Palestinian Islamist group launches a surprise attack and incursion into southern Israel

Hamas launches surprise attack on Israel – live updates

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has launched a surprise attack on Israel, its biggest in years.

Here’s what we know so far:

Hamas militants entered Israeli territory in the early hours of Saturday morning, appearing to take control of various communities in the south of the country. Fighting is still going on in some areas.

Hamas fired more than 2,000 rockets toward Israel, according to the Israeli authorities.

The death toll in Israel is at least 22, according to Israeli emergency services. The country’s health ministry said at least 545 wounded were being treated in hospital. Palestinian media report the death toll in Gaza as four.

Israel has launched airstrikes on Gaza.

There are reports of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

“We are at war and we will win it,” the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a video address to the country.

The British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, said he was “shocked by this morning’s attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens”. “Israel has an absolute right to defend itself,” he said.