![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/assets\/img\/icon\/chat-rect.svg\")
<\/a>![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/assets\/img\/icon\/share-outline.svg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/images\/cache\/image\/15\/05\/150598_w_760_507.webp\")
<\/source><\/picture>Hamas gunmen killed at least 500 Israelis, injured over 1,800 and took dozens hostage in a surprise assault, marking the deadliest day in Israel since the Yom Kippur war 50 years ago. As a U.S. interdenominational group condemned the Palestinian assault and Christian leaders urged prayers, Israel\u2019s retaliation killed over 300 Gazans.<\/p>\n
In an unparalleled assault that caught Israel unprepared on Simchat Torah, a significant Jewish holiday, Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip launched a multi-pronged attack at dawn on Saturday, CBS News reported<\/a>, adding that the group fired thousands of rockets and deployed fighters who breached Israel\u2019s fortified borders by air, land and sea.<\/p>\n In a statement to The Christian Post,\u00a0Robert J. Pacienza, senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and founder of the Institute for Faith & Culture, said:\u00a0<\/p>\n “The violent attacks on Israel necessitate an urgent call to all Americans to pray for the state of Israel and the people in the region. These events have been perpetrated by terrorists and resourced by the terrorist state of Iran. Democracy and principled freedom in Israel, throughout the Middle East, and the world are at risk because of these efforts.<\/p>\n \u201cChristians in particular should be concerned for the humanitarian rights and religious liberties that will be threatened as a result. Considering the biblical duty of peace and honor, and the principles of just war, we have a responsibility to speak out on behalf of those that are being unjustly assaulted.”<\/p>\n The BBC reported on Sunday that Palestinian officials say Israeli air strikes have killed at least 313 people in the Gaza Strip, with almost 2,000 wounded.\u00a0<\/p>\n Soon after the Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians were reported on Saturday, the interdenominational group Congress of Christian Leaders called for prayers for Israel\u2019s peace and security.<\/p>\n The Rev. Johnnie Moore wrote on Twitter that his group is \u201cissuing an emergency call to prayer for the peace and security of Israel.\u201d Churches from all over the world will gather this weekend standing with Israel and dedicating time to pray for Israel, he added.<\/p>\n Sacha Roytman Dratwa, CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, condemned the \u201ccoordinated terrorist assault on Israel\u201d in a statement, saying it \u201cshocks the conscience.\u201d<\/p>\n Roytman Dratwa called on \u201cleaders across the globe to be swift and unequivocal in condemning the evil actions of Palestinian terrorist groups, including the barbaric murder of Israeli women and children inside their own homes on a Shabbat morning.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued, \u201cThere is only one moral choice at this perilous moment — to stand resolutely with the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and the resilient people of Israel as they wage a just war to defend themselves from bloody-thirsty killers whose hatred of Jews has no bounds.\u201d<\/p>\n He added, \u201cMay the memories of the victims of today\u2019s heinous violence forever be a blessing, and we pray for the full and speedy recovery of the wounded.\u201d<\/p>\n The international human rights group Amnesty International urged both sides to protect civilian lives.<\/p>\n In Sderot, near Gaza, bodies of Israeli civilians lay in the streets. Shlomi, a resident, described a \u201csea of bodies\u201d to Reuters<\/a>. Israelis recounted their experiences on live TV, barricaded in safe rooms.<\/p>\n Footage showed Israelis running for their lives during an overnight rave near Gaza. \u201cI said, ‘OK, I’m going to die, it’s OK, just breathe, just close your eyes,\u2019\u201d Gili Yoskovich told the BBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n Esther Borochov survived an attack on a dance rave by playing dead. \u201cI couldn\u2019t move my legs,\u201d she told the newswire. Senior military officers were among the Israeli casualties, according to the Israeli military.<\/p>\n By early Sunday, Israeli troops were still engaged with Hamas fighters in southern Israel. An Israeli army spokesperson stated the situation was not fully under control.<\/p>\n Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned that the assault would extend to the West Bank and Jerusalem. Haniyeh cited threats to Jerusalem\u2019s Al-Aqsa Mosque and the ongoing Gaza blockade as motivations, the newswire said.<\/p>\n Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel \u201cat war\u201d after the Hamas launched the stack Saturday morning. \u201cWe will take mighty vengeance for this wicked day.\u201d<\/p>\n The Israeli cabinet approved measures to cripple Hamas and Islamic Jihad, including cutting essential supplies to Gaza. In Gaza, hospitals struggled with a surge of casualties.<\/p>\n Streets in Gaza were deserted, except for racing ambulances. Israel cut power to the area, plunging it into darkness.<\/p>\n In Gaza, residents rushed to buy supplies. Some evacuated their homes for shelters. Scores of Palestinians were killed attempting to cross into Israel, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n Hamas claimed to have captured dozens of Israelis, including soldiers. Israel\u2019s military confirmed hostages were taken. The Associated Press reported<\/a> seeing four hostages taken from Kfar Azza, including two women.<\/p>\n Saleh al-Arouri, Hamas deputy chief, told Al Jazeera that they had enough hostages to force Israel to free all Palestinians in its jails.<\/p>\n U.S. President Joe Biden expressed support for Israel. \u201cThe world is watching,\u201d he warned nations hostile to Israel, according to<\/a> the AP. A senior Biden official said the U.S. was working to contain the crisis to Gaza.<\/p>\n Demonstrations supporting Hamas erupted across the Middle East. The attack was praised by Iran and Hezbollah.<\/p>\n Hamas cited escalated Israeli attacks on Palestinians as the reason for their assault. \u201cThis is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth,\u201d Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif was quored as saying.<\/p>\n Tensions had been rising in Gaza, but neither side was expected to escalate.<\/p>\n Israelis criticized their security forces for not responding more quickly. Footage on Hamas channels showed captured or killed Israeli soldiers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n