More than 200 Israelis were killed on Saturday as Hamas militants carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea and catching the country off guard on a major holiday. At least 232 people have been killed and 1,610 wounded in Gaza, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded. All times are Paris time (GMT+2).
This live blog is no longer being updated.
00:40am: US says 'too early' to tell if Iran directly involved in Hamas attack on Israel
A senior White House official said Saturday it was "too early to say" whether Israel's arch foe Iran was "directly involved" in the large-scale attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
However, there was "no doubt Hamas is funded, equipped and armed by Iran and others," he added, as the conflict between the two sides escalated to its bloodiest point in decades.
00:35am: US-Israel discussions on military aid 'very much underway', says White House official
Talks with Israel on providing US military assistance are "very much underway," a White House senior official said Saturday, following the surprise large-scale attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The official indicated an announcement by Washington was possible as early as Sunday, but noted that the situation in Congress -- where the lower chamber currently lacks a leader -- will complicate the matter.
There is "probably is a role for Congress here and without speaker of the House, that is a unique situation we're going to have to work through," he said.
00:30am: Saudi FM speaks with Blinken to urge halt to violence in and around Gaza.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has spoken to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to urge a halt to the violence in and around Gaza.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement released late Saturday says the two discussed “the necessity of working toward an immediate halt to the escalation.”
Prince Faisal emphasized “the kingdom’s rejection of the targeting of civilians and the need for all sides to respect international humanitarian law.”
The Saudis have been in talks with the White House over potentially forging diplomatic relations with Israel. Those efforts have been thrown into question by the unprecedented incursion into Israel launched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday.
00:22am: Blinken speaks with Egypt to seek 'immediate halt' to Hamas assault
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Saturday with Egypt, a key intermediary between Israel and Hamas, to seek an immediate end to the offensive by the militants, the State Department said.
In a telephone call with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Blinken raised "the urgency in achieving an immediate halt to the appalling assault by Hamas terrorists against Israel," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
00:12am: US says it is working with others to prevent Gaza conflict from spreading
The United States is working with other governments to make sure the crisis does not spread and is contained to Gaza following a deadly Hamas attack in Israel, a senior Biden administration official said on Saturday.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said the U.S. did not have any information at the moment to determine that Iran was involved in the "specific" assault in Israel, even though Tehran's long-standing support for Hamas was well known.
The official said the US was looking closely at the issue.
23:31am: Number of Israelis taken prisoner 'several times greater' than dozens, says Hamas spokesperson
The total number of Israelis captured by Hamas in a surprise attack on Israeli towns on Saturday was "several times greater" than dozens, a spokesperson for the armed wing of Hamas said in a recording aired shortly after midnight on Sunday.
The spokesman said those taken captive were spread throughout all areas of the Gaza strip.
10:23pm: France, Germany step up security at Jewish sites
Germany and France on Saturday moved to reinforce security around Jewish temples, schools and monuments after the surprise attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas against Israel.
Germany tightened police protection of Jewish and Israeli institutions, as some supporters of the Palestinians took to the streets of Berlin to celebrate the attack.
France focussed on Jewish temples and schools in cities across the country.
Security had already been stepped up at synagogues in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Strasbourg because of religious holidays observed since late September.
Interior Gerald Darmanin sent an urgent message to prefects running the country's regions asking them to reinforce surveillance even further.
"At a time when terrorist attacks from Gaza are hitting Israel, I ask you to immediately step up vigilance, security and protection of Jewish community sites in France," he wrote in a message seen by AFP.
He called for a "visible and systematic static presence", and the use of soldiers from France's Operation Sentinelle, a special force deployed across the country since the 2015 terror attacks
10:19pm: More than 200 killed in Israel by Hamas attack, army says
The Israel death toll from the Hamas surprise attack Saturday has surged to more than 200, the army said, accusing the Palestinian militants of breaking into homes and "massacring civilians".
"Terrorists rampaged and broke into homes, massacring civilians," the army said, adding that more than 200 people were killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the assault that began at dawn.
