CLEVELAND — The Jewish Federation of Cleveland has released a statement after Hamas conducted a surprise attack from Gaza into southern Israel.
The following statement was released on Facebook by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland on Saturday morning:
"We break our Shabbat silence because Israel is in a state of war. The people of Israel have come under attack, with more than 40 individuals already killed and hundreds wounded as the Jewish people celebrate Simchat Torah. We pray for the safety of both civilians and the Israel Defense Forces who are defending our beloved Jewish State. Cleveland stands in solidarity with our Israeli brethren."
Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented surprise early morning attack during a major Jewish holiday Saturday, killing dozens and stunning the country.
Israel said it is now at war with Hamas and launched airstrikes in Gaza, vowing to inflict an “unprecedented price.”
Hamas militants were still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities hours after the incursion began. Israel’s national rescue service said at least 70 people were killed and hundreds wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years. An unknown number of Israeli soldiers and civilians were also seized and taken into Gaza, an enormously sensitive issue for Israel.
At least 198 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed in Israel’s retaliation and at least 1,610 wounded, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said.
The strength, sophistication and timing of the attack shocked Israelis. Hamas fighters used explosives to break through the border fence enclosing the long-blockaded Mediterranean territory, then crossed with motorcycles, pickup trucks, paragliders and speed boats on the coast.
JewishAkron also released a statement Saturday afternoon:
"JewishAkron stands in total and complete solidarity with our family in Israel. The news we are seeing is shocking and heartbreaking and our prayers are with the people of Israel. We pray for their healing, health and safety, mourn those who have already perished in these brutal and cowardly attacks, and demand the prompt return of Israelis kidnapped and being held in Gaza.
Fifty years ago yesterday, Israel was attacked on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. This morning, as Jews prepared to celebrate the end of the holiday of Sukkot, we awoke to the devastating news that Israel was once again under attack, this time by Hamas terrorists entering from Gaza by land, sea and air with one objective – to kill and destroy everyone and everything in their path. This infiltration was coupled with thousands of rockets indiscriminately fired into civilian areas in an attempt to maximize casualties.
Israel unilaterally withdrew its citizens and army from Gaza in 2005. Since 2007, when Hamas seized control, Israel has been under frequent rocket and terror attacks. Hamas, funded and backed by Iran, was founded with the explicit goal of obliterating the State of Israel. They not only reject a “two state solution” but refuse to acknowledge Israel’s fundamental right to exist.
We fully support the right and necessity for Israel to defend itself and its citizens and for the Israel Defense Forces to do all that is required to bring this war to a swift and undisputable close."