Palestine-based Hamas militants launched a barrage of rockets on Israel on Saturday infiltrating the towns near the Gaza Strip through land, air and sea. As per reports, Palestinian fighters entered Israeli towns on boats, pick-up trucks and hand gliders. More than 200 Israelis have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict and at least 1000 have been wounded. In a recorded message, Hamas commander Mohammad Deif claimed the outfit launched 5,000 rockets into Israel. Announcing the operation, Deif said, “We announce the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and we announce that the first strike, which targeted enemy positions, airports, and military fortifications, exceeded 5,000 missiles and shells.” Though several rockets were intercepted by Israel’s much-vaunted Iron Dome missile defence system, many others landed in Israeli territories leading to the bloodiest escalation in decades. The Iron Dome system has proved capable against defending rockets fired by Hamas exploding them within the Gaza Strip, however, it’s not yet clear how effective the system was in Saturday’s attack.

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