Hamas released footage showing its members capturing several Israeli soldiers during an attack on a military base on the border with the Gaza Strip today, Saturday.

The group, which is based in Gaza, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel in the morning, firing thousands of rockets and sending fighters into Israeli communities by land, sea, and air, resulting in at least 40 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

The multi-faceted attack, which came a day after Israel celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the surprise invasion on Yom Kippur, seemingly caught the Israeli army and security forces completely off guard.

Residents reported that Hamas fighters stormed at least one military base, and the militants were moving through Israeli border communities, killing and capturing residents, with seemingly little resistance from Israeli forces.

Other clips circulated online showed Israeli civilians held hostage by the group, while Arab media confirmed that 52 Israelis were captured. It appears that some of those detained may have been killed.

For its part, the Israeli military declined to provide details about the casualties or the kidnappings as it continued to fight off the infiltrators.

Social media was flooded with videos of Hamas fighters showcasing what appeared to be stolen Israeli military vehicles, including a tank, in the streets, and at least one Israeli soldier dead inside Gaza being dragged and trampled by an angry crowd of Palestinians shouting "God is Greatest."

The Israeli rescue service, Magen David Adom, reported that two of its ambulances were seized and at least one paramedic was killed.

Six hours into the invasion, Hamas fighters were still engaged in gun battles in at least seven Israeli communities and a military base, in a surprising display of force that shook the country.

According to the "Times of Israel," the infiltration of fighters into southern Israel marked a significant achievement – and escalation – by Hamas, forcing millions of Israelis to shelter in safe rooms, protecting themselves from rocket explosions and ongoing gun battles with Hamas fighters. Cities and towns emptied after the army closed roads near Gaza.

Colonel Richard Hecht, spokesperson for the Israeli military, told reporters: “We realize this is a big deal.” He added that the Israeli army called up army reserves, and Hecht declined to comment on how Hamas managed to surprise the army.

Israel built a massive fence along the Gaza border aimed at preventing infiltrations. It goes deep underground and is equipped with cameras, high-tech sensors, and sensitive listening technology.

The “Walla” news site reported that security forces are investigating whether recent riots along the Gaza border are actually a cover for attackers to place explosives used to breach the fence.

Images posted online showed that the wall had been breached at multiple points, with Hamas vehicles passing through unobstructed.
Residents of the communities along the border described their terror and continued to request help and report gunfire from fighters within the kibbutzim and other residential areas, often stating that there was little to no Israeli army presence on the streets.

A resident of Kibbutz Be'eri told Channel 12 News that her father was kidnapped from the southern border town by Hamas fighters and taken to the Gaza Strip.

She said through tears: “He sent me a message saying they are at home.” She added: “He told me they would take him,” noting that she had seen images of him in Gaza.