Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas waged a surprise attack on Israel at around 6:30 a.m. Saturday. The Islamist group launched rockets and invaded South and Central Israel areas by air, land, and sea. This operation, which was dubbed the “Al-Aqsa Storm” by Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif, led to the declaration of war by the Israeli government.
Over 900 Israelis – and at least 11 Americans – were killed, 2,600 injured, 150 kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, and 4,000 rockets fired targeting Israelis as of Monday, according to the non-partisan Israel education organization Stand With Us report.
Maryland Congressmen Jamie Raskin and David Trone and Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin have expressed their support for Israel. Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass, Council Vice President Andrew Friedson, and Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe have also announced their allegiance.
During his weekly media conference Monday, Glass reflected on his visit to Israel last year. “I looked through the fence that separated Israel and Gaza and drove through the towns terrorized over the weekend,” Glass said. He condemns Hamas’s acts and prays for peace.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has sent the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, the Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel. Americans in Israel have been reported dead, injured, and missing on account of the attacks by Hamas. European Union Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi announced the suspension and reconsideration of payments to Palestinians.
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