By Andrew Raine, Chris Lau, Joshua Berlinger, Aditi Sangal, Thom Poole and Matt Meyer, CNN
From CNN's Hadas Gold in Jerusalem
The Israel Defense Forces have launched Operation "Swords of Iron" against Hamas following the militant group's surprise attack early Saturday morning according to an IDF spokesperson.
Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif said earlier Saturday that the group was launching an operation dubbed “Al-Aqsa Storm" targeting “enemy positions, airports and military positions."
From Amir Tal in Jerusalem and Alex Stambaugh in Hong Kong
At least 100 people have been injured across Israel in Saturday's militant attacks from Gaza, according to figures from two hospitals.
At least 80 people with varying degrees of injuries have been transferred to Soroka Medical Center, a major medical center in the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva the hospital said in a statement.
The Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, a city in central Israel, said it is treating at least 21 people injured on Saturday, including two in serious condition, four in moderate condition and 15 with mild injuries.
Some of the injured suffered gunshot wounds. Others were wounded by shrapnel, the Kaplan Medical Center said.
From CNN's Hadas Gold
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has said Israel "is facing a very difficult moment" but it can "overcome all those who wish us harm."
In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: “The State of Israel is facing a very difficult moment. I wish to offer strength to the commanders and soldiers of the IDF(Israel Defense Forces), and to all the security forces and rescue services. I send my encouragement and strength to all the residents of Israel who are under attack.
He called on everyone to follow instructions from the Home Front Command and to show mutual responsibility and resolve.
"We can overcome all those who wish us harm," he said.
From CNN's Lauren Izso
Israel's Security Cabinet will convene on Saturday at Israel Defense Forces' headquarters in Tel Aviv, according to the prime minister's office.
The cabinet is due to meet at 1 p.m. local time, a little more than three hours from now.
A security assessment is currently being held, the prime minister's office said.
From CNN's Richard Greene and Alex Stambaugh
One woman has died and at least 15 people have been injured across southern and lowland regions of Israel in an attack by Hamas early Saturday, Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue service said.
In an update, MDA said the woman who was killed was in her 60s, revising her age down from 70s, which CNN had earlier reported.
Two people are in critical condition, six in moderate condition and seven have minor injuries, the rescue service said in a statement.
The MDA said teams "persistently respond to areas of reported missile falls and live firing incidents," and urged people to heed instruction from authorities and to go to a protected area promptly when an alarm sounds.
MDA spokesperson Zaki Heller also urged people to donate blood and said a special blood donation drive is being organized in Tel Aviv for Saturday morning "due to an urgent need."
From CNN's Amir Tal
A number of airports in southern and central Israel have been closed temporarily, except for private and sports flights, according to Israel's airport authority.
But Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv remains open and will operate in accordance with security and safety guidelines, the authority said.
From CNN's Chris Lau
Footage obtained from social media by CNN shows a fire broke out near several buildings at southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, with billows of black smoke rising form the site.
What appeared to be sounds of gunfire can be heard.
From CNN’s Ibrahim Dahman in Gaza and Abeer Salman in Jerusalem
Muhammad Al-Deif, the Hamas military commander, called for a general uprising against Israel in a recorded message on Saturday.
“If you have a gun, get it out. This is the time to use it – get out with trucks, cars, axes. Today the best and most honorable history starts.”
He said the attack on Israel was a response to attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque and the siege on Gaza.
And he called on Arab and Islamic people to come to “free al-Aqsa,” the mosque in Jerusalem.
From CNN's Chris Lau
Video obtained by CNN from social media appears to show gunmen in the back of a pickup truck driving down a street in the southern Israeli city of Sderot.
The gunmen, clad in dark clothing, appear to point what look like guns at an SUV coming in their direction and gunfire can then be heard.