The Emergency Services say at least 22 israelis have been killed. Dunn men have been reported in towns near the gaza border and israelis have been warned to stay inside. There are palestinian reports of Israeli Soldiers being captured. Hamas Military Commander announced the start of the operation in a broadcast on hamas media, calling on palestinians everywhere to fight. The Israeli Military is tracking targeting gaza in response. At least two palestinians are reported to have been killed. Lets here more from Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu. He addressed the nation in a video Statement Released on social media. Citizens of israel, we are at war, not in operation, we are at will. This morning, hamas launched a murderous attack on the state of israel. I commend the acts of the security service. This operation is being carried out during these hours. I ordered an extensive operation. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price. In the meantime, i call on all citizens of israel to strictly obey the instructions of the army. We are in a war and we will win it. And weve also been hearing from the palestinian president , remember he doesnt speak for hamas which controls gaza. Mahmoud abbas said the Palestinian People have the right to defend themselves against what he calls the terror of settlers and occupation troops. Live now to our middle east correspondent yolande knell in jerusalem. We are getting more information about the casualties of this attack. We are hearing about 545 people being injured, with at least 22 israelis dead. The human cost of this really is grave. This israelis dead. The human cost of this really is grave. This really is grave. This is something this really is grave. This is something really this really is grave. This is something really sort this really is grave. This is something really sort of. Something really sort of unprecedented, even in terms of the Casualty Numbers when you compare it to recent conflicts that we have had between israel and Palestinian Militants in gaza, there has rarely been such large numbers of israeli casualties. This kind of takes you back to the sum of the scenes we are seeing to perhaps 20 years ago, the time of the second palestinian uprising. What is kind of shocking as well in terms of how unprecedented it is, to have this large scale integration, it seems dozens of Palestinian Militants from hamas have entered into Southern Israel and there are no pictures that are emerging on hamas social Media Channels which appear to show, we have not managed to verify these, live israelis, people who have been captured, and they have been taken back into the gaza strip. It is clear that hamas will seek to use these people as Bargaining Chips with israel, as israel plans its retaliation in as ever what is happening, this will really complicate events. There are also videos coming out that appeared to show the Palestinian Militants actually rounding up Israeli Soldiers in military bases close to gaza and we do know from the Israeli Military that there has been fighting that has gone on in some of these locations. Really very fast moving developments at the moment and it is a very terrifying time for israelis who are living close to the gaza strip. If you watch israeli tv at the moment, there are people calling in life saying that they are trapped in their homes, that Palestinian Militants had taken over for example some of the keyboards close to the gaza strip. 0ne for example some of the keyboards close to the gaza strip. One woman saying that her father was taken away by mass militants. And there are these reports that perhaps 60 militants entered and they came in through land messy and air. There are some unverified videos we have seen that suggest Palestinian Militants were in pick up trucks, another image i have seen where there are people on motorbikes crossing through apparent hole in the Perimeter Fence between gaza and israel and even one picture that seems to show somebody using a paraglider. find seems to show somebody using a araulider. �. , seems to show somebody using a araulider. �. , i. , seems to show somebody using a araulider. �. ,. ,~ paraglider. And as you are speaking, some life pictures paraglider. And as you are speaking, some life pictures we paraglider. And as you are speaking, some life pictures we have paraglider. And as you are speaking, some life pictures we have on paraglider. And as you are speaking, some life pictures we have on the i paraglider. And as you are speaking, some life pictures we have on the tv screens, live from israel, smoke billowing in the sky, explosions. We have seen images from gaza where israel is carrying out air strikes against hamas. Tell us a bit more about the operation happening on the ground now as israel really tries to defend itself against the hamas attack. , ~. ,. , attack. Certainly, we know that the Iron Dome Missile attack. Certainly, we know that the iron dome Missile Defences attack. Certainly, we know that the iron dome Missile Defences to iron dome Missile Defences to has been in action, as it has in previous conflicts. Here in jerusalem, we did see some of the rockets that came here in quick succession earlier in the morning being intercepted by the iron dome. But it will be a big concern for people that a lot of rockets do appear to have hit inside residential areas, there is quite extensional damage extensive damage and large fires started by some of these rockets. Was it the intensity of the rocket fire over such a short time that led to the iron dome being overwhelmed . These will all be questions that israelis want answered. In the past, many people have got used to the iron dome intercepting the majority of rockets that could cause any damages to israeli homes and israeli property. In this case, there are people who are being killed by the rocket fire. 0n people who