Thousands of rockets have been fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip in a surprise attack by the Hamas militant group this morning.

Plumes of smoke could be seen rising from Israeli towns as air raid sirens wailed, with reports of explosions near Tel Aviv and the areas surrounding Gaza.

Israel’s defence minister said that Hamas has “launched a war”. At least one person has been killed and dozens others injured.

A military spokesperson for Israel said Hamas fired 2,500 rockets, while their commander said 5,000 were launched in a recorded message on the radio.

“This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth,” he said.

He said the attack was the beginning of “Operation Al Aqsa Storm” in retaliation to Israeli violence-occupied areas.

”Today the people are regaining their revolution,” he said.

“This morning Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said.

“Citizens, we are at war”.

Warning people to be vigilant, he said he ordered a “cleansing” of terrorists from Israel and extensive retaliation on a scope that the enemy cannot comprehend.

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