Israel launches Operation Swords of Iron: "Hamas will bear the responsibility and pay for its deeds"

Israel's war strategy has three objectives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the first goal of the Israeli forces is to fight off the invasion by clearing out the Hamas terrorists. At the moment, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are fighting in at least seven locations in the south of the country, according to statements provided by The Times of Israel and the Business Standard.

According to Netanyahu, the second goal is "to exact an immense price from the enemy, within the Gaza Strip as well," which is where the terrorist group began the attack by launching rockets toward central and southern Israel. The last objective revealed by the Prime Minister is to reinforce other fronts, "so that nobody should mistakenly join this war."

A "fundamental error"

Writer Eduardo Zalovich told Voz Media "Israel's defense made a fundamental error." He explained, "It was not foreseeable that terrorists could infiltrate," he said, adding that it was even less foreseeable that they could remain in Israeli territory, expanding to several locations and kidnapping people.

Despite the "fundamental error" that made the attack possible, Zalovich claimed that the IDF will now focus efforts on carrying out a counterattack that "destroys the organization to the last man." "Let's end this situation in Gaza because this cannot be tolerated," he said. The writer stressed that these mistakes can be analyzed at a later time.

Military sources told analyst Yaakov Lappin the same thing, which he published in an article for the Jewish News Syndicate. He also stated that the IDF will be attentive to "signs of any coordinated attack by Hezbollah in Lebanon."

Counteroffensive

The Israeli response to the terrorist operation "Al-Aqsa Storm" was named Operation Swords of Iron. This "large-scale operation," as described by the defending forces, initially included airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. It will call up reserve troops for ground operations, according to Israel Hayom.

"Hamas has opened the gates of hell on the Gaza Strip," Israeli General Rassan Alyan said of this counterattack, reported by journalist Jana Beris. The person in charge of the Army Coordination Office with Gaza also stated that "Hamas will bear the responsibility and pay for its deeds."

The United States supports Israel

"I am closely monitoring developments in Israel," Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a statement. Describing the attack as an "abhorrent attack on civilians," Austin promised that the department will work to help Israel in its defensive efforts: