Israel Attacked: Palestinian militants cross Gaza border, fire thousands of rockets on innocents

Palestinian militants on Saturday fired thousands of rockets into Israel and sent militant fighters across the Gaza border, reportedly attacking and kidnapping civilians in what is being characterized as the most significant attack on the country in years.

By 9 a.m. EST, news reports indicated at least 40 Israelis were killed, 700 were injured and 35 were believed to have been kidnapped into Palestinian territory. 

Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately called upon the nation’s citizens, declaring that the country was “at war” as the Israeli Defense Forces launched retaliatory strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza.

Since the attacks began the following facts have been widely reported by the media:

On Saturday morning Hamas engaged in a systematic attack by land, sea and air, launching more than 5,000 rockets into Israel.

Air-raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem, while explosions were heard in Tel Aviv.

Twenty two people have been killed in the Hamas attacks from Gaza and hundreds more injured, according to Israel's emergency services.

Hamas gunmen crossed Gaza and penetrated into the south of Israel, according to the IDF.

Netanyahu said Israel was now "at war" and announced he was convening all security forces.

All security forces have been ordered to first clear all Israeli villages of Palestinian militants who entered Gaza.

In response to the attacks on Israel, the IDF are carrying out strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza.

More details will emerge as news develops in Israel.