Mohammad deif announced the start of the operation in a broadcast on hamas media, calling on palestinians everywhere to fight. Israels military has been striking targets in gaza in response. At least two palestinians are confirmed dead so far. Lets hear more from Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu. He addressed the nation in a video Statement Released on social media. Translation citizensl of israel, we are at war. Not an operation, not an escalation. A war. This morning hamas launched a murderous, Surprise Attack against the state of israel and its citizens. I convened the aid of the security service. First of all i instructed to cleanse the settlements of the terrorists who had infiltrated. This operation is being carried out during these hours. At the same time i ordered an extensive Reserve Mobilisation and retaliatory war with the strength and scope that the enemy had never known. 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. We can see these live pictures of Retallick Tree air strikes. What we are hearing from the newsagency is nine people have been killed in gaza as this conflict escalates. We have also been hearing from the palestinian president. Remember, he does not 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. Let me bring you these pictures of a bulldozer destroying the border fence between israel and gaza, with palestinians chanting and pouring through. Gunmen are reported to have opened fire on residents in the israeli town of sderot. And there are reports of Israeli Military vehicles attacked on the israeli side, with some taken back across the border into gaza. This video appears to show hamas militants celebrating and posing for pictures on what is said to be an israeli army tank. The footage also shows what appears to be an Israeli Military vehicle captured by the militants. I think the footage shows this Israeli Military vehicle captured by the militants. Well, lets get some International Reaction uk Prime Minister rishi sunak says hes shocked by this mornings attacks by Hamas Terrorists against israeli citizens. Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. Frances president macron 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. It has condemned the violence. Egypt as well, you might know that egypt often mediates between israel and palestinian mittens. They are also calling for restraint and warning of a dire consequence. Lets hear now from our reporter in gaza, rushdi abu alouf, who i spoke to a little while ago. I cant see a huge black smoke coming out of the building that has been hit by israeli air strike i can see. The hamas group hit at around 6 30am. We have reports of hamas militants entering territories. And the latest figure, the military official, is around 25 people that have been so far killed. The air strikes were targeting the border area where hamas militants are believed to be concentrated. Israel are trying to repair the fence. People in gaza. Inaudible. It is always civilians that are paying the price of this conflict. I dont think we however been in this situation for 17 years. It is a significant escalation and will bring significant response from israel, where 2. 3 Million People live in a very highly populated area. ~. ,. , area. We are seeing these air strikes in area. We are seeing these air strikes in gaza area. We are seeing these air strikes in gaza right area. We are seeing these air strikes in gaza right now. Area. We are seeing these air strikes in gaza right now. Thousands of people in this very small densely populated area. Is it possible for people to go to anywhere that feels more safe . In people to go to anywhere that feels more safe . , people to go to anywhere that feels more safe . ,. , more safe . In gaza, there is a warnin more safe . In gaza, there is a warning system. More safe . In gaza, there is a warning system. By more safe . In gaza, there is a warning system. By the more safe . In gaza, there is a warning system. By the time | more safe . In gaza, there is a warning system. By the time hamas fired the rockets, thousands of students were going to school. They were stuck in the school. Most of the streets are closed. Inaudible. Is most of the streets are closed. Inaudible most of the streets are closed. Inaudible. ,. ,. , inaudible. Is it possible for you to sa , as inaudible. Is it possible for you to say. As peeple inaudible. Is it possible for you to say, as people prepare inaudible. Is it possible for you to say, as people prepare for inaudible. Is it possible for you to say, as people prepare for what inaudible. Is it possible for you to l say, as people prepare for what they know is this inevitable escalation by israel, how they actually feel about the actions of hamas today, how much support does hamas have . I was able to speak to people in the street and people have mixed feelings. Some people were cheering what hamas has done. And they praise hamas for getting back, they didnt hide their worry that might bring a real tough israeli response. We are seeing israel knocking down buildings, killing down civilians, and people are worried about that, they have mixed feelings, a feeling that someone is defending and someone is punishing, but they have real worry about this latest escalation. It real worry about this latest escalation real worry about this latest escalation. ,. ,. , escalation. It seems now that so much of what escalation. It seems now that so much of what is escalation. It seems now that so much of what is happening escalation. It seems now that so much of what is happening is escalation. It seems now that so much of what is happening is in l escalation. It seems now that so i much of what is happening is in the hands of young, angry militant men who have weapons, who have given up on any kind of peace process, certainly given upon the palestinian authority, and believe this is the only way forward. Can you describe