Sri Lanka

Israel’s military announced a “state of war alert” on Saturday after militants from Gaza fired a deadly barrage of rockets and sent gunmen into Israeli territory in a major escalation of the long-running conflict between the two sides.The early morning rocket attack, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described as “massive”, left at least one person dead and multiple wounded.Hamas, the Palestinian militant movement that runs Gaza, claimed responsibility for the rocket attack and called for a general uprising against Israel.“If you have a gun, get it out.

This is the time to use it – get out with trucks, cars, axes, today the best and most honorable history starts,” Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif said in a recorded message.Dubbing the operation “Al-Aqsa Storm” he said that the group had “targeted the enemy positions, airports and military positions with 5,000 rockets” and that the assault on Israel was a response to attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and the ongoing siege of Gaza.The IDF warned Israelis who live near Gaza to stay in their homes or head to shelters.“In the last hour, the Hamas terrorist organization had begun a massive shooting of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, and terrorists infiltrated into Israeli territory in a number of different locations,” the IDF said in a statement Saturday morning.

Sirens warning of incoming rockets continued for at least three hours after the initial barrage.“The Hamas terrorist organization is the sovereign in the Gaza Strip and is responsible for this attack.

It will face the consequences and responsibility for these events,” it added.Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Israel was facing “a very difficult moment,” writing in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.“I wish to offer strength to the commanders and soldiers of the IDF, and to all the security forces and rescue services.

I send my encouragement and strength to all the residents of Israel who are under attack,” he added.CNN teams in Jerusalem heard rocket warning sirens and booms, likely the interceptions of incoming rockets, as sirens continued to sound around Israel.The first round of rockets was fired at about 6:30 a.m.

Saturday morning local time (11:30 p.m.

ET), when most Israelis are likely to have been asleep.It is rare for Palestinian militants to be able to make it into Israel from Gaza which is sealed off and heavily watched by Israel’s military.Israel television Channel 12 reported that the infiltrators from Gaza had entered Kibbutz Beeri, saying that residents were urging the IDF to rush to the kibbutz.Channel 12 also reported that infiltrators had taken hostages in Netiv HaAsara.Israeli authorities did not immediately confirm any details about those reports.Social media footage obtained by CNN showed multiple masked gunmen in a pickup truck driving down a street in the Israeli city of Sderot.

Gunfire could also be heard in the video.One woman died and at least 15 people were wounded across southern and lowland regions of Israel in the militant attacks, Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said a mid-morning update on Saturday.MDA said the woman who was killed was in her 60s, revising her age down from 70s, which CNN had earlier reported.Two people are in critical condition, six in moderate condition and seven have minor injuries, MDA said in a statement.The MDA said teams “respond to areas of reported missile falls and live firing incidents,” and urged people to heed instruction from authorities and to carefully and promptly go to a protected area when an alarm sounds.MDA spokesperson Zaki Heller also urged people to donate blood and said a special blood donation drive is being organized in Tel Aviv for Saturday morning “due to an urgent need.”The rockets, which were witnessed by a CNN producer in Gaza, prompted sirens as far north as the Tel Aviv area, east to Beer Sheva, and many other locations in between.Social media footage obtained by CNN showed the aftermath of a rocket strike in the coastal city of Ashkelon where multiple cars could be seen burning next to an apartment complex, a thick plume of black smoke billowing into the air.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are conducting security assessments at Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu’s office said.Gaza is one of the most densely packed places in the world, an isolated coastal enclave of almost 2 million people crammed into 140 square miles.Governed by Hamas, the territory is largely cut off from the rest of the world by an Israeli blockade of Gaza’s land, air and sea dating back to 2007.

Egypt controls Gaza’s southern border crossing, Rafah.Israel has placed heavy restrictions on the freedom of civilian movement and controls the importation of basic goods into the narrow coastal strip.Source: CNN-Agencies





Unlimited Portal Access + Monthly Magazine - 12 issues-Publication from Jan 2021


Buy Our Merchandise (Peace Series)

 


Contribute US to Start Broadcasting



It's Voluntary! Take care of your Family, Friends and People around You First and later think about us. Its Fine if you dont wish to contribute and if you wish to contribute then think about the Homeless first and Feed them. We can survive with your wishes too :-). You can Buy our Merchandise too which are of the finest quality.

