The Israeli prime minister has said Israel "is at war" after Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel. Hamas militants also entered Israeli territory during the assault.
Early Saturday, Islamist-militant Hamas said it had launched 5,000 rockets against Israeli targets. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that "terrorist operatives" have also infiltrated into Israel.
The attack is unprecedented, with Palestinian militants entering Israeli towns and taking both civilians and soldiers hostage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country is "at war" and that the "enemy will pay a price" for the attack.
Israel responded to the attacks that killed scores of people by carrying out air strikes. Authorities in Gaza reported almost 200 deaths as a result of the strikes.
Almost 200 reported killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza
Gaza's Health Ministry said that at least 198 people had been killed and a further 1,610 were "wounded with different injuries" following Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian enclave.
The strikes were a response by Israel to the surprise assault on Israel by Hamas militants.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said their "enemy will pay a price like they have never known before."
Observers have been wondering whether Israeli forces will launch a ground invasion against Gaza or whether the response will be limited to strikes.
