Latest violence between Palestinian militants and Israel in pictures

Rockets are launched from the coastal Gaza strip towards Israel by militants of the Ezz Al-Din Al Qassam militia, the military wing of Hamas movement, in Gaza City, 07 October 2023.MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE

Palestinian militant group Hamas has launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets from the Gaza strip, which it controls

A man runs on a road as fire burns after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel October 7, 2023.Amir Cohen/ REUTERS

Several rockets hit the southern city of Ashkelon. At least 40 Israelis have been killed

A building is ablaze following rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 7, 2023Itai Ron/REUTERS

This apartment block in Tel Aviv was among those hit

People take shelter in a residential building as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 7, 2023Itai Ron/REUTERS

Israelis have been taking shelter from the barrage as air raid sirens sound

A man takes shelter by a wall as a siren sounds and rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Mevaseret Zion, Israel October 7, 2023.Ronen Zvulun/REUTERS

But some had to try and seek shelter outside

A man wearing a Jewish prayer shawl looks out of the damaged entranceway to a building, as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel October 7, 2023.Ammar Awad/REUTERS

The attack came on the day of the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah

Palestinian militants move towards the border fence with Israel from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.SAID KHATIB/AFP

Hamas militants have also crossed into Israel - these ones were still in Gaza, heading for the border

Palestinians groups break over a fence with the help of a digger as the clashes between Palestinian groups and Israeli forces continue in Gaza City, Gaza on October 7, 2023Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Some used a bulldozer to break through the border fence

Smoke rises after Palestinian members of the Ezz Al-Din Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas burn military armoured vehicle belonging to Israeli forces near Gaza Strip, Gaza on October 07, 2023Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

An Israeli tank was captured and destroyed

Palestinian militants ride an Israeli military vehicle that was seized by gunmen who infiltrated areas of southern Israel, in the northern Gaza Strip October 7, 2023.Ahmed Zakot/ REUTERS

Hamas militants also seized this Israeli military vehicle and took it back to Gaza

Palestinians drive an Israeli tractor that was seized after crossing the border fence with Israel from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.SAID KHATIB / AFP

Along with this tractor

Israeli security forces aim their weapons, as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, near Ashkelon, southern Israel October 7, 2023.Ammar Awad/REUTERS

Israel says it is now at war with Hamas

Smoke rises following Israeli strikes in Gaza, October 7, 2023Mohammed Salem/REUTERS

It has responded with a wave of air strikes on Gaza, killing 198 people, Palestinian officials say

Family members and relatives mourn over the bodies of Palestinian militants killed in the latest infiltration operation into Israel, at the mortuary of a hospital in Gaza City on October 7, 2023. EYAD BABA/AFP

Several militants are among the dead

Residents in the Gaza Strip flee their homes to move away from the border with Israel after barrages of rockets were fired from the coastal enclave into Israel on October 7, 2023.MAHMUD HAMS / AFP

Some Gaza residents worried about Israeli reprisals have fled their homes near the border

All pictures subject to copyright

Related topics

More on this story