9:34pm: Around 80 people killed in Israel, say medical services
About 80 people were killed in Israel, medical services said, after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale attack against Israel on Saturday. Gaza authorities released a death toll of 232 in the conflict's bloodiest escalation in years which also left many hundreds wounded on both sides.
The escalation follows months of rising violence, mostly in the occupied West Bank, and tensions around Gaza's border and at contested holy sites in Jerusalem.
Before Saturday's violence, at least 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis and two foreigners had been killed this year, including combatants and civilians, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials.
9:32pm: Israel's Netanyahu vows 'mighty vengeance' against Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed "mighty vengeance" against Hamas after the Palestinian militant movement launched a surprise attack on Saturday, killing scores of Israelis and taking numerous captives.
In a brief video address, he said Hamas would be held responsible for the well-being of the captives and said Israel would settle the score with anyone who harmed them.
Netanyahu delivered his message in a nationally televised address late Saturday after spending most of the day in meetings with top security officials.
He said the Israeli military will use all of its strength to destroy Hamas' capabilities. He also vowed to extract a heavy price if “even a single hair” is harmed on the Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity.
“We will defeat them to death and take revenge for this black day,” he said.
9:04pm Palestine president tells Blinken injustice is driving conflict to 'explosion'
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that "injustice" towards Palestinians is driving the conflict with Israel to an "explosion", Palestinian news agency WAFA said on Saturday.
In a phone call, Abbas also said the ongoing escalation is down to the "practices of the colonialists and the Israeli occupation forces, and the aggression against Islamic and Christian sanctities," according to WAFA.
9:03pm: Dozens of airlines cancel Tel Aviv flights
Major airlines cancelled flights to Tel Aviv this weekend after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale attack against Israel.
On the arrivals board at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, Ryanair, Aegan Airlines and some US companies were all pulling flights.
However airport authorities did not stop commercial air links with Eilat, Israel's second international airport and tourist destination on the Red Sea.
Air France said it had halted Tel Aviv flights "until further notice".
Air France-KLM group's low-cost carrier Transavia also cancelled a flight from Paris to Tel Aviv on Saturday evening.
8:59pm: Biden says US support for Israel 'rock solid and unwavering'
President Joe Biden said Saturday that US support for Israel was "rock solid and unwavering" after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a large-scale surprise attack.
"The United States stands with Israel. We will not ever fail to have their back," Biden said in a televised statement at the White House, flanked by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
8:33pm: Hamas says it fired 150 rockets fired at Tel Aviv
Hamas said it fired a volley of 150 rockets towards Tel Aviv on Saturday evening in retaliation for an Israeli air strike that took down a high rise building with more than 100 apartments.
Hamas claimed to have fired more than 5,000 rockets towards Israel on Saturday as part of the attack it has named "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood".
Army spokesman Richard Hecht said Israel had counted more than 3,000 incoming rockets.
8:26pm: Troops still fighting 'hundreds' of infiltrators at '22 locations' inside Israel, says army
Fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants who infiltrated from Gaza was ongoing at "22 locations" inside Israel Saturday, the army said after Hamas launched a surprise dawn attack.
"There are still 22 locations where we are engaging with terrorists that came into Israel from the sea, from the land and from the air," army spokesman Richard Hecht told journalists, adding the Hamas attack included a "robust ground invasion".
He said there was a "severe hostage situation in Beeri and also in Ofakim", two Israeli communities near the Gaza border.
When asked by journalists how many militants had entered Israel, Hecht said "hundreds" had "invaded" the country, adding that "hundreds" were still fighting troops inside Israel.
8:03pm: Gaza death toll in conflict with Israel rises to 232, says health ministry
The death toll in the Gaza Strip rose to 232 on Saturday, after a dawn assault on Israel by Hamas militants drew heavy reprisals, the territory's health ministry said.
"The hospitals in the Gaza Strip have so far received 232 martyrs and 1,697 people with various injuries from the Israeli aggression," the Hamas-run ministry said in a statement.
