The casualties on both sides are rapidly increasing due to the surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian armed political faction Hamas and Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes.
According to the Associated Press on the 7th (local time), local Israeli media reported that the number of deaths had increased to at least 250, citing rescue authorities officials. The number of injured also increased to 1,500.
Hamas’ surprise pre-dawn attack over the weekend was the deadliest attack in Israel in decades, local media reported. Earlier, local Israeli media reported that at least 200 people were killed and 1,450 were injured in Hamas attacks. Those killed in Israel included the commander of the Israeli Army’s Nahal Brigade, a renowned infantry unit.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 232 people and wounded at least 1,700 in the Gaza Strip. This is an increase from the previous announcement by the Palestinian Ministry of Health that at least 198 Palestinians were killed and 1,610 injured in Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes.
However, the Ministry of Health did not provide specific information, such as where the deaths occurred and how many civilians were among the deaths.
The Israeli military claimed that hundreds of people were killed in the Hamas attack and that some hostages were taken to the Gaza Strip. Members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas captured an unknown number of civilians and soldiers in the Gaza Strip, a highly sensitive issue for Israel, in harrowing scenes posted on social media, the Associated Press reported.
Casualties on both sides are expected to increase further.
Hamas launched the ‘Al-Aqsa flood’ operation against Israel in the early morning of the 7th, the Jewish Sabbath, firing thousands of rockets and infiltrating dozens of militants into Israel. Hamas used land, sea, and air when entering Israel, and even used paragliders for air infiltration.
In response, Israel has launched Operation ‘Iron Swords’ and is carrying out retaliatory airstrikes on the Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas. In addition, an operation to eliminate Hamas members who have infiltrated the country is also underway.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.