Israeli media, citing rescue service officials, said at least 250 people were killed and 1,500 wounded in Saturday’s surprise strike by the Islamist group Hamas which controls the besieged Gaza Strip.
At least 232 people in Gaza were killed and 1,700 wounded in Israeli strikes, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. This includes seven Palestinians, including a child, who have been killed by Israeli occupation forces in the occupied West Bank.
Hamas said it took a large number of civilians and soldiers captive into Gaza. On Saturday, Israel’s Security Council decided to halt the supply of electricity, fuel and goods into Gaza and approved steps to bring about the “destruction of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas”, according to a statement.
The Israeli attacks flattened residential buildings in giant explosions, including a 14-story tower that held dozens of apartments as well as Hamas offices in central Gaza City.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to hold emergency closed consultations over the escalating violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The meeting was first called by current UNSC member Malta, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Brazil later adding their support.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to turn the besieged Palestinian enclave into a “deserted island” and warned its residents to “leave now”.
