In an overnight airstrike, the head of Hamas’ aerial unit was killed. Asem Abu Rakaba was responsible for overseeing Hamas’ drones, uncrewed aerial vehicles, paragliders, aerial detection systems, and air defenses. He was also notably involved in planning the October 7 attack on Israel, where Hamas militants stormed across the border into Israel using powered hang gliders. He also commanded the terrorists who were sent to launch drone attacks on Israeli military posts along the Gaza border.
The infiltration into southern Israel caught the country’s vaunted intelligence apparatus entirely by surprise. It forced millions of Israelis to hunker down in safe rooms, shielding themselves from rocket explosions and ongoing gunbattle with Hamas fighters. It prompted the military to occupy villages near the Gaza Strip, evacuate residents from cities and towns, and summon hundreds of thousands of soldiers into reserve units. It brought the country to a standstill, averting an all-out war for now but evoking memories of 1973, practically 50 years to the day, when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, and nearly triggered another Mideast conflict.
It has been a chaotic week, with the military conducting hundreds of strikes and Palestinians retaliating with rocket fire that has killed dozens. The situation is escalating, with thousands of soldiers amassing along the border and Israeli officials indicating that a ground operation may be imminent.
But many Israelis are clinging to hope that the escalation will be short and swift, with minimal civilian casualties. The airstrikes have primarily targeted military bases, destroying buildings and structures that are considered the primary weapons storage areas for Hamas militants. The pounding of Gaza has also targeted tunnels that lead into Israel, which militants have used to store equipment and bring in reinforcements.
The United States has been trying to calm the situation, with the National Security Council’s Director of Middle East Affairs, Lloyd J. Austin, calling the Israeli defense minister on Saturday and Sunday to get updates. “We’re making it very clear to allies and partners in the region that the United States unequivocally supports Israel’s right to defend itself,” he said in a statement. He also called on any adversaries or entities that might be entertaining entering this conflict to think twice, adding that the U.S. would not “suspend our support of Israel.”
In a recorded message released by Hamas, Deif said that “the enemy must realize that a long war is ahead and that its time is up.” He urged Palestinians to join the fight to reclaim their land. It is the second time in two weeks that Hamas has made a public call for Palestinians to fight against Israel. Last month, the militants urged them to participate in a “heroic war to liberate Jerusalem and all of Palestine.” That call was followed by another message urging Palestinians to reclaim their homes in northern Israel.
