Of Israeli Soldiers taken captive by fighters. Hamas military commander mohammadMohammed Deif hamas military commander Mohammed 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 161 palestinians are confirmed dead there. We had that in the last half an hour. Overiooo we had that in the last half an hour. Over 1000 palestinians have hour. 0ver1000 Palestinians have been injured. I can also tell you now that there is a state of National Emergency right across israel. Richard galpin has the latest. This was a Surprise Attack on israel by the militant palestinian group, hamas. Its claiming its launched 5,000 rockets injust 20 minutes. Some have hit the city of ashkelon causing damage. Amongst those on the ground, more hamas fighters heading into the battle. There is also footage apparently showing a captured israeli tank. A senior hamas commander has said the Militant Group have decided to say enough is enough. Here in this israeli town, the Emergency Services have been taking the injured to local hospitals. Its reported that militants have been taking control of some of the streets in the area. 0n social media, the israeli Prime Minister said he had ordered a large mobilisation of troops. Translation the enemy will pay a heavy price on a scale that has never known stop. That that it never known. Meanwhile, i call on all citizens of israel to listen to the Home Front Command instructions. We are at war, and we will win. The palestinian president , has spoken out, saying palestinians have a right to defend themselves from what he describes as terror of settlers and occupation troops. Palestinians are fleeing from the area as they anticipate retaliation by the israeli forces. Richard galpin, bbc news. As richard was mentioning and we have been discussing, ongoing Territory Attacks in the gaza strip. Live pictures where we have some smoke in the air from a live pictures where we have some smoke in the airfrom a missile strike. It was pretty ferocious when we were watching about an hour ago, lots happening and reports from gaza of 161 People Killed and over 1000 people have been wounded. Joining us now on the line is our reporter in gaza, rushdi abu alouf. I hope you are safe where you are right now but tell us what has happened. Right now but tell us what has happened right now but tell us what has hauened. , happened. Yes, the fighting has intensified in happened. Yes, the fighting has intensified in the happened. Yes, the fighting has intensified in the last happened. Yes, the fighting has intensified in the last half happened. Yes, the fighting has intensified in the last half an intensified in the last half an hour. Israeli airfighterjets hour. Israeli Air Fighter Jets targeting hour. Israeli airfighterjets targeting several locations including a building in the central gaza. An official confirmed to the bbc that over 150 People Killed and some in a serious condition. Hamas continued to fire rockets throughout the day since 6 30am in the morning. Fighting has intensified. We heard gunfire across the border and some sort of explosion near the border, where hamas militants infiltrated inside israel and carried out an attack. � , � attack. Inaudible they have attack. Inaudiblel they have captured attack. Inaudible i they have captured a attack. Inaudible they have captured a number of Israeli Soldiers. Hamas havent confirmed any number. Kidnapping soldiers or civilians. But they have released many videos throughout the day showing her mass militants taking is ready soldiers from tanks. Israeli soldiers. They managed to take control of an Israeli Military post near the border. In gaza, people are anticipating, waiting for more israeli response to this. The streets are almost deserted. People are queueing near the bay can be sent to supermarkets, trying to stock as much as we could. Are queueing near the bakeries and supermarkets. The medicine is controlled by israel. Since the escalation is mounting, the ability of bringing food and medicine to gazais of bringing food and medicine to gaza is going to be very difficult. People are worried about this. We have seen cues around bakeries. We have seen people queueing up. Most of the people in gaza are at home and most shops are closed. You mentioned hamas claiming they have captured Israeli Soldiers, Islamic Jihad also operating in gaza and they say its fighters have captured many Israeli Soldiers, too. This is from reuters news agency, which we are looking to verify, that around 50 israeli hostages are being held by hamas gunmen. As we report on 1000 people injured, 161 killed in gaza. How are they hospitals and medical clinics coping with the volume of injured. The medical clinics coping with the volume of injured. Volume of inured. The medical care s stem in volume of injured. The medical care system in gaza volume of injured. The medical care system in gaza is volume of injured. The medical care system in gaza is really volume of injured. The medical care system in gaza is really suffering. L system in gaza is really suffering. Overwhelmed. They brought out a statement asking people to donate blood, they say we need blood urgently for anyone who could reach a hospital or a clinic, they should donate blood. They announced the general emergency situation and said our people are working trying to help those who are suffering and injured. It is a very difficult situation. I have been too many hospitals in gaza and there is a lack of medicine and equipment and always a lack of medicine because of the israeli blockade. Hamas say that israel is Blockading Gaza and not allowing advanced medical equipment through. I5 allowing advanced medical equipment through. Is it allowing advanced medical equipment throu~h. ,. ,. , through. Is it possible to get out of gaza . Is through. Is it possible to get out of gaza . Is there through. Is it possible to get out of gaza . Is there any through. Is it possible to get out of gaza . Is there any public of gaza . Is there any Public Transport . Are the roads shut . Can people cross at all . People cross at all . There are only two Wa S People Cross at all . There are only two ways out people cross at all . There are only two ways out of people cross at all . There are only two ways out of gaza, people cross at all . There are only two ways out of gaza, one people cross at all . There are only two ways out of gaza, one is people cross at all . There are only i two ways out of gaza, one is through egypt through the southern border and the second one is israel and jordan. Today, both crossings are shut. Gaza is shot from all locations. Leaving gaza is impossible. Gaza is shut. Moving in and out of gaza is impossible not only for people but also for goods. With these explosions happening via the minute it seems at the moment, is there anywhere at all to go that is there anywhere at all to go that is safe in gaza . Is safe in gaza . There are no shelters in is safe in gaza . There are no shelters in gaza. Is safe in gaza . There are no shelters in gaza. People is safe in gaza . There are no shelters in gaza. People stay is safe in gaza . There are no i shelters in gaza. People stay at home to avoid any sort of exchange of rockets or fire. In gaza, this is one of the big problems. It has no shelters for people. People are sheltering in their homes, hoping that they can survive. Take sheltering in their homes, hoping that they can survive. Sheltering in their homes, hoping that they can survive. Take care, we will be back that they can survive. Take care, we will be back with that they can survive. Take care, we will be back with you that they can survive. Take care, we will be back with you shortly, that they can survive. Take care, we will be back with you shortly, thank| will be back with you shortly, thank you very much forjoining us with that update from gaza. Confirming for you the situation in gaza is incredibly intense right now. With those israeli air strikes taking place. 1000 people injured, the Hospital System is not coping at all. 161 People Killed and people very fearful that the situation will get worse. We will keep across what is happening in the gaza strip. Lets take a closer look at whats been going on in the israeli town of sderot. As you can see, its close to the border with gaza and it appears that some hamas militants headed there after breaking through the borderfencing. There have been reports of fighting in sderot and other southern towns. Israels police chief said there were 21 active scenes in southern israel. These ambulances are heading away from sderot. A reuters photographer is reporting seeing bodies in the streets of sderot. There are reports that militants opened fire on residents. So much different information coming in. Its unclear how many of those whove died in israel were killed by rockets and how many by gunmen. Live now to london to speak to dr artef alshaar, Senior Lecturer on Arabic Language and culture at the university of westminster. Hes a british palestinian citizen. Dr artef alshaar, thank you very much forjoining us, it must be so difficult to watch what is happening in gaza and israel. In gaza and israel. Indeed, it is very difficult. In gaza and israel. Indeed, it is very difficult. Watching in gaza and israel. Indeed, it is very difficult. Watching that. In gaza and israel. Indeed, it is very difficult. Watching that number of palestinian, that number of palestinians being killed and hundreds of thousands being injured, this is the beginning. It is a horrific attack and a very difficult. ,. ,. , ,. , difficult. Can you explain why you believe hamas difficult. Can you explain why you believe hamas has difficult. Can you explain why you believe hamas has taken difficult. Can you explain why you believe hamas has taken this difficult. Can you explain why you i believe hamas has taken this action today. Im not asking you to justify it but simply to explain what hamas leaders and why they have done this, knowing how big the retaliation would be from israel . The knowing how big the retaliation would be from israel . The logic of the situation would be from israel . The logic of the situation is would be from israel . The logic of the situation is not would be from israel . The logic of the situation is not about the