Debit/Credit/UPI

UPI/Debit/Credit

Paytm


STRIPE


[Sri Lanka] - Sri Lanka, China sign 9 agreements on cooperation


Police open fire at group of robbers; one person dead


[Sri Lanka] - New liver care center of Ragama Teaching Hospital inaugurated


Sri Lanka anticipating private equity deals amounting to $250mn


Indian HC organizes conference to explore potential of digital public infrastructure for Sri Lanka


School education will be revamped by minimizing problem of assessments - President


[Sri Lanka] - Chinese premier holds talks with Sri Lankan PM; explore cooperation in tidy energy and telecom


Heat advisory provided for numerous provinces, districts


[Sri Lanka] - ACC reveals Women s Asia Cup 2024 in Sri Lanka


[Sri Lanka] - Sri Lanka to promote registration of ships under its flag


Court dismisses initial objections raised in Keheliya s misappropriation case


Five-member SC bench to hear petitions challenging Online Safety Act


Major US bridge collapses after being hit by Colombo-bound ship


[Sri Lanka] - CBSL guv discusses why Parate Law suspension bad for credit supply


[Sri Lanka] - Unique security plans for Good Friday and Easter Sunday


National minimum month-to-month wage to be increased by Rs. 5,000


Investigation ordered into assassination attempt on Magistrate Thilina Gamage


Veteran singer Chandra Kumara Kandanarachchi passes away


T-56 firearm reported missing from Wilgamuwa police station


Govt. to provide 10kg of rice to low-income families before Avurudu


Sri Lanka Central Bank further reduces policy rates


UN Security Council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza after US abstains


Heavy showers anticipated in parts of the island


Sri Lanka s Chief of Defence Staff visits Kenya s Defence HQ


COPA instructs officials to instantly report importation of 102 spoiled fish containers to CID


Govt prioritizing overhaul of school education and exam systems - President


Buddha Sasana Ministry problems declaration over New Year auspicious times


Three injured in luxury bus accident on Kandy-Mahiyanganaya road


Heavy showers above 100mm expected in several areas tomorrow


Ex-President Maithripala leaves CID after tape-recording statement


Appeals Court quashes findings, suggestions of political victimisation commission


HC to deliver order on Keheliya s revision petition seeking bail


UN chief says there is growing consensus to tell Israel that a ceasefire is needed


Nine students hospitalized after clash at private education institute


5 including two students arrested for taking laptop computers from school s wise class


Cost of a cup of milk tea decreased


Sri Lankan PM arrives in China for official visit


Excise revenue up by 38.5% in February 2024


President reveals rapid development plans for overlooked Mahaweli A and B zones


Bandula s US tour cut short for no-confidence vote against Speaker


IMF representatives meet with Sajith Premadasa


Third day of argument on no-confidence motion against Speaker starts


[Sri Lanka] - Sri Lanka to begin speak with restructure bonds next week - report


15 consisting of schoolchildren injured in bus accident in Wellawaya


[Sri Lanka] - 19 suspects straight connected to the underworld arrested so far - Police


Underworld gunman injured in shootout with STF succumbs to injuries


A modification in dominating dry climate condition expected from today


Underworld gunman and STF member injured in shootout at Ganemulla


[Sri Lanka] - COPE assembles under Rohitha s chairmanship amidst string of member resignations


[Sri Lanka] - President Ranil reveals vision for rapid transformation into export economy


Intermittent fasting linked to high risk of cardiovascular death, study reveals


BIA records sharp increase, serving 850,000 travellers this year AASL Chairman


Vietnam s president resigns after just over a year in office


[Sri Lanka] - Update on Sri Lankans in Haiti amidst escalation of violence


33 including FSP s Duminda Nagamuwa and Lahiru Weerasekara arrested during protest


COPF recommends deferment of CBSL salary increase


Tear gas and water cannons fired at protesters in Pettah





68