#Israel hasn't yet commented on the number of captives
Fighting is still ongoing at the #Erez border crossing as well as at the #Zikim base - a training base belonging to the Israel Defense Forces.
#hamas #Gaza #IDF

According to Magen David Adom (ambulance services - member of the ICRC) at least 22 people have been killed since the start of the #hamas attack

Acc to local reports at least 300 people have been wounded
#Israel #Gaza

Updates and recap from the #BBCWorldService #news bulletin:
Security forces in southern #Israel have moved to a war footing to combat an unprecedented attack launched by the #Palestinian militant group, #Hamas Militants infiltrated Israel using motorbikes, paragliders and boats. Israeli Radio says 35 Israeli soldiers have been kidnapped.
#Israel 's emergency services say at least 22 people have been killed so far. #Israeli military vehicles have been attacked and some taken back over the border into #Gaza
In the town of #Sderot gunmen opened fire on residents. A hospital in #Beersheba (Soroka Medical Center) says it has received more than 80 wounded Israelis, with some in critical condition.
#Gaza #Hamas
A barrage of rockets from #Gaza into #Israeli territory began just after dawn, with explosions on the streets of #Ashkelon and #TelAviv. #Israel 's PM Benjamin #Netanyahu said his country was at war, and that it would win. Israeli forces have carried out retaliatory #airstrikes in the #Gaza Strip.
#Hamas said their operation was a response to #Israeli violence against #Palestinians in the West Bank. The #Lebanese militant group, #Hezbollah which went to war with #Israel in 2006 has expressed its support for the Hamas operation. The #Palestinian militant faction Islamic #Jihad - which is active in the occupied West Bank - has also backed the incursion.

The US has condemned the violence and urged both sides to refrain from retaliating. Egypt, which usually mediates between #Israel and #Palestinian militants, has warned both sides of dire consequences to the current escalation. In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry called for exercising maximum restraint and the need to spare civilians. The EU and several European countries have also condemned the attack.

#BBCWorldService bulletin at 1100 BST

Via #Haaretz :
#Palestinian Islamic #Jihad says it is holding several #Israeli soldiers captive
Sirens still on in #Sderot and #Gaza border communities
#Israel #hamas
Update from #BBC 's Yolande Knell on the ongoing attack on #Israel :
At least 40 #Israelis are reported dead
People are calling into TV stations being under attack asking to be rescued; large explosions in #Gaza , casualties reported there too after people rushing out there to buy supplies;
Recap: 8 hours ago dozens of militants entered Israel - no confirmations on numbers yet; fear is the fighting could spread to West Bank - this might become a wider conflict;

#Israel retaliates with air strikes on #Gaza - in response to the rocket attacks by #Palestinian militants earlier on Saturday.

The air strikes have killed 161 people and injured 1,000, according to Palestinian officials.

Emergency services in Israel say more than 40 people have been killed in the morning attack
#hamas

Recap: Dozens of #Israelis are believed to have been captured by #Palestinian militants in an unprecedented #assault into Israeli territory

"We are at war," says Israel's PM Benjamin #Netanyahu

At least 40 people in #Israel have been confirmed killed, with hundreds of others being treated in #hospitals , according to emergency services

Nearly 200 people have been killed in retaliatory Israeli strikes in the #Gaza strip, officials there say

#hamas

Emergency services say the death toll in #Israel from a surprise attack by #Palestinian militant group #Hamas has increased to 70 - v Magen David Adom (MDAIs) they say 'hundreds are wounded seriously, moderately and lightly'.

V #BBC security corr Frank Gardner:
#Israeli officials deny reports that an #IDF major #general has been kidnapped.

#Hamas claims it has taken 53 "prisoners of war" - ie. hostages.

V Haaretz:
985 people confirmed wounded in #hamas attack on #Israel
Fighting ongoing in southern communities of Be'eri, Re'im and #Sderot
Hostages held in Be'eri and #Ofakim
_________________
Opp leader Yair #Lapid says he is willing to form emergency govt with #Netanyahu

#Biden offering support

V Reuters, Guardian:

In a speech on Saturday, #Hamas leader, Ismail #Haniyeh , told Arab countries that #Israel cannot provide them with protection.

Haniyeh added that 'armed #Palestinian factions plan to extend #Gaza ’s fight into the West Bank and Jerusalem'

V Haaretz:
#Israel 's Health Ministry said the 'number of #Israelis who were wounded and hospitalized reached 1,104 people, incl 17 in critical condition.

