with explosions heard on the streets of ashkelon. sderot is one of the towns thought to have been infiltrated by militants. with the latest on this fast escalating conflict, here's our middle east correspondent yolande knell — and a warning that you may find some of her report upsetting. israeli partygoers from an overnight rave running for their lives. israel's nightmare scenario — armed palestinian militants at large in southern israel. it is thought that dozens entered, some cutting through the perimeter fence from the gaza strip. in the town of sderot, residents hid as fighters drove in. there was shooting and the israeli casualties began to mount. in a dramatic turn, videos were also shared of israelis being taken into gaza as hostages. the day had begun with intense barrages of palestinian rockets, some reaching as far asjerusalem. but the worst damage was in the towns closest to gaza. this was ashkelon. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu met top security officials. translation: since this morning, | the state of israel has been at war. our first objective is to clear out enemy forces that infiltrated, and restore the security and quiet to communities that have been attacked. the second objective, at the same time, is to exact an immense price from the enemy within the gaza strip, too. leaders of hamas, the islamist militant group which controls gaza, now living overseas, were shown watching the unfolding news and praying. in gaza, there were celebrations after an israeli tank was captured, and stolen israeli military vehicles were driven in. but soon the deadly pounding by israeli warplanes began. the israeli military saying it was targeting hamas sites. and in gaza, too, the hospitals have now been overwhelmed. many palestinian families have fled from their homes and are seeking safety in un run schools. after this unprecedented surprise attack, israel is calling up military reservists. it said hamas will pay the price for its actions. and the fighting goes on. the question now, can it be stopped from spreading to other palestinian areas and the wider region? 0ur our latest figures from gaza: the health ministry there honours the 232 people have been killed and 1790 people have been injured. live now to ourjerusalem bureau chiefjo floto. in the last few minutes, we gained confirmation from the israelis that at least 200 israelis have been killed in the attack today. bring us the latest. the killed in the attack today. bring us the latest. u, , . , killed in the attack today. bring us the latest. u, , ., , , the latest. the casualty figures cominu the latest. the casualty figures coming up _ the latest. the casualty figures coming up on _ the latest. the casualty figures coming up on both _ the latest. the casualty figures coming up on both sides - the latest. the casualty figures coming up on both sides fair. l the latest. the casualty figures - coming up on both sides fair. there is still fighting going on. we are just coming up on an israeli briefing, they are confirming that there is ongoing gunfire in some of their military installations and border crossing points on the gaza strip, which has taken them hours to retake, they still have not completed that process. they estimate hundreds of militants managed to break out of gaza and storm several locations near to the gaza strip in israeli towns. we have seen this chaos unfolding during the morning hours, with people being taken hostage, a number of them being killed, and extraordinary videos of israeli civilians being dragged away by militants supposedly into the gaza strip. we can confirm that there are dozens, we think, of hostages being held by militants in gaza. there is so much to talk about. i gaza. there is so much to talk about. . ., ., ,~' gaza. there is so much to talk about. . ., ., ., about. i wanted to ask about the military operation, _ about. i wanted to ask about the military operation, in _ about. i wanted to ask about the military operation, in the - about. i wanted to ask about the military operation, in the past i about. i wanted to ask about the i military operation, in the past few minutes, reuters were appointing an israeli military spokesperson, who said that they were bred bad for a military escalation in the north. geography wise, what you think will mean? ~ . , ., ., ., , mean? what they are doing now is t in: to mean? what they are doing now is trying to reassure _ mean? what they are doing now is trying to reassure people - mean? what they are doing now is trying to reassure people and - mean? what they are doing now is trying to reassure people and send out a message to israel's enemies outside the country that they are prepared for a war on several fronts. the main concentration of military effort at the moment is on the gaza strip. they are amassing hundreds and thousands of soldiers. they called up reservists, they are preparing for a big ground operation into the gaza strip. they made no secret of that. it will take awhile to plan. in the meantime, they are bombing the gaza strip. that is why the casualties we are seeing are being reported out of gaza. to the north is lebanon. hezbollah is a well—known militant organisation that runs pretty well that country and controls a large area of the south of that country and has had a war with israel in the past. they voiced their support for hamas today. within their control, within the of hezbollah are paramilitary militant factions who have in the past fired rockets out of lebanon and israel. they said they are prepared for any eventuality, what they are planning at the moment, make no mistake, is a massive attack on a gaza strip using thousands of soldiers. wejust on a gaza strip using thousands of soldiers. we just do on a gaza strip using thousands of soldiers. wejust do not on a gaza strip using thousands of soldiers. we just do not know when that will happen.— soldiers. we just do not know when that will happen. ben'amin netanyahu has in the last _ that will happen. ben'amin netanyahu has in the last 20 — that will happen. benjamin netanyahu has in the last 20 minutes _ that will happen. benjamin netanyahu has in the last 20 minutes invited - has in the last 20 minutes invited the opposition leaders to join a national unity government. what will that mean? i national unity government. what will that mean? ~ ., ., national unity government. what will that mean? ~ . ., , that mean? i think that at times like this, in _ that mean? i think that at times like this, in israel, _ that mean? i think that at times like this, in israel, you - that mean? i think that at times like this, in israel, you often - that mean? i think that at times | like this, in israel, you often get very stark political differences set aside for the sake of national unity. that is what you see this evening. those opposition figures really do not like netanyahu. they have been bitter political rivals. they are going to sit in and national unity government. 0ne they are going to sit in and national unity government. one is the former chief of staff, he will form part of that government. that is a very divided country politically. we have seen protests continuing for most of this year over political decisions made by netanyahu that have not been agreed on by much of the population. at the moment, this country is reeling in the shock of what has never been seen by many people living in israel. you have to go back probably to the yom kippur war 50 years ago to the yom kippur war 50 years ago to go back to anything remotely close to this. if you think about the war between hezbollah and gaza in 2000 and thinks, we have already past the death toll in one day today on the palestinian side. this is something military was supposed to stop. it is a surprise that they did today and in such numbers. it is a complete surprise there are so effortlessly successful. for hours and hours, they have wreaked havoc. now, they hold, in their possession, we think, dozens of hostages both military and civilian. fine thank you for bringing us up—to—date. well, i asked the former israeli prime minister naftali bennett for his reaction to the scenes in israel and gaza this is the worst terror attack on israel in our history. at 6:30am israel time, hamas, in an unprovoked and heinous method, came and attacked our communities, killed more than 150 women, children, men, kidnapped... we don't know the precise number. and as we're speaking right now, there are still over a dozen live kidnap and terror attacks going on in the southern parts of israel. what more can you tell us about those ongoing operations at the moment? well, they're very complex because we're talking about civilians. we're talking about