Militants enter Israel from Gaza as Hamas reports a significant rocket launch

In the early morning attack and infiltration into Israel by Hamas, one of the organization's employees was murdered and four others were injured, according to Israeli Emergency Services Magen David Alom.

The group also mentioned that one of their cars had been driven into Gaza.

According to initial reports from Israeli police, at least 22 people have died and more than 250 have been injured.

There are still many unanswered questions regarding the attack, including whether the 22 are civilians or military personnel.

BREAKING: CNN's Ibrahim Dahman in Gaza reports that Hamas claims to have seized Israeli soldiers.

When it launched its surprise strike early on Saturday, Hamas claimed to have seized Israeli soldiers close to the Gaza border.

At least three individuals wearing civilian attire were held at gunpoint in recordings released by the extremist group. The individuals, according to Hamas, were Israeli troops.

CNN is unable to confirm the assertion made by Hamas, and the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment.

Israeli television is told by locals that extremists are attempting to break into homes.

by Amir Tal and Hadas Gold in Jerusalem for CNN

Two Israeli villages have reported attempts on their homes by intruders from Gaza to the country's Channel 12 television channel. They have repeatedly cried out for help from the Israel Defense Forces on television.

One Kibbutz Nir Oz resident informed the radio station over the phone that his family, which included two children aged 7 and 9, barricaded themselves in a safe room while insurgents fired at the door.

Background information: In Israel, a kibbutz is a type of self-sufficient community. The kibbutzim (plural for kibbutz), a traditionally agrarian community, enjoyed greater popularity in the early years of the nation.

According to the IDF, Gaza has shot almost 2,200 missiles into Israel.

Alex Stambaugh in Hong Kong and Hadas Gold in Jerusalem are reporting for CNN.

The Israeli military reported that since battle started on Saturday, roughly 2,200 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza.

These estimates defy those provided by Muhammad Al-Deif, the military commander for Hamas, who had earlier claimed that 5,000 rockets had been fired.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, announced in a statement that the military would bolster southern Israel and the neighborhoods around Gaza.

"Numerous IDF soldiers, including special forces, have been dispatched to the area surrounding the Gaza Strip and are operating in a number of different locations in the division in order to protect the residents of southern Israel," an

Israeli police have identified 21 active fronts and are reacting to threats in "large" numbers.

Israel Police and Border Police are there in "large" numbers and are addressing many threats and locations, according to police spokesman Dean Elsdunne on Saturday.

Elsdunne claimed that technicians from bomb squads have been sent to clean up missile shrapnel and debris locations.

Elsdunne stated that Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, is present for a "special situational assessment" being held by Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai at the national police headquarters in Jerusalem.

21 fronts: In a different briefing, Shabtai declared, "We are currently in a state of war, a multifaceted onslaught against the communities in southern Israel and the territory bordering Gaza. In the south, there are now 21 active fronts.

A soldier from Israel is seen being pulled from a tank by Palestinian militants, according to video.

from CNN's Stephanie Halasz, Alex Stambaugh, and Hadas Gold

videos of the aggression Online videos from Israel's Saturday morning have started to spread, offering people across the world a peek of the pandemonium there.

In the southern Israeli city of Sderot, militants can be seen firing on people in clips geolocated by CNN.

According to a video posted by Reuters, Palestinian militants can be seen carrying what appears to be an Israeli soldier out of a tank. The soldier's health is unknown, but the tank appears to be parked near a border dividing Gaza from Israel.

The Israeli Defense Forces' Merkova assault tank is the one in question.

In Israel, sirens have been sounding for the past five hours.

Richard Greene from Jerusalem, CNN

There have been sirens blaring as far north as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for the past five hours due to the Hamas strike on Israel.

After missiles were fired from Gaza early on Saturday morning, the sirens began to sound. As of 12:30 p.m. local time, they were still audible.

Hezbollah applauds Hamas's attacks on Saturday morning, according to Mia Alberti in Beirut, Lebanon

In a statement published on Hezbollah-backed Al Manar TV on Saturday morning, the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah applauded the strike by the militant group Hamas against Israel.

The statement claims that Hezbollah has direct communication with the leadership of Hamas.

A political and militant Shiite organization from Lebanon called Hezbollah has engaged Israel in a number of wars. The gang also has close ties to Iran.

NEWS FLASH: The attack on Saturday morning claimed at least 22 lives.

According to Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service, the surprise strike carried out by the militant organization Hamas on Saturday morning claimed at least 22 lives.

In addition to the 22 fatalities, MDA stated that more than 250 wounded have been reported.

MDA did not specify the percentage of civilian fatalities or injuries.