Israeli media is reporting that at least 600 Israelis have been killed and more than 2,000 have so far been injured in Operation Aqsa Flood.
The surprise attack yesterday by Hamas forces involved dozens of fighters infiltrating Israeli towns and engaging in heavy rocket strikes.
In response, Israeli occupation forces bombed Gaza, killing at least 313 Palestinians, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Sunday. The ministry said 1,990 Palestinians were also wounded in the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, at least 20,000 Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza and are taking shelter in schools and emergency shelters, according to the UN humanitarian affairs office.
At least 750 Israelis have been missing since fighting broke out on Saturday morning, local media reported early Sunday.
And at least 100 Israeli prisoners have been kidnapped in Gaza by Hamas, claims the Israeli media.
In other developments:
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- The Israeli occupation continues to be engaged in fighting with Hamas in some parts of southern Israel. Hamas has said that its fighters are still engaged in fierce clashes on several sites inside Israel, and fighting continues in several areas bordering the Gaza Strip, including Ofakim, Sderot, Yad Mordechai, Kfar Azza, Be’eri, Yatid, and Kissufim.
- As fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters continues, the spokesperson of the al-Qassam Brigades Abu Obeida has released a new statement calling on people “to join this battle.”
- The Israeli army confirmed an artillery attack inside Lebanon in response to a rocket firing incident. Lebanon’s Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the rocket attack, saying it was “in solidarity” with the Palestinians. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) urged conflicting sides to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation of tensions on the Lebanon-Israel border.
- Two Israeli tourists were short dead in Alexandria, along with their Egyptian guide, by a policeman who is now in custody.
- Israeli warplanes launched new airstrikes in the Gaza Strip early on Sunday. This included bombing a military location belonging to Palestinian groups in western Gaza. Residences and public buildings in the town of Beit Hanoun and other sites are also being attacked. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Palestinians to leave besieged Gaza as the army would turn Hamas sites “into rubble.”
- A general strike on Sunday paralysed life in the West Bank. Education has been suspended. Electricity has been cut off by Israeli authorities.
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog blamed Iran for a surprise Hamas attack.
- The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested an emergency ministerial-level meeting of the Arab League over the latest Israeli escalation.
- The Israeli army says initially the settlements adjacent to the Gaza fence are being evacuated, naming them as Nahal Oz, Erez, Nir Am, Mafalsim, Kfar Gaza, Gavim, Or Hanar, Ivym, Nativ Hathara, Yad Mordechai, Karmia, Zikim, Kerem Shalom, Kissufim, Holit, Sofa, Nirim, Nir Oz, Ein HaSlosha, Nir Yitzhak, Bari, Magen, Reim, Saad and Alumim. “As a result of the operational assessment of the situation, the residents were asked to evacuate their homes,” the army said on X.
