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Israel has declared a "state of alert for war" following a "significant" rocket attack.
Smoke was seen billowing into the air after missiles hit a number of settlements in the country, with sirens sounding across south and central Israel, including in Jerusalem. More than 5,000 rockets are thought to have been launched today (Saturday, October 7) and Palestinian gunmen have also reportedly entered Israel through Gaza, reports the BBC.
Israel's Defense Forces (IDF) said Palestinian military group Hamas "had begun a massive shooting of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory", prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call an emergency meeting with top security officials this morning. In a statement, the military said: "A number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip.
"The Israeli Defence Forces will defend Israeli civilians and the Hamas terrorist organization will pay heavy price for its actions." Residents living near the affected areas were urged to stay in their homes.
Meanwhile Mohammad Deif, a senior Hamas military commander, took to the group's media channels to call on Palestinians to join what he called "Operation Al-Aqsa Storm". He said: "This is the day of the greatest battle end the last occupation on earth" and called for fighters to "set the earth on fire under the feet of the occupiers."
The strike marks the most significant unrest between Israel and Hamas since a 10-day war back in 2021. Videos posted to social media showed gunmen arriving into the country on trucks, with clips showing armed fighters driving through the countryside on jeeps. Others reportedly used parachutes to enter.
Residents in Gaza reported hearing loud booms as rockets launched and several said they witnessed armed clashes along the separation fence between the two countries near the town of Khan Younis.
A number of Israelis have also been captured by fighters, according to Palestinian media. Hamas also circulated a video which claimed to show a destroyed Israeli tank.
So far one Israeli woman has been confirmed dead, according to emergency services. Ambulance crews have been dispatched to areas around the Gaza Strip to attend to any casualties.
- Breaking News
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