At least 600 people are believed to have been killed in major attacks by Hamas on Israel. Fighting continues on Israeli soil. A massive Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip is expected in the coming days.
At least 600 people have been killed in Israel in massive attacks by the terrorist organization Hamas, according to government figures. It said the death toll was “not final”. The government put the number of injured at more than 2,000, with around 200 of them in critical condition.
On the Palestinian side of the Gaza Strip, Israeli counterattacks have killed at least 370 people and wounded 2,200, the health ministry there has announced. Israel said it hit 426 targets in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Cabinet has declared a state of war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it allows for “far-reaching military operations.” A massive Israeli deployment is expected in the Gaza Strip in the coming days – possibly even with ground troops.
Israel: Hamas holds more than 100 hostages
According to the Israeli government, Hamas is holding more than a hundred hostages. The Israeli military had previously said it had detained two hostages. Military spokesman Daniel Hagarivore said the fight to “free the hostages” was continuing. According to the military, the release of soldiers and civilians will be difficult.
“There is no military way to go into the Gaza Strip and take people out,” former Israeli military spokesman Avi Benayyahu told Israeli television. “Even if the Gaza Strip is captured, it is not certain that the hostages will be alive,” said Brig.-Gen.
The central government believes that the abductees include German nationals.
The situation is still not under control
The Israeli military still does not have full control of the situation around the Gaza Strip. There are still militant Palestinians in Israeli territory. The army said fighting is still going on in 8 places. 26 soldiers were killed. Hundreds of attackers from the terrorist organization Hamas have been killed and dozens arrested.
The military said the barrier to the Gaza Strip had been breached at 29 locations, all of which were now under control. Israel has built a massive fence along the Gaza border to prevent infiltration. It also operates deep underground and is equipped with complex technology.
The army evacuated Israeli towns along the Gaza border. Thousands of people were relocated to other locations in Israel. Residents of northern Israel near the Lebanese border were also asked to leave the area.
Hezbollah fires at Israel from Lebanon
In the morning, Israeli soldiers killed five more Palestinian militants who tried to cross the beach, according to Israeli radio. However, an army spokesman confirmed the suspension.
Israel also reported shelling from neighboring Lebanon. Hezbollah fighters said they attacked the Israeli-occupied Sheba Farms area on the Lebanese border with rockets and artillery. The Israeli army said it responded with shelling in the area where the shooting took place. UN in Lebanon The Observatory called on Israel and Hezbollah to show restraint.
Hamas spokesman Qazi Hamad told the BBC that the group received direct support from Iran for the attack.
According to the UN, the Sheba farms are part of the Syrian territories occupied by Israel in 1967. However, Syria and some parties in Lebanon consider the region to be Lebanese territory. Hezbollah had earlier congratulated Hamas on its “heroic, large-scale” and “successful” operation against Israel.
Netanyahu announces retaliation
In response to Palestinian attacks, Israel decided to cut off the import of electricity, fuel and goods to the Gaza Strip. The aim is to destroy the military and administrative capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, “so that they are no longer prepared to threaten and attack the citizens of Israel for years,” Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said at a Defense Cabinet meeting. .
“We are beginning a long and difficult war forced upon us by the murderous attack of Hamas,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying. After the Security Council meeting, the first phase of “destroying the majority of enemy forces occupying our territory” is now coming to an end.
Hamas surprised Israel on Saturday with an unprecedented large-scale attack. It fired thousands of rockets at Israel on the Jewish holiday of Simsat Torah, while its fighters crossed the heavily guarded border with Israel.
With information from Betina Meier, ARD Studio Tel Aviv
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