Smoke billowed over residential Israeli areas as sirens sounded overhead.
Over 300 Israelis were killed in a sudden and extensive attack launched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to reduce Hamas’ hideouts in Gaza to rubble in response to the attack.
The Palestinian death toll in Gaza climbed to a minimum of 232 as a result of intense air strikes on the coastal enclave.
Throughout the night, intense gun battles ensued between Israeli forces and hundreds of Hamas fighters across at least 22 locations in Israel. This included at least two areas where gunmen were holding hostages, according to information provided by the Israeli army.
The army further stated that “terrorists rampaged and forcibly entered homes, resulting in the loss of civilian lives.” Over 1,000 individuals in Israel sustained injuries from gunshots or the more than 3,000 incoming rockets.
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Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to avenge what he said was a “black day” for Israel, saying the army will strike back at Hamas in Gaza with full force. “The IDF (army) is about to use all its force to destroy Hamas’s capabilities. We’ll strike them to the bitter end and avenge with force this black day they brought on Israel and its people,” he said.
Hamas leader Haniyeh says Israel can’t provide protection for Arab countries
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, told fellow Arab countries on Saturday that Israel cannot provide them with any protection despite recent diplomatic rapprochements.
Over 500 Killed As Battle Between Israel And Hamas Rages On
The gun battles raged into the night and at least 500 people have died – 300 Israelis and 230 Palestineans in the Gaza region. At least 3,000 people have been injured.