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Israel declares war readiness after attacks from Gaza Israel declares war readiness after attacks from Gaza
(32 minutes later)
Watch: Rockets launched from Gaza streak across skyWatch: Rockets launched from Gaza streak across sky
Watch: Rockets launched from Gaza streak across skyWatch: Rockets launched from Gaza streak across sky
Dozens of gunmen from the Islamist militant group Hamas appear to have entered southern Israel in a surprise attack and are currently at large. Dozens of gunmen from the Palestinian militant group Hamas have infiltrated southern Israel from the Gaza Strip in a surprise attack.
Israel's military says it has declared a state of "war readiness" and called up reservists in response to the attack. Videos being shared on social media appeared to show Palestinian militants shooting at passers-by in the streets of the Israeli town of Sderot.
Earlier, dozens of rockets were launched towards Israel, setting off air raid sirens across the country. Intense Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza also killed one Israeli woman.
Israel has also launched strikes on targets in Gaza. Israel's defence minister said Hamas had "made a grave mistake and launched a war" against his country.
One person has been killed in Israel and there have been reports of explosions near Tel Aviv and areas surrounding Gaza. "[Israeli] troops are fighting the enemy at every location," Yoav Gallant added. "The State of Israel will win this war".
Palestinian militant group Hamas has claimed responsibility for the attack, with its armed wing saying it launched 5,000 rockets in 20 minutes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had moved to a war footing and that dozens of fighter jets were carrying out air strikes on Hamas sites in Gaza.
Israel's Defense Forces (IDF) said the group "had begun a massive shooting of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory" and that militants had entered Israeli territory in "different locations". The rocket barrages from Gaza - which is governed by Hamas - began just after dawn on Saturday, at the end of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
The statement said the chief of the general staff was conducting a "situational assessment" and that Hamas would "face the consequences and responsibility for these events". As sirens sounded across Israel, the IDF announced that "terrorists" had infiltrated Israeli territory "in a number of different locations".
It added that residents in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip have been asked to stay inside, while civilians in southern and central areas are "required to stay next to shelters". It told civilians in southern and central areas to stay next to shelters, and inside shelters in the area surrounding Gaza.
Israel's Magen David Adom rescue agency said one person had died with 15 others injured. Footage posted online appeared to show a group of heavily armed Palestinian militants dressed in black fatigues driving around Sderot in a pick-up truck.
Footage from Reuters news agency shows Israeli firefighters tackling flames in the city of Ashkelon, as thick plumes of smoke rose from charred out vehicles. In one video, the same militants seemed to be exchanging fire with Israeli forces on the streets of the town, which is only 1.6km (1 mile) from Gaza.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said security chiefs are due to meet as a result of the rocket strikes. Palestinians gathered near an Israeli tank that was set alight on the Israel-Gaza perimeter fence
There are also unconfirmed reports in the Palestinian media that a number of Israelis have been taken captive by militants and footage circulating of Palestinians in Gaza driving Israeli military vehicles.
The rocket barrages meanwhile continued throughout Saturday morning, with Israeli media reporting that more than 2,200 projectiles had so far been launched towards Israel.
An initial report from Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said one person had been killed in the rocket attacks and 16 others wounded, two of them seriously.
But a hospital in the southern city of Ashkelon later said it was treating 68 casualties alone, while another hospital in Beer Sheva reported 80 others.
A senior Hamas military commander announced the start of the operation in a broadcast on Hamas media, calling on Palestinians everywhere to fight.
"This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth," Mohammed Deif said.
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