BEIRUT: A video circulating on social media platforms shows Lebanese people distributing sweets and expressing jubilation over the surprise attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Israel, in which more than 100 Israelis, including soldiers, were killed.
Hamas’ armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, which governs the Gaza Strip, declared its intent to put an end to what it termed “the crimes of the Israeli occupation.” They announced Operation Al-Aqsa StormRight for self-defense and claimed to have launched over 5,000 rockets in the initial 20-minute strike.
Lebanese Reaction to Hamas Attacks
Israel’s military reported ongoing ground battles with Palestinian fighters in various locations near the Gaza Strip, naming its operation “Swords of Iron.”
Hamas later released a video showing three Israelis being held by its fighters.
Infiltration from the impoverished Gaza Strip, housing 2.3 million people and under Hamas’ control since 2007, has been infrequent due to Israel’s stringent blockade. The militarized border barrier effectively isolates Gaza from Israel.
The relentless rocket barrage from Gaza, estimated at a minimum of 2,200 rockets, resulted in fires beneath residential buildings in the Israeli city of Ashkelon, located approximately 10 kilometers (six miles) north of Gaza.”
#Lebanon is celebrating with #Palestine and distributing sweets because of #Palestinian attacks on #Israel. #طوفان_الأقصى #طوفان_القدس #طوفان_الاقصى #حماس #فلسطین #إسرائيل #Hamas #AlAqsaFlood #TelAviv pic.twitter.com/rFOttUlSOk
— Viral Pix (@ViralPixx) October 7, 2023
