 The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on October 7, killing more than 20 people and wounding hundreds in a surprise assault that combined gunmen crossing into Israel with a barrage of rockets fired from Gaza. Israel said the Iran-backed group had declared war as its army confirmed fighting with militants in several Israeli towns and military bases near Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate.At least 22 Israelis were killed in. The attacks so far, Israel's ambulance service said. Around 545 Israelis had been wounded. The health ministry said the Israeli military said it had responded with airstrikes into Gaza, where witnesses reported hearing heavy explosions and multiple dead being carried into hospitals.