to us when you speak to some of these people what they tell you about the future, why they feel that this is the only action they can take . , ~ this is the only action they can take . , ~. , this is the only action they can take . , ~. ,. This is the only action they can take . ~. , take . Last week, there was a big military show. Take . Last week, there was a big military show, the take . Last week, there was a big military show, the anniversary i take . Last week, there was a big military show, the anniversary of| military show, the anniversary of the creation of islamicjihad. They did not give any details but they were talking about preparing for this battle, the battle of liberating palestine. Iwas this battle, the battle of liberating palestine. I was a bit surprised when they were confident about talking about this. And also in people people in gaza were surprised to see hamas carrying out organised plans. The biggest Military Force in the middle east is israel. These people say they had no choice after 17 years, the lack of jobs, lack of opportunity, the quality of life is such that even some of the people justify what hamas did by saying this is the last chance for them to improve their Life Position. Chance for them to improve their Life Position chance for them to improve their life osition. ~. ,. , Life Position. Where does hamas get its weapons Life Position. Where does hamas get its weapons from . Life position. Where does hamas get its weapons from . Some Life Position. Where does hamas get its weapons from . Some of Life Position. Where does hamas get its weapons from . Some of the its weapons from . Some of the wea ons its weapons from . Some of the weapons are its weapons from . Some of the weapons are locally its weapons from . Some of the weapons are locally made its weapons from . Some of the weapons are locally made our. Weapons are locally made our smuggled. Back in 2013, hamas managed to smuggle weapons from libya. They also say they are developing these kinds of rockets. 0ne developing these kinds of rockets. One source told me that hamas has as many as 50,000 rockets and maybe more. Israel left gaza in 2006, hamas captured this territory with a short fight. And they were in control of this. They managed to develop and. Inaudible. That is the Picture Develop and. Inaudible. That is the picture right develop and. Inaudible. That is the picture right now develop and. Inaudible. That is the picture right now in develop and. Inaudible. That is the picture right now in the develop and. Inaudible. That is the picture right now in the gaza l the picture right now in the gaza strip. We are just going to bring you briefly break away from what is happening in israel. In the uk, it is Conference Season for the critical parties ahead of the general election next year and today, it is the turn of the reform uk party, formerly known as the brexit party. Its current leader is richard tice. We are covering that speech for you. We are closely following that speech. If you want to take a break from our continuing coverage of what is happening in the middle east, go to the iplayer. We have been reporting on figures that 22 israelis have been killed, some israeli news outlets are reporting this number is rising. A0 israelis killed and 7a0 have been wounded in this attack by hamas. And also some pretty awful stories coming in from the israeli southern pound where a reuters photographer has said he is seeing bodies on the street. Some really awfulfigures has said he is seeing bodies on the street. Some really awful figures to report and stories coming out of there. We can take you to tel aviv and speak to the leader of the israeli labour party. I am very sorry to have to come to you as i have just broken that news, i am sure that is what you are hearing as well, the death toll is expected is continuing to rise. What has been your reaction to what has happened this morning . It is your reaction to what has happened this morning . This morning . It is a ferocious and sustained terror this morning . It is a ferocious and sustained Terror Attack this morning . It is a ferocious and sustained Terror Attack that this morning . It is a ferocious and sustained Terror Attack that we this morning . It is a ferocious and i sustained Terror Attack that we have been under for almost nine sustained Terror Attack that we have been underfor almost nine hours now. 3500 rockets and the numbers you mentioned, at least a0 killed and over 700 people injured, that are already being treated. We dont know how many palestinians have infiltrated 1a different israeli communities, towns, and are killing civilians as well as our forces. 0ur forces are now combating them and the most important thing for me now is to back them, as strongly as i possibly can, and to tell my fellow israelis how with everything this country and the society is strong and we will win and we will prevail and we will win and we will prevail and we will take care of ourselves. And protect ourselves. D0 and we will take care of ourselves. And protect ourselves. And we will take care of ourselves. And protect ourselves. Do you partly feel the need and protect ourselves. Do you partly feel the need to and protect ourselves. Do you partly feel the need to say and protect ourselves. Do you partly feel the need to say that and protect ourselves. Do you partly feel the need to say that because i and protect ourselves. Do you partly feel the need to say that because at| feel the need to say that because at the moment there is a real crisis of confidence in israel about the government, about the defence forces, because this has been allowed to happen . It is forces, because this has been allowed to happen . Forces, because this has been allowed to happen . It is no secret that i allowed to happen . It is no secret that i have allowed to happen . It is no secret that i have always allowed to happen . It is no secret