At least 198 people have been killed and around 1600 people are injured in the heavy bombardment by Israel in Gaza following the surprise strike by Hamas on Saturday morning that shocked the world.
Journalists and activists from Gaza say the number is feared to rise in the coming hours.
Bombing is expected to intensify as Palestinian fighters have caused major damage to the Jewish state. In response to the strike by Palestinian fighters, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared “war”.
In Gaza, people rushed to buy supplies in anticipation of days of conflict ahead. Some evacuated their homes and headed for shelters.
The Israeli government has confirmed that the number of Israelis killed has risen to at least 40. Several Israelis are captured and taken to Gaza.
Meanwhile Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri said the group is ready for “the worst case scenario”.
“All scenarios are now possible and we are ready for an [Israeli] land invasion,” he added.
He has told Al Jazeera that the group has captured “a big number” of Israelis.
He said “senior officers” were among them.
On Saturday morning, Hamas fighters fired a barrage of rockets into Israel while launching an incursion from land, air and sea.
In the first three to four hours of the assault, dozens of Palestinians managed to reach deep into Israeli territory. They have captured a large number of Israeli soldiers, including commanders, and taken them back to Gaza. They have also taken over parts of Israeli towns near Gaza, as well as an important army base and other military facilities.
Following that, the Israeli army began a massive wave of air strikes targeting various parts of Gaza.
The death tolls on both sides are expected to rise and there are fears violence will spill into other parts of Israel and Palestine.
Arab countries, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman has blamed Israel for the situation while most of the Western countries ensured all support for the Jewish state.
