Israeli government declares state of national emergency as 40 killed, hundreds wounded

 

This unprecedented attack involved infiltrating from Gaza into Israel and launching a massive rocket barrage targeting cities in the southern and central regions of the country, Haaretz reports.

 

The state of national emergency will go into effect in the evening and apply to the entire country. Ben-Gvir ordered to recruit all volunteer police officers and fully arm all security forces.

 

Tens of thousands of Israeli army reserve personnel are also set to be mobilized, and a number of reserve troops participating in the protest movement against the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul are returning to reserve duty in light of the incident.

 

On Saturday morning, some 2,500 rockets were launched from Gaza on cities across central and southern Israel, reaching as far as Jerusalem, while Palestinian terrorists infiltrated communities in the country's south by land, sea and air. 

 

In at least two towns, Israeli civilians were also held captive by terrorists in their homes, which prompted an outcry from a number of U.S. agencies and officials.

 

"Israel is at War. This is not a so-called military operation, not another round of fighting, but war," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.