At least 40 people had been killed as of 3.30 pm on October 7 in an attack by Hamas on Israel, with “hundreds of further victims” treated, Israel’s emergency services organization, Magen David Adom said. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that as of shortly before 4 pm local time at least 48 people had been killed in Gaza amid the Israeli response. A higher toll had been mentioned in local reports, citing the health ministry; however, this had not been confirmed at the time of writing. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the country was “at war” following the attack. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said dozens of fighter jets were targeting Hamas positions in Gaza. The IDF said approximately 2,200 rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza. A rocket hit Ashkelon, the Times of Israel reported. This footage was published by Ashkelon resident @sultanovmr888, and shows a dark plume of smoke. Credit: @sultanovmr888 via Storyful