This is the full statement of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
"Citizens of Israel. We are at war, not an operation, not an escalation, a war.
This morning Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens. We've been at it since early morning.
I convened the heads of the security system, first of all, I instructed them to cleanse the settlements of the terrorists who had infiltrated - this operation is being carried out during these hours.
At the same time, I ordered an extensive reserve mobilization and a retaliatory war with a strength and scope that the enemy had never known.
The enemy will pay a price he has never known. In the meantime, I call on all citizens of Israel to strictly obey the instructions of the army and the instructions of the Home Command. We are in a war and we will win it."
