Palestinians have launched their biggest operation against Israel in years in a surprise offensive that combined fighters crossing the fence into Israeli occupied cities with a heavy barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip
Videos purportedly showed resistance fighters inside a military base on Saturday, as bodies of dead soldiers lied on the ground.
At least 40 Israelis have been killed and over 700 injured, Israel’s N12 News reported, citing the Israeli ambulance service.
Al Jazeera’s Sara Khairat, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, says that the Israeli government has confirmed that the number of Israelis killed has risen to at least 40.
The previous number, reported by emergency services, was 22.
“More than 750 Israelis have been injured,” our correspondent said, adding that the numbers are likely to continue to increase.
Palestinian fighters say they have captured Israelis after crossing into Israel from the Gaza Strip in a large-scale attack.
Hamas, the group running the besieged enclave, said its surprise operation was in response to the desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.
The Times of Israeli said Palestinian fighters infiltrated the town of Sderot and other settlements.
Hamas released a video showing its fighters had captured three Israelis.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is the only guarantee for “security, stability and peace” in the region.
“We have repeatedly warned of the consequences of a deadlock in the political horizon and not granting the Palestinian people their legitimate right to self-determination and their state. We have also warned of the consequences of the daily provocations and attacks, the continued terrorism of settlers and occupation forces, and the raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Christian and Islamic holy sites,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“What guarantees security, stability and peace in our region is ending the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, along the 1967 lines, and recognizing the people’s right to independence and sovereignty.”