are being killed by the rocket fire. On top of that, you have the fact this very large scale incursion has taken place by militants. This has always been a kind of Nightmare Scenario for israelis. We have had only smaller scale occasions that i can remember in previous campaigns. Since hamas took over the gaza strip 2007. We know from the Israeli Military, it was trying to make it much more difficult for the militants to tunnel out of the gaza strip. In this case, it is a large number of militants that appear to have got through the Perimeter Fence through different means, entered into israeli territory, and it is very clear this is something that hamas will have planned for extensively for some time. Just a week ago when i was doing another report about the gaza strip, as tensions were increasing related to hundreds of people turning up for protests close to the Perimeter Fence, people turning up for protests close to the perimeterfence, when i was hearing from its early military analysts, their assessment of the situation was very much that neither hamas nor israel wanted to have a conflict in gaza right now. And so that was something that they were really holding up as indirect talks were going on between hamas with egypt, qatar and the un, brokering those, to try to calm the situation. All eyes have been on the west bank, where tensions have been much higher over the past year and a half, something that has not been seen here for many years. With near nightly Israeli Military raids, and increase in violence and listing in shooting attacks on israeli civilians and Israeli Soldiers. Something else that will be worrying any development we have got going on at the moment is that you have had hamas calling for palestinians in other areas in the west bank to take action against israel right now. And also we know that the Lebanese Militant Group his brother has said it is looking closely at what is happening. Previously we have seen rockets being fired by palestinian merit in groups in places like lebanon, into israel as well. Israel will be worried this could turn into a conflict that is actually on multiple fronts at once. find a conflict that is actually on multiple fronts at once. And you talk about multiple fronts at once. And you talk about a multiple fronts at once. And you talk about a widespread multiple fronts at once. And you talk about a widespread attack, | multiple fronts at once. And you talk about a widespread attack, work it fire into israel, rocket fire. People say this is unprecedented for stops and people comparing it to the yom kippur Surprise Attack by egypt and israel. What do you expect the usually governments response to be . This is the usual. This is not the usual strikes in the tax that we see from hamas on israel. This is what hamas and israel have called a warning. Hamas and israel have called a warninu. ,. , hamas and israel have called a warnin. ,. ,. , warning. That is right. A war. There has warning. That is right. A war. There has been warning. That is right. A war. There has been a warning. That is right. A war. There has been a lot warning. That is right. A war. There has been a lot of warning. That is right. A war. I there has been a lot of memorials warning. That is right. A war. There has been a lot of memorials of the Yom Kippur War war going on in recent days. People reflecting on the lessons of yom kippur and still, this has happened right at the end of the jewish holiday, this has happened right at the end of thejewish holiday, israelis were on holiday themselves, many of them, enjoying the end of the religious holidays. Yes, where was the intelligence here . What has been missing . Thatll be a big question. Andy retaliation, as i say, it has started already, but whereas in the past, it has always been carefully calibrated, you feel, with the rocket fire and the air strikes at happen in response, usually targeting militant sites initially, where will this go this time . If you do have israelis who are being held hostage inside the gaza strip, that will be an extra big concern. A factor when it comes to striking targets inside gaza. I think ultimately, there will be a big offensive. This will not be allowed to go unpunished. But at the same time, how does it act . At the moment, you feel that a lot of Emergency Meetings are going on, a lot of talk is going on behind the scenes. We are not really seeing what shape the Military Action by israel will take. Thank ou ve action by israel will take. Thank you very much let me bring you these pictures from gaza. Showing hamas militants celebrating and posing for pictures on what is said to be an israeli army tank. Palestinian media are reporting that a number of israelis have been taken captive by fighters. The footage also shows what appears to be an Israeli Military vehicle captured by the militants. Well, lets get some international reaction. Uk Prime Minister rishi sunak says hes i am shocked by this mornings attacks by Hamas Terrorists against israeli citizens. Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. Frances president macrons says i strongly condemn the Terrorist Attacks which are currently hitting israel. I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them. The United States is urging both sides to refrain from retaliation. To discuss this further, im nowjoined by the israeli journalist and author, gideon levy who is in tel aviv, which is among the cities attacked this morning. Thank you so much forjoining us. What is the situation like in tel aviv where you are . I what is the situation like in tel aviv where you are . What is the situation like in tel aviv where you are . I dont remember tel aviv in this aviv where you are . I dont remember tel aviv in this situation aviv where you are . I dont remember tel aviv in this situation for aviv where you are . I dont remember tel aviv in this situation for many tel