Israel has landed significant retaliatory strikes on Gaza as the death toll continues to rise to over 300.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared earlier: “We are at war and we will win” after Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip on Saturday morning.
Local media report that over 200 Israelis have been killed and 1,100 have been injured in the surprise early morning attack – making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years. An unknown number of Israeli soldiers and civilians were also taken captive and brought into Gaza.
Israel have now retaliated to the attacks. 232 Palestinians have been killed and at least 1,610 wounded in Israel’s retaliation, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
After nightfall, airstrikes intensified, flattening several residential buildings in giant explosions, including a 14-story tower that held dozens of apartments as well as Hamas offices in central Gaza City.
Netanyahu said in a televised address: “The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” and added that Israel would “return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known.”
Iran says Hamas attacks are ‘self-defence’
Iran’s foreign ministry says attacks by its ally Hamas on Israel on Saturday were an act of self-defence by Palestinians, and called on Muslim countries to support their rights.
“This operation … is the spontaneous movement of resistance groups and Palestine’s oppressed people in defence of their inalienable rights and their natural reaction to the Zionists’ warmongering and provocative policies,” Iranian state media quoted ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani as saying.
“Iran considers that the Zionist occupier regime and its well-known supporters are responsible … for the violence and killing against Palestinians and calls on Islamic countries to support …the rights of the Palestinian people,” Kanaani said.
The UN Security Council set to meet on Sunday
The United Nations Security Council is set to Sunday in the wake of the Hamas attacks and ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
Antonio Guterres condemned the attack by Hamas and urged “all diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider conflagration”, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
She added: “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned for the civilian population and urges maximum restraint. Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times.”
Palestinian death toll rises as Israel retaliate
232 Palestinians have been killed, officials say.
This is a rise from the 198 who were reported to have been killed earlier today. A further 1,610 have been wounded according to Palestinian authorities.
Meanwhile, 200 Israelis have been killed since Hamas launched it attack on the country this morning, local media citing medical officials have said.
This brings the total death toll to 432 so far.
Almost 400 dead as Israeli death toll continues to rise
200 Israelis have been killed since Hamas launched it attack on the country this morning, local media reports – citing medical officials have said.
The increase in reported deaths comes less than an hour after 150 fatalities were reported. The health ministry added that more than 1,100 people have been injured.
Meanwhile, officials in the Gaza Strip said 198 Palestinians have died following retaliatory Israeli air strikes and at least 1,610 Palestinians had been injured.
This brings the total death toll so far to 398.
Dramatic moment a missile strikes behind a reporter in Gaza
Israeli fighter jet was caught on camera striking a tower in Palestine as journalist Youmna El Sayed was reporting live for Al Jazeera.
EU condemns Hamas attacks “in the strongest possible terms”
The European Union “condemns in the strongest possible terms” the Hamas attacks on Israel, and stressed Israel’s right to self defense.
“The EU calls for an immediate cessation of these senseless attacks and violence,” says EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in a statement issued on behalf of all 27 member states, “which will only further increase tensions on the ground and seriously undermine Palestinian people’s aspirations for peace.”
Borrell says the EU “stands in solidarity with Israel which has the right to defend itself in line with international law, in the face of such violent and indiscriminate attacks.”
Israeli death toll rises to 150
At least 150 Israelis have been killed since Hamas launched it attack on the country this morning, local media reports citing medical officials have said.
The increase in reported deaths comes only 30 minutes after 100 fatalities were reported. The health ministry added that more than 1,100 people have been injured.
Meanwhile, officials in the Gaza Strip said 198 Palestinians have died following retaliatory Israeli air strikes and at least 1,610 Palestinians had been injured.
This brings the total death toll so far to 348.
Rishi Sunak says “Israel has an absolute right to defend itself”
Rishi Sunak has said Israel has “an absolute right to defend itself” after the country’s prime minister said it was “at war”.
The UK Prime Minister said the Government is in contact with Israeli authorities after Hamas sent fighters across the border and fired thousands of rockets in what it said was a new operation.
Mr Sunak, writing on X, said: “I am shocked by this morning’s attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens.
“Israel has an absolute right to defend itself.
“We’re in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice.”
UN peacekeepers ‘closely monitoring’ Lebanon-Israel border
In a statement, the force said that peacekeepers are present along the border line to maintain stability and help avoid escalation.
“We have also adapted and enhanced our presence throughout our area of operations, including counter rocket-launching operations,” said the force known as UNIFIL, AP reports.
It has been months since rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. The border area has been relatively calm since a monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah ended in August 2006.
UNIFIL said its leader is in contact with all sides since the violence began in southern Israel “to ensure effective coordination and avoid misunderstandings.”
The force said its primary goal is to preserve stability along the Blue Line and avoid any escalation “that could have disastrous consequences for people living in the area.”
Joe Biden condemns Hamas attacks in Israel
US President Joe Biden said he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the “horrific and ongoing attacks” in Israel.
He said: “The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the government and people of Israel.
He added that “terrorism is never justified.” and that himself and his wife Jull were “keeping in our prayers all of the families who have been hurt by this violence.”
He added that himself and his team were ‘tracking the situation closely’ and will remain in “close touch” with the Israeli PM.
