Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, said on Saturday that armed Palestinian factions intend to expand the ongoing battle in Gaza to the West Bank and Jerusalem.
The battle moved into the heart of the “zionist entity,” he said.
“This was the morning of defeat and humiliation upon our enemy, its soldiers, and its settlers,” he said.
“What happened reveals the greatness of our preparation. What happened today reveals the weakness of the enemy.”
He told fellow Arab countries that Israel cannot provide them with any protection despite recent diplomatic rapprochements.
In a televised speech, Haniyeh addressed the Arab countries that have normalized ties with Israel in recent years.
“We say to all countries, including our Arab brothers, that this entity, which cannot protect itself in the face of resistors, cannot provide you with any protection,” he said.
“All the normalization agreements you signed with that entity cannot resolve this (Palestinian) conflict.”
The leader of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, said Saturday’s assault was in response to the 16-year blockade of Gaza, Israeli raids inside West Bank cities over the past year, violence at Al-Aqsa and increasing attacks by settlers on Palestinians, and growth of settlements.
“Enough is enough,” Deif said in the recorded message.
He said the morning attack started “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm” and called on Palestinians from East Jerusalem to northern Israel to join the fight.
“Today, the people are regaining their revolution.”
Asked by reporters how Hamas had managed to catch the army off guard, Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli army spokesman, replied, “That’s a good question.”
Videos released by Hamas appeared to show at least three Israelis captured alive.
The Israeli military confirmed that a number of Israelis had been taken captive.
A top Hamas official, Saleh Arouri, said that his group was holding “a large number” of Israeli prisoners, including senior officers, adding that they would be used in a prisoner exchange to free Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.
Abu Obeida, spokesman for the group’s military wing, said the soldiers were captured during a surprise infiltration into southern Israel.
He said the captives were being held in “safe places.”