As confrontations between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza continues for the third day in a row on Monday following the ‘Al-Aqsa Storm’ operation carried out by Hamas, the death toll on both sides continues to rise.
More than 700 people were killed in Israel, while the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that over 490 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, with 2,300 others injured.
A power outage threatens the lives of hundreds of wounded and sick in Gaza’s hospitals, the ministry warned.
At least 260 bodies were found at the site of an Israeli music festival, according to Israeli rescue teams.
They were killed when Hamas gunmen opened fire on fleeing attendees and took others hostage during the festival, which was held on Saturday near the border between Israel and Gaza.
Hamas is holding more than 100 Israeli hostages in Gaza, including high-ranking army officers.
In addition to the Israeli prisoners, there are also other nationalities believed to be being held hostage, including Mexican and Brazilian citizens – complicating Israel’s response to the Hamas attack.
Rockets rain down
The Israeli army announced Israel has severely weakened Hamas’ capabilities as air strikes on Gaza continued until early Monday.
The army added on Monday that Hamas fired 3,284 rockets from Gaza at Israel since the start of its attack on Saturday.
On Sunday, Hamas said that its forces were still present and launching operations in the Mavkim region of southern Israel, north of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas also said that it had launched a major missile attack on the southern coastal city of Ashkelon, close to the Gaza border.
An Israeli army spokesperson did not confirm or deny Hamas’ allegations, saying: “We are still fighting in the south.”
In Tel Aviv, explosions were heard in central Israel and the city’s outskirts late Sunday.
According to CNN, Hamas said it was targeting the Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s international hub located just outside Tel Aviv.
America steps in
The US has announced dispatching a Navy aircraft carrier group to the eastern Mediterranean, including guided missile destroyers and guided missile cruisers.
Officials say that the US is also deploying more military aircraft in the Middle East.
In response, Hamas accused the US of taking part in the “aggression on the Palestinian people.”
US lawmakers and Biden administration officials discussed increasing support for Israel in a news conference with US House leaders on Sunday evening, according to CNN.
The sources said that senior officials from the State and Defense departments told lawmakers they were moving as quickly as possible to deliver weapons to Israel under pre-existing contracts.
UN meeting fails to take action
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Sunday, but no action was taken.
The US Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, said afterwards that “a good number of countries” condemned the Hamas attack, without specifying which.
All 15 members must vote unanimously in order for the Security Council to issue a statement.
South Korea issued a special warning to citizens about traveling to Israel, urging them to leave amid security concerns, while Czech travel agencies announced the cancellation of tourist trips to Israel until further notice.