situation is not about justification, just studying the logic of the situation for some time. Constant killing and provocation in the west bank. Gaza is under siege. A lot of people are already dying in one form or another. The situation in gaza is totally unsustainable. This is a unresolved conflict, there is no serious attempt by anyone really from the big powers to solve it fairly, vertically for the palestinians. Particularly. From that perspective, there was always going to be some kind of attack. And this reaction and counter reaction and so on and so forth happens. One has to see the situation in its entirety, notjust this attack, surprising and quite big in scale, as it is. But i think without understanding the bigger picture, which is one of conflict, one of occupation, one of. It is hard to take stock of debt if you dont. If this background isnt taken into account. A , if this background isnt taken into account. ,. , , account. Many people have expressed that to us today account. Many people have expressed that to us today in account. Many people have expressed that to us today in israel account. Many people have expressed that to us today in israel too, account. Many people have expressed that to us today in israel too, that that to us today in israel too, that they were possibly expecting something but the sheer scale of this, the size and complexity and how well organised it was seems to have surprised people, was that the case you too . It have surprised people, was that the case you too . Case you too . It was a surprise but if ou case you too . It was a surprise but if you study case you too . It was a surprise but if you study the case you too . It was a surprise but if you study the situation case you too . It was a surprise but if you study the Situation Carefullyl if you study the situation carefully and see how things evolve from 2008 when israel launched the first serious war against gaza, i mean in the recent decades or two because they have always been attacks and operations in all forms of things but if one watches from 2000 and how hamas has responded and other palestinian groups from that time, you see very serious evolution in the tactics and the ability and the scope and the capacity of palestinian fighters in gaza. We are seeing that increasingly in the west bank. Unfortunately, israel is behaving as palestinians dont exist, so there is constantly attacks against the palestinians, not taking into consideration there are 7 Million People in inside palestine and 7 Million People outside palestine and both are persecuted in one form or another. Particularly in gaza. How much is this a failure in israeli leadership that they dont have any legitimacy in the west . In the west . Palestinian authority is more than in the west . Palestinian authority is more than legitimacy in the west . Palestinian authority is more than legitimacy or is more than legitimacy or illegitimacy. It has been rendered irrelevant, predicted by the attacks of Israeli Settlers against the palestinians and the inability of the palestinian authority, the official body, in the west bank to protect palestinians. In this case, people find ways of resisting and organising themselves in kind of systematic groups, if you would like, to some sort of. To show they can respond. Israel has the upper hand in terms of its power. But i dont think people can be pacified and neutralised in this way. Pacified and neutralised in this wa. ,. , , way. How do you see this ending because there way. How do you see this ending because there are way. How do you see this ending because there are fears way. How do you see this ending because there are fears it way. How do you see this ending because there are fears it will. Because there are fears it will widen notjust to the west bank. We have heard today that different people have suggested that if hezbollah gets involved as well from lebanon that really we could be looking at weeks of potential conflict. , ~ , conflict. Yes, i think this is possible conflict. Yes, i think this is possible. It conflict. Yes, i think this is possible. It remains conflict. Yes, i think this is possible. It remains to conflict. Yes, i think this is possible. It remains to be| conflict. Yes, i think this is possible. It remains to be seen. It is hard to see where this will go. Israel has already used the hebrew word for war. It looks, from the way it is, so many People Killed in gaza today, and the situation being as it is, it will be very difficult and may be drawn out. It may be the fact that there are Israeli Citizens inside gaza, i mean Israeli Soldiers and others being kidnapped inside gaza, they also could be used to exchange with palestinian prisoners and restore the situation. I dont know, it is very hard to say at this stage. Know, it is very hard to say at this state. ,. , know, it is very hard to say at this state. , know, it is very hard to say at this state,. ,. , know, it is very hard to say at this state. ,. , know, it is very hard to say at this state. ,. ,. , stage. Can you see that there is any outside influence stage. Can you see that there is any