All sporting events cancelled in Israel following a Hamas attack / News - Basketnews.com

A military attack was launched on Israel, forcing all sporting events to be canceled.

Credit: AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov - Scanpix Credit AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov - Scanpix

Israeli citizens woke up to horrifying news on Saturday. As a result, all sporting events will not take place. Some sports clubs have already allowed their foreign players to leave the country.

Early Saturday morning, a surprise missile attack was launched from the Gaza Strip. Palestinian group Hamas was able to infiltrate Israel through various forms of transport and executed an unprecedented attack.

The attack was launched during the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. Numerous casualties have been reported. Some Israeli citizens have been abducted.

War readiness has been announced in the entire country of Israel, and an extensive mobilization has begun. The country is experiencing network connectivity issues.

As such, the Ministry of Culture and Sports has announced that all sporting events will be canceled until further notice. EuroCup's Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv were supposed to play on Sunday, October 8th, against Hapoel Galil Elyon. The league will have to find a new date.

Multiple football teams - Maccabi Haifa, Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Maccabi Tel Aviv - have made a decision to allow their foreign players to leave the country if they wish to do so.

One basketball club - Hapoel Be'er Sheva - has allowed their foreigners to leave as well and is working toward the execution of the process that would allow the players and their families to evacuate safely.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, who were set to travel to Milan to play in the EuroLeague on Thursday, October 12th, will stay in Israel, as their game has been suspended.

"Citizens of Israel, we are at war. Not in an operation, not in a round, in a war," Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, said in a public statement. "This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We've been at it since the early morning."

Scottie Wilbekin, who used to play for Maccabi, sent a message of support on X, formerly Twitter. "My prayers are with Israel right now," he posted.

"Praying for the people In Israel. Better days will come," wrote Jalen Adams, who represented Maccabi last season.

Wizz Air, Transavia, EasyJet, and Lufthansa have already canceled multiple flights to Israel. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, meanwhile, remains operational until further notice.

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