Israel declares state of war after Hamas fires thousands of rockets and ‘militants cross border’ – live

Israel declares state of war

Bethan McKernan

In response to the attacks, which appear to have caught the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) by surprise, Israel has declared a state of war.

“A number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip,” the military said in a statement, adding that residents in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip had been told to stay in their homes.

“The Israel Defence Forces will defend Israeli civilians and the Hamas terrorist organisation…