Israeli death toll from Hamas attack surpasses 1,000

By Abdel Rauf Arnaut

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli death toll from a Hamas attack on towns near the Gaza Strip has surged to over 1,000, Haaretz newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing the Israeli Embassy in Washington.

However, Tel Aviv officials have yet to confirm the new death toll.

Earlier, Israeli authorities reported 900 deaths and 2,806 injuries.

Hamas sent dozens of fighters who infiltrated Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip on Saturday amid heavy rocket fire. Hamas said the attack was in response to Israeli violations in the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem and increased settler violence.

Israel retaliated with a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and imposed a total blockade on the territory, home to nearly 2.3 million people.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 830 Palestinians were killed and 4,250 others injured in the Israeli bombardment of the strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to use all of Israel’s strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities and “take revenge for this black day.”