that i have always been allowed to happen . It is no secret that i have always been in that i have always been in opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu and israeli people and i personally will certainly hold him accountable for his policies but today, that is not the data do any kind of politics, todayis the data do any kind of politics, today is a day only to strengthen my fellow israelis and our Security Forces of all sorts and to make sure that we go through this and that we prevail. This is the only thing that counts right now. Really, israel is. ~. ,. , counts right now. Really, israel is. What do you believe that should look is. What do you believe that should look like . Is. What do you believe that should look like . What i is. What do you believe that should look like . What do i is. What do you believe that| should look like . What do you is. What do you believe that i should look like . What do you think Benjamin Netanyahus response should be . We are watching live pictures of retaliatory action in gaza. It is be . We are watching live pictures of retaliatory action in gaza. Retaliatory action in gaza. It is a aood retaliatory action in gaza. It is a Good Opportunity retaliatory action in gaza. It is a Good Opportunity to retaliatory action in gaza. It is a Good Opportunity to see retaliatory action in gaza. It is a Good Opportunity to see that i retaliatory action in gaza. It is a i Good Opportunity to see that hamas is not only speaking about how they do not recognise israel and how they would want to see it eliminated but they are actually taking action. It is a good reminder to all of those who thought that maybe this is just some kind of nice organisational that this is not real. It is a very Good Opportunity to be remembered of that and to reconsider the toll that should be taken from those who come to murder israelis and duesjust should be taken from those who come to murder israelis and dues just for being such. This is a very important point, as i said, but we arejust in the midst of this horrible Terror Attack and the first thing we should do is really strengthen our people, so we can prevail. Share do is really strengthen our people, so we can prevail. Do is really strengthen our people, so we can prevail. Are you concerned this will not so we can prevail. Are you concerned this will not be so we can prevail. Are you concerned this will not be the so we can prevail. Are you concerned this will not be the only so we can prevail. Are you concerned this will not be the only front so we can prevail. Are you concerned this will not be the only front that i this will not be the only front that lebanon, his brother, could be next, possibly the west bank . We lebanon, his brother, could be next, possibly the west bank . Possibly the west bank . We have alwa s possibly the west bank . We have always known possibly the west bank . We have always known such possibly the west bank . We have always known such possibilities i always known such possibilities exist. We have always prepared ourselves to whatever kind of attack will come from whoever, the north, the south, i am sure our Military Forces are preparing for whatever can make, i hope not, will happen. And that is what everyone is doing right now, concentrating on making sure that we are prepared and that we handle the Terror Attack and if it should be another Terror Attack that we handle it like we know how to handle such things. The palestinian to handle such things. The palestinian authorities have said that Palestinian People have the right to defend themselves against what he calls the terror of settlers and occupation troops. I ask you this as we seek to understand what has happened today and why it has happened, that he again brings it back to occupation and to the ongoing Settlement ActivityBenjamin Netanyahus government. Alert; ongoing Settlement Activity benamin netanyahus governmenti netanyahus government. Very clear that what hamas netanyahus government. Very clear that what hamas is netanyahus government. Very clear that what hamas is doing netanyahus government. Very clear that what hamas is doing right i netanyahus government. Very clear that what hamas is doing right now. That what hamas is doing right now is not defending those interests. Actually what mccrone is doing is working also against the palestinian interest but what it is first and foremost doing is killing israelis. Hamas is just operating against the state of israel in a ferocious Terror Attack which we are fighting now with all of our power and as i said, we must stand together and prevail. Said, we must stand together and revail. ~. , ,. ,. , prevail. What he is trying to allude to clearly is prevail. What he is trying to allude to clearly is years prevail. What he is trying to allude to clearly is years and prevail. What he is trying to allude to clearly is years and years i prevail. What he is trying to allude to clearly is years and years of to clearly is years and years of occupation. Of the fact that these Young Palestinian men feel they have no other option to fight back than militancy in this way. This no other option to fight back than militancy in this way. Militancy in this way. This is not the reality militancy in this way. This is not the reality in militancy in this way. This is not the reality in gaza. Militancy in this way. This is not the reality in gaza. The militancy in this way. This is not the reality in gaza. The reason i militancy in this way. This is not i the reality in gaza. The reason why young people in gaza have no future is because of hamas and what it has been doing in gaza since it has been in power there. There is no way to go to the excuses that are heard for ages. Hamas is responsible in gaza. It is the one that keeps gazza a big terror base and is now killing israelis without. Terror base and is now killing israelis without. Firing thousands and thousands