War in the South: Hamas launched a surprise attack this morning (Saturday), in which it sent thousands of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, while simultaneously hundreds of militants crossed the border and entered Israeli territory. According to reports so far, at least 100 people were killed, and over 1,000 were injured in communities in the southern part of the country.
There are also reports of hostages taken to Gaza, alongside militants holding hostages in several settlements in the south, including Ofakim and Kibbutz Be'eri. The IDF has launched Operation "Iron Swords" and attacked numerous Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip throughout the day, in addition to neutralizing militants who entered the country.
According to estimates, over 3,000 rockets were fired during the course of Saturday from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, including incessant barrages targeting communities in the Gaza envelope, as well as widespread firing towards central and coastal settlements. Throughout the morning, sirens were heard in Gush Dan communities, including Tel Aviv, Holon, Bat Yam, and Rishon LeZion, as well as in Gush Etzion, Modi'in, and Jerusalem.
Following the heavy rocket fire, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu convened the security cabinet, and later, the government for an emergency discussion and assessment of the situation. "Israeli citizens, we are in a war. Not an operation, not rounds of conflict. We are at war. This morning, Hamas initiated a surprise, murderous attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in it since the early morning hours," he said. "I convened the heads of the security system, I instructed first of all to cleanse the settlements of the terrorists who had infiltrated."