In just a few hours after Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Hamas), a Palestinian armed group, launched an attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, dozens of people have been killed and hundreds wounded.

This latest attack appears to be a renewal of the long-running conflict between the two nations for control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

Hamas, the initiator of this ongoing onslaught, is reported to have fired 5,000 projectiles and rockets on defenseless locations in the country’s south.

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In a broadcast snippet seen on social media by FIJ, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli’s Prime Minister, told Israelis that the country was in a war.

“Citizens of Israel, we are at war. Not an operation, not a round [of fighting], at war! This morning, Hamas initiated a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens,” said Netanyahu.

Following the attack, Israel has responded with a heavy bombardment from different towns, including Nahal Oz, Sufa, Sderot, Kfar Aza, Magen and Be’eri.

Times of Israel reported that at least 40 Israelis had been killed while over 800 had been injured as of Saturday afternoon.

Media reports stated that on the side of Palestine, 198 people had been killed. However, it is a growing death toll on both sides as the aggression continues.

A spokesperson of the Palestinian army has reportedly said the rationale for the renewed conflict was to end atrocities against some of the Palestinian holy sites. “We want the international community to stop atrocities in Gaza, against Palestinian people, our holy sites like Al-Aqsa. All these things are the reason behind starting this battle,” he was quoted to have said.

Signaling the readiness of the group for this attack, Mohammed Deif, Hamas commander, has called on every Palestinian to pick up a gun as the time has come for the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth.

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The armed group has also sent a message out asking Islamic nations to be on its side. This large-scale attack has been described as unprecedented in recent years between the two parties.

Video footage of wounded people has circulated online. Hospitals are becoming overwhelmed and the Israeli government has appealed for blood donation.