Jerusalem: The death toll from Hamas’ weekend surprise attack on southern Israel rose to more than 900, Israel’s state-owned Kan TV reported on Monday.
Israeli government officials told Xinhua that the death toll is expected to rise because rescuers have not yet reached some areas in southern Israel, where Hamas militants who carried out Saturday’s attack are still engaged in battles with Israeli troops.
The number of injured people received by hospitals climbed to 2,616, including 25 in critical condition, the Israeli Health Ministry updated. According to militant groups in Gaza, about 130 Israeli hostages were held in the Palestinian enclave.
Meanwhile, at least 560 were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, according to a statement by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
On Saturday, in a surprise coordinated attack and backed by thousands of rockets, Hamas militants broke through the fence that separate the Gaza Strip from Israel and stormed nearby Israeli communities.
