Israel began 2024 under rocket fire 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 violence,” IDF writes on X along with footage of more than 20 rockets lighting up the sky just after midnight on Monday.
“While 129 Israelis are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, Hamas also decided to start 2024 by launching rocket attacks on Israel,” added the army.
“There’s no ‘happy’ New Year until they’re all 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 are also on high alert.
As Hamas attacked Israel, some Israelis ran for cover while others held their New Year’s Eve parties with a shrug, France24 reported.
“My heart was pounding,” Gabriel Zemelman, 26, told the outlet. “It’s scary.”
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 would escalate in the new year.
“We will be needed for additional duties and wars throughout the year,” said Hagari.
New year, same Hamas violence.
While 129 Israelis are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, Hamas also decided to start 2024 by launching rocket attacks on Israel.
There’s no “happy” New Year until they’re all 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 – had been confirmed killed in the attack on the community, NBC News reported.
“It is believed he was killed,” the kibbutz announced.
Weiss’ wife, Shiri, 53, and 18-year-old daughter Noga, were taken hostage during the October 7 attack and released on November 25 as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement, the Times of Israel said.
Some of the freed hostages and their family members still held 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 face fear because the thing that scares me the most is that my father, Yossi, who was held hostage in Gaza, is still there,” Oran Sharabi, 13, told reporters at an emotional press conference organized by the Hostage Team and the Longing Family Forum.
The rally took place outside the charred remains that once housed Raaya Rotem and her daughter, Hila, who were both released as part of the November deal.
Raaya remembers eating oranges in captivity.
“We divide it among ourselves. Each of us got a small piece,” he said, adding that “time is running out for the ransom. The food is gone. The water has run out. We need to bring back the hostages.”
Smoke billowed over northern Israel on Sunday. AFP via Getty Images
Also on Monday, the IDF announced that it had struck a Hezbollah cell that was preparing to launch drones from southern Lebanon.
“In the morning, the IDF identified a terrorist squad from the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which attempted to launch a drone towards Israeli territory,” the announcement on X read, alongside footage of smoke rising from the target.
“An Air Force aircraft attacked the squad before it could conduct a launch and destroyed the aircraft they were using,” the statement added, referring to the incident as another example of terrorists exploiting civilians to carry out attacks.
Ilan Weiss, 56, was confirmed dead in the Oct. 7 attack. IDF
The Hezbollah threat has 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 evacuated from the Gaza Strip, the army said on Monday.
The first significant military setback since the war began 87 days ago, the move could signal that operations are winding down in parts of Gaza – particularly in the north, where the army previously said it was close to operational control.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