7:41pm: Israel not ‘sufficiently prepared’ for Hamas attack, says ambassador to France
Israel's ambassador to France admitted on Saturday that his country was not "sufficiently prepared" for the attack launched by Hamas, pointing to a failure of the intelligence services.
"Following this surprise [attack], we were not sufficiently prepared for it, we could even say barely prepared," ambassador Raphael Morav said in an interview with France's Europe 1 radio.
Asked about a possible failure of the Israeli intelligence services, the Israeli diplomat replied "certainly, certainly, yes... because normally we should have been prepared".
"Lessons will have to be learned," he added.
7:00pm: Israel halts electricity supply to Gaza, says energy minister
Israel ordered its state-run electricity company to halt supply to the Gaza Strip on Saturday after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, the energy minister said.
"I have signed an order instructing (Israel) Electric Company to stop the electricity supply to Gaza," Energy Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
6:40pm: Hamas says it is holding dozens of Israeli soldiers
The Hamas militant group says it is holding “dozens” of Israeli soldiers captive in the Gaza Strip.
Abu Obeida, spokesman for the group's military wing, said the soldiers, including some officers, were captured during a surprise infiltration into southern Israel on Saturday.
He said the captives were being held in “safe places” and militant tunnels.
If true, the claim could set the stage for complicated negotiations on a prisoner swap with Israel, which is holding thousands of Palestinians in its prisons.
Israel in the past has agreed to lopsided exchanges in order to bring captive soldiers home.
8:12pm: Hamas chief Haniyeh says group 'on verge of great victory'
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said Saturday the Palestinian militant group was on the "verge of a great victory" after it launched a surprise attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip.
"We are on the verge of a great victory and a clear conquest on the Gaza front," Haniyeh said in a speech broadcast on Hamas-run Al-Aqsa television.
"Enough is enough, the cycle of intifadas (uprisings) and revolutions in the battle to liberate our (Palestinian) land and our prisoners languishing in occupation (Israeli) prisons must be completed."
5:57pm: Israel strikes destroy multi-storey buildings in Gaza
Israeli fighter jets struck three multi-storey buildings in Gaza Saturday, AFP journalists reported, sending clouds of dust into the sky as the towers of more than 10 floors each collapsed.
"The Hamas terrorist organisation deliberately places its military assets in the heart of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip," the army said a statement confirming the strike.
"Prior to the strike, the IDF (army) provided advance warning to the occupants ... and asked them to evacuate."
5:38pm: Israeli military says fighting continues in 22 areas of southern Israel, 12 hours after incursion
The Israeli military says that fighting is continuing in 22 locations in southern Israel 12 hours after Hamas militants carried out a surprise infiltration into the area.
In a statement, the army's chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said “there is no community in southern Israel where we do not have forces.” He said Israel has regained control in some communities but the army is still conducting scans to make sure they are safe.
Hagari also confirmed ongoing hostage situations in two towns — Ofakim and Beeri.
“There are special forces there with senior commanders and live fire fights are going on there,” he said.
Hagari said that Israel was striking targets in Gaza from the air and that ground operations were imminent. He did not elaborate but said an additional four divisions of troops, as well as tanks, were being deployed to the already heavily fortified area.
5:27pm: UN Security Council to meet Sunday over attacks on Israel
The United Nations Security Council is due to meet on Sunday after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday, diplomats said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack by Hamas and urged "all diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider conflagration", UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned for the civilian population and urges maximum restraint. Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times," Dujarric said.
FRANCE 24 Jessica Le Masurier reports from New York
5:22pm: Biden warns off parties 'hostile to Israel' in wake of attacks
US President Joe Biden said on Saturday he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States was ready to offer "all appropriate means of support" after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched an attack on Israel.
"I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel," Biden said in a statement after he spoke with Netanyahu.
"Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation," he added.