outside influence that stage. Can you see that there is any outside influence that could stage. Can you see that there is any outside influence that could be outside influence that could be brought to bear here . We have had lots of reaction from different countries, but in terms of the region . Countries, but in terms of the reuion . , countries, but in terms of the reuion . ,. ,. ,. , region . Egypt normally would intervene at region . Egypt normally would intervene at such region . Egypt normally would intervene at such a region . Egypt normally would intervene at such a moment. | region . Egypt normally would intervene at such a moment. Yeah. It is concerned intervene at such a moment. Yeah. It is concerned about intervene at such a moment. Yeah. It is concerned about this intervene at such a moment. Yeah. It is concerned about this and intervene at such a moment. Yeah. It is concerned about this and they are likely to try to mediate between the two sides. But i think israel will try to. Netanyahu has already said it, they are trying to restore the image of invincibility. Israel plays on the narrative of victim and invincibility at the same time. Unfortunately, that will happen at the expense of palestinian blood and we have already seen it and it is likely to continue that way. I think there is going to be that situation, which will be another tragedy, perhaps a colossal one. It is already big. Nobody knows. But that is where we are now and we just have to watch and see. Is where we are now and we ust have to watch and seat to watch and see. When we look at other regional to watch and see. When we look at other regional players, to watch and see. When we look at other regional players, though, to watch and see. When we look at l other regional players, though, have palestinians been feeling increasingly isolated, because of the normalisation of ties between israel and other arab countries . fin israel and other arab countries . On one hand, yes, palestinians feel disappointed with the normalisation of a particular with this extreme right wing government in israel and what israelis are doing, which is very emotive and very likely to have played a big part for the motivation for this operation. On the other hand, many palestinians are aware that the arab people in general, many people will be supporting the palestinians. Many people will be standing with them. I think the palestinians can see that. I think we have to hold these images, the two image, the arab regimes and governments, and people in the arab world and their response and sympathy with the palestinians, which has been long standing and i dont can i ask you to respond to a news line we have just had in, referencing something you just talked about can i ask you. Referencing something you just talked about can i ask you. About the soldiers talked about can i ask you. About the soldiers and talked about can i ask you. About the soldiers and we talked about can i ask you. About the soldiers and we are talked about can i ask you. About the soldiers and we are hearing talked about can i ask you. About the soldiers and we are hearing some civilians who may have been taken captive by hamas. And also by islamicjihad we are hearing as well. We have just had a statement from the hamas and deputy chief. Speaking to aljazeera saying they have a big number of israeli captives and among them are senior officers. In this particular element officers. In this particular element of the story, which has been very hard to confirm what is going on and we havent had clear Detailfrom Hard to confirm what is going on and we havent had clear detail from the idf either, how do you think this particular element of the story could play out with the kidnapping of Military Officers . I could play out with the kidnapping of Military Officers . Of Military Officers . I think this is a hue of Military Officers . I think this is a huge bargaining of Military Officers . I think this is a huge Bargaining Chip of Military Officers . I think this is a huge Bargaining Chip for i of Military Officers . I think thisl is a huge Bargaining Chip for the palestinians. This is very likely to have played a very big motivation behind this attack by hamas. Because there are 6000 palestinians prisoners in israeli prisons. Constantly, this is not covered in western media, unfortunately, often, but they are constantly harassed. Just a few days ago the interior minister, extremist interior minister, extremist interior minister, supervised attacks against palestinian prisoners and harassment. This is likely to be a huge Bargaining Tool in the hands of hamas. Just huge Bargaining Tool in the hands of hamas,. , huge Bargaining Tool in the hands of hamas. ,. ,. , ~ hamas. Just to clarify, you think hamas. Just to clarify, you think hamas will hamas. Just to clarify, you think hamas will be hamas. Just to clarify, you think hamas will be looking hamas. Just to clarify, you think hamas will be looking for hamas. Just to clarify, you think hamas will be looking for some | hamas. Just to clarify, you think hamas will be looking for some kind of Prisoner Exchange . 