past 500 targets were hit overnight by Israel as it continued its assault on the Gaza Strip, pushing the dead toll from the confrontation between Israel and Hamas, a group of Palestinian militants, past 1,100.
In retaliation for a recent Hamas attack in which rockets were fired, civilians were murdered, and hostages were abducted, the Israeli army carried out strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to the country to prepare for a protracted and difficult fight after the Israeli government formally declared war on Hamas.
According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), more than 700 Israelis have died and about 1,200 have been injured, making the death toll on both sides horrific.
At least 413 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli bombardment on Gaza, a 2.3 million-person region that is heavily populated and under siege.
In a statement, the military said that approximately 500 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist targets had been hit overnight by IDF fighter jets, helicopters, aircraft, and artillery.
“The battle continues. Around Gaza, there are still seven to eight open areas where our soldiers are engaged in combat with terrorists, according to military spokesman Richard Hecht.
“We believed that we would have complete control by yesterday (Sunday). By the end of the day, I hope we will,” he continued.
As the strikes continued in the early morning hours, thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Palestinian enclave, according to an AFP correspondent.
The attack on Israel by Hamas on Saturday, which Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, the army’s spokesman, called “by far the worst day in Israeli history,” involved some 1,000 Palestinian fighters, he estimated.
“Never before have so many Israelis been killed by one single thing, let alone enemy activity in one day,” he declared.
It was described as “a 9/11 and a Pearl Harbour wrapped into one” by the speaker.
According to Conricus, around 100,000 reserve soldiers were sent to the south as the army fought to drive out Hamas forces from Israeli land.
He claimed that Israel was detaining a “very large amount” of soldiers and civilians inside Gaza.
In response, Israel’s partners announced new commitments of assistance to counter what US President Joe Biden described as a “unprecedented terrorist assault” by Hamas.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reported that Washington sent the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and a number of warships to the eastern Mediterranean and promised to send more resources and equipment.
The violence has an international impact; various nations have reported nationals who have been slain, kidnapped, or gone missing.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated in a statement that at least four US citizens were murdered in the incident and that the number was expected to climb.
Ten deaths were confirmed in Nepal, while at least 12 deaths were reported for Thai nationals. All of them were laborers employed in Israel.
On Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, Hamas launched its multifaceted onslaught, shocking Israel with at least 3,000 missiles raining down as fighters sneaked into cities and kibbutz communities and stormed an outdoor rave where several revelers were shot dead.
Reporters were informed by terrified Israelis hiding in their homes that terrorists were going door to door and shooting or dragging away victims.
Images of injured prisoners were posted on social media after Hamas kidnapped at least 100 citizens and took them to Gaza.
Yifat Zailer, 37, expressed her shock upon seeing video footage from Gaza showing her cousin and the woman’s children, who were nine months and three years old.
We only have that confirmation, she said.
When Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched guided missiles and artillery shells Sunday “in solidarity” with Hamas, Israel too came under attack from the north. No one was hurt.
Israel retaliated by firing artillery across the UN-supervised boundary.
Hezbollah should stay out of this, according to army spokesman Richard Hecht. “We are prepared if they arrive,”