aviv in this situation for many years. Ijust went tel aviv in this situation for many years. I just went out to the streets, the streets are totally empty. Restaurants, cafe is, everything is locked down. And there is a very heavy feeling of surprise, of shock and fear from what is still expected to happen. When the first rockets fell, i was Jogging In The Park and the noise was terrible. And ever since then, tel aviv went into a new phase. Tel ever since then, tel aviv went into a new phase a new phase. Tel aviv went into a new phase. A new phase. Tel aviv went into a new phase. But a new phase. Tel aviv went into a new phase, but now a new phase. Tel aviv went into a new phase, but now we a new phase. Tel aviv went into a new phase, but now we can a new phase. Tel aviv went into a i new phase, but now we can actually see some live pictures which shows a damaged building, the windows shattered. Why do you think this has happened now because obviously, there have been continuous tensions between israel and palestine, hamas, in gaza, but this really is an attack that has taken everyone by surprise and really is unprecedented by the Militant Group . It is surprise and really is unprecedented by the Militant Group . By the Militant Group . It is an inevitable by the Militant Group . It is an inevitable result by the Militant Group . It is an inevitable result of by the Militant Group . It is an inevitable result of months i by the Militant Group . It is an l inevitable result of months and maybe years of israeli arrogance, of the feeling that israel can do whatever it wants and it will never be taken accountable, never pay any price for the programmes of the settlers in the west bank, backed and supported by the israeli army, for the arrest, for the attacks, for the killings of innocent civilians in the west bank and also for violating the status quo in the Temple Mountain. Ijust got now a report that there were over 5000 dues going in a very provocative way to the Temple Mountain and all those things are feeding the fire and what is a surprises the capability of hamas, not their intentions because nobody in israel had foreseen that they have such impressive capabilities. They have such impressive caabilities. �. , ~. , capabilities. And you talk about the fact that this capabilities. And you talk about the fact that this was capabilities. And you talk about the fact that this was may capabilities. And you talk about the fact that this was may be fact that this was may be inevitable. I guess in recent months, my understanding is there were efforts at having talks between israel and some of the Militant Groups in gaza more broadly, we have seen is real conducting talks, Building Relations with other governments in the middle east, muslim governments in the middle east, so this really goes against what would have been a lot of hopes for people, which is trying to find a negotiated settlement in this crisis. , crisis. The settlement is further now than ever. Crisis. The settlement is further now than ever. Gaza crisis. The settlement is further now than ever. Gaza is crisis. The settlement is further now than ever. Gaza is a crisis. The settlement is further now than ever. Gaza is a cage, l crisis. The settlement is further i now than ever. Gaza is a cage, the biggest prison in the world and those conversations and dialogue you were referring to were about easing the conditions within the cage. Nobody spoke about lifting the siege. And people who live now 17 years in a cage, want to resist and if they have the possibility, they do it. And i am surprised that they had the possibility because the barrier, i know the barrier around gaza, billions of dollars was spent there to build this unbelievable barrier under the surface and above the surface, with all kind of extraordinary devices, and finally, you see that the spirit of resistance is many times stronger than anything else and they broke it and penetrated into israel, which is now shocked. find and penetrated into israel, which is now shocked and penetrated into israel, which is now shocked. And the situation as it stands now. Now shocked. And the situation as it stands now, from now shocked. And the situation as it stands now, from the now shocked. And the situation as it stands now, from the health now shocked. And the situation as it | stands now, from the Health Ministry in israel, is that around 545 israelis have been wounded, 22 civilians who have been killed, as well as carrying out its own air strikes in gaza. This really is a further escalation of this conflict. Despite the continued grievances on the palestinian side, the price is going to be high for both israelis and people in gaza. Going to be high for both israelis and people in gaza. Totally. First of all, and people in gaza. Totally. First of all. There and people in gaza. Totally. First of all, there are and people in gaza. Totally. First of all, there are many and people in gaza. Totally. First of all, there are many more and people in gaza. Totally. First. Of all, there are many more israeli killed in the official number because things are still very unclear and it is still going on in many towns in the south. Expect much bigger numbers of casualties. But you are totally right, finally, by the end of the day, by the end of the end of the day, by the end of the war, the palestinians will pay for it, and unprecedented price, with this right wing government, i am really quite scared from the israeli action, people are talking already about erasing whole neighbourhoods in gaza, people are also talking about Re Countering Gaza and all this will lead to more bloodshed and two more despair. What bloodshed and two more despair. What do ou think bloodshed and two more despair. What do you think was bloodshed and two more despair. What do you think was happening in israel itself . Israel has one of the worlds most celebrated intelligence services, is supposed to be able to foresee attacks like this, how do you think this happened . It is again and auain, you think this happened . It is again and again. The you think this happened . It is again and again, the israeli you think this happened . It is again and again, the israeli arrogance. I you think this happened . It is again| and again, the israeli arrogance. We always think that this will never happen to us, that the palestinians are totally incapable of doing anything and that we know everything. And it is not the first failure of the israeli intelligence. They are everywhere, they know the colour of every. The underwear of every palestinian in gaza and still when it comes to seeing the overall picture, they fail again and again. 