5:06pm: Hamas surprise attack a ‘historic failure’ for Israeli intelligence services
Hamas's surprise assault on Israel at dawn on Saturday caught the country completely off guard and represents a "historic failure" for Israeli intelligence services, says Middle East expert David Khalfa.
Read FRANCE 24's interview with Khalfa by clicking 'Read More' below.
Read moreHamas surprise attack a ‘historic failure’ for Israeli intelligence services
4:46pm: Israel death toll from Hamas attack rises to 70, medics say
The death toll in Israel from a surprise attack by Palestinian militant Hamas group on Saturday has risen to 70, the Magen David Adom emergency medical service said.
"As of now, 5:35 pm (14:35 GMT), we can update the toll to 70 killed and hundreds wounded seriously, moderately and lightly," it said in a statement.
4:44pm: UN peacekeeping force says has enhanced 'counter rocket-launching operations' in south Lebanon
The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said on Saturday it had enhanced its presence in its areas of operations near Lebanon's southern border with Israel, including "counter rocket-launching operations".
There have been fears of spillover since Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel.
4:43pm: Brazil to call emergency meeting of UN Security Council over attack on Israel
Brazil's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday it would convene an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council following the biggest attack on Israel in years.
Brazil, which assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council this month, condemned the attacks in a public statement and expressed solidarity with the people of Israel. It also reaffirmed a commitment to a "two-state solution," with Palestine and Israel coexisting within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.
4:35pm: Hamas militants holding Israeli civilians and soldiers hostage in Gaza, Israeli military confirms
The Israeli military says that Gaza's militant Hamas rulers are holding Israeli civilians and soldiers captive in the Palestinian enclave, marking major escalation in the fighting.
The military confirmed Hamas claims that its fighters had kidnapped a number of Israelis after they infiltrated Israel's highly fortified separation fence and stormed into Israeli communities in the country's south.
The army did not offer further details, declining to comment on how many Israelis had been seized.
Social media has been filled with videos claiming to show Hamas fighters dragging lifeless Israeli soldiers and parading captured civilians through the streets.
4:27pm: Israelis condemn 'slow reponse' from authorities amid ongoing Hamas assault
Israelis are "in shock" at Hamas's unprecedented attack and are also criticising the speed of Israel's response, says FRANCE 24's Irris Makler, reporting from Jerusalem.
"More than nine hours after this operation began with this infiltration from Hamas in the Gaza strip it is not yet over," Makler said. "You see a very slow response from the Israeli government to take control to clear the militants from these villages and some larger towns.”
Click on the video below to watch her report in full.
3:33pm: At least 198 killed in Gaza in conflict with Israel, says health ministry
At least 198 people have been killed and 1,610 wounded in Gaza as a result of Israeli retaliation to a Hamas attack on Saturday, the Palestinian Health Ministry has said.
3:31pm: NATO condemns Hamas 'terrorist attacks' against Israel
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation condemned Saturday "terrorist attacks by Hamas against NATO partner Israel", a spokesman for the defence alliance said.
"Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected. Terrorism is a fundamental threat to free societies, and Israel has the right to defend itself," said spokesman Dylan White.
3:06pm France ‘stands in solidarity with Israel’, says Macron
President of France Emmanuel Macron sent a social media message in support of Israel on Saturday and said that he had spoken with Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, and prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
“France stands in solidarity with Israel and the Israelis, committed to their security and their right to defend themselves,” Macron said in a message on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
2:57pm: Adviser to Iran supreme leader calls Hamas attack on Israel 'proud' operation
A senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed support for an attack Hamas launched against Israel on Saturday, calling it a "proud operation".
"We support the proud operation of Al-Aqsa Flood," Yahya Rahim Safavi said at a meeting held in support of Palestinian children in Tehran, quoted by ISNA news agency.
"We support this operation, and we are sure that the resistance front also supports this issue," said Safavi, who is a senior general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
2:55pm: Pentagon vows Israel will have 'what it needs to defend itself'
The Pentagon on Saturday reaffirmed the United States' "unwavering" commitment to Israel's right to defend itself and vowed to make sure the key US ally had the means to do so.
