After Hamas attack, Israel strikes back with the fighter jets targeting Gaza causing destruction along the strip. 'Hundreds of terrorists' had been killed, said an Israeli military officer in the wake of the counterattacks launched by the nation. Efforts are on to neutralise the terrorists, who infilitrated into the nation, after the ‘surprise’ Hamas attack on Saturday.
Over 600 deaths were reported in Israel amid the ongoing fighting with the militants.
Meanwhile, two Israeli tourists were shot dead in Eygpt. Reportedly, the attack took place in northern Egyptian city of Alexandria. A police officer working with the security service in the area fired shots from his personal weapon at the Israeli tour group, reported Cairo24, a news website.
In another shocking incident, a 25-year-old woman was kidnapped from a peace festival by Hamas fighters. A video of the woman being kidnapped had surfaced on the social media. Screams of "Don't kill me!" was heard in the video.
The woman, along with her boyfriend was kidnapped and held hostages, reported New York Post.
Israeli territories bordering the Gaza strip is also being affected by the ongoing war between both the nations. Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1979 and have forged far closer public relations in recent years. Egypt was also leading the mediation talks with Palestinian militant groups in an effort to calm situation in Gaza. Egypt had closed its borders with the Gaza avoiding militant infiltration.
Meanwhile, residents recall the tale of horror. Police stations are flooded with complaints of missing people. Hamas has claimed that they have taken around 100 Israeli hostages.
"We were at a party when we heard missiles and sudden gunshots. A car rammed into my vehicle when I was trying to get away. People with guns and masks were on the streets and I had to literally play dead to save myself," a woman told Reuters.
Also, Palestinian authority called for an urgent Arab League meeting of foreign ministers on Sunday. According to WAFA, the Palestinian news agency, Arab League ambassador, Muhannad Al-Aklouk, said the request for the meeting came in light of the “brutal and ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, including the escalation of the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by thousands of settlers”.
Growing concerns
UK home secretary Suella Braverman said that the government is going everything necessary for the protection of the Jewish communities.
In the wake of the attack, France has increased its security around synagogues and schools. “We have stepped up security at places of worship and at the schools. There is no specific threat at this stage, but we will remain extremely vigilant," said Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne.
Around 313 Palestinians have been killed as a result of the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. According to Palestinian health ministry, nearly 2,000 were wounded in the airstrike.
Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has said the country is embarking on a “long and difficult war” after a surprise attack by Palestinian militants.
Pope Francis on Sunday expressed concern and deep pain at what is happening in Israel. Speaking to the faithful in St. Peter's Square, the pope offered prayers for the victims and their families and for all those who are experiencing hours of terror and anguish. The pontiff called on the attacks by both sides to stop. Terrorism and war don't bring solutions, only death. War is a defeat. Every war is a defeat."