Dozens of rockets were unexpectedly launched from Gaza towards Israel in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to reporters from the Agence France-Presse in the besieged territory, while sirens sounded in Israeli territory.

Explosions were heard in cities surrounding Tel Aviv and outside Jerusalem, as Israeli media reported that sirens were sounded in 160 areas from the south to Tel Aviv.

Infiltration

Israeli military spokesperson reported that a number of militants infiltrated the envelope from the Gaza Strip and urged residents of the envelope to stay in their homes.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority confirmed that clashes occurred with Palestinian militants who infiltrated the Israeli territories adjacent to the Gaza Strip, and video footage showed street fighting in the settlements.

Israeli Army

Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adraee stated on the "X" platform: "An hour ago, the terrorist organization Hamas began a double operation that included launching rockets and infiltrating terrorists into Israeli territory. The defense army will defend the residents of the State of Israel. The terrorist organization Hamas will pay a heavy price. The public is required to comply with the instructions of the home front and stay inside the fortified areas, and residents of the Gaza envelope are required to remain inside their homes."

The bombardment from several sites in the Gaza Strip began before 6:30 a.m. (03:30 GMT) and was still ongoing about half an hour later, according to Agence France-Presse reporters.
Witnesses reported seeing dozens of rockets being launched from different locations towards Israeli areas.

In Israel, the army announced that sirens were sounded in several areas in the south, while police urged citizens to stay close to shelters.

No immediate reports of injuries were reported on either side of the border, but a body was displayed that was said to belong to an Israeli soldier who was killed in the incursion.

Israel has imposed a suffocating blockade on Gaza since 2007 after the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) took control of power in the territory. Since then, Palestinian activists and Israel have waged several devastating wars.

The military correspondent for the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Tal Lev Ram, reported that the rocket launches from Gaza reached the level of a declaration of war by Hamas, and the way the escalation began is unusual compared to previous escalations.

The Israeli army has announced raising the alert level to grade 8 and is calling up reserve forces.

It also announced that it is targeting Hamas headquarters in the Gaza Strip.

On the other hand, Hebrew media reported the closure of Ben Gurion Airport, stating that "Israel" is on its way to war.

For its part, Al Jazeera announced that this is the first time the Israeli army has declared war since the 1973 war.