"Our commitment to Israel's right to defend itself remains unwavering," Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement, adding that his agency would work "to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism".
2:49pm: Iran foreign ministry says Hamas attacks sign of 'confidence'
Iran's foreign ministry said Hamas attacks on Saturday were proof of the Palestinians' increased confidence in the face of Israel, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported.
"In this operation, the element of surprise and other combined methods were used, which show the Palestinian people's confidence in the face of the occupiers," ISNA quoted ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani as telling the agency in an interview.
2:46pm: Egypt urges Palestinians, Israelis to 'exercise restraint'
Egypt urged the Palestinians and Israel to "exercise restraint" after Hamas militants launched a deadly air, land and sea assault Saturday from Gaza against Israel which responded with air strikes.
The Egyptian foreign ministry in a statement appealed to "both the Palestinian and Israeli sides to exercise the highest degrees of restraint".
Egypt, historically a key mediator in conflicts between the two sides, warned of the "dire danger of ongoing escalation".
2:43pm: German airline Lufthansa cuts flights to Israel
German airline Lufthansa is cutting flights to Israel on Saturday following a wave of Palestinian attacks, a spokesman told AFP.
"Given the current security situation in Tel Aviv," Lufthansa will maintain a single flight to Frankfurt but "all other Lufthansa flights to and from Tel Aviv have been cancelled for this Saturday".
2:40pm: Iraq says Palestinian operations are a natural result of occupation
Military operations undertaken by the Palestinian people on Saturday are a natural result of decades of "systemic oppression" by the "Zionist Occupation authority", a statement by the Iraqi government's official spokesperson said.
The statement also warned of a continued escalation in the Palestinian territories, which it said could affect the stability of the region.
2:31pm: At least 40 killed in Israel during Hamas fight, say medics
At least 40 people have been killed in Israel during fighting with Palestinian militants on Saturday, the Magen David Adom emergency medical services said in a statement.
"Since the morning hours, MDA teams provided medical care to hundreds of casualties, and pronounced 40 people dead," it said, while the Israeli health ministry confirmed that at least 779 people had been injured and taken to hospitals.
2:22pm: Hamas assaults will ‘open the floodgates of hell’ in Gaza, says Israel Army spokesperson
Assaults by Hamas on Israeli civilians are set to spark an Israeli response that will “open the floodgates of hell” in the Gaza strip, an Israel Army spokesperson told France 24.
“I don’t think that Israel can allow itself to end this situation with Hamas while Hamas still is intact and governs the Gaza strip,” said Jonathan Conricus, a spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Forces. The price in Gaza would be heavy, he said. “There will be civilian casualties, there will be military casualties.”
2:18pm: US condemns 'unprovoked attack' by Hamas
The United States on Saturday "unequivocally" condemned attacks by "Hamas terrorists" against Israel, the White House said in a statement.
"The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians," National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement, adding that "there is never any justification for terrorism".
"We stand firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks," Watson added.
2:15pm: UN Middle East envoy condemns 'heinous attacks' on Israel, urges restraint
UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland on Saturday condemned the "heinous attacks" on Israel, warning in a statement: "This is a dangerous precipice, and I appeal to all to pull back from the brink.”
He urged maximum restraint and called on all sides to protect civilians.
1:54pm: Qatar says Israel is responsible for escalation, calls for restraint
Qatar's foreign ministry issued a statement on Saturday saying that Israel alone was responsible for the ongoing escalation of violence with the Palestinian people.
It said Qatar calls on both sides to exercise utmost restraint and calls on the international community to prevent Israel from using these events as an excuse to launch a disproportionate war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
1:52pm: Lebanon's Hezbollah hails Hamas for 'heroic operation'
Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah praised Hamas for its "heroic operation" after the Palestinian militant group launched an air, sea and land attack on Israel Saturday.
Israel said it was at war with Hamas following the surprise dawn attack from the blockaded Gaza Strip that, according to medics, had so far killed at least 22 people on its territory.
"Hezbollah congratulates the resisting Palestinian people," the Lebanese Shiite movement said in a statement, hailing Hamas and its armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, for the "large-scale, heroic operation".
Hezbollah said its leadership was following the developments and "in direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian resistance at home and abroad".
In 2006 Hezbollah and Israel fought a 34-day war that left more than 1,200 dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, mostly soldiers.
1:47pm: US condemns Hamas attacks on Israel, reports CNN
A White House National Security Council spokesperson said the US "unequivocally condemns" attacks by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas against Israeli civilians and firmly stands with the government and people of Israel, CNN reported on Saturday.
Citing a statement from the spokesperson, CNN reported that White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had spoken with his Israeli counterpart, Tzachi Hanegbi, and would remain in close contact.
1:41pm: India stands 'in solidarity with Israel' after attacks, says PM Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday that his country stood "in solidarity with Israel" after attacks launched by Gaza militants earlier in the day.
"Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel," Modi wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour."
1:22pm: UN calls for immediate halt to violence in Gaza
The United Nation's High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an immediate halt to violence in Gaza after the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched its biggest attack on Israel in years.
Volker Tuerk said he was shocked by reports that hundreds of rockets had been fired towards Israel on Saturday and reports that Israeli civilians have been taken hostage.
At least 22 Israelis have been killed in the attack and more than 250 wounded, Israel's ambulance service said, with the figures expected to rise.
"This attack is having a horrific impact on Israeli civilians," Tuerk said in a statement. "Civilians must never be the target of attack."
He called on Israel to take precautions to avoid civilian casualties as it responded to the attacks with air strikes into Gaza.
"I call for an immediate stop to the violence, and appeal to all sides and key countries in the region to de-escalate to avoid further bloodshed," Tuerk said.
1:15pm: Saudi Arabia calls for halt to violence between Israel and Palestinians
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry on Saturday called for an "immediate cessation of violence between Israeli and the Palestinians", the state news agency reported.
It quoted a ministry statement which read: "We are following the unprecedented developments between a number of Palestinian factions and Israel occupation forces which has led to a high level of violence on a number of fronts."
1:10pm: EU says civilians being taken hostage in Israel 'against international law'
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday condemned the taking of civilian hostages as a violation of international law after attacks launched by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel.
"News of civilians taken as hostages in their homes or to Gaza are appalling. This is against international law. Hostages must be released immediately," he said on X, formerly Twitter.
12:52pm: In pictures: Scenes of war and chaos after Hamas launch surprise attack on Israel
The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday in a surprise multi-pronged assault that saw armed fighters crossing into several Israeli towns by air, land and sea while thousands of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip. FRANCE 24's Lara Bullens rounds up some of the pictures from the unprecedented assault. Click on the picture below for the full report.
12:38pm: Hamas releases video showing three men captured by its fighters
Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, released a video Saturday showing its fighters had captured three men who were dressed in civilian clothes.
"Scenes of Al-Qassam Brigades capturing a number of enemy soldiers in the battle of Al-Aqsa Flood," said a sentence appearing on a black background at the start of the video.
Signs in Hebrew in the background suggested the footage was filmed on the Israeli side of the Erez Crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
12:22pm: Adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader expresses support for Palestinian attacks
An adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday congratulated Palestinian fighters for launching the biggest attack on Israel in years, the semi-official ISNA news site reported.
"We congratulate the Palestinian fighters," it quoted Rahim Safavi as saying. "We will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem."
In a surprise assault, Palestinian group Hamas crossed into several Israeli towns on Saturday with a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
11:53am: ‘They’ve never gone in in these numbers – it’s a coordinated attack’
FRANCE 24’s Irris Makler, reporting from Jerusalem on Hamas’s unprecedented surprise attack on Israel, says she believes the “primary aim” of this operation was the taking of “Israeli hostages back into the Gaza Strip”.
“I think the taking of Israeli hostages, the keeping of the rest of Israel quiet while they get hostages in this very sophisticated land, sea and air move – so they get people from the south of Israel, they hold them hostage and then they can do a hostage swap for Palestinian prisoners,” says Makler.
“I don’t think they think they’re going to win ultimately – but they do want a big action and they want a big success in terms of hostage-taking.”
Click on the video below to watch the report in full.
11:51am: Turkey's Erdogan calls on Israelis, Palestinians to act with restraint
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday called on Israelis and Palestinians to act with restraint and refrain from hostile acts that could exacerbate the situation.
"We call for restraint from all parties," Erdogan said at a congress for his ruling AK Party in Ankara. "They must refrain from aggressive acts," he said.
11:45am: Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves, says President Abbas
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that the Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves against the "terror of settlers and occupation troops", the official news agency WAFA quoted him as saying.
He spoke at an emergency meeting held in Ramallah with a number of top officials from the Palestinian Authority.
11:43am: Macron condemns 'terrorist attacks' against Israel
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that he strongly condemned the terrorist attacks against Israel.
"I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks which are currently hitting Israel. I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them," Macron wrote on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
11:42am: At least 22 Israelis killed in Hamas attack, reports Israel's N12 News
At least 22 Israelis have been killed in the surprise attack launched by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Saturday, Israel's N12 News reported, citing the Israeli ambulance service.
11:19am: Israel at 'war' against Hamas after unprecedented attack, says Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was at "war" with Palestinian militant group Hamas after barrages of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Saturday.
"We are at war, not in an operation or in rounds, but at war," the Israeli leader said in a statement, adding Hamas had launched a "murderous surprise attack" on Israel and its people.
"I have ordered an extensive mobilisation of reserves and that we return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price," he said.
11:11am: Russia urges 'restraint', calls for 'immediate ceasefire' after attacks on Israel
Russia on Saturday urged restraint from all sides after Palestinian militants fired a barrage of rockets on Israel, which then launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip.
"We are now in contact with everyone. With the Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs," Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Russian private news agency Interfax, adding: "Of course, we always call for restraint."
In addition, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Bogdanov called for Israeli and Palestinian forces to stop armed hostilities. "We call on the Palestinian and Israeli sides to immediately ceasefire, renounce violence, show the necessary restraint and – with the help of the international community – establish a negotiation process aimed at establishing a comprehensive, lasting and long-awaited peace."
10:58am: European leaders condemn Hamas attacks on Israel
European leaders from several countries including Germany, Spain, Italy, Ukraine and the UK issued statements condemning the surprise attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israel on Saturday, saying they supported Israel's "right to defend itself".
10:55am: Egypt warns of grave consequences from escalation in Israel
Egypt warned of "grave consequences" from an escalation in tensions between Israel and the Palestinians in a statement from the foreign ministry carried by the state news agency on Saturday.
It called for "exercising maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger".
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri also held a call with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to discuss developments between Israel and the Palestinians since Friday evening, stating that both sides should exercise restraint to avoid serious risks.
10:40: Attack from Gaza a message against normalisation with Israel, says Hezbollah
Hezbollah issued a statement on Saturday saying they were closely following the situation in Gaza and are in "direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian resistance".
Following events involving Gaza militants who fired a barrage of rockets into Israel, the statement added that it was a "decisive response to Israel's continued occupation and a message to those seeking normalisation with Israel".
10:40: Fighting ongoing in 'certain locations' in Israel near Gaza, army
Israeli forces were fighting Palestinian militants on the ground in several locations around the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the army said, after barrages of rockets were fired from the enclave into Israeli territory.
"It was a combined ground raid which happened through paragliders, through the sea and through the ground," army spokesman Richard Hecht told reporters.
"Right now we're fighting. We're fighting in certain locations around the Gaza Strip ... our forces are now fighting on the ground."
10:27am: Israeli local official killed in firefight with attackers from Gaza
The head of a regional council for Israeli border areas northeast of the Gaza Strip was killed Saturday in a firefight with militants from the Palestinian territory, the council said.