several hostage situations. throughout the day, i myself was talking to folks who are behind the doors and can hear the terrorists from just outside their door, maybe two or three meters away. and some of them are keeping silent and how to keep their own babies from crying. it's reminiscent of other days, other very dark days. this is an unprovoked, deliberate attack on the state of israel. so, the state of israel is at war. we're at war with the terror state of hamas in gaza, and it will continue as long as it needs to. when you say you were talking to people in live situations, can you expand on that? tell us who you spoke to and and what they were saying. i was talking to a woman in one of the kibbutzim, one of the kibbutz on the southern part of israel. and right now, there are terrorists walking around her kibbutz trying to enter any home. all the homes are locked, but they're burning up some of the homes. and her own parents were murdered. her mum and dad, her brother is in a different apartment and she's very worried about him right now. so that's one example. another example is another woman that has a baby and she's been stuck with him since six a:m. so that would be about 1k, 15 hours. and she's running out of food and the baby's crying. and she's afraid that the noise that the baby will make will gain the attention of terrorists. so i'm trying to help our commando forces and our special forces to get there and defend and kill the terrorists. so you're personally trying to intervene, to pass on, relay this information to the security forces to get help to these people? yes. and i think over the past couple of hours, we've seen a big number of idf soldiers come to the southern part of israel. i met the soldiers in the field just a few hours ago. and we're preparing. but right now, the main thing is to clean up southern israel and fend off the terrorists. and then we can think about the next steps. yeah. and also these hostage situations. i don't know if you can clarify how many people are being held hostage. 0ur correspondent was suggesting 50 people being held hostage in one kibbutz and another family of four being held hostage in their home? that's correct. that's the information i'm aware of as well. a hostage situations are very complex. i myself served in a unit that fought in these sort of situations. so you don't want to come and just shoot everyone. you want to be very selective and kill the terrorists, but protect the hostages. so we're trying to control these two situations. but beyond these two situations, there are now dozens of other events where it's not a hostage situation. it's simply a battle going on right now and in several communities in southern israel. how would you characterize the response by the government, by the security forces? we've had the israeli opposition leader calling for an emergency unity government. as a former prime minister yourself, do you think that should happen? is that necessary? would it help? yes, absolutely. i support an immediate unity emergency government. you know, our enemies think that israel might be vulnerable because of our domestic issues, but they're wrong. israel is united. and the left and right, religious and secular, everyone together, we stand behind our soldiers. we stand behind our civilians. we're going to fight back. this is a hard day for israel, but ultimately, we will win. was it avoidable? it's a huge and devastating intelligence failure, isn't it? i mean, israeli officials have been predicting since august and likely attack from either hamas or his brother. attack from either hamas or hezbolla. there's going to be time to learn everything. right now, the immediate thing that we need to do is get the terrorists out of israel, clean it up, release our hostages and ultimately release the israelis that are in gaza. and at the same time, hamas is going to have to pay perhaps the most profound price possible so this can never occui’ again. the palestinian president, mahmoud abbas, who is not affiliated with hamas, who, of course, the palestinian authority, controls the west bank, he says that palestinians have a right to defend themselves against israeli crimes. what's your response to that? that's utter nonsense. we handed gaza over to mahmoud abbas. he's the guy we gave the keys to 15 or more years ago. we pulled out every single soldier. we pulled out every single israeli from there. and we were told we're going to get the singapore of the middle east. instead, what we got is afghanistan and it's mahmoud abbas's responsibility as well as hamas. so i'll say this again. we handed gaza over to mahmoud abbas and we didn't want any more issues with gaza. they've been shooting tens of thousands of rockets on israel. my own family in my home, just about ten minutes, ago had sirens and we were down in the shelter. and it's all stemming from the very gaza that we handed it over to the palestinians. so this thing of whining all day about israel is utter nonsense. there is an aggressor here. the aggressor is the palestinians and hamas. and we're going to hit back. what does hitting back look like? we've already seen the number of, we think, at least 200 people killed in gaza. it's not clear how many of those may be militants or not. we don't have clarification. we've seen israeli rockets target the leader of the hamas organization's home. where does this end in terms of retaliation on gaza? it doesn't need to end soon. all israelis stand behind the government and are giving as much time as necessary to the idf to do the job. and i want to be very clear. a home, a school, a hospital that hosts terrorists is not a home. it's not a school and it's not a hospital. it's a terror base. and as such, if they're shooting rockets at us, from there, we will retaliate back. if you were still israeli prime minister, would you recommend that israel goes back in and takes control of gaza? i'm not going to give recommendations right now to the government. i know what it's like to run a country. and that, even if i'm opposed to some elements on regular days, all israelis stand behind the idf and the israeli government. right now, we need to do thejob. we need to secure israeli lives. the former israeli prime minister there. we are getting news on the news agency afp who are reporting that troops are still fighting. that is a 22 locations inside israel. very much an active ongoing situation. this is the seen live in gaza. actually, that is ashkelon in israel at the moment. we know that there were attacks there earlier in there were attacks there earlier in the day. live now tojotam confino, who's thejewish news foreign editor based in tel aviv. welcome. describe the scene where you are. it welcome. describe the scene where ou are. , welcome. describe the scene where ouare. , , you are. it is absolutely deserted. the streets _ you are. it is absolutely deserted. the streets are _ you are. it is absolutely deserted. the streets are empty, _ you are. it is absolutely deserted. the streets are empty, there - you are. it is absolutely deserted. the streets are empty, there are l you are. it is absolutely deserted. l the streets are empty, there are no people on the streets. the only sign you see people are when they run for shelter, which we have been a few times today in tel aviv. about an hour ago, times today in tel aviv. about an hourago, i times today in tel aviv. about an hour ago, i was in a bomb shelter behind me. the streets are empty, people are trying to figure out what is actually going on. i am saying this because there is a lot of information that has still not been verified. there is a lot of information that has simply been flooded on social media. that really causes panic among the israelis, such as families being dragged into gaza, held hostage by a hamas, and we do not have any confirmation from the authorities about the identities. all that we know is that they have taken hostages, but whether they have brought them into tunnels in gaza or other places, we do not know. so people are simply staying at home now, trying to stay tuned and watch the news, to figure out what is going on. b, tuned and watch the news, to figure out what is going on.— out what is going on. a very fast movin: out what is going on. a very fast moving situation. _ out what is going on. a very fast moving situation. i've _ out what is going on. a very fast moving situation. i've everyone | out what is going on. a very fast i moving situation. i've everyone can approve dame carolyn mccall appreciate, hard to understand at a time like this. you have been heading to shelters over the course of the day. we have had reports of rocket attacks in tel aviv over the last few hours. have you seen any land in the city?