JERUSALEM – The Israeli military said Saturday it continues to fight Palestinian armed groups that infiltrated from the Gaza Strip at different points.
Spokesman Jonathan Conricus told Anadolu that fighting with Palestinian armed groups that infiltrated from the besieged enclave into Israel is ongoing at multiple civilian and military locations.
Conricus said special forces are conducting the operation and the military would make an announcement after establishing control in the area.
He noted that after the military establishes control and closes the border, it will continue to target Hamas and other groups responsible for the attacks.
Hamas launched Operation Al Aqsa Flood on Saturday and said its surprise attack was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.
In turn, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said we are "at war." He urged civilians in Gaza to leave as the Israeli military is going to turn "all Hamas hiding places into rubble."
At least 232 Palestinians have been killed in the attacks, according to medical sources in Gaza, while the Israeli death toll climbed to 300.
More than 3,000 rockets have been launched by Hamas toward Israel since morning, according to the Israeli army.
It acknowledged soldiers had been captured and taken hostage into Gaza, and confirmed that more than 1,000 Israelis were injured, in a statement on X.
Palestinian group Hamas said early Sunday that the number of Israelis captured during a surprise attack is “several times greater” than dozens.
A spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said the captured Israelis were spread throughout all areas of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army confirmed that several Israelis were taken captive by Hamas during the attack, but did not provide an exact figure.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is “at war” with Hamas and later urged civilians in Gaza to leave as the Israeli military is going to turn "all Hamas hiding places into rubble." (Anadolu)
