Netanyahu: 'We are at war, this is not an operation'

Over three hours after the attack started, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement in a video posted on X, formerly known as twitter.

“We are at war, this is not an operation,” he said.

“Hamas has launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. Firstly, I have ordered for all of the settlements to be cleansed of the terrorists who have infiltrated and I have ordered for a large-scale mobilisation of reserves. The enemy will pay a price he has never known."