The death toll from the Israel-Hamas conflict has surpassed 1,100, with the Israeli army claiming to hit over 500 targets hit in the Gaza Strip in overnight strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned the forces of a "long and difficult" war after Hamas fighters launched a surprise assault on Saturday with a barrage of thousands of rockets, resulting in at least 250 Israeli and 230 Gazan fatalities and hundreds taken hostage.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that more than 700 Israelis, including 73 soldiers, have been killed, and another 1,200 wounded, many critically, since the large-scale attack by Hamas. In retaliation, Israeli air strikes targeted the blockaded Gaza Strip, with at least 413 Palestinian deaths reported so far.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip claims the dead include 78 children, with more than 2,300 wounded.
Also Read: World reacts to ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict
"Overnight IDF fighter jets, helicopters, aircraft and artillery struck over 500 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip," the Israeli military said in a statement.
IDF spokesperson Lt Col Jonathan Conricus called Saturday's assault by Hamas "by far the worst day in Israeli history". He estimated around 1,000 Palestinian fighters participated in the attack, and approximately 100,000 reserve troops were deployed as the IDF sought to expel Hamas from Israeli territory.
"Never before have so many Israelis been killed by one single thing, let alone enemy activity in one day," he said. "This could be a 9/11 and a Pearl Harbour wrapped into one."
He further said a "very large amount" of Israeli civilians and soldiers were being held inside Gaza.
US President Joe Biden ordered additional support for Israel, responding to what he termed an "unprecedented terrorist assault by Hamas".
This morning, I spoke with @IsraeliPM to express my full support for the people of Israel in the face of an unprecedented and appalling assault by Hamas terrorists.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 8, 2023
We will remain in close contact over the coming days.
The U.S. will continue to stand with the people of Israel.
At least four US citizens were reported killed in the attack, claimed US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after a briefing, and feared the toll could rise. During his ongoing visit to Beijing, he is also reported to have expressed disappointment with the Chinese foreign minister about the country's response to the conflict, expressing no support or sympathy for Israel.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington "will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions".
A US aircraft carrier and a group of warships were directed to the eastern Mediterranean, and fighter aircraft squadrons in the region were augmented.
My thoughts continue to be with the people of Israel. Today, in response to this Hamas attack on Israel, & following detailed discussions w/@POTUS, I have directed several steps to strengthen DoD posture in the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts.…
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 8, 2023
Hamas has, on the other hand, denounced the US aid as "aggression" against Palestinians.
Israelis abducted
The multi-pronged offensive on Saturday the Jewish Sabbath, with at least 3,000 rockets left Israelis shocked, with fighters infiltrating towns, launching rockets, and abducting citizens.
At least 100 Israelis were allegedly captured by Hamas and abducted to Gaza.
Hezbollah in Lebanon also launched guided missiles and artillery shells on Israel in solidarity with Hamas, prompting Israeli artillery strikes across the border.
"We recommend Hezbollah not to come into this," army spokesman Richard Hecht was quoted by AFP as saying. "If they come, we are ready."
Netanyahu, having received support from his political opponents while heading a coalition government -- has vowed to turn Hamas hideouts "to rubble" and urged Palestinians there to flee.
SInce then, Israeli attacks have levelled residential towers, destroyed a mosque as well as the central bank, and displaced over 20,000 people in Gaza, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
Repercussions
The West has largely condemned the assault by Hamas that has also resulted in the killing or abduction of several foreign nationals, including Brazil, Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, Ukraine and the US.
Moreover, oil prices climbed higher by more than 4% on Monday, giving rise to concerns about possible supply shocks.
Israel's foes have praised the assault, including Iran whose President Ebrahim Raisi voiced support when he spoke with the leaders of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations occurred globally, including in the US, Iraq, Pakistan and other countries, while Germany and France were among the nations that heightened security around Jewish temples and schools. An Egyptian police officer 'randomly' opened fire on Israeli tourists, killing two and their Egyptian guide.
Hungary says it has evacuated 215 of its citizens from Israel by two flights and they have reached Budapest. Thailand says 12 of its nationals had been killed and eight wounded in Israel. Eleven others were taken hostage, it added.
The head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, has predicted "victory" and vowed not to stop "the battle to liberate our land and our prisoners languishing in occupation prisons".
