The news is becoming increasingly distressing. It all began yesterday morning, during Shabbat and Simchat Torah.
According to an expert interviewed on i24, Hamas had a four-stage plan. First, the terrorist organization initiated rocket attacks to divert attention from their initial border incursion. Following this, a wave of terrorists kidnapped people, hijacked cars, and transported them to Gaza in order to motivate other groups. A second wave included two distinct groups: one tasked with killing or capturing Israeli civilians, and the other lying in wait until people believed it was safe again.
An attempted sea assault failed.
This surprise attack should not have been a surprise-- or even possible. Even more shocking was that the army didn't arrive for almost nine hours! People found themselves defenseless without guns, relying solely on bomb shelters. And while every home and building has a bomb shelter, not every bomb shelter can be securely locked.
In seven cities, fighting continues, 36 hours after the initial attack, with people still hiding in their bomb shelters. In other cities, tragic scenes are unfolding as the bodies of those slaughtered in their homes are found. Sometimes, even after soldiers believe an area is clear, sleeper groups emerge and start firing.
So far, 600 bodies have been discovered. On Shabbat, an outdoor festival turned into a nightmare, with many people shot and others kidnapped and taken to Gaza.
I haven't watched Hamas's videos, but reports suggest they are so horrifying that Arabs in other countries are condemning Hammas and uncharacteristically expressing support for Israel.
Israelis living near Gaza are being evacuated. In response to two rockets from Lebanon this morning, one citizens group is advising and organizing a preemptive evacuation of people living near the border with Lebanon. Israeli Arabs are not heeding Hamas's calls to join in the violence. Syria remains uninvolved. Eilat, although wedged between Egypt and Jordan is expected to remain peaceful (knock on wood).
Various Israeli spokespeople appear to believe that global support will continue. I predict it will not.
EDIT: Times of Israel article from 9 October,
Hamas carried out years-long campaign to fool Israel before attack, source says.
