Israel-Hamas war: Over 1,000 dead in 48 hrs; US sends military aid to Israel
text_fields
New Delhi: The death toll of Hamas' unprecedented surprise attack on Israel rose to 700, while at least 413 others were reportedly killed in Israel's retaliatory attacks on the Gaza Strip, taking the total to over 1, 000.
Meanwhile, over 2,300 were wounded by ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, which includes 213 children and 140 women. In a statement, the Gaza-based health ministry said that among the 413 killed, 78 were children and 41 were women.
Citing government officials, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news on Sunday night reported that at least 700 people were killed in Hamas' combined attack. The Israeli Health Ministry on Sunday updated the number of injuries in Israeli hospitals, reporting that at least 2,243 were wounded, including 22 in critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported.
In the past few hours, Israeli aircraft carried out tens of raids on different areas in the Gaza Strip, including residential homes, agricultural lands, government institutions, and police checkpoints in Gaza, according to Palestinian security sources.
Also Read:Experts claim 'colossal intelligence failure' for Hamas' unexpected Israel attack
Short videos on social media showed plumes of smoke rising from various areas in the Gaza Strip and large explosions were heard from time to time.
Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari said to Israeli media outlets that the Air Force destroyed about 800 Hamas targets in Gaza, noting that the soldiers captured dozens of "terrorists" during the fighting in the areas bordering the Strip.
Early Saturday, Hamas, the armed Palestinian militants, launched a deadly operation against Israel – ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’, firing more than 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip toward Israel in an unprecedented attack, also involving infiltration of hundreds of militants into the Israeli towns bordering Gaza.
The surprise attack killed at least 250 people and wounded several others, setting off air raid sirens across the country.
The Hamas militants infiltrated Israel in SUVs, motorcycles and paragliders and opened fire at civilians. The early morning barrage lasted more than 30 minutes.
After the deadly operation, Tel Aviv declared a “state of war” on Saturday.
The conflict escalated with gunfights and hostage situations as the Hamas continued their attack extending it to around 22 locations up to 15 miles from the Gaza border, reports the Hindustan Times.
Also Read:Israel attacks Lebanon following Hezbollah's hit on Shebaa Farms
As of now, the operation is still going on in eight locations, the Israeli forces said Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Israeli rescue service Zaka said its paramedics removed about 260 bodies from an all-night nature music festival near the Gaza Strip attended by thousands that came under attack by Hamas militants on Saturday. The death toll is expected to rise as other paramedic teams were working in the area.
Several American citizens were also killed in the surprise attack on Israel, a US official confirmed on Sunday.
US President Joe Biden has reportedly, extended additional support of US ships and warplanes to Israel on Sunday, signaling Washington's "unwavering" support for its ally in the face of escalating attacks by Hamas.
The Pentagon said it was sending the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its accompanying warships to the eastern Mediterranean, while boosting fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
Both Israel and Hamas have fought four wars since the Islamic militant group that opposes Israel, seized control of Gaza in 2007. Israel has maintained a blockade over Gaza since that time.
