Israel-Gaza conflict: Mayor of Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council Ofir Liebstein killed in Hamas rocket attack

Israel-Gaza conflict: In a tragic turn of events, Ofir Liebstein, Mayor of Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, was killed in a deadly rocket attack launched by Hamas into Israel on Saturday morning, as reported by 'The Times of Israel', citing local sources.

Ofir Liebstein's courageous act of defending a town during the terrorist attack ultimately led to his death, according to a statement from the Council. In the wake of Liebstein's death, Yossi Keren, the deputy mayor of the Council, has assumed interim leadership, reported 'The Times of Israel'.

The latest reports indicate that the Hamas rocket fire has resulted in the tragic loss of at least five lives, with over 100 individuals sustaining injuries. The centre and south of Israel endured relentless rocket fire for over 3.5 hours on that fateful Saturday morning, 'The Times of Israel' stated.

Additionally, Hamas asserted that it had taken five Israel Defence Force (IDF) soldiers captive, although the IDF did not confirm this claim, as reported by The Jerusalem Post. Subsequent to the attack, the IDF initiated retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip. However, according to The Jerusalem Post, despite these actions, Israeli response remained relatively restrained even two hours after the commencement of the rocket attacks.

Israeli media reported that Hamas currently holds 33 prisoners of war, encompassing both civilians and soldiers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement indicating that the Security Cabinet would convene around 1 pm following a comprehensive assessment of the situation, The Jerusalem Post reported. Opposition leader Yair Lapid is scheduled to meet with PM Netanyahu after the security meeting, the report added. Earlier, Lapid received a security briefing from Avi Gil, the Israeli Prime Minister's military secretary, in the aftermath of the rocket strikes.

The Opposition leader's office released a statement declaring that "Israel is in an emergency" and expressed support for a "harsh military response" to Hamas's coordinated attack.

Israel's Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, approved the mobilisation of reserve soldiers in accordance with the IDF's needs. He also declared a "special security situation" in Israel's Homefront, within a 0-80 km radius of the Gaza Strip. This designation enables the IDF to provide safety instructions to civilians at "close and relevant sites," as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

The IDF placed responsibility squarely on Hamas, as the ruling authority in the Gaza Strip, for the attack, emphasising that it would bear the consequences and responsibility for the events. Tragically, at least one rocket struck a building in the Gederot Regional Council, resulting in the loss of a woman in her 60s, according to a report.

- ANI