Israel says at ‘war’ after Hamas’ rocket barrages, militant infiltration

Israel declared a rare state of alert for war on Saturday after militants fired an estimated 2,200 missiles from the Gaza Strip and infiltrated southern parts of the country.

There have been reports of civilian fatalities and casualties, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the nation “at war” in a video message.

The ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel at daybreak on Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea, catching the country off guard on a major holiday.

Several hours after the invasion began, Hamas militants were still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities in a surprising show of strength that shook the country. At least 40 people have been killed in Israel during fighting with Palestinian militants on Saturday, the Magen David Adom emergency medical services said.

“Since the morning hours, MDA teams provided medical care to hundreds of casualties, and pronounced 40 people dead,” it said, while the Israeli health ministry confirmed that at least 779 people had been injured and taken to hospitals.

Hamas, which rules Gaza and is classified as a terrorist organisation by the US, said it was the start of a major operation. The Israeli government sent warplanes to strike back within the strip.