Israel has vowed to exact revenge on Palestinian militants after they launched a surprise attack on the country on Saturday, warning Hamas that they had made a 'grave mistake'.
Residents living close to Israel's border with Gaza have been ordered to stay inside and others have been evacuated after Hamas militants infiltrated the country by land, sea and air and launched a fusillade of missile strikes.
The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that the militants will pay an 'unprecedented price' after their attacks killed at least 22 Israelis, with unconfirmed further casualties reported on both sides.
Speaking in a televised address, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said that Hamas had made a 'grave mistake...and launched a war against the State of Israel' - vowing that 'Israel will win'.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was 'shocked' by the attacks, writing on X, formerly Twitter: 'Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. We're in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice.'
Videos on social media appeared to show armed troops from the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' militant arm, moving through built-up areas firing weapons as Israeli residents were evacuated from their homes following air strikes.
In a statement posted on Telegram, Hamas called on 'the resistance fighters in the West Bank' as well as 'our Arab and Islamic nations' to join the battle.
In remarks reported by CNN, militant commander Deif said: 'If you have a gun, get it out. This is the time to use it – get out with trucks, cars, axes. Today the best and most honorable history starts.'
'Today the people are regaining their revolution,' he added, in other statements reported by AP, as he called on Palestinians from east Jerusalem to northern Israel to 'expel the occupiers and demolish the walls.'
In response, Israeli forces have vowed that Hamas will 'face the consequences and responsibility for these events'.
It has begun began striking targets in Gaza in response, and deployed countermeasures to repel further air attacks - prompting further rocket launches from inside the blockaded territory.
In a filmed statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, following the attacks, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the incursion was a 'murderous surprise attack', adding: 'We are at war, not an operation, not rounds, but at war.'
Mr Netanyahu said that security forces were 'clearing villages' of Palestinian militants, and that reservists have been called up to 'return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known', vowing that Hamas would 'pay an unprecedented price'.
He added: 'In the meantime, I call on all citizens of Israel to strictly obey the instructions of the army and the instructions of the Home Command. We are in a war and we will win it.'
The attacks have killed at least 22 Israelis, with 15 treated for injuries in the immediate aftermath of the first missile strikes.
Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance agency said a woman in her 60s was killed 'due to a direct hit', reports AFP, while a 20-year-old man was moderately injured by rocket shrapnel, it said.
It has started emergency blood drives to treat the wounded and says it has treated 'hundreds of other victims'. The Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it was treating at least 280 casualties, with 60 in serious condition.
Other deaths and injuries from on-the-ground battles and counter-strikes in Gaza have been reported on social media, but no figures were immediately available.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported injuries among 'many citizens' without giving numbers.
However, the AP news agency says its reporters in Gaza have witnessed 15 funerals and the arrival of eight further bodies at a local hospital.
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