Palestinian militants launch surprise land, air and sea attack on Israel

ASHKELON — Palestinian militants launched a deadly land, air and sea assault inside Israel on Saturday, with fighters infiltrating the country’s south and firing a massive barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip.

Israel responded to the surprise attack by declaring a “state of war alert” and striking targets in Gaza.

At least four people have been killed by rocket fire and fighting so far, Abd al-Aziz Nassara, mayor of the southern Israeli town of Kuseife told local broadcasters. Graphic but unverified video and photos shared rapidly on social media suggested that toll could rise sharply.

Militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza, announced said it was behind the operation it dubbed “Al-Aqsa Flood.”

“Enough is enough,” the elusive leader of the group’s military wing, Mohammed Deif, said in a recorded message that called on Palestinians to join the fight.

“This is the day of the greatest battle end the last occupation on earth,” he said, adding that 5,000 rockets had been launched.

The violence follows weeks of heightened tensions along Israel’s volatile border with Gaza, and heavy fighting in the Israeli-occupied West Bank — but also years of unresolved grievances over the treatment of Palestinians that have long threatened to erupt.