An Australian expat has described the moment she had to wake up her three children and seek shelter in a bunker after one of the deadliest attacks on Israelis in decades.
Emily Gian, who has been living in Yehud, about 18km from Tel Aviv, for the past three months told Weekend Today she had never experienced violence like this before.
Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets in an unprecedented attack on residents living in Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip yesterday.
READ MORE: Gunfire, rockets and carnage: Israelis are stunned and shaken by unprecedented Hamas attack
At least 250 deaths have been recorded, and more than 1500 people are wounded, according to Israeli media.
Gian, who currently remains in the bunker, said it had been a "terrifying night" for her family.
"We were woken in the morning by red alert sirens, which gives us 30 seconds to get down to a bomb shelter," she told Weekend Today.
READ MORE: Hundreds dead after Hamas launches surprise air and ground attack from Gaza
"We have spent the day staying as close to there as possible. We have been glued to the news and our phones trying to hear stuff from friends across the country.
"We are safe at the moment but we have three kids. They are sleeping (with us), because they didn't want to sleep in their bed
"It's pretty terrifying."
The Israeli military said about 2200 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel, while armed terror groups infiltrated into Israel by land, sea and air – in paragliders.
Multiple explosions were heard over Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and in southern Israel.
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Footage circulating social media showing the aftermath of the attack was shocking, Gian said.
"I have visited here many times and have been here through various different phases but never anything like this," Gian said.
"Everything that has unfolded on the news with ladies being dragged out of their houses and mothers holding their children also being dragged across the street - I have never seen anything like this in my lifetime.
"I have been writing about Israel for over 20 years and I have never seen anything like this."