6000 prisoners in prison . Of Prisoner Exchange . 6000 prisoners in rison . ,. ,. , in prison . Yes, that and the fact that this might in prison . Yes, that and the fact that this might just in prison . Yes, that and the fact that this mightjust bring in prison . Yes, that and the fact that this mightjust bring this i that this mightjust bring this cycle of conflict, this particular one to an end because i think the suffering in gaza will be immense. It already is, unfortunately. This could be a way to see better terms, two sides, israeli, unprecedented number of Israeli Soldiers and citizens, perhaps being kidnapped by the Palestinian Movement in gaza, and, therefore, the israeli societys reaction is going to be that they will be pressured. They may go in that direction of putting an end to it, just because of that. This would have been part of the calculation, if you would like, of the Palestinian Movements inside gaza, when they launched this attack. I gaza, when they launched this attack. R. Gaza, when they launched this attack. ,. ,. , attack. I asked a few people in israel attack. I asked a few people in israel over attack. I asked a few people in israel over the attack. I asked a few people in israel over the past attack. I asked a few people in israel over the past few attack. I asked a few people in j israel over the past few hours, whether they think, including a former colonel, there will now also be a Ground Invasion or Ground Incursion by the Israeli Military. I have just been quoting hamass deputy chief. They believe in Israeli Ground incursion would be the best way to resolve the conflict and im not quite sure how we explained that. That is a real concern, a Ground Incursion and how much things could get worse . This could possibly much things could get worse . Try 3 could possibly happen. Netanyahu has already declared war. The israeli politicians will likely try to quell israeli anger and sense of shock. Through an operation. He might be right. Hamas is very well armed and they are very well prepared for this. One cannot be naive. Palestinians will pay a heavy price for this sort of thing. The basic calculation, they will suffer for a long time. It is an asymmetrical conflict and has been for a long time. The West Supports Israel with massive and very advanced weaponry. All of that will be part of that situation and it has to be thought about. I do think they will have prepared for this, this is very likely to be the case. Dr prepared for this, this is very likely to be the case. Likely to be the case. Dr atef alshaer. Likely to be the case. Dr atef alshaer. It likely to be the case. Dr atef alshaer, it was likely to be the case. Dr atef alshaer, it was really likely to be the case. Dr atef alshaer, it was really interesting to get your thoughts, thank you for joining us from london as we look at these live pictures of the bombardment of gaza. Our correspondence telling us it has a really intensified in the past half an hour or so. 161 palestinians have been killed, 1000 have been injured. These are the live pictures we have and we just saw a huge explosion in the past 30 seconds. We are at war says israels Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Dozens of gunmen from Hamas Infiltrating is well, gun battles in several communities. We understand a number of Israeli Soldiers infiltrating israel. They have been taken hostage and kidnapped and at least a0 people in israel have been killed and hundreds of others have been treated in hospitals across the south of israel, particularly. What you are seeing is a metallic treat strikes on the gaza strip. The militant activity inside israel is still ongoing. We are Hearing Reports from sudden israel particular from the town of sderot that there are bodies on the ground southern israel. A terrifying time in the region and in gaza, no place to go that is safe. In israel, people are going to safe rooms and shelters and they are told to stay inside and the streets are empty as all of this takes place in front of people. The air strikes in gaza but also the ongoing militant attacks in israel as well. Lets bring you some international reaction. The uns middle east envoy condemning what he describes as heinous attacks on israel. He has urged restraint. Tor wennesland says this is a dangerous precipice, and i appeal to all to pull back from the brink. 