At least 44 people are dead and more than 700 people wounded, according to Israeli officials, after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets and infiltrated Israel, carrying out attacks on military personnel and civilians.  

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel “is at war” Saturday, and the Israel Defense Force launched “Operation Swords of Iron” to defend the country from the terrorists. The attacks were carried out by Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic terrorist group that is funded in-part by Iran, during the holiday of Simchat Torah and on Shabbat — the Jewish day of rest that is observed by many in Israel. 

Among the dead was Ofir Liebstein, head of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, a local government entity in Israel’s Southern District, The Jerusalem Post reported. Liebstein was reportedly killed in a shootout with Palestinian terrorists while defending his settlement. Authorities only identified one other victim, a woman in her 60s who died when a rocket hit her building, while the other victims have yet to be identified. 

Videos and images shared by Hamas in celebration showed the bodies of Israeli soldiers and citizens being desecrated by Palestinians. The Islamic terrorists roamed the streets hunting for Israeli citizens, and Hamas said that it had taken dozens of soldiers and citizens hostage. The terrorist attack happened on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war — known as the Yom Kippur War — where Israel’s Arab neighbors launched a surprise attack during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar.

“We are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours,” Netanyahu said. “I convened the heads of the security establishment and ordered – first of all – to clear out the communities that have been infiltrated by terrorists. This currently is being carried out.”

“At the same time, I have ordered an extensive mobilization of reserves and that we return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” the prime minister continued. “In the meantime, I call on the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the IDF and Home Front Command. We are at war and we will win it.”

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The unprecedented terrorist attack was celebrated by Iran, which congratulated “the Palestinian fighters.” The attack came after President Joe Biden unfroze $6 billion in Iranian oil revenues in exchange for the release of five U.S. citizens who were being held in false imprisonment in Tehran.

IDF forces are currently engaged with the Hamas terrorists who invaded the country, and IDF  spokesman Richard Hecht said he is hopeful that “there will be no more live terrorists in Israel” by the end of the day. 

“We are very much focused on saving forces, where there is ongoing fighting as we speak and handling these terrorists, hopefully by the end of the day there will be no more live terrorists inside Israel,” Hecht told CNN. 

Ryan Saavedra contributed to this report. 

Israel declared an all out “state of war” on Saturday after Palestinian terrorists reportedly fired thousands of rockets from inside Gaza and while dozens of highly armed terrorist infiltrated parts of Israel opening fire on innocent civilians.

The attacks were carried out by Hamas, an Islamic terrorist group that is funded in-part by Iran, during the holiday of Simchat Torah and on Shabbat — the Jewish day of rest that is observed by many in Israel.

Terrorist Mohammad Deif, Hamas’s military chief, said that his militants fired 5,000 rockets into Israel as part of “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.” He called for surrounding Islamic nations to join the Palestinian terrorists in their attacks on Israel.

Israel Defense Forces released a map only a few hours into the attack that showed all the places where rockets from the attack had landed. The IDF suggested that the number of rockets fired into Israel was approximately 2,500.

Israelis across the country—on Shabbat and the holiday of Simchat Torah—woke up to sirens sounding and Hamas firing rockets at them from Gaza this morning.

We will defend ourselves. pic.twitter.com/S9GN8fld4Y

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 7, 2023

Large rocket barrage targeting southern/central Israel. pic.twitter.com/iQ17tEELpy

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

An exact number of fatalities was unknown during the early stages of the attack, although it is expected to be high, but local reports said that hundreds of people were injured in the attacks and that number is expected to grow.

“Hamas made a grave mistake this morning and started a war against the State of Israel,” said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. “IDF soldiers are fighting the enemy at all the infiltration sites,” Gallant says in remarks provided by his office. The State of Israel will win this war.”

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The IDF said that “the Hamas terrorist organization will pay a heavy price for its actions.”

