Gunfire, rockets and carnage: Israelis stunned by Hamas surprise attack
- Hamas on Saturday carried out a massive rocket barrage and ground, air and sea offensive that killed least 250 Israelis
- Perhaps the biggest shock of all to Israelis was Palestinian militants taking Israeli soldiers and civilians captive
Israelis peeked out their windows to see terrifying scenes of armed Hamas militants outside, trying to break into their houses and shooting at anyone they saw.
Thousands of Israeli partygoers at a desert rave screamed and ran for their lives as bloodied victims collapsed around them.
Family members searching for missing loved ones were shaken to recognise them in haunting social media videos showing Hamas militants taking terrified Israelis hostage.
Israel was in shock this weekend, with the unprecedented scenes of violence and chaos unfolding across the country’s south seared into people’s minds.
Even the steely nerved residents of communities near the Gaza Strip who have grown used to the wail of air-raid sirens described Saturday’s ground assault – with fighters entering their communities in pick-up trucks, on boats and by hang-gliders – as a nightmare come true.
For Israelis working and living within range of Gaza, the sight of Hamas militants roaming outside their homes Saturday – and reports that Hamas had taken dozens of civilians and soldiers captive – marked a terrifying turn of events unlike anything residents had experienced before.