11 powerful images of the wave of surprise attacks on Israel by Palestinian militants including burning tanks and rocket barrages

• Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a state of war after Hamas launched a surprise attack. 
• Hamas has fired thousands of rockets at Israel in "Operation Al-Aqsa Storm." 
• Insider compiled 11 dramatic images showing the consequences of the surprise attack on Israel. 

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a state of war after Palestinian militant organization Hamas launched thousands of rockets in a surprise attack on Saturday. 

"The Israel Defense Forces will defend Israeli civilians and the Hamas terrorist organization will pay heavy price for its actions," Israel Defense Forces said in a statement, per Insider. 

Hamas' military commander Mohammad Deif called on Palestinians in Israel and those in neighboring Arab countries to join the attack, which he called "Operation Al-Aqsa Storm," in a rare statement, per the Washington Post.

Palestinian militants infiltrated Israeli territory by land, sea, and some even used motorized paragliders as the attacks continued. 

Images show the scale of the attacks, including captured Israeli military vehicles, buildings aflame, and Israelis fleeing areas targeted by Hamas. 

Latest reports from Israeli media say 40 Israelis have been killed so far, with a further 740 people wounded by the Hamas bombings and raids.

Israel's foreign ministry claimed that Hamas fighters were wantonly murdering civilians, per Sky News.

Here are 11 dramatic images as the conflict unfolds.

1. A rocket being fired by Palestinian militants into Israel.

2. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets fired from Gaza in Ashkelon in southern Israel.

3. Smoke rises from buildings in Israeli after Hamas launched rockets.

4. A man running as cars a set ablaze fire following Hamas rocket attacks in Ashkelon Israel.

5. A family is evacuated by Israeli police from a site hit by a rocket.

6. A house on fire in the Israeli community of Kibbutz Kfar Azza which was stormed by Palestinian fighters.

7. Palestinians break into the Israeli side of Israel-Gaza border fence in a bulldozer.

8. Palestinians in front of a burning Israeli tanks after it was captured by Palestinian gunmen.

9. A Palestinian man takes a selfie in front of a burning Israeli tanks

Hamas fighters even used paragliders in the wave of attacks against Israel.

Palestinian militants ride an Israeli military vehicle that was seized by gunmen who infiltrated areas of southern Israel, in the northern Gaza Strip.