Israel extends 'special security situation' to cover entire country

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel announced Saturday the extension of a "special security situation" for the entire country.

The Defense Ministry said defense chief Yoav Gallant expanded the "special security situation" to cover all of Israel following operational assessments.

It said the move allows the military to provide security instructions to civilians and close public areas when necessary.

The National Security Council noted that security advice for Israeli citizens abroad had been reiterated following Hamas' attacks on Israel.

Citizens were advised to choose countries without travel warnings and warned about the potential targeting of Jewish religious holidays and holiday gatherings by terror attacks.

Hamas launched Operation Al Aqsa Flood on Saturday and said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.

In turn, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said we are "at war." He urged civilians in Gaza to leave as the Israeli military is going to turn "all Hamas hiding places into rubble."

At least 232 Palestinians have been killed in the attacks, according to medical sources in Gaza, while the Israeli death toll climbed to 300.

More than 3,000 rockets have been launched by Hamas toward Israel since morning, according to the Israeli army.

It acknowledged soldiers had been captured and taken hostage into Gaza, and confirmed that more than 1,000 Israelis were injured, in a statement on X.