UPDATE - At least 150 Israelis killed in military escalation with Hamas

CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, UPDATES DEATH TOLL, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) - At least 150 Israelis have been killed in ongoing military escalation with Palestinian groups in Gaza, medical authorities said on Saturday.

Citing a statement by the Health Ministry, the Times of Israel online newspaper said 1,104 Israelis were also injured, including dozens being in critical condition. The death toll is expected to rise, it added.

Israeli authorities, however, did not give any details on the number of Israelis held as captives.

The Health Ministry in Gaza, meanwhile, said the Palestinian death toll from Israeli airstrikes reached 198.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood with rockets targeting enemy sites, airports, and military installations.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniya said their “heroic” attack was in response to violence by Israeli forces and illegal settlers on Palestinian civilians, and storming of Al Aqsa Mosque.

The Israeli army, in turn, said it initiated Operation Swords of Iron in Gaza Strip, a "large-scale operation to defend Israeli civilians against the combined attack."