— last few hours. have you seen any land in the city? where i am, i have not seen it. — land in the city? where i am, i have not seen it, but _ land in the city? where i am, i have not seen it, but i _ land in the city? where i am, i have not seen it, but i have _ land in the city? where i am, i have not seen it, but i have heard - not seen it, but i have heard massive explosions over me. that happens every time the missile defence system shoots down the rockets. it sounds like an earthquake. the sound travels through all the buildings around you. it is very loud. it is a very scary situation to be in a bomb shelter waiting. scary situation to be in a bomb shelterwaiting. i scary situation to be in a bomb shelter waiting. i would say that normally, to have hundreds of hamas terrorists roaming the streets in southern israel for 12 hours is unprecedented. this is really what causes panic among israelis. they are afraid this is going to happen all across israel. 0bviously, are afraid this is going to happen all across israel. obviously, the idf is trying to get the situation under control, but it is not resolved yet. it is still ongoing. i was just a military meeting with the idf's was just a military meeting with the idf�*s spokesperson who said that as we are talking the idf is engaged in two separate hostage situations and they are fighting hamas members in other locations. so, people are still holding their breath to see what the night brings in the coming days. what the night brings in the coming da s. ~ ., , , what the night brings in the coming das. . , ., days. what else did they say in a briefin: ? days. what else did they say in a briefing? basically, _ days. what else did they say in a briefing? basically, personable, | briefing? basically, personable, the said briefing? basically, personable, they said that _ briefing? basically, personable, they said that they _ briefing? basically, personable, they said that they are - briefing? basically, personable, l they said that they are mobilising forces in the north also, trying to make sure... making sure that they are ready for any attack that may come from the north as a precaution. and, in general, they are hitting hamas, but they also suspect, i'm not sure if you could hear that loud boom, there may be a siren coming. but the idf spokesperson said that they are hitting hamas, holding them responsible for this. we do know thatjihadists responsible for this. we do know that jihadists are taking responsible for this. we do know thatjihadists are taking part in this, they change that they have taken hostages. right now you can hear sirens far away. you hear booms. i do not know if you can hear it. it is quite loud for me. and now there is a siren, i am going to have to run now. there is a siren, i am going to have to run "ow-— there is a siren, i am going to have to run now-_ we - there is a siren, i am going to have to run now._ we can - there is a siren, i am going to have to run now._ we can stay| to run now. stay safe. we can stay alive, if you — to run now. stay safe. we can stay alive, if you want. _ to run now. stay safe. we can stay alive, if you want. i— to run now. stay safe. we can stay alive, if you want. i am _ to run now. stay safe. we can stay alive, if you want. i am just - to run now. stay safe. we can stay alive, if you want. i am just going l alive, if you want. i am just going into the bomb shelter. we alive, if you want. i am 'ust going into the bomb shelter._ alive, if you want. i am 'ust going into the bomb shelter. we are happy to stay alive — into the bomb shelter. we are happy to stay alive as _ into the bomb shelter. we are happy to stay alive as long _ into the bomb shelter. we are happy to stay alive as long as _ into the bomb shelter. we are happy to stay alive as long as you - into the bomb shelter. we are happy to stay alive as long as you are - to stay alive as long as you are happy too. i to stay alive as long as you are happy toe-— to stay alive as long as you are happy toe-_ calll to stay alive as long as you are i happy toe-_ call off happy too. i am happy to. (all off when ou happy too. i am happy to. (all off when you need — happy too. i am happy to. (all off when you need to. _ happy too. i am happy to. (all off when you need to. what - happy too. i am happy to. (all off when you need to. what happens| happy too. i am happy to. (all off - when you need to. what happens when you hear that noise? what when you need to. what happens when you hear that noise?— you hear that noise? what happens is basicall , you hear that noise? what happens is basically. peeple _ you hear that noise? what happens is basically, people come _ you hear that noise? what happens is basically, people come running, - you hear that noise? what happens is basically, people come running, they| basically, people come running, they come down from their apartments. it is the same people i have been single day. and the people don't have any shelters in the houses, so that's why. .. have any shelters in the houses, so that's why... and this is likely to happen for the rest of the evening and maybe tomorrow, hopefully... it isjust and maybe tomorrow, hopefully... it is just chaos, as you can see. there are about 12 people. i want you to notice one thing though,... when we have air strikes, they are just hiding under the beds, their situation is much, much worse. we just have to mention, some people sometimes forget. there are many people who do not have the luxury of a bomb shelter like we do. but we are lucky that we are relatively safe and that there is a military missile defence system which you sound most of the bombs. at, missile defence system which you sound most of the bombs. a good oint that sound most of the bombs. a good point that you _ sound most of the bombs. a good point that you make, _ sound most of the bombs. a good point that you make, most - sound most of the bombs. a good point that you make, most israeli | point that you make, most israeli buildings do have a shelter or a designated room within the home, don't they? a safe room specially reinforced. gaza is so densely packed. they are coming out under a barrage tonight. we are hoping to speak to our reporter later tonight. it is difficult to re—establish communications. keep describing what is happening now. are you in a basement, a special room? where you go to any have a siren? in a mac this is not even a bomb shelter it isjust... it is not a bomb shelter, but it serves as a bomb shelter in emergency situations. i would say that in tel aviv, many places do not have bomb shelters, it is a huge issue. in the south they have really invested a lot in this. they have no bomb shelters... the death toll, sadly, we have heard, over the past half hour or so, 200 israelis killed in these attacks. this is unprecedented in your country, isn't it? ~ , unprecedented in your country, isn't it? ~ y , unprecedented in your country, isn't it? ~ , ,., unprecedented in your country, isn't it? absolutely. first of all,... that isjust — it? absolutely. first of all,... that isjust madness. - it? absolutely. first of all,... that isjust madness. we - it? absolutely. first of all,... that isjust madness. we willj it? absolutely. first of all,... - that isjust madness. we will know that is just madness. we will know in the morning that... we saw reports of hamas terrorists shooting indiscriminately against civilians on our streets, and also,... sorry... we saw people, we heard of people talking about hamas, the terrorists, going door—to—door shooting and killing civilians. so, obviously, we knew the death toll was going to be more than ten or 20, but 200 is a lot, and more than 1000 injured. again, an unprecedented situation. i assume that that death toll will rise because the situation is not yet under control. but i are people saying they're about what is clearly a huge and devastating intelligence failure? people are serious, and i do not remember the last time i watched the news listening to former senior military officials and intelligence officials being so furious and simply asking how it is even possible. some of them also weighed in regarding the political situation, the prime minister's government has been criticised heavily in the past almost a year, mainly due to many of his very hard—line extremist nationalist members of the government, that, if it was up to them, they would simply take over gaza again and send in ground troops and reoccupy gaza. so, right now, he is being criticised a lot for failing. he is the leader of the country, after all of this, it is his responsibility, but people, in general, are furious. especially those who live on the border communities, the ones who are calling on live tv, asking the anchors, can you please make sure somebody comes and saves us, because they didn't have any protection for hours. many are still in hostage situations. furious is i think the best word to describe it. hide best word to describe it. we understand _ best word to describe it. we understand from mr benjamin netanyahu has called for a unity government and that talks are taking place. how important is that going forward for a unified response for this country?