Israel 'ready for war' after Hamas infiltration and 5,000 rockets in 20 minutes

The Israeli Defence Forces has declared a “state of readiness for war” and vowed that “Israel will win” after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel this morning.

The centre and south of Israel have been under sustained rocket fire for more than three and a half hours according to Israeli media. Earlier armed gunmen reportedly infiltrated Israeli communities after crossing the border fence.

Hamas has so far taken 35 Israeli hostages, according to Israel media. At least five Israelis are thought to have been killed and at least 100 hundred more injured.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that Hamas “made a grave mistake” in one of the most serious escalations of the conflict in years.

“Today the people are regaining their revolution,” leader of Hamas’ military wing Mohammed Deif said in the recorded message, as he called on Palestinians from east Jerusalem to northern Israel to join the fight and “expel the occupiers and demolish the walls.”

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