”
Smoke billowing in northern Israel on Sunday. AFP via Getty Images
Also on Monday, the IDF announced that it had attacked a Hezbollah cell that was preparing to launch drones from southern Lebanon.
“In the morning, the IDF identified a terrorist squad of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which attempted to launch a drone into Israeli territory,” the announcement on X read, along with images of smoke rising from the target.
“An Air Force aircraft attacked the squadron before it could launch and destroyed the aircraft they were using,” the statement added, referring to the incident as another example of how terrorists exploit civilians to carry out attacks.
Ilan Weiss, 56, was confirmed dead in the Oct. 7 attack. IDF
Hezbollah threats have displaced thousands of Israelis from the northern part of the country, which shares a tense border with southern Lebanon.
Thousands of Israeli troops are also being moved out of the Gaza Strip, the army said on Monday.
The move, which represents the first significant troop pullback since the war began 87 days ago, could indicate that operations are scaling back in parts of Gaza, particularly in the north, where the army has previously said it is close to control. operational.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn