![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Taliban-4999717.jpg?r=1696696857069\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Taliban has reportedly asked\u00a0Iran, Iraq and Jordan to grant them passage to Israel so that they can “conquer Jerusalem”.<\/p>\n
Hamas terrorists launched a surprise assault on Israel today, launching thousands of missiles into the country and crossing the border with armed militants.<\/p>\n
Israel has retaliated with a series of airstrikes that have killed just under 200 Palestinians, according to latest estimates.<\/p>\n
A statement widely circulated online suggests Taliban’s foreign office has contacted Middle Eastern governments requesting passage, seemingly to aid Hamas terrorists and promising to take control of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n
The statement could not immediately be confirmed.<\/p>\n
Follow our live blog for the latest on the Hamas attack in Israel.<\/strong><\/p>\n READ MORE <\/strong> Frontline footage shows Israeli navy wiping out full-throttle Hamas sea attack<\/strong><\/p>\n Belarusian news agency NEXTA tweeted: “Russia’s allies, the Taliban terrorist organization supported Hamas: ‘If the Muslim countries neighboring Israel grant us the right of passage, we will conquer Jerusalem.'”<\/p>\n The Taliban government is currently not recognised by any country after the terrorist group seized Afghanistan following 20 years of insurgency.<\/p>\n The announcement also comes just days after Ahmed Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front in Afghanistan – the primary group fighting the Taliban in the country – said that he would be willing to work with Israel as part of a peace initiative.<\/p>\n Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a state of war following the surprise assault by Hamas terrorists, and has vowed that they will pay an “unprecedented price”.<\/p>\n The elusive leader of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, announced the beginning of what he called “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm”.<\/p>\n In a recorded message, he said, “enough is enough”, urging Palestinians to join the fight. Deif boasted that Hamas had fired more than 5,000 rockets into Israel.<\/p>\n Hamas and Israeli officials have both said that a number of Israelis have been taken hostage.<\/p>\n Hamas claims to have taken 53 “prisoners of war” as well as claiming to have taken several senior officers in the Israeli army as hostages. Israeli officials deny reports that an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) major general has been kidnapped.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/The-aftermath-of-an-airstrike-on-the-Gaza-Israel-border-4999719.jpg?r=1696696857109\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Smoke-rising-from-Gaza-following-an-airstrike-4999722.jpg?r=1696696857143\")
<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Injured-soldiers-taken-in-hospital-in-Tel-Aviv-4999725.jpg?r=1696696857191\")
<\/p>\n