of rockets was again, this whole discussion about policy is something that we can and should get back to holding, when we are through this on the other side, when we have prevailed, this horrible Terror Attack that hamas is now waiting on israel. Terror attack that hamas is now waiting on israel. Thank you very much forjoining waiting on israel. Thank you very much forjoining us. Waiting on israel. Thank you very much forjoining us. We waiting on israel. Thank you very much forjoining us. We will i much forjoining us. We will continue to bring you a range of views. Israeli views and palestinian views. Israeli views and palestinian views as well. As we not only analyse what is happening on the ground at the moment but the reasons behind it. Lets take you now to get some of that analysis, as well as an update. A very busy time for you. There is lots to discuss. I have just reported some of the israeli media saying the death toll is really going up in israel at the moment what is the latest that you are hearing, not only about those killed but the numbers of people injured . That killed but the numbers of people inured . �. , killed but the numbers of people inured . �. , killed but the numbers of people inured . � ,. , killed but the numbers of people inured . ~ i ,. ,. , injured . At least 40 israelis have been killed injured . At least 40 israelis have been killed and injured . At least 40 israelis have been killed and 740 injured . At least 40 israelis have been killed and 740 injured, i injured . At least 40 israelis have been killed and 740 injured, that| injured . At least 40 israelis have i been killed and 740 injured, that is been killed and 7a0 injured, that is a latest report i have seen. 0n been killed and 7a0 injured, that is a latest report i have seen. On top of that, it is still not clear exactly what is happening in southern israel. We know that there has been ongoing fighting in some of the community is close to the gaza strip, where it seems that dozens of Palestinian Militants were able to infiltrate, as really a big surprise part of this operation. We have seen videos of Palestinian Militants, unverified, but seeming to cut the Perimeter Fence and ride out on motorbikes, using pick up trucks, and also even using a paraglider to reach israeli territory. And the videos we have had through the day have been quite shocking, showing Palestinian Militants walking freely, heavily armed, through Israeli Villages and also taking people captive apparently in Israeli Military bases close to the gaza strip and we have had a report from islamicjihad, the second biggest Militant Group behind hamas, saying it hasjoined this Militant Group behind hamas, saying it has joined this operation and it has got civilian casualties. Sorry, civilians who have been taken into the gaza strip, who are now being held hostage. We have not had confirmation about this from the israeli authorities. About those being held captive and about people being held captive and about people being taken into gaza strip, but it is going to be something extremely worrying. It is a very tough development. Israelis remember painfully what happened back in 2006, when an israeli soldier was captured in a cross border raid. He was held until 2011 and there is no doubt the Militant Groups will seek to use any israelis they hold as bargaining chips. Has to use any israelis they hold as bargaining chips. To use any israelis they hold as bargaining chips. Has some of what ou are bargaining chips. Has some of what you are telling bargaining chips. Has some of what you are telling us bargaining chips. Has some of what you are telling us come bargaining chips. Has some of what you are telling us come from i bargaining chips. Has some of what you are telling us come from a i bargaining chips. Has some of what| you are telling us come from a town where there are some pretty awful scenes with bodies in the street . That is correct. There are some very graphic videos that have been circulating on social media. It is one of the locations where they were resident saying that they could hear militants speaking in arabic outside their windows. There were pictures of militants in military looking vehicles that were going around the streets and certainly, the sounds of gunshots. There were also thousands of israelis out at a big party any desert close to the gaza strip overnight. This is such a sensitive time at the end of thejewish holidays. A lot of people enjoying the last of the holidays. And there have been reports from the videos videos of people screaming, people hiding in ditches from Palestinian Militants. Lots of gunfire. And also people have been killed. We are only just now getting all of the information about what is going on on the israeli side, also on the palestinian side, i should say, as much as they have been some people celebrating all that is happening in the gaza strip, there are also people that are extremely frightened, rushing out to buy supplies, knowing this could lead to a very long and difficult Military Campaign and knowing they are going to have to hunker down in their homes for some time to come. I hope ou can homes for some time to come. I hope you can stay homes for some time to come. I hope you can stay with homes for some time to come. I hope you can stay with us. Homes for some time to come. I hope you can stay with us. I homes for some time to come. I hope you can stay with us. Ijust homes for some time to come. I hope you can stay with us. Ijust want i homes for some time to come. I hope you can stay with us. Ijust want to i you can stay with us. I just want to update some people on some new is that we are getting in. It comes from the un middle east envoy condemning the attacks on israel, urging restraint. The uae calling on palestinians and israelis to try and prevent further escalation. Lots of condemnation from right around the world. And the point i am bringing