The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a large-scale Operation Iron Swords in response to Hamas attacks on the country this morning.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was at war.

The forces are striking Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

“We are in a state of war. This is not an operation, not an escalation – this is a war. And we will win. Hamas will pay an unprecedented price for this war. I have ordered to clear the border settlements of terrorists and to mobilize the reservists,” Netanyahu said in his address.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the drafting of reserve soldiers in accordance with the needs of the IDF. He also declared a state of emergency on the territory of Israel within a radius of 80 km from the Gaza Strip. This area includes such major cities as Tel Aviv and Beersheba.

The center and south of Israel are under heavy rocket fire amid a prolonged and large-scale attack. More than 20 people have been reported dead and about 500 wounded.

An Israeli citizen of Ashkelon tells me a rocket fired from Gaza struck the front of an apartment a short time ago. pic.twitter.com/PcDfIO0sxu

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

Fighting continues in several settlements in southern Israel with Hamas militants who have entered the country.

This happened immediately after a massive rocket attack on the morning of Saturday, October 7. The militants claim to have used 5,000 rockets. According to IDF spokesman Daniel Hagar, the militants fired more than 2,000 rockets into Israel.

Photos and videos of civilians and Israeli soldiers being killed and wounded as a result of the ground attack of the militants are posted online. There are reports of Israeli soldiers being captured.

Armed Palestinian gunmen belonging to Hamas celebrate after what appears to be the killing of two Israeli soldiers at the Gaza border. The video is edited due to its graphic content. pic.twitter.com/lc6IFEzekN

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

The militants also seized an IDF border base with military equipment and burned at least one Merkava IV tank. There are also photos of the captured tanks.

#BREAKING Hamas armed drone strike on Israeli Merkava 4 tank. pic.twitter.com/e8gph7tYVK

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 7, 2023

Hamas also uses drones to drop ammunition on Israeli military equipment.

עשרות מטוסי קרב וכלי טיס נוספים של חיל-האוויר תקפו בשעות האחרונות 17 מתחמים צבאיים ו-4 מפקדות מבצעיות של ארגון הטרור חמאס ברחבי רצועת עזה. pic.twitter.com/PtF9nk5R9U

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 7, 2023

IDF publishes footage of strikes on Hamas assets in the Gaza Strip. Air Force jets have used so far more than 16 tons of munitions. pic.twitter.com/TpvK9f21oX

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 7, 2023

In turn, the Israeli Defense Forces strike at the targets of the Palestinian paramilitary group. The military publishes a video of the strikes.