Israeli government approves call-up for 360,000 reservists amid fighting

By Abdelraouf Arna'out

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli government on Tuesday announced it gave green light to call up around 360,000 of the army's reservists amid fighting with Palestinian groups in Gaza.

According to the Ynet news website, the Israeli army dispatched air force jets to collect reservists from Europe to join the army.

Meanwhile in another statement, an Israeli army official advised Palestinians to leave Gaza towards Egypt amid ongoing fighting and possible ground operation against Gaza.

"Rafah crossing is still open. Anyone who can get out, I would advise them to get out," the Times of Israel news website quoted army official Richard Hecht as saying.

The Palestinian Hamas group launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, air and sea. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and increased settler violence against Palestinians.

In retaliation, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 704, including 143 children and 105 women, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said early Tuesday. It said the number of wounded has risen to around 4,000.

At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar