5000 rockets from Gaza hits Israel, 'state of war' declared

Digital Desk: Israel declared a "state of war" on Saturday following rocket attacks from the bordered Gaza Strip, resulting in at least one casualty. Due to the deteriorating scenario, the Israeli army warned residents in the southern and central parts of the country to remain close to bomb shelters.

Hamas, the military wing of the Palestinian movement, claimed responsibility for the attacks and said that its members had fired over 5,000 rockets. Unverified amateur footage posted on social media showed masked shooters in Sderot, an Israeli border town, with audible shooting.

During the early morning assault that lasted more than 30 minutes, sounds of rocket launches from Gaza were audible as far away as Tel Aviv, which is located roughly 70 kilometers to the north. 'Operation Al-Aqsa Storm' has been declared as a new military operation against Israel by Mohammed Deif, the rarely-seen leader of Hamas' military wing.

Deif's message was sent via a taped statement, in which he asserted that the operation had started with the launch of 5,000 missiles into Israel.

This most recent escalation comes after a time of heavy hostilities in the West Bank, where Israeli military incursions have claimed the lives of roughly 200 Palestinians so far this year. Israel says that the operations are directed towards militants, although deaths have also occurred as a result of stone-throwing protesters and uninvolved bystanders. 

Additionally, around 30 people were killed as a result of Palestinian attacks against Israeli targets.