The Israeli broadcasting authority has revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bypassed the government and approved a wartime agenda. According to "Yedioth Ahronoth," the cabinet officially certified a state of war. This comes as the number of Israeli casualties has reached 660, with 2,048 injured since the outbreak of hostilities, including 20 in critical condition and 330 in serious condition. The Israeli army's radio announced that 30 police officers have been killed since the beginning of the war. An Israeli army spokesperson stated that dozens of Israeli warplanes have begun intensive bombardment of targets in the Gaza Strip.
Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced that they "are still in the ongoing battle of 'The Al-Aqsa Flood,' engaging in fierce and heroic confrontations, continuing the fight on multiple fronts, inflicting wounds on the enemy." He added, "The leadership of Al-Qassam has been able since last night to replace some fighting forces and send others, while Al-Qassam's artillery provides fire support with mortar shells and rockets," mentioning recent assistance to fighters in the area of Sderot.
He urged the people of Palestine in all regions to engage in this historic battle that will be remembered by future generations, with God's help. In an evening televised address, Abu Ubaida mentioned that "our fighters are still clashing with the enemy in several areas, managing to capture a new group of enemy prisoners and bring them into the Gaza Strip."
In this context, the Al-Qassam Brigades revealed they conducted infiltration operations during the night and dawn into several conflict sites within Israel, to supply their fighters with personnel and equipment. They confirmed the death of a commander in the law enforcement coordination directorate, Martin Kuzmitzak. They stated that "commandos inflicted casualties on the enemy, and some continue to fight to this moment." They also announced they would disclose the number of Israeli prisoners in their custody within hours. Furthermore, they reported a significant rocket strike against Sderot with 100 rockets in response to attacks on civilian homes.
Israeli media highlighted that 4 injured people, including one in critical condition, were the result of rockets falling from Gaza on Sderot. Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hager announced that residents of Gaza border settlements will be evacuated in the upcoming hours, indicating that "the war is harsh and we face more difficult days ahead." He stated in a press conference that "heavy clashes are ongoing at the Kfar Aza military site" and threatened to intensify strikes against Hamas leaders in the coming hours.
The Israeli police commissioner confirmed that "our forces are working with the army to search for police officers who lost contact since yesterday." Israeli army radio noted that forces mistakenly killed an Israeli in Ashkelon yesterday due to a misidentification.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced today that the death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 370, including 20 children, with more than 2,000 wounded due to Israeli bombardment since Saturday. It added that seven people were killed by Israeli army fire in the West Bank, including one child. The health ministry stated that six, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed during confrontations that included stone-throwing, while the seventh was killed while attempting to stab an Israeli.