you is the concern about the borders around israel was not Benjamin Netanyahu also is saying that israel will reinforce frontiers to deter any others from making a mistake of joining this war. That is the latest from Benjamin Netanyahu. A0 israelis killed. That is the new figure we have. 7a0 wounded in this hamas attack. Thank you for being with us on bbc news. I am pleased you are still with us. 0ver i am pleased you are still with us. Over the past few hours, i have spoken to a number of voices from inside israel. Easy to make contact and get through to people as they respond to this horrific situation across the country and that real sense of fear that they have, not only about what has happened today but the what the future could hold but the what the future could hold but as we seek to understand why this is happening, can you shed some light for us on what it is that hamas has said, what they are hoping to achieve by this action today . When hamas leaders have spoken about their motivations, they have talked about the Mosque Injerusalem and what they see as israels violations at the site, as i mentioned it is the jewish holiday, at the site, as i mentioned it is thejewish holiday, so during this holiday over the past week, there have been manyjewish visitors who have been manyjewish visitors who have gone to the mosque. It is the third holiest site in islam. And of course, they see it as temple mount, the holiest place injudaism and there is a lot of fear that with the current Hard Line Government in israel in control there could be a change to the status quo at that site. On top of that, hamas are talking about recent events that have been taking place in the occupied west bank where there has been a rising settler violence. Just a day ago, there was a Young Palestinian man killed in a violent attack when jewish settlers entered on the west bank. There have been incidents of this kind of going on regularly, especially over the past year and a half with the unlikely Israeli Military rate on top of that and palestinian shootings, attacks on israeli civilians and israeli soldiers. Actually, a lot of our focus has been on those tensions in the past year and a half and hamas have called out for Militant Groups and even for lone wolf attackers in the west bank to also rise up and seize this moment to join their action, a big concern for the Israeli Military is that this could widen even more. We have seen earlier this year in a previous round of violence between israel and militants in gaza that they were also policy and Militant Groups based in lebanon to the north, who have also fired marriages of rockets into the north of israel. This could have the potential to open up more widely, even the lebanese powerful Militant Group has said it is watching all that is happening today and it has huge arsenals, if it decided it wanted to get involved that would be a massive escalation. And just one final question for you, there must have been a calculation from hamas that when we have seen Retallick Tree action before, because internationally have been for it to be proportionate. There wont be those because this time in the same way because of the extent of the violence that we are seeing against israelis and the death toll in the horror. They must know in a way that the retaliation is going to be ferocious. Way that the retaliation is going to be ferocious. ,. ,. , ~ be ferocious. Definitely hamas knew that this would be ferocious. Definitely hamas knew that this would lead be ferocious. Definitely hamas knew that this would lead to be ferocious. Definitely hamas knew that this would lead to a be ferocious. Definitely hamas knew that this would lead to a very that this would lead to a very serious escalation in its conflict with israel. You are right, there have been, as they have been condemnation internationally taken condemnation internationally ta ken please, condemnation internationally taken please, a lot of countries noting they believers will have the right to defend itself and take appropriate action here. Israel will have to calibrate very carefully if the reports are accurate on israeli civilians being held within the gaza strip. Civilians being held within the gaza stri. , civilians being held within the gaza stri. , ~ , civilians being held within the gaza stri. , i. Civilians being held within the gaza stri. ,,. Civilians being held within the gaza stri. , ~. Civilians being held within the gaza stri. ,. , strip. Thank you so much. Do stay with us on strip. Thank you so much. Do stay with us on bbc strip. Thank you so much. Do stay with us on bbc news. Strip. Thank you so much. Do stay with us on bbc news. The strip. Thank you so much. Do stay l with us on bbc news. The headlines on bbc news. Benjamin netanyahu says his country is at war following an unprecedented attack launched by hamas. Militants infiltrating israel using motorbikes and paragliders. Israeli radio says 35 soldiers had been kidnapped. The media say at least a0 israelis have been killed so far. A barrage of rockets from gaza into israeli territory began just after dawn with explosions on the streets. Israeli forces have carried out air strikes. Hamas said their operation was a response to israeli violence against palestinians living in the west bank. Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin neta nyahu says Benjamin Netanyahu says the country is at war and will win. There was a Surprise Attack by the Hamas Militant Group this morning, seeing thousands of rockets launched into israel from gaza. It is very active still right now. Lets take you through what we know. The Rocket Attacks have struck tel aviv and areas surrounding gaza. The town of ashkelon saw several major explosions. Israeli Officials Say at least a0 israelis have been killed, with 7a0 injured. Details of the palestinian incursions are unclear, but gunmen have been reported in towns near the gaza border