— forward for a unified response for this count ? ,, , ., , ., this country? quite unbelievable how raidl the this country? quite unbelievable how rapidly the situation _ this country? quite unbelievable how rapidly the situation evolves - this country? quite unbelievable how rapidly the situation evolves just - rapidly the situation evolves just as we are doing this interview. i did not expect them to actually accept this proposition from the opposition. i thought he would dismiss it. i think it is likely that they will definitely be some serious talks. there will probably be a new government, again, a completely unprecedented situation. and again, there will be some of the people who swore to never set again, and because of the situation, he will bring them into his fold and lead a government of people who absolutely despise him. that is again a unique situation. but, again, as the opposition leaders are saying, you cannot handle a situation with extremists and people who have no clue what they are doing when it comes to defence matters. you are back out on the street, you have obviously been given the all clear. tell us how that happened. is there another siren to tell you it is safe to go back outside. ida. there another siren to tell you it is safe to go back outside. no, you 'ust have is safe to go back outside. no, you just have to _ is safe to go back outside. no, you just have to wait _ is safe to go back outside. no, you just have to wait a _ is safe to go back outside. no, you just have to wait a couple - is safe to go back outside. no, you just have to wait a couple of- just have to wait a couple of minutes. the situation is so fluid, you wait a couple of minutes and if you wait a couple of minutes and if you don't hear anything, you can leave. it is safe to leave. but, we have a minute to run for shelter, we left relatively far from the gaza border. those who live close to the gaza border have 10—15 seconds, that is nothing. i can tell you that because i was there and seven daddy 21, and we had 20 seconds to run for shelter. —— i was there in 2021. we had 20 seconds to run for shelter. here, people are finally coming out. they feel it is safe. i assume i will meet the very same cheapo drew people again and again. i’m will meet the very same cheapo drew people again and again.— people again and again. i'm sure you will not have — people again and again. i'm sure you will not have had _ people again and again. i'm sure you will not have had any _ people again and again. i'm sure you will not have had any night _ people again and again. i'm sure you will not have had any night like - people again and again. i'm sure you will not have had any night like the l will not have had any night like the one that is going to unfold before you. how do you talk to each other, comfort each other? what do you say? i have to say, that's because i am working every minute of the day when i wake up to go to bed, i don't have much time to check in with people, like my family, my closest friends, those closest to me. but in general, people are just constantly chatting to each other online and asking if everyone is ok. especially now, when there are examples of people who cannot reach their family members in the southern gaza border communities because they were killed. so, here in tel aviv, you are trying to get sleep, you are checking in with your friends, but for me it is mainly work from morning until evening until this is over. you work from morning until evening until this is over.— until this is over. you are a journalist. _ until this is over. you are a journalist, most _ until this is over. you are a journalist, most in - until this is over. you are a journalist, most in the - until this is over. you are a - journalist, most in the reserves. are you? i journalist, most in the reserves. are ou? ., ~' journalist, most in the reserves. are ou? ., ~ ., , are you? i worked for the first 27 ears of are you? i worked for the first 27 years of my _ are you? i worked for the first 27 years of my life _ are you? i worked for the first 27 years of my life in _ are you? i worked for the first 27 years of my life in denmark, - are you? i worked for the first 27 i years of my life in denmark, never served in the army. i was too old to even serve. it is not relevant for me to be called up, but the people that i know will be called up. i met a man on the street early today, he was looking very distressed. i asked why, he said his son had been called up why, he said his son had been called up and sent to the gaza border. he was worried sick. so, it affects most people here. there is nobody who is not affected by the situation. i want to ask you about the ongoing situation, and the afp news agency is reporting fighting in several locations, did they give you any more information about those. the? more information about those. they didn't, and l— more information about those. they didn't, and i would _ more information about those. iie: didn't, and i would have more information about those. "iie: didn't, and i would have to more information about those. i““ie:1: didn't, and i would have to say again, a very unique situation with trying to give everyone a clear picture, but i suspect that for two reasons, first of all they didn't actually know what was going on. everything was chaos, and number two, there are sensitive issues such as hostage situations that they won't describe for security reasons because they want to resolve that situation before they tell the public exactly what is happening. journalists are digging into it, they are sharing things, but there is also censorship in certain things, so there are certain security matters that you can't reveal if you find out. but that military is trying to tell people what is happening, but again, there are so many unknown factors, and so many things that they can't explain it, so i suspect we will get much more information tomorrow. i’m it, so i suspect we will get much more information tomorrow. i'm sure, we really appreciate — more information tomorrow. i'm sure, we really appreciate your _ more information tomorrow. i'm sure, we really appreciate your time - more information tomorrow. i'm sure, we really appreciate your time and - we really appreciate your time and for sticking with us for so long, thank you. live now to alistair burt. he served as the minister for the middle east from 2017 to 2019. welcome to you, and thank you for being with us. what is your reaction today's events in israel and gaza? the efforts that people were hoping for to bring more peace and stability to the region have been set back almost indefinitely by the scale of what has happened, and the brutality, and almost inevitably, the reaction that will take place. this will damage relationships for years to come, and is potentially seriously damaging to the region as a whole. we seriously damaging to the region as a whole. ~ ., seriously damaging to the region as a whole. ~ . ., ., ., ., a whole. we are waiting to hear from president biden, _ a whole. we are waiting to hear from president biden, we _ a whole. we are waiting to hear from president biden, we can _ a whole. we are waiting to hear from president biden, we can just - a whole. we are waiting to hear from president biden, we can just show. president biden, we can just show you that seen in the white house now, so if we have to interrupt this conversation, do please bear with us. there is the scene at the podium. we will be heading there shortly and biden will be giving as you would expect his full support to israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu. we have also heard from rishi sunak saying israel has an absolute right to defend itself. i'm interested as to what point you think any government is prepared to back israel in its defence of itself. how far can it go? we know that in gaza in retaliatory air strikes, more than 200 people already killed, more than 200 israelis killed in today's attacks. how far can it go, should it go? i don't think today is the day for getting into the detail of that. it is very clear that the position is to condemn the terrorism unreservedly today and to support israel's right