By Anadolu staff
BERLIN (AA) - German prosecutors opened a formal investigation into Hamas’ attack on Israel, local media reported on Tuesday.
The criminal investigation was launched as several German citizens are believed to be among those killed and taken hostage during the attack, prosecutors have told public broadcaster ARD.
The Federal Prosecutor’s office is investigating currently unknown members of the Palestinian group’s armed wing for “suspected murder, manslaughter and hostage-taking,” according to the report.
Hamas's armed wing launched “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, air, and sea. It said the 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 830, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said early Tuesday. It said the number of wounded has risen to over 4,250.
More than 1,000 Israelis have been killed in the fighting, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz.