Netanyahu: Israel at war with Hamas after Gaza rocket attacks

• Israel declared a ‘state of war’ and launched air strikes on Gaza strip following a surprise rocket attack.

• At least 22 killed, over 200 wounded in Hamas rocket attacks

Israel declared a ‘state of war’ and launched air strikes on Gaza strip following a surprise rocket attack by Palestine’s Hamas militants which claimed that it was only their “first strike”. Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement following the attacks that the country is at war. “We are at war and we will win,” he asserted, adding, “Not an ‘operation,’ not a ‘round,’ but at war.”

The comments in a televised address mark Benjamin Netanyahu’s first remarks since Hamas launched the multi-front attack on Israel. Ordering a call-up of reservists, the Israel PM promised that Hamas would “pay a price that it hasn’t known until now.”

The prime minister also ordered the country’s military to clear the infiltrated towns of Hamas militants that remained locked in gunfights with Israeli soldiers.

This came after Palestinian militants begun a “war” against Israel, the country’s defence minister said after a barrage of rockets were fired and fighters from the Palestinian enclave infiltrated Israel. At least two people were killed in Israel, officials said while Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant said Palestinian militant group Hamas has “launched a war against the State of Israel.”

“Troops are fighting against the enemy at every location,” he said. Israel’s military began air strikes on Gaza, following the rocket barrage from inside the territory.

“Dozens of IDF fighter jets are currently striking a number of targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip,” the military said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military struck targets in Gaza that sent air raid sirens wailing constantly as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Forces were engaged in gunfights with Hamas militants who had infiltrated Israel in at least seven locations, it said. The fighters had sneaked across the separation fence and even invaded Israel through the air, the army informed.

The Israeli military waged airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, after the Hamas militant group announced a new operation against Israel – what appeared to be an unprecedented infiltration into southern towns. The incident set off air raid sirens across the country, with Israel ordering residents to remain indoors as reports of various injuries and atleast four deaths emerged.

The infiltration took place as Hamas militants said it fired over 5,000 rockets into Israel, declaring it had started “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” against Israeli occupation. At least one person’s death has been confirmed while several are said to be injured. Reports of gunbattles in southern Israeli towns, affected by infiltration were also reported by the local media.

The launches came after weeks of heightened tensions along Israel’s volatile border with Gaza, and heavy fighting in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel has maintained a blockade over Gaza since Hamas, an Islamic militant group that opposes Israel, seized control of the territory in 2007. The bitter enemies have fought four wars since then.