to deal with it, and that will be the primary aim of what will be the next few days. there will be the next few days. there will be the next few days. there will be time to talk about what has to be the further negotiations in the context of what has happened today, but you are not going to get anybody today if you interview them to start to put conditions on the israelis in terms of what has been happening. as your commentators have described to you pretty forcefully when they describe what has happened to their citizens and everything else, nothing is going to deter them from taking very serious reprisal actions from what they have always made clear is the result. to date's capacity has been caused by hamas, and you can't separate actions from the context. but there are moments when you have to put the context to one side and deal with an action as it is, and today is one of those days, and the united kingdom i think we'll be right to support israel's response. this we'll be right to support israel's resonse. �* , ., we'll be right to support israel's resonse. ~ , ., ,, . we'll be right to support israel's resonse. a . ~ , ., ,, . ., response. as a minister of state for the middle east, _ response. as a minister of state for the middle east, i'm _ response. as a minister of state for the middle east, i'm sure _ response. as a minister of state for the middle east, i'm sure you - response. as a minister of state for the middle east, i'm sure you dealt| the middle east, i'm sure you dealt with many israeli politicians and would have had an insight into their security and intelligence apparatus, which is world class, and the envies of countries around the world, and there is a huge amount of shock as i wasjust hearing from there is a huge amount of shock as i was just hearing from one person there is a huge amount of shock as i wasjust hearing from one person in tel aviv, journalists there, by the israeli people as to how they could have failed so catastrophically. are you shocked by the intelligence failure? , ., , , you shocked by the intelligence failure? , , . ., failure? yes, absolutely. what we have seen over _ failure? yes, absolutely. what we have seen over the _ failure? yes, absolutely. what we have seen over the last _ failure? yes, absolutely. what we have seen over the last few - failure? yes, absolutely. what we have seen over the last few hours| have seen over the last few hours since this morning is not something that has responded to provocation during the course of the week. it has clearly been long planned. i think the fear in the region will be that it has not been planned by hamas on its own, and there will be great concern about what may happen from lebanon with hezbollah and any action from others that associate themselves with hamas. and for the scale of what we have seen not to have been picked up by the usual networks in israel which are extremely good and help to defend all of us in terms of our safety from terror attacks, will have caused a great deal of surprise. again, as your israelis correspondence have made clear, you won't get far with talking to them about that. they have closed ranks quite rightly. but certainly on the streets as your previous correspondent said, people will be deeply disturbed, because the failure of intelligence is the subject of a committee report in a few months' time, it is people on their streets killing them. and they are deeply concerned about that. find are deeply concerned about that. and when ou are deeply concerned about that. and when you talk about how this could escalate, and we heard on the reuters news agency them saying that they are prepared for an escalation in the north, specifically as you said lebanon, from where that militant group hezbollah operate. what are your thoughts about whether that could happen, and whether or not they can get involved? i that could happen, and whether or not they can get involved?- not they can get involved? i think there will be _ not they can get involved? i think there will be an awful lot - not they can get involved? i think there will be an awful lot of - there will be an awful lot of diplomatic traffic from this morning being directed to try and prevent just that, and over the years when i was involved started in 2010 in the middle east, not 27, and with a further incursion from lebanon to do with hezbollah. it was never the quite right time for hezbollah to stage an attack on israel, and it is a question of whether or not anything has changed. everyone knows that the loss of life would be colossal. it is also true that hezbollah has amassed large numbers of rockets by iran often through syria, so the armaments in that region are severe, which is why for so long people have said in order to forestall this and prevent what has happened to date, which has been foreseen for some time, the political context had to be of greater priority to the world than it has been, but in the immediate context, it will be interesting to see what part iran has played in that. people have spoken of the technology being used by hamas today may be being associated with russia as well. as i said at the beginning, it is catastrophic, the ramifications today, and it will be some time before we are able to get back to any sense of normality, because i think the next few days or possibly weeks are going to be extremely difficult for outside observers to see, and certainly for those involved and caught up in it. we want to ask with all your diplomatic experience in the middle east and knowledge of the middle east, you mention iran and its links with hamas. iran came out pretty swiftly to congratulate hamas. the spokesperson for the extreme leader ayatollah khamenei. why is iran interested, if you agree that they are, in funding them and supporting them? ma; are, in funding them and supporting them? ~ , j , are, in funding them and supporting them? ~ , f , , are, in funding them and supporting them? ~ , j , , , are, in funding them and supporting them? p f , , , , them? my enemy's enemy is my friend. iran has made — them? my enemy's enemy is my friend. iran has made it _ them? my enemy's enemy is my friend. iran has made it a _ them? my enemy's enemy is my friend. iran has made it a key _ them? my enemy's enemy is my friend. iran has made it a key part _ them? my enemy's enemy is my friend. iran has made it a key part of— them? my enemy's enemy is my friend. iran has made it a key part of its - iran has made it a key part of its political philosophy, and its determination to expand its reach of the palestinian cause for that purpose, and of course to make life very difficult for israel in terms of its enmity for israel. iran works by confrontation. it maintains a degree of domestic control by trying to work out its enemy, and that is not necessarily true, it is not the only state in the region to manage to do that, so iran has its reasons to do that, so iran has its reasons to support those who have been attacking israel. what will be of more concern, i think, to israel and to others, but the statements made by those states that are not overtly aggressive towards israel, but are deeply worried by the context in which this has happened. egypt, qatar, uae, saudi arabia, have made statements in which they put what happened today in context, and that will be some disturbance, and in the meantime the immediate response to the terror attack is got to be absolutely clear, and politicians have said that, and that is the response of the united kingdom, united states, europe, there have been statements made. and in the meantime, some of the deeply distressing thing is we have already heard about, the hostages, the nature of the hostagetaking and everything else, none of this is good, and none of this indicates that it will be put to one side. there will be further casualties. i'm sure many people will agree with that analysis, and we are getting information from the news agencies that president biden who were still waited to hearfrom that president biden who were still waited to hear from from the white house will give a statement shortly has spoken with king abdullah of jordan, and as you said, lots of phone calls will be being made between the leaders of many different countries, and what happens in this kind of situation, and leaders rally around to try and shore up support? what is the fallout, and how does it play out? states immediately look at whether or not a situation which has arisen affects them and their security, and then they talk to others about what is happening. jordan's position in the region is pivotal. it is a custodian of the holy sites in jerusalem, and the king's position is very strongly linked to those holy sites, which is why what has been happening injerusalem over a lengthy period of time, the threats of those have been so disturbing, and jordan will be looking at this and jordan will be looking at this and seeing what this does to it. it has palestinian refugees injordan, so it will have been disturbed by the context of what has been going on for the last few years, but also be very worried about what has happened today. it will be talking to friends like the united kingdom, the united states, about its security concerns, just to make sure that it shouldn't be attacked, and that it shouldn't be attacked, and that it shouldn't be attacked, and that it will have good defences, and it will ask people to stand should that happen. they have of course made peace with israel, and it has been a good relationship over the years in relation to that, but that has been a troubled one in recent times, but i would imagine the reaction, i haven't seen the reaction, i haven't seen the reaction ofjordan, but i would imagine they would be deeply concerned with what has happened today. but people talk to each other very quickly about what is going on. if you haven't been able to prevent it, there should have been work being done on what to do for the next 24—hour is. it has been obvious for some time that something like this would happen, and so i have made the argument to governments over the last year, what are you going to do to prevent this, and if you can't, what is your plan for the first 2a hours after it has happened, and we are in that period, so states will be talking to each other trying to find out if there is anyway to prevent the escalation thatis anyway to prevent the escalation that is likely to happen, that israel will take action to defend itself and will be supported in doing so, but people will be looking to make sure others don'tjoin in the action and make the circumstances worse. to the action and make the circumstances worse. ., , circumstances worse. to the reuters news agency — circumstances worse. to the reuters news agency is _ circumstances worse. to the reuters news agency isjust _ circumstances worse. to the reuters news agency isjust aborting - circumstances worse. to the reuters news agency isjust aborting that - news agency is just aborting that the us secretary of state antony blinken has discussed measures to bolster israel's security and calls for israel's president and its foreign minister. just tell us what support the united states gives to israel militarily and economically? how important will this be at this time? it how important will this be at this time? , ., , , how important will this be at this time? , . ,, ., , time? it is massive military support- — time? it is massive military support- you _ time? it is massive military support. you have - time? it is massive military support. you have seen - time? it is massive military i support. you have seen some discussion in the us congress in recent months about the extent of that, and whether some people in looking at what is happening at the last couple of years want to place conditions on it. but israel works on the basis that because of its history, it never knows who all its friends are, and it has to be very self reliance, and even the united states has got to be very sure it will be there to support it, so we have military intelligence, hardware if they needed, and the israeli hardware is very good. diplomatic support is important as well. they don't want to hear calls from people urging them not to respond to this. they have always made it clear that their response to terror is absolute, and they believe that that provides a degree of security. people know what will happen if there are attacks on israeli citizens and anything else. but when that dam is breached, as it has been, and people are left in the state of uncertainty, so it is economic support for israel, strong economic support for israel, strong economic ties, between them, as is the case with the united kingdom and with europe, because israel will be worried about the impact of this on its trade, possibly on terrorism, and how things go on, but that is an interest for tomorrow. its immediate concern is the security of its citizens, as is the concern of all those who have concern for citizens in the region. those who have concern for citizens in the region-— in the region. thank you very much for all of your— in the region. thank you very much for all of your analysis, _ in the region. thank you very much for all of your analysis, and - in the region. thank you very much for all of your analysis, and if - in the region. thank you very much for all of your analysis, and if you l for all of your analysis, and if you don't mind, please do stay with us while we wait for president biden to take that podium. live now to shingai nyoka in washington. tell us what you think president biden might say.— tell us what you think president biden might say. earlier he put out a statement. _ biden might say. earlier he put out a statement, and _ biden might say. earlier he put out a statement, and he _ biden might say. earlier he put out a statement, and he essentially . a statement, and he essentially offered — a statement, and he essentially offered his condolences to the families— offered his condolences to the families of those who had lost their lives _ families of those who had lost their lives he _ families of those who had lost their lives. he had spoken to benjamin netanyahu. he also reiterated his unwavering support to the israeli government, and i think there is an expectation — government, and i think there is an expectation that that is what he is going _ expectation that that is what he is going to _ expectation that that is what he is going to say, that he is going to offer. _ going to say, that he is going to offer. he — going to say, that he is going to offer. he is _ going to say, that he is going to offer, he is going to talk about his condolences, but that also i think what _ condolences, but that also i think what people are looking to see is what _ what people are looking to see is what happens next, what the way forward _ what happens next, what the way forward is — what happens next, what the way forward is in terms of the united states' _ forward is in terms of the united states' response to this unprecedented attack. there is no secret_ unprecedented attack. there is no secret that — unprecedented attack. there is no secret that president biden has had a tense _ secret that president biden has had a tense relationship with prime minister— a tense relationship with prime minister netanyahu, on occasion he has criticised what he has called a lack of— has criticised what he has called a lack of democracy in some of israei's — lack of democracy in some of israel's policies. the expectation realty— israel's policies. the expectation really is — israel's policies. the expectation really is that he will put that to one side — really is that he will put that to one side and really focus on this attack— one side and really focus on this attack and — one side and really focus on this attack and how the united states could _ attack and how the united states could not— attack and how the united states could not only offer its condolences, but also offer support in terms _ condolences, but also offer support in terms of— condolences, but also offer support in terms of military assistance and any other— in terms of military assistance and any other kind of assistance going forward _ forward. we have also heard in forward. — we have also heard in the past few minutes that he has been holding talks with the king ofjordan as well as prime minister benjamin netanyahu, we'rejust well as prime minister benjamin netanyahu, we're just talking to alistair burt, a former minister in the east saying this diplomatic traffic has to happen very quickly. it does have to happen very quickly. it does have to happen very quickly. i think because of the nature of this attack that caught everybody by surprise, especially here in washington. there really was a sense that the different secretaries of state and defence were frantically scrambling to understand what had happened, and what the us response has been, and so really i think that is what is currently happening as we wait for president biden to give his address. he is probably trying to understand what exactly happened. he is still receiving updates from the national security chiefs, trying to craft a response to what has happened. craft a response to what has happened-— craft a response to what has ha ened. �* ,, ., ., happened. and shingai, the fact that he is making — happened. and shingai, the fact that he is making a _ happened. and