Israel declares 'state of war' following launch of 5,000 Palestinian rockets from Gaza

Gaza, October 07: Israel has officially declared a state of war in response to rocket attacks originating from the blockaded Gaza Strip. Sirens are blaring in the holy city of Jerusalem as tensions escalate.

A tragic incident has already been reported, with a woman in Israel losing her life due to the rocket fire from Gaza, as confirmed by the news agency AFP, citing medics. Palestinian militants based in the Gaza Strip launched multiple rockets towards Israel in the early hours of Saturday, triggering air raid sirens across the country.

The sound of rockets launching from Gaza and the wailing of sirens reached as far as Tel Aviv, approximately 70 kilometers (40 miles) to the north, during the early morning barrage.

Israel has not issued an immediate response, but historically, the Israeli military responds to rocket attacks with airstrikes, increasing the likelihood of broader conflict. While there hasn't been any official claim of responsibility for the rocket fire, Israel typically holds the Hamas militant group, which governs Gaza, accountable for such incidents.

These rocket launches follow weeks of escalating tensions along Israel's volatile border with Gaza and intense clashes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued warnings to residents living near Gaza, advising them to remain in their homes for safety.

Tragically, one person has already lost their life, and at least three others were injured when a barrage of rockets was fired from Gaza towards Israel on Saturday morning, as reported by Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue service. These rocket launches, witnessed by a CNN producer in Gaza, triggered alarms as far north as the Tel Aviv area and as east as Beer Sheva, with numerous other locations in between.

In the Gderot region, a woman in her 70s in Kfar Aviv lost her life following the rocket barrage, according to the MDA. In the Ashkelon area, two other individuals sustained minor injuries, while a fourth person, a man in his 20s in Yavne, suffered moderate injuries from shrapnel.

These rocket attacks occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, a time when most Israelis were likely asleep. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are currently conducting security assessments at Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv, according to an announcement from Netanyahu's office.

- With inputs from agencies

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