In pictures: Scenes of war and chaos amid Israel-Palestine blitz

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday in a surprise multi-pronged assault that saw armed fighters crossing into several Israeli towns by air, land and sea while thousands of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip.

In retaliation, Israeli forces launched air strikes on Palestinian enclave of Gaza killing at least 198 and leaving another 1,610 wounded.

 

Smoke rises from the Israeli side after Palestinian Hamas gunmen infiltrated areas of southern Israel, as seen from Gaza, October 7, 2023. REUTERS

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

The body of a motorist lies on a road following a mass-infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, southern Israel October 7. REUTERS

Israeli soldiers work to secure residential areas following a mass-infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, southern Israel October: Reuters

Smoke rises following Israeli strikes in Gaza, October 7, 2023: Reuters

Israeli police inspect a car that has a Palestinian licence plate on it, following a mass-infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, southern Israel October 7, 2023: Reuters

 

Smoke is seen in the Rehovot area as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Israel October 7 (REUTERS)

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. REUTERS

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon in southern Israel October 7. REUTERS

Israeli security personnel and members of the media take shelter as a siren sounds while rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Mevaseret Zion, Israel October 7, 2023 (Reuters)

Rockets are fired by Palestinian militants into Israel, in Gaza City October 7. REUTERS

A building is ablaze following rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 7: Reuters

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

Israelis take cover in a bomb shelter as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Rishon Lezion, Israel October 7, 2023. REUTERS

An aerial view shows vehicles on fire as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel October 7: REUTERS

Israeli security personnel walk near the body of a dead man, as Hamas launches a surprise attack from the Gaza Strip, near Ashkelon, southern Israel October 7, 2023. REUTERS

Palestinians react as an Israeli military vehicle burns after it was hit by Palestinian gunmen who infiltrated areas of southern Israel, at the Israeli side of Israel-Gaza border, October 7, 2023. REUTERS

Palestinians break into the Israeli side of Israel-Gaza border fence after gunmen infiltrated areas of southern Israel, October 7: REUTERS

Palestinians celebrate as they ride on an Israeli military vehicle that was seized by Palestinian gunmen who infiltrated areas of southern Israel, in the southern Gaza Strip October 7, 2023. REUTERS

Rockets are fired by Palestinian militants into Israel, in Gaza City October 7, 2023: REUTERS

An Israeli war jet is seen as rocket barrages are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashdod, Israel October 7: REUTERS

An emergency personnel works to extinguish the fire after rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel October 7: REUTERS