UPDATE - Israeli death toll in Palestine conflict rises to 1,200

ADDS ISRAELI MILITARY’S DEATH TOLL, UPDATES PALESTINIAN CASUALTIES, MINOR EDITS

At least 1,200 Israelis have been killed since a surprise attack by Palestinian group Hamas early Saturday that involved dozens of fighters who infiltrated Israeli towns, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) said early Wednesday.

Citing Israel’s Health Ministry, the Times of Israel reported that more than 2,900 Israelis have been injured in the unprecedented assault, with over 500 still hospitalized.

The Israeli army published early Wednesday 14 names of military personnel killed in the escalation, pushing the death toll among its ranks to 169.

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks has risen to 950, with 5,000 others injured, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza.

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

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

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi and Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara