Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has declared the country is at “war” after Hamas launched a “murderous surprise attack” Saturday morning:
Full transcript:
“We are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war.
This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens.
We have been in this since the early morning hours.
I convened the heads of the security establishment and ordered first of all – to clear out the communities that have been infiltrated by terrorists. This currently is being carried out.
At the same time, I have ordered an extensive mobilization of reserves and that we return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known.
The enemy will pay an unprecedented price.
In the meantime, I call on the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the IDF and Home Front Command.
We are at war and we will win it.”