GAZA CITY, Palestine

Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday described the operation against Israel a "heroic epic" in response to aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“In these historical moments, we are engaged in a heroic epic for the sake of Al-Aqsa Mosque, our sanctities, and our prisoners,” Haniyeh said in a statement.

He said "the Zionist aggression reached its peak during the past days, as thousands of settlers desecrated the Al-Aqsa,” adding that Israel also continues its aggression in West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army declared a “state of readiness” for war after Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip fired a barrage of rockets toward Israel.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, announced starting Operation Al-Aqsa Flood with rockets targeting enemy sites, airports, and military installations.

It also released a video clip showing capturing a number of Israeli soldiers during the operation.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi