Hamas fires more than 10,500 rockets toward Israel in 47 days of war

It is Day 47 of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza following the Oct. 7 massacre. The nation is anticipating the release of 50 hostages over the course of the next four days, during which the fighting in Gaza will cease, in accordance with a deal brokered by the United States and Qatar. 

Israel has made clear that the cessation of military activity would only be temporary, and does not in any way mean an end to its war's goal to dismantle Hamas. 

In a statement released on Tuesday, the government said it is “committed to the safe return of all hostages home.”

“The Government of Israel, the IDF and the Israeli security forces will continue to fight the war for the return of all hostages, the elimination of Hamas and to ensure that Gaza will not pose a threat to Israel,” it read further.

However, in dealing with terrorists, there are no guarantees. Hamas is a bloodthirsty organization that openly declared that it strives to destroy the Jewish state.

Hamas terrorists killed about 1,200 Israelis since the outset of the war. Among them are 33 minors under the age of 17, five toddlers under the age of 5, and 25 people older than 80, including a 94-year-old woman. 

According to estimates provided by Israeli authorities, 364 Israelis were murdered by Hamas death squads at the Nova music festival in Kibbutz Re’im. The body of Shani Gabay (26), who worked at the festival, was found on Wednesday.

Israeli officials say the main reason the Hamas terror organization has agreed to potentially release more hostages is a direct result of the continuous military pressure. The IDF claims to have eliminated thousands of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists, including many commanders. Until now, IDF soldiers have exposed and destroyed approximately 400 terror tunnel shafts.

Since the beginning of the war, more than 10,500 rockets have been fired toward Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. According to Israel's estimates, at least 1,300 rockets aimed at Israel fell short inside the Gaza Strip. One of them famously hit the Al-Ma’amadani Hospital in Gaza in the second week of the war. The incident was initially falsely blamed on Israel. 

Given the dangerous security situation on Israel’s southern and northern borders, 243,228 Israelis have been evacuated from their homes. Some of them are being hosted by families in the center of the country. Many others were placed in hotels or alternate housing.

A staggering number, nearly 8,500 Israelis, have been injured during the war so far; among them, 35 have suffered critical injuries.