Images and video circulating on social media that were reported on by various newswires, major newspapers, and local publications showed horrifying scenes as rockets smashed into the side of residential buildings, cars and at least 1 military tank were on fire, numerous bodies lay on the ground in pools of blood, the bodies of Israeli soldiers were desecrated by Palestinians, and Islamic terrorists roamed the streets hunting for Israeli citizens. There were also reports that hostages may have been taken — Israeli soldiers and potentially civilians — and it appears that the terrorists were able to steal significant military hardware from Israel.

Warning: Some of the images and videos below contain highly graphic footage.

Significant rocket launches from the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/iJmvvGKqft

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

Apocalyptic scenes right now in southern Israel. pic.twitter.com/uuseUdcytV

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) October 7, 2023

Multiple impacts in southern Israel. pic.twitter.com/PC5z5y5WZi

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) October 7, 2023

Multiple rocket impacts in southern Israel. This was coordinated by multiple factions in Gaza, I’m told.

We’ve covered many rounds between Israel and Gaza in the past. Expect days of fighting ahead. pic.twitter.com/Gv0bFXWNcS

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) October 7, 2023

Armed Palestinian gunmen belonging to Hamas celebrate after what appears to be the killing of two Israeli soldiers at the Gaza border. The video is edited due to its graphic content. pic.twitter.com/lc6IFEzekN

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

A Palestinian films himself near a burning IDF tank at the Gaza border. pic.twitter.com/sHrxw87z4k

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

Unconfirmed reports of an IDF tank targeted at the Gaza border. pic.twitter.com/rDDnh2yHcI

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

🚨 Capture of an Israeli soldier from his tank pic.twitter.com/M7NQYFsThL

— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) October 7, 2023

Hamas has reportedly Captured a Merkava Mark IV Main Battle Tank and at least 1 Namer APC after they Overran an Israeli Military Base near the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/NgJKrv5hOg

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 7, 2023

A shootout between Israeli forces and what is likely a Nukhba commando unit of Hamas. pic.twitter.com/EeUQQS4DBg

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

Palestinian Gunmen seen in the City of Sderot within the last several minutes Opening-Fire on a passing Police Car. pic.twitter.com/WasDjNSYgv

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 7, 2023

Terrorists with the Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas have reportedly Captured an Israeli Military Base near the Border with Gaza. pic.twitter.com/60EQQAuoQT

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 7, 2023

Palestinian Terrorists are continuing to Open-Fire on any passing Civilian that they see in Southern Israel. pic.twitter.com/wiOgUfTohs

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 7, 2023

An Israeli Humvee was also Captured by Palestinian Fighters during their Attack. pic.twitter.com/Fm2WV1LPlk

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 7, 2023

Israeli Defense Force Equipment and Vehicles have reportedly been Captured by Palestinian Fighters during their Incursion into Southern Israel. pic.twitter.com/yLEBWu4aCG

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 7, 2023

Israeli air defense intercept rockets fired by Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/nV1aLdallD

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

🚨🚨WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT

Palestinians parading around the body of a young Israeli woman.

These are the people world leaders want Israel to make peace with.

These are the people @JoeBiden and the @un say are good people who deserve every consideration.

Pray for Israel. pic.twitter.com/wIgN9S2ph6

— Jay Engelmayer (@jengelmayer) October 7, 2023

Inside footage of Palestinian militant group Al-Qassam Brigades entering one of the Israeli bases near Rafah. pic.twitter.com/JXg7ANrNkY

— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) October 7, 2023

Gaza militants and crowd celebrate as they killed an IDF soldier and brought the body back to Gaza. pic.twitter.com/ujE7whxWEX

— AG (@AGHamilton29) October 7, 2023

Footage has been released by Hamas showing a number of IDF Hostages who were Surrounded at their Base and eventually taken back to Gaza. pic.twitter.com/UA24Y0bGCy

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 7, 2023

Unconfirmed reports of at least one paraglider attempting to infiltrate southern Israel during rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/GerPyGkFw1

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023

Palestinian terrorists invaded a festival where hundreds of Israelis were camping out for the Shemini Atzeret holiday.

The panic caused by this is evident on the fades of the civilians being targeted by heavily armed militants.

Pray for Israel. pic.twitter.com/l6zviWr2hy

— Jay Engelmayer (@jengelmayer) October 7, 2023