50 years ago, it was egypt and syria, they failed. And over the years, they have failed and now they have failed again. It is a dramatic failure but it is not now trying to analyse it because we dont know enough yet. D0 analyse it because we dont know enough yet analyse it because we dont know enou h et. ,. , ~. , enough yet. Do you think there are auestions enough yet. Do you think there are questions for enough yet. Do you think there are questions for the enough yet. Do you think there are questions for the israeli questions for the Israeli Government . 0bviously, security and the defence of the israel state is a key pillar for the government in israel at the moment somewhat kind of questions people have for Benjamin Netanyahu and his Coalition Partners . It is Benjamin Netanyahu and his Coalition Artners . ,. , Benjamin Netanyahu and his Coalition Artners . ,. ,. , partners . It is an endless list of questions partners . It is an endless list of questions he partners . It is an endless list of questions. He was partners . It is an endless list of questions. He was perceived partners . It is an endless list of questions. He was perceived as| partners . It is an endless list of. Questions. He was perceived as mr security. What kind of security is this . But there are also immediate questions. For example, most of the troops around gaza were busy with the celebrations in the west bank. And if you become a Security Company of the settlers for all their crazy celebrations and gaza is left with very few soldiers, those things can happen and someone is responsible for this and this is only one example for many questions that arise now but as i say, it is too urgent earlyjudge because we know too little. Bud urgent early udge because we know too little. Know too little. And ust taking it back to the h know too little. And just taking it back to the situation know too little. And just taking it back to the situation there, know too little. And just taking it back to the situation there, we. Know too little. And just taking it i back to the situation there, we are just now seeing some live pictures on our screens, again smoke billowing over the skies in jerusalem. That might be the Iron Dome Rockets defence system may be protecting israel from missile strikes. We also have live images of air strikes in gaza. Tell us about what is happening on the ground bust up what is happening on the ground bust up what can you gather there at the newspaper about what is happening, especially in Southern Israel and in gaza . � ,. , ~ , especially in Southern Israel and in gaza . ~ ,. ~ , gaza . Tel aviv is Carmen Albert as i sa , gaza . Tel aviv is Carmen Albert as i say. Is gaza . Tel aviv is Carmen Albert as i say. Is calm gaza . Tel aviv is Carmen Albert as i say, is calm now. Gaza . Tel aviv is Carmen Albert as i say, is calm now. But gaza . Tel aviv is Carmen Albert as i say, is calm now. But it gaza . Tel aviv is Carmen Albert as i say, is calm now. But it is say, is calm now. But it is empty. In the south, there are still battles in towns and villages, settlements, over at least tens of palestinian fighters inside israel and they have hostages. This is very dangerous, the situation. In the same time, hamas declared they have 35 captured. I dont know if this number is right but if they kidnapped 35 israelis into gaza, it will be very hard for israel to release them and it will be very difficult for israel to attack gaza now, as long as 35 israelis are in their hands. Again, i am now, as long as 35 israelis are in their hands. Again, iam not now, as long as 35 israelis are in their hands. Again, i am not sure about the figure. But this is what hamas declares. And there are tens of Israeli Airjets which are bombing gaza and soon we will know more. Now there is a lot of smoke above everything. And the full picture is not very clear right now. Access for journalists is picture is not very clear right now. Access forjournalists is quite limited now, to those places. And we are quite depending on the messages of the army spokespersons, who is not always reliable in israel. The conversation not always reliable in israel. The conversation over not always reliable in israel. The conversation over the dash over the past few hours as this has unfolded is the possibility the conflict could spread out, islamicjihad in gaza, a Palestinian Armed group has said it is going tojoin hamas operation. We have also heard comments saying his brother mac is following the situation closely. How concerned are you that what we are seeing is notjust an operation may be perhaps over a few days but a protracted war as hamas and easily government are calling it. I am very concerned and government are calling it. I am very concerned and also government are calling it. I am very concerned and also the government are calling it. I am very concerned and also the key government are calling it. I am very| concerned and also the key question is first of all and above all, will the organisationsjoin . If is first of all and above all, will the organisations join . If israel will face an attack also from