200 people seriously wounded, 226 people in moderate condition, 451 sustained minor wounds. In addition, 142 are currently undergoing medical evaluation.'

Rocket sirens in Tel Aviv and central Israel;

#IDF says it killed hundreds of Palestinian militants in southern border communities
Energy minister signs off disconnecting #Gaza
#hamas

Direct hits and casualties reported in multiple locations, including Tel Aviv, Rishon Lezion,Yavne, Bat Yam, following the latest wave of rocket attack
#Israel #hamas #Gaza

V Haaretz:
#Netanyahu 's #Likud party says PM offered #Lapid , #Gantz to form #emergency govt

Other sources say unity govt will be badedon the current govt, incl #Smotrich and Ben Gvir

#Israel #hamas #Gaza

V Reuters, Guardian:
#Israeli planes bombed the house of #Hamas #Gaza chief Yehya Al-Sinwar in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Hamas media said on Saturday, with no reports of casualties.

V Times of #Israel
Hamas-run health ministry says 232 people killed and 1,697 people wounded in the Gaza Strip.
#KhanYounis

" #Israel has the right to defend itself and its people, full stop," #Biden said. "This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks, to seek an advantage. The world is watching"
#hamas #Gaza
Israel blindsided by most serious attack in a generation
Analysis by #BBC#MENA editor Jeremy Bowen
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67041679
#Israel #Gaza #hamas
Hamas blindsides Israel with most serious attack in a generation - Jeremy Bowen

Risk of flare-up between Palestinian militants and Israel has been deepening for months, writes Jeremy Bowen.

BBC News
More and more #Israeli soc med (mainly telegram) accts are publishing photos of the missing and are filled with posts of people looking for their loved ones
#Israel #Gaza #hamas
V Haaretz:
The centre for locating the #missing will 'operate in HaNegev 4, building 433 in #Israel 's Airport City complex near the Ben Gurion #airport .
Relatives searching for family members are advised to come there with the missing person's identification details, a photograph, and an item from which DNA can be extracted. Relatives who are in conflict zones are urged to report to the police hotline 105 by phone.'
#hamas #Gaza
Israel faces 'long, difficult war' after Hamas attack from Gaza

Militants are still fighting in Israel, says the military, after an unprecedented Hamas attack.

BBC News
What we know about Israeli hostages taken by Hamas

A "significant number" of Israelis are being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military says.

BBC News
People hide in homes as Palestinian militants enter from Gaza

People in towns near the Gaza Strip are phoning news stations saying they are trapped in their homes.

BBC News

Deadliest day of violence since the Yom Kippur war
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67037895?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=6521ed443fc96e28602bfcb6%26Deadliest%20day%20of%20violence%20in%20Israel%20since%20the%20Yom%20Kippur%20war%262023-10-08T00%3A15%3A13.038Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:f3e4393e-3d46-4027-8fbc-c002fd2d8d14&pinned_post_asset_id=6521ed443fc96e28602bfcb6&pinned_post_type=share
At least 250 #Israelis have been reportedly killed following #Hamas 's ground, air and sea offensive. More than 1,000 people have been wounded - and more than 3,000 rockets have been fired into the Israeli territory, according to the #Israeli army.

More than 230 #Gazans were also killed when #Israel responded with retaliatory strikes, #Gaza officials have said.

V Times of Israel:
Some #hostages rescued in southern #Israel following unprecedented #Hamas assault

#IDF hits Hamas targets in #Gaza ; #rocket hits #Ashkelon hospital; relatives of missing persons rush to help with identification; forces take control of #Sderot police station
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-october-8-2023/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Family members of those missing beg for info as death toll in Israel continues to climb

Residents of Sderot ordered to stay inside; IDF continues to strike Gaza; over 2,200 wounded in Israel; US, French, German, Ukrainian citizens among killed, kidnapped

The #Israeli military says there are still eight "points of engagement" in its territory, a day after #Palestinian militants stormed into #Israel from #Gaza
These are #Sderot , #Zikim , #Yakhini , #KfarAza , #Be'eri , #Re'im, #Kissufim , #Sufa
A spokesman says Israel is "still at war... still completing efforts to take full control of Israeli territory and communities from #Hamas "
#IDF

What could happen next?
By Yolande Knell, #BBC #MENA correspondent in #Jerusalem
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67037895?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=6522195cf34eee40bb92ae8e%26What%20could%20happen%20next%3F%262023-10-08T08%3A17%3A04.851Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:58b41f7a-7d2c-4acb-b9b0-386816377b09&pinned_post_asset_id=6522195cf34eee40bb92ae8e&pinned_post_type=share

#Israel undoubtedly sees the potential for a war that could open up on multiple fronts. A worst-case scenario is that it could draw in the powerful #Lebanese militant group, #Hezbollah .

