Title: Death Toll Mounts as Israel Bolsters Gaza Blockade
Tel Aviv — Air raid sirens blared again in Tel Aviv on Monday morning as Palestinian militants fired more missiles at Israel, resulting in a soaring death toll on both sides. Among the casualties were nine Americans. Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system successfully intercepted some of the rockets, but the number that slipped through remains unknown.
Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades military unit claimed responsibility for the latest salvo of rockets. In retaliation, Israel launched strikes on hundreds of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and deployed four combat divisions to its southern region. As battles with Hamas militants continued, around 100,000 Israeli reservists were called up for duty.
Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) reported targeting over 500 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist sites in the Gaza Strip. They claimed to have destroyed tunnels, as well as seven Hamas command centers and a command center used by Islamic Jihad. Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht acknowledged that it was taking longer than anticipated to restore a defensive security posture.
The death toll of the surprise attack by Hamas stood at 700 for Israelis, with expectations of further increases. Among the dead, more than 250 were individuals attending a music festival near the Gaza border. Nine Americans were confirmed dead, and others remained missing.
Israel retaliated with relentless airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in over 590 fatalities, including 91 children, and 2,900 injuries, as reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health. Israel plans to launch a ground incursion into Gaza in the coming days. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued an order to tighten the Gaza blockade, halting supplies of water, electricity, and fuel.
Israel has accused Hamas of positioning fighters and weapons near civilian infrastructure. Palestinians reported airstrikes hitting houses, apartment buildings, and mosques without prior warning.
Palestinian residents expressed their fear and frustration, with one individual from the al-Shati refugee camp stating, “We do not know what fate has in store for us… Israel retaliates on civilians.” Israeli infrastructure minister Israel Katz also announced that the water supply had been cut off, joining yesterday’s electricity and fuel cutoff.
The infiltration of hundreds of Hamas militants into Israel through land, sea, and paragliders, along with a barrage of over 3,000 rockets, marked an unprecedented escalation. The gunmen engaged in street violence, targeting civilians and kidnapping hostages, including women, children, and the elderly. Some hostages were seen paraded through the streets of Gaza.
As questions arose regarding Israel’s intelligence agencies’ failure to detect and disrupt the attack, former Israeli intelligence officer Gonen Ben Itzhak suggested that Israel’s focus on the West Bank might have led to a lapse in vigilance in Gaza. He predicted that Hamas would try to force the Israeli government into negotiations by escalating their actions.
Israeli leaders, however, emphasized the goal of completely dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities and governance over the Gaza Strip. The conflict has drawn comparisons to Israel’s 9/11, with the objective being the protection of Israeli civilians.
International reporter Haley Ott contributed to this report from London.