those, this will be a game changer. According to what we were told all over the years throughout the years, they are holding Tens Of Thousands of rockets, if this is true then we were really israel is confronting now a challenge that may be it never confronted before. It will be dramatic. Israel, iam not sure confronted before. It will be dramatic. Israel, i am not sure that there is spirit in israel and in the israeli army, that it is fit for fighting against hamas in the southland in the north. Altogether, it can become into a terrible, terrible mess. And above all, with a lot of bloodshed. It will not end within a few days in any case because we are only in the beginning, even if they do notjoin. Just a with us, just to remind viewers you are watching bbc news, where we have live coverage of the unfolding developments in israel and gaza, where hamas has carried out a widespread attack on israel. Hamas militants have actually staged an incursion into Southern Israel and we have a live stage at the moment on the bbc website, where the viewers can follow developments, including reports about possible hostages. Hostages taken by hamas militants. And just to carry on with our conversation, one aspect of this has been just how does this moment, this attack today, compared to others similar tax in israeli palestine history. Some people have compared it to the yom kippur Surprise Attack. Does it compare to those kinds of attacks and other incursions i other groups into israel . It incursions i other groups into israel . ,. , israel . It compares in the way that the whole perception israel . It compares in the way that the whole perception of israel . It compares in the way that the whole perception of israel, israel . It compares in the way that| the whole perception of israel, that gazza cannot really do those things failed. It is the same conception that was in 73 when israel was sure that. Even if they had opened a war, they could finish it within 24 hour is. The fighters of gaza showed us today this morning, and throughout the whole day, that their capabilities are by far better than any israeli had foreseen. Including the israeli intelligence. Nobody had foreseen. Crossing the barrier across gaza, then they are really capable. If tens of palestinians with their cars, fighters, are now taking over villages in the south, and taking hostages, no israeli had foreseen it. In this way, it is very comparable to the 73 war, when the conception of israel totally failed. 0n the other hand, lets remember that the 73 war was a war between very strong armies. The egyptian army, the syrian army, and the israeli army. The force we are facing from gaza is a militia, not well equipped, quite poor with technologies it is very painful, but thatis technologies it is very painful, but that is not an army and that is not an existed existential danger for israel. In 73, it was an existential dangerfor israel if israel. In 73, it was an existential danger for israel if all those armies had really invaded israel. And what do you think hamas calculation is . This might be quite a difficult operation for them to sustain. The reaction from israelis going to be direct and swift. What do you think they are hoping to achieve . We have about a minute with you. Achieve . We have about a minute with ou. ,. ,. , achieve . We have about a minute with ou. ,. ,. , you. They want to achieve to remind the world that you. They want to achieve to remind the world that there you. They want to achieve to remind the world that there is you. They want to achieve to remind the world that there is a you. They want to achieve to remind the world that there is a cage you. They want to achieve to remind the world that there is a cage in the world that there is a cage in the world that there is a cage in the middle east, and inhuman cage, which is already locked down for 70 years and nobody cares and the only way im afraid to say for the palestinians and for hamas to remind their existence, reminder agony and there in Human Suffering is by resisting. And they are going to pay a hell of a price but what other choice did they have . Did anyone offer them lifting the siege, living like human beings, having some kind of perspective of freedom, human right . Nobody. Of perspective of freedom, human right . Nobody of perspective of freedom, human riuht . Nobod. , ~ ,. Right . Nobody. Thank you very much. And ust an right . Nobody. Thank you very much. And just an update, right . Nobody. Thank you very much. Andjust an update, israeli and just an update, Israeli Television says 30 reports that abyssinian militants are Holding Israelis captive in a southern town. Palestinian militants. This is one of the first reports from israeli media that we have only situation after widespread claims of kidnappings of civilians by hamas. This is bbc news. The headlines. The israeli prime and assesses his country are at a war footing, following an unprecedented attack launched by the palestinian Militant Group, hamas. Militants infiltrated israel. Israel radio says 35 Israeli Soldiers have been kidnapped. It has reported at least 22 israelis have been killed so far. A barryjones rockets from gaza into israel in territory began just after dawn, with explosions on the streets. Visually forces have carried out rhetorically air strikes. Hamas says the operation was a response to israeli violence towards Palestinian Civilians living in the west bank. United states has condemned the violence and urged both to refrain from to retaliating. Egypt has warned both sides of dire consequences to the current escalation. The eu said several European Countries have also condemned the attack. Lets return to middle east where israels Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu says the country is at war and will win, after a Surprise Attack by the palestinian Militant Group, hamas the biggest in years