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has ordered a massive reinforcement of troops. As well as its intense air raids on #Gaza, it has indicated that it is planning a ground operation there .

'They were going tree by tree and shooting' - #Israeli partygoer describes #festival attack
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67044787
Graphic descriptions
#Israel #hamas #Gaza
'They were going tree by tree and shooting' - Israeli partygoer describes festival attack

Partygoer describes how she survived gunmen at an Israeli festival by lying in a field as shots rang out.

BBC News

'Safe recovery of #hostages may call for ground operation'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67037895?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65225b4102d73c280f4a91e6%26Safe%20recovery%20of%20hostages%20may%20call%20for%20ground%20operation%262023-10-08T07%3A48%3A03.196Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:e08fec38-d5a2-4f48-b88b-1bb10618427b&pinned_post_asset_id=65225b4102d73c280f4a91e6&pinned_post_type=share
'Overnight, #Israelis have been watching social media posts of civilians dragged out of their homes at gunpoint, shipped into #Gaza and often humiliated on camera.

That is a searing shock to the country. The safety and recovery of those hostages will be at the forefront of everyone's minds.'

The Israeli military is mobilising thousands of infrantry and tanks are being brought on the road to Gaza.
#hamas #IDF

V Times of Israel:
More than 400 #Palestinian militants have been killed in southern #Israel and the #Gaza Strip, and dozens more have been captured, according to #IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari
2 Thais killed, 8 injured, 11 kidnapped in Hamas attack on Israel

Two Thais are now known to have died during the Hamas attacks on Israel on Saturday, the premier said after arriving in Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon.

https://www.bangkokpost.com
Israel-Gaza Conflict Live Updates: Israel at War With Hamas After Surprise Attack, Netanyahu Says

The Gaza militant group launched its biggest sustained assault in years, prompting Israel's military to call up reservists and order retaliatory strikes.

WSJ
V Haaretz:
'The city of #Kiryat #Shmona, located near the #Israel - #Lebanon border, is advising its residents to evacuate themselves for several days. However, this is only a recommendation.'
#hamas #Gaza
World Service - Listen Live - BBC Sounds

Listen live to BBC World Service on BBC Sounds

BBC
#Israel 's foreign ministry confirms to BBC two #Israeli tourists have been killed in #Egypt .
V #BBC 's Sebastian Usher, #MENA editor: incident took place at an archaeological site in #Alexandria , a #policeman said to have shot at the tourists

V Times of #Israel :
The #Israeli military says it is evacuating civilians from towns adjacent to the border with the #Gaza Strip at this stage.

The towns include #Nahal Oz, #Erez, #Nir Am, #Mefalsim, #Kfar #Aza, #Gevim, #Or Haner, #Ibim, #Netiv Ha’asara, #Yad Mordechai, #Karmia, #Zikim, £Kerem Shalom, #Kissufim, #Holit, #Sufa, #Nirim, #Nir Oz, #Ein Hashlosha, #Nir Yitzhak, #Be’eri, #Magen, #Re’im, #Sa’ad and #Alumim

V Times of #Israel:
#IDF says it has established a situation room to put together info regarding the #Israeli #hostages held by #Hamas in #Gaza .

'Social media was filled with horrifying videos of men, women and children being carried into the Strip, many of them appearing to have been abused. There were also videos published of dead Israelis taken, including soldiers.'

Lior Carmeli, a general in reserves, is to head the team.

V Haaretz:
#Israel 's death toll reached 350

(Israeli TV has reported 400)

#Israeli Health Ministry reports 2048 injured - 20 critical, 330 serious, 396 moderate, 967 light injuries

