Hamas attack toll breaches 1K
Austin directed the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and a group of warships to the eastern Mediterranean
Daily TribuneAustin directed the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and a group of warships to the eastern Mediterranean
Suffer the women and children Palestinian civilians bear the brunt of revenge counter-attacks by the Israeli Defense Force, which launched airstrikes in 500 areas inside the Gaza Strip Sunday and Monday. Israel also massed thousands of troops and mechanized units around Gaza for a frontal assault on Hamas. | Mahmud HAMS/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
As the death toll from its conflict with Palestinian militants surpassed 1,100, the Israeli army reported Monday that it had struck more than 500 targets in the Gaza Strip overnight.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, more than 700 Israelis have been killed since Hamas launched its massive attack. Another 1,200 people have been wounded, many critically.
In retaliation, Israeli air strikes pounded the impoverished and blockaded Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people, killing at least 413 Palestinians, according to local officials.
"Overnight, IDF fighter jets, helicopters, aircraft, and artillery struck over 500 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.
Thick plumes of smoke billowed from the Palestinian enclave as the strikes continued in the early hours of the morning, an AFP correspondent reported.
IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus estimated that around 1,000 Palestinian militants had participated in Hamas' assault on Saturday, which he called "by far the worst day in Israeli history."
"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 Harbor wrapped into one."
Around 100,000 reserve troops had been deployed to the south as the IDF battled to expel Hamas fighters from Israeli territory, he said, adding that a "very large number" of Israeli civilians and soldiers were being held inside Gaza.
US President Joe Biden has ordered "additional support for Israel in the face of this unprecedented terrorist assault by Hamas."
At least four US citizens were killed in the attack, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement after a briefing, adding that the toll was likely to rise.
According to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Washington "will be rapidly providing additional equipment and resources, including munitions, to the Israel Defense Forces."
Austin directed the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and a group of warships to the eastern Mediterranean and stated that Washington was beefing up fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
According to Hamas, the US aid amounts to "aggression" against Palestinians.
On Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, Hamas launched a multi-pronged offensive, raining down at least 3,000 rockets as fighters infiltrated towns and kibbutz communities and stormed an outdoor rave, killing many revelers.
Panicky Israelis hiding in their homes told reporters that militants were going door to door and shooting and dragging civilians away.
At least 100 Israelis were kidnapped and taken to Gaza by Hamas, with images of bloodied hostages circulating on social media.
Israel was also attacked from the north on Sunday when Lebanon's Hezbollah launched guided missiles and artillery shells "in solidarity" with Hamas' unprecedented offensive, but caused no casualties.
Israel responded with artillery strikes across the UN-patrolled border.
"We recommend Hezbollah not to come into this," said army spokesman Richard Hecht. "If they come, we are ready." With AFP