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 Emmanuel 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. We have had a statement from the pentagon and us reaction, condemning the violence and urging both sides to refrain from retaliating. Egypt, which usually mediates between israeli and Palestinian Militants has warned of dire consequences. In terms of what has happened on the ground with the high level of injuries and casualties as well, the International Committee of the red cross released a Statement Calling on all parties to respect their legal obligations under International Human law. Civilians and Health Care Workers must be respected and protected at all times. They are saying we are seeing scenes that are utterly horrific, the violence against civilians is appalling and cant be justified. If the situation continues to escalate, civilians on both sides and we have already see this, they will suffer immensely. I had a statement handed to me from the Palestinian Ministry of foreign affairs. I will take you through some of it and i am only just looking at it myself. It says we have repeatedly warned against the consequences of blocking the political horizon and failing to enable the Palestinian People to exercise their legitimate right to Self Determination and establish long their own state. We will bring you more on this statement and talk about what it means we will keep you across all the developments in israel and in gaza. Stay with us here on bbc news. Live pictures from gaza at the moment. Smoke in the air but we have been seeing quite a few explosions from retaliatory air strikes from the Israeli Military been launched into gaza. Different reports from their of the level of casualties and deaths. Actually, we are using what palestinian officials are telling us, 161 People Killed and over 1000 people injured. I am just looking to see here if that figure has changed. That is what we are reporting. To remind you, a0 israeli killed in israel and 7a0 have been injured. Israelis killed in israel. We have a new figure. I am been told by one of my produces 198 palestinians killed in israeli air strikes, coming from the gaza health office. We were at 161 and it has gone up to 198 palestinians as you look at these live pictures of action in gaza by the Israeli Military. I can actually bring you more of that statement, as we continue from the Palestinian Foreign affairs committee. Their statement saying, security, stability, to peace in our region can be attained by ending the Israeli Occupation of the land of the State Of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 lines and recognising peoples right to independence and sovereignty. Israel to disavow the signed agreement and failure to adhere to international legitimacy, resolution has led to the destruction of the peace process. It goes on. You are seeing a picture of it and we have it for you on the website, you can go to the live page of bbc news to see this statement in full. This is the statement from the Palestinian Foreign affairs ministry. Remember, it is hamas that controls gaza. We have been bringing you statement Meat Statements from hamas too as they call on palestinians to join in with this action we have been bringing you statements from. Dozens of gunmen from that group going into israel, gun battles had taken place in several communities. On the streets and towns of sderot, there are bodies still lying on the streets. Kidnappings had taken place we understand possibly of civilians in ashkelon. That is just one agency, one report. Many members of the Israeli Military had been kidnapped. That has happened by hamas. And also by the group Islamic Jihad, claiming responsibility for the capture of Israeli Soldiers. Lots of developments we are keeping across. Lets remind you of that new figure that we are getting, 198 palestinians killed in israeli air strikes. The latest from hamas commander mohammad deif, who said the Palestinian Militant Group has decided to say that enough is enough. Isabel responding with these strikes that you are seeing, a very much active situation and you can see the ferocity of these attacks in the gaza strip happening at the moment. The israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, we are at war. In the past few minutes, the us say they will stand firmly with israel and unequivocally condemn the unprovoked attacks by Hamas Terrorists against israeli civilians. There is never any justification for terrorism, says National Security adviserjake sullivan. We leave you with this. We will be back in a moment, stay with us. This is bbc news. The headlines. Israels Benjamin Netanyahu says his country is at war following an unprecedented attack launched by the Palestinian Militant Group hamas. The israeli Army Declares a � state of readiness a � state of readiness. � a barrage of rockets from gaza into israeli territory began just after dawn. Israeli forces have carried out retaliatory air strikes. At least a0 israeli� s have been killed, more than 160 are reported injured. The latest figure we have of palestinian deaths is 190. Dozens of gunmen from hamas have infiltrated israel, Sparking Gun Battles in several communities. The Militant Group said their operation was a response to israeli violence against palestinians living in the west bank. World leaders have been reacting to the Surprise Attack on israel. The United States has condemned the violence, while egypt which usually mediates between israel and Palestinian Militants, warned of dire consequences to the current escalation. Israel� s Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu says the country is at war and will win, after a Surprise Attack by the Palestinian Militant Group, hamas Saw Thousands of rockets launched into israel from gaza. Dozens of militants appear to have entered southern israel, where a State Of Emergency has been declared