V #BBC correspondent Rushdi Abualouf in #Gaza:
The Health Ministry in Gaza - which is run by #hamas - says 313 people have been killed in #Israeli air strikes
'The impact of this escalation will be far-reaching'
by #BBC Lyse Doucet:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67037895?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65227d523fc96e28602bfd57%26The%20impact%20of%20this%20escalation%20will%20be%20far-reaching%262023-10-08T10%3A44%3A47.375Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:dba2e8eb-161a-4c38-8ef8-bfd0188e54b8&pinned_post_asset_id=65227d523fc96e28602bfd57&pinned_post_type=share
'This unprecedented escalation has come at a time of unprecedented diplomacy: Saudi-US negotiations seemed to be heading towards the kingdom’s recognition of #Israel ; greater engagement between #Riyadh and the #Palestinian Authority, #Hamas ' arch rival.
There are many players – #Iran, a staunch ally of Hamas, as well as #Russia . Even the war in #Ukraine could find itself in this orbit.
Threat of escalation hangs heavy here - by #BBC Quentin Sommerville in southern #Lebanon
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67037895?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65227a8e02d73c280f4a922e%26Threat%20of%20escalation%20hangs%20heavy%20here%20in%20Lebanon%262023-10-08T10%3A10%3A07.281Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:b89f9e98-90c6-4b2d-a2d0-e775b6cc6ad3&pinned_post_asset_id=65227a8e02d73c280f4a922e&pinned_post_type=share
The #Iranian backed group chose its target carefully, the disputed territory of Shebaa farms. But it is capable of much more. #Hezbollah , which like #Iran , is committed to #Israel ’s destruction, yesterday congratulated #Hamas on its attacks on #Israeli territory.
The militant group has long-range missiles at its disposal which can strike deep into Israeli territory.

V Times of #Israel :
The security cabinet voted last night to put the country officially at war, and it can carry out “significant military activities,” the PM Office announces.

#Netanyahu had already said the country was at war.

The security cabinet decision gives the declaration legal standing in keeping with Basic Law: The Government, which in its Clause 40 says that the country cannot go to war without a government decision.

V Times of #Israel military corr, Mannie Fabian on how the attack unfolded:
First, #Hamas bombed #Israeli observation towers and weapons systems on the #Gaza border using drones.
Hundreds of rockets were fired at Israel, militants in paragliders flew over the border
Hamas approached the border fence, blew up holes in it and allowed hundreds to infiltrate into Israel, many of them in trucks and motorcycles.
Hamas also attempted to infiltrate via the sea, but Navy forces repelled the attack
Israeli death toll reaches 600, acc to Haaretz
#BBC correspondent Rushdi Abualouf reporting from #Gaza :
'Most of the people I met had mixed feelings.
Yesterday brought a moment of celebration for some #Palestinians , who said #Hamas was taking revenge for #Israeli attacks. But on the other hand people here are worried any war will last for a very long time.'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67037895?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65228bbc02d73c280f4a9269%26Gazans%20fear%20impact%20of%20long%20war%262023-10-08T12%3A33%3A31.763Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:4bb0ffe7-d34b-409e-9f07-077b5ebf03f2&pinned_post_asset_id=65228bbc02d73c280f4a9269&pinned_post_type=share

V Times of #Israel :

More restrictions introduced - #IDF announces schools to remain closed, as the Home Front Command extends existing restrictions.

businesses south of #Netanya and north of the central #Negev can only be opened if there is ready access to bomb shelters, the military says.

Gatherings are restricted to 10 people outdoors and 50 people indoors in those areas.

The restrictions are valid till Tuesday at 6 p.m
#hamas

More than 600 Israelis have been killed since Saturday, according to a Facebook post from the press office of #Israel 's government.

It adds that more than 100 people have been kidnapped, and more than 2,000 injured.

In #Gaza, at least 370 people have been killed following Israeli air strikes and 2200 injured, according to #Palestinian officials.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67037895?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=6522a7033fc96e28602bfe36%26More%20than%20600%20Israelis%20killed%20and%20100%20kidnapped%20-%20government%262023-10-08T13%3A29%3A46.452Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:5c98a9ef-6562-4096-bc37-36100c6ca549&pinned_post_asset_id=6522a7033fc96e28602bfe36&pinned_post_type=share

Secretary of State Anthony #Blinken told CNN the #US government has received reports that several Americans have died in #Israel - and that officials are trying to verify those reports.

The US is "likely" to give details on new military assistance for Israel later today, he says. "Our first focus is to make sure Israel has what it needs."

@fulelo I'm old enough to remember the Yom Kippur War. The #TetOffensive is the more apt comparison here I think...
@fulelo there's only a name to be blamed and it is Netanyahu
@fulelo
Gaza in nothing but the worlds largest prison.
@fulelo
Bottom line: Israelis can go be tourists elsewhere.
Millions of people are being held hostage by Israel in various territories without access to documents to be able to travel in the first place.
@glynmoody