shingai, the fact that he is making a statement _ happened. and shingai, the fact that he is making a statement at - happened. and shingai, the fact that he is making a statement at all- happened. and shingai, the fact that he is making a statement at all over| he is making a statement at all over a country very far away, what does that tell you about the relationship between israel and the united states? in fact, between israel and the united states? infact, he between israel and the united states? in fact, he isjust walking to the podium now, so let's listen to the podium now, so let's listen to that and i will speak to you afterwards. good afternoon. today israel is under attack, orchestrated by the terrorist organisation hamas. today i want to say to the rest of the world that the united states stands with israel. we will not ever fail to have your back. we will make sure that whatever help the citizens need as they'd continue to defend themselves. thousands of rockets in themselves. thousands of rockets in the space of hours raining down on israeli cities. michael started at 730, sam this morning. hamas rockets killing not only israeli soldiers but civilians. in their homes, innocent people murdered, wounded, entire families taken hostage by hamas, just days after they marked the holiest of days in thejewish calendar. it is unconscionable. i spoke to prime minister netanyahu this morning. i told him the united states stands with the people of israel in facing these terrorist assaults. israel has a right to defend itself and its people, full stop. there is nojustification for terrorist attacks, and our support for israel's security is rock—solid and unwavering. let me say this as clearly as i can. this is not a moment for any party hostile to israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage. the world is watching. i have also been in contact with the king ofjordan, spoken with members of congress, the director of my national security team engaging with their counterparts, military to military, intelligence to intelligence, diplomatic diplomat, to make sure that israel has what it needs. i have also directed my team to in constant contact throughout the region including egypt, turkey, qatar, saudi arabia, jordan, the uae as well as the palestinian authority. it is a terrible tragedy on a human level. seeing the lives that have been broken by this, families torn apart is heartbreaking. jill and i are praying for those families who have been impacted by this violence. we grieve with those who have lost their loved ones. we hope for a swift recovery for many of the wounded. we will remain in close touch with the prime minister netanyahu is this situation continues to develop, and let there be no mistake. the united states stands with the state of israeljust as we have from the moment united states became the first nation to recognise israel in 11 minutes after its founding 75 years ago. thank you very much. mr its founding 75 years ago. thank you ve much. ~ , ., , its founding 75 years ago. thank you very much-— very much. mr president, was there an intelligence _ very much. mr president, was there an intelligence failure _ very much. mr president, was there an intelligence failure in _ very much. mr president, was there an intelligence failure in the - very much. mr president, was there an intelligence failure in the lead i an intelligence failure in the lead up an intelligence failure in the lead up to— an intelligence failure in the lead up to this — an intelligence failure in the lead up to this attack? mr an intelligence failure in the lead up to this attack?— an intelligence failure in the lead up to this attack? mr president, can ou tell us up to this attack? mr president, can you tell us what _ up to this attack? mr president, can you tell us what he _ up to this attack? mr president, can you tell us what he asked _ up to this attack? mr president, can you tell us what he asked you - you tell us what he asked you specifically— you tell us what he asked you specifically for _ you tell us what he asked you specifically for support? - you tell us what he asked you specifically for support? the i you tell us what he asked you specifically for support? the us resident specifically for support? the us president joe — specifically for support? the us president joe biden _ specifically for support? the us president joe biden responding| specifically for support? the us i president joe biden responding to presidentjoe biden responding to those hamas attacks on israel today in much more than 200 israelis has been killed. he says the usa stands with israel, we won't ever fail to have her back, the world has seen appalling images, innocent people murdered. he said it was unconscionable, and israel has the right to defend itself and its people. let's go back to washington and get some more analysis with our correspondent shingai nyoka. he said he was categorical in his support. absolutely, and that is the message that prime _ absolutely, and that is the message that prime minister benjamin netanyahu would have wanted to hear. that, despite all of the problems and tensions that have been there in the past _ and tensions that have been there in the past between these two leaders, that the _ the past between these two leaders, that the united states' support is absolutely unequivocal, and president biden as you said made that point— president biden as you said made that point several times. what he didn't— that point several times. what he didn't do— that point several times. what he didn't do is— that point several times. what he didn't do is talk about what happens next _ didn't do is talk about what happens next he _ didn't do is talk about what happens next. he said that he would be in constant — next. he said that he would be in constant contact with prime minister netanyahu, but he also offered his condolences, as we would have expected. — condolences, as we would have expected, reiterating that the united — expected, reiterating that the united states, or that him and jill will keep— united states, or that him and jill will keep the families of the victims _ will keep the families of the victims in his prayers, and really i think— victims in his prayers, and really i think a _ victims in his prayers, and really i think a lot — victims in his prayers, and really i think a lot of— victims in his prayers, and really i think a lot of people would think that this — think a lot of people would think that this really wasn't the time for him to— that this really wasn't the time for him to talk— that this really wasn't the time for him to talk about what happens next and what _ him to talk about what happens next and what kind of support the united states— and what kind of support the united states is— and what kind of support the united states is going to give to israel in specific— states is going to give to israel in specific terms, but he is very clear that he _ specific terms, but he is very clear that he wiii— specific terms, but he is very clear that he will offer rock—solid and unwavering support. that he will offer rock-solid and unwavering support.— that he will offer rock-solid and unwavering support. that he will offer rock-solid and unwaverin: su ort. . ., ., .~' unwavering support. what do you make ofthe unwavering support. what do you make of the fact that — unwavering support. what do you make of the fact that he _ unwavering support. what do you make of the fact that he felt _ unwavering support. what do you make of the fact that he felt he _ unwavering support. what do you make of the fact that he felt he needed - of the fact that he felt he needed to give this statement at all on an attack on a foreign country? i think there has been _ attack on a foreign country? i think there has been a _ attack on a foreign country? i think there has been a lot _ attack on a foreign country? i think there has been a lot of _ attack on a foreign country? i think there has been a lot of criticism . there has been a lot of criticism especially— there has been a lot of criticism especially on the other side of the aisle with — especially on the other side of the aisle with the republicans criticising presidentjoe biden's criticising president joe biden's relationship criticising presidentjoe biden's relationship with benjamin netanyahu. there has been a wedge driven— netanyahu. there has been a wedge driven between the two countries after _ driven between the two countries after former president trump left office. _ after former president trump left office, and so this really is president biden saying that he is wiiiihg _ president biden saying that he is wiiiihg to — president biden saying that he is