"The president of the regional council, Ofir Liebstein, was killed during an exchange of fire with terrorists," the Shaar Negev regional council said in a statement.
10:20am: EU's top diplomat says bloc 'unequivocally' condemns Hamas attacks
The European Union on Saturday "unequivocally" condemned attacks by the Palestinian group Hamas on Israel and called for an immediate stop to the violence.
"We follow with anguish the news coming from #Israel. We unequivocally condemn the attacks by Hamas. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing. The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these difficult moments," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
9:50am: Israel army launches air strikes on Gaza
Israel's army carried out at least two air strikes on the Gaza Strip Saturday, an AFP journalist reported, after barrages of rockets were fired from the Palestinian territory into Israel.
More than 5,000 rockets had been fired so far from the Gaza Strip, the armed wing of Hamas which controls the blockaded coastal enclave said. Medics said the rocket fire killed at least one Israeli, a woman in her 60s.
9:36am: French Embassy in Israel condemns Hamas attack
The French Embassy in Israel on Saturday condemned attacks by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Israel, describing them as "inadmissible terrorist attacks".
"Horrified by the developments coming from the south of the country. These terrorist attacks are inadmissible and must be condemned by everyone. We stand side by side alongside Israel and Israelis," the French Embassy wrote on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter.
9:20am: Hamas launched ‘war against Israel’, says defence minister
Palestinian militant group Hamas has launched a "war" against Israel, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, after barrages of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on Saturday.
"Hamas has made a grave mistake this morning and launched a war against the State of Israel," Gallant said in a statement.
"IDF troops (Israeli army) are fighting against the enemy at every location."
9:10am: Hundreds of Gaza residents flee homes from areas bordering Israel
Hundreds of residents in the Gaza Strip fled their homes to move away from the border with Israel after barrages of rockets were fired from the coastal enclave into Israel, an AFP correspondent reported.
Men, women and children were seen carrying blankets and food items as they left their homes, mostly in the northeastern part of the Palestinian territory, the reporter said.
7:42am: More than 5,000 rockets fired as 'Operation Al-Aqsa Flood' begins, says Palestinian militant group Hamas
More than 5,000 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Saturday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas said, declaring it had started "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood".
"We decided to put an end to all the crimes of the occupation (Israel), their time for rampaging without being held accountable is over," the group said.
"We announce Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and we fired, in the first strike of 20 minutes, more than 5,000 rockets."
7:24am: Sirens sound in Jerusalem after rocket fire from Gaza
The Israeli army sounded sirens in Jerusalem after a barrage of rockets was fired from the blockaded Gaza Strip into Israel on Saturday, AFP journalists reported.
7:10am: One woman killed in Israel from Gaza rocket fire
Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip killed a woman in Israel on Saturday, the Magen David Adom emergency medical services said.
A woman in her 60s was killed "due to a direct hit" and 15 others were injured in southern Israel, it said, after dozens of rockets were fired from the blockaded enclave.
6:51am: 'Number of terrorists infiltrated' Israel from Gaza, says Israeli army
The Israeli army said Saturday that a "number of terrorists have infiltrated" Israel from the Gaza Strip after dozens of rockets were fired from the blockaded enclave.
"Residents in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip have been asked to stay in their homes," the army said in a statement.
6:11am: Dozens of rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel
Dozens of rockets were fired from the blockaded Gaza Strip towards Israel on Saturday, an AFP journalist in the Palestinian territory said, as sirens warning of incoming fire blared in Israel.
The rocket fire was launched from multiple locations in Gaza starting at 06:30am (03:30 GMT) and continuing for nearly half an hour, the AFP journalist reported.
The Israeli army warned of sirens across the country's south, while the police urged the public to stay near bomb shelters.
There were no immediate reports of people wounded on either side of the heavily-militarised border.
Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza since 2007 after the Hamas militant group took power.
Palestinian militants and Israel have fought several devastating wars since.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and Reuters)
