Israel-Palestine War News LIVE Updates: Palestinian militants on Saturday fired more than 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip toward Israel, killing four and wounding several others, setting off air raid sirens across the country and raising the likelihood of a new round of heavy fighting. Hundreds of Hamas militants have infiltrated Israel in SUVs, motorcycles and paragliders and opened fire at civilians. The early morning barrage lasted more than 30 minutes. Israel has declared a “state of war”. Catch Israel-Palestine War News LIVE Updates here.
Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri has said in a statement that the Palestinian militant group has enough prisoners for Israel to free the Palestinian prisoners. Al-Arouri says, “Hamas has enough Israeli captives to make Israel free all Palestinian prisoners in its jails.”
Dozens of hostages believed to be taken by Hamas
This is a nightmare scenario for many Israelis. We understand that dozens of hostages both military and civilian have been taken by Hamas.
Some are thought to be holed up in some of the small towns near the Gaza Strip. Others we know have been taken back into Gaza.
The deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau, Saleh al-Arouri, has claimed “senior officers” from Israel’s army have been captured. He told Al Jazeera’s Arabic channel that “what is in our hands will free all the prisoners” in Israel – an apparent reference to Palestinians being held in Israeli jails.
198 dead in Hamas attack, toll to rise
Israel-Palestine War News LIVE Updates: The death toll after the Hamas attack on Israel has climbed to 198. It is likely to rise as bodies are seen strewn on the streets of cities that came under attack from the Palestinian militants.
The death toll in Israel after the Hamas attack has climbed to 40 and at least 740 have been wounded.
“The Hamas terrorist organization deliberately places its military assets in the heart of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip,” the IDF says.
Expressing shock over the Hamas attack on Israel, PM Narendra Modi said, “Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.”