More than 48 hours after Hamas launched its unprecedented incursion out of Gaza, Israeli forces were still battling with militants holed up in several locations. An Israeli military spokesperson said that the army had called up around 100,000 reservists, and said in a statement that Israel would aim to end Hamas' rule of Gaza. The Israeli military estimated 1,000 Hamas fighters took part in Saturday’s initial incursion. The Israeli military said only that the number of captives is “significant.”Civilians on both sides were already paying a high price. Several Israeli media outlets, citing rescue service officials, said at least 700 people have been killed in Israel, including 44 soldiers.

Source: The Guardian October 09, 2023 11:15 UTC