Israel Declares War First Time Since 1973; 600+ Lives Lost, 2,000+ Injured Since Shock Hamas Assault

The death toll from the shock Hamas assault on Israel near Gaza and the firing of thousands of rockets into the country has exceeded 600, as reported by The Times of Israel.

Dozens of soldiers and police officers who were engaged in combat with the terrorists are said to be among the casualties.

The Health Ministry has reportedly confirmed that the number of individuals receiving treatment in hospitals has reached 2,048, including 20 in critical condition and 330 with serious injuries.

After more than 30 hours since the assault, the military is still engaged in battling gunmen in border communities.

Meanwhile, Israel has officially been put at war, as announced by the Prime Minister's Office following a vote by the security cabinet. This decision allows for the execution of significant military activities.

In response to the infiltration and killings carried out by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already declared that the country was at war.

The high-level security cabinet decision provides legal standing to the declaration, in accordance with Clause 40 of Basic Law: The Government. This clause states that a government decision is required before the country can engage in warfare.

The official declaration of war last came during the Yom Kippur war in 1973.

"The war that was forced on the State of Israel in a murderous terrorist assault from the Gaza Strip began at 06:00 yesterday (Saturday, 7 October 2023)," the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel said on X.