willing to put all of the conflict and tensions aside and revert to america's— and tensions aside and revert to america's default position which is an unequivocal support on israel. he didn't — an unequivocal support on israel. he didn't give any more details about his secretary of state, antony blinken, who we understand has held calls with the is really president about bolstering israel's security. i guess they are very keen to put that out there that they are going to do that. , ., , , to do that. yes, and they will be detailin: to do that. yes, and they will be detailing the _ to do that. yes, and they will be detailing the kind _ to do that. yes, and they will be detailing the kind of— to do that. yes, and they will be detailing the kind of support - to do that. yes, and they will be | detailing the kind of support that they wiii— detailing the kind of support that they will give to israel, as you mention— they will give to israel, as you mention the secretary of state antony — mention the secretary of state antony blinken has been talking to his counterpart. we understand that the secretary for defence has also been _ the secretary for defence has also been talking to his counterpart assuring — been talking to his counterpart assuring him that they will give ironclad — assuring him that they will give ironclad support as lloyd austin said. _ ironclad support as lloyd austin said. but— ironclad support as lloyd austin said, but there was a very brief address— said, but there was a very brief address that president biden gave, and so _ address that president biden gave, and so those details probably thinks that this _ and so those details probably thinks that this is — and so those details probably thinks that this is not the time for them, and this— that this is not the time for them, and this wiii— that this is not the time for them, and this will come at a time in the future, _ and this will come at a time in the future, and — and this will come at a time in the future, and nobody really knows what is going _ future, and nobody really knows what is going to _ future, and nobody really knows what is going to happen over the next couple _ is going to happen over the next couple of— is going to happen over the next couple of days and weeks, but israel has hinted _ couple of days and weeks, but israel has hinted that they intend to escalate, and they are definitely are iikeiy— escalate, and they are definitely are likely to ask for more military assistance — are likely to ask for more military assistance in that sense. shingai _ assistance in that sense. shingai, _ assistance in that sense. shingai, thank you very much. live now to alistair burt — he served as the minister for the middle east. what do you make of the fact that that statement was brief but president biden clearly felt it. its, president biden clearly felt it. couple of things struck me about it. firstly, the emotion of it, and the unequivocal nature of the warning to other states not to take advantage of what has affected israel at present, so he was making a very important statement about the action that they might take if there was any escalation from other states seeking to take advantage, and hopefully might pull away the possibility of any attack from the north and from lebanon? he possibility of any attack from the north and from lebanon? he also said that israel had _ north and from lebanon? he also said that israel had the _ north and from lebanon? he also said that israel had the right _ north and from lebanon? he also said that israel had the right to _ north and from lebanon? he also said that israel had the right to defend - that israel had the right to defend itself and its people. full stop what you read from that? clearly not wanting to put any limitations on the terms of its response. i think that is right. _ the terms of its response. i think that is right, because _ the terms of its response. i think that is right, because the - the terms of its response. i think. that is right, because the president of the united states cannot say at this stage that israel should do this stage that israel should do this or that, but could draw the line at something else. he knows that israel is going to take very severe action, and he is making it clear that the first job for israel will be to rid itself of the terrorists who are on its streets, and use those who threaten it civilians, but he will know that the hostage situation makes this more complicated. it is something the is really authorities will take into account, so i don't think anybody needed a lecture on the detail. israel simply needed to hear that its ally would stand with it. and the point about what is happening in the point about what is happening in the states at the moment, there has been criticism in israel recently, more criticism of israel than i can remember in the united states, because of some israeli actions, that but is all come to a stop because of this catastrophic attack, and everyone will come together because that is the most important thing. the politics will resume in new course, but the nature of the attacks has overridden those issues and brought people together, and it will be interesting to see the reaction with those who are coming together in a government of national unity which in all fairness has not been a sense of where the government of israel has been in recent times, but the external threat has always made people realise that they have got bigger issues to deal with. stand got bigger issues to deal with. and antony blinken, the us secretary of state, as well as talking to israeli politicians has also spoken to mahmoud abbas of palestine. interesting that he has reached out to the palestinian authority as well. ., , , to the palestinian authority as well. . , , ~ well. that is right. president abbas could do no — well. that is right. president abbas could do no other. _ well. that is right. president abbas could do no other. he _ well. that is right. president abbas could do no other. he has - well. that is right. president abbas could do no other. he has been - well. that is right. president abbas i could do no other. he has been under pressure for some time about the palestinian authority's response or lack of response to what has been seen by many palestinians as an uptick in israeli pressure on the west bank, the actions of settlers and the like. and so president abbas has been put in a very difficult position by that, and he was bound to say what he said. it is important that antony blinken has reached out to him, because in the future politics to come, the day after tomorrow, it is essential that the palestinian authority is involved, and it of course is a complete rival to the actions of hamas in gaza... we must leave it there, thank you so much for your time and your analysis, it is much appreciated. thank you. live from london. this is bbc news. an unprecedented escalation not seen in decades, israeli air strikes are continuing to pound gaza after palestinian militants launched a surprise attack. israel's army confirms its soldiers and civilians have been taken hostage by the palestinian militant group hamas after a barrage of rockets assaulted israeli territory. local reports say at least 200 israelis have been killed following gaza's assault. israel's retaliatory air strikes have killed 232 palestinians. president biden hasjust president biden has just given president biden hasjust given his reaction. president biden has 'ust given his reaction. ,, ., , , ., , reaction. the united states stands with israel. _ reaction. the united states stands with israel, we _ reaction. the united states stands with israel, we will— reaction. the united states stands with israel, we will not _ reaction. the united states stands with israel, we will not ever - reaction. the united states stands with israel, we will not ever fail i with israel, we will not ever fail to have their back. we will make sure they have the help their citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. dozens of israeli soldiers and civilians are being held hostage, as part of an unprecedented attack by palestinian militants on israeli territory. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu says his country is at war. his government claims the palestinian militant group hamas launched more than 2,000 rockets into the country, killing at least 200 people, and wounding nearly1,000. officials in the gaza strip say at least 232 people have been killed and almost 2,000 wounded there, in retaliatory israeli strikes. recently its warplanes have hit several multi—storey buildings in the centre of gaza city.

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