The death toll surges to a devastating 1,300 as fierce clashes between Hamas and Israel persist.

The death toll surges to a devastating 1,300 as fierce clashes between Hamas and Israel persist.

In the wake of the largest attack by the Palestinian armed group Hamas against Israel in decades, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 800 Israelis and approximately 500 Palestinians. The intense fighting and bombardment have left both nations grappling with immense loss and injury.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a comprehensive blockade on the Gaza Strip, with measures encompassing the disruption of electricity and the blockage of food and fuel supplies, effectively isolating the Hamas-run enclave.

As per Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli air raids on the enclave have resulted in at least 510 Palestinian fatalities and 2,751 individuals wounded since Hamas initiated a multi-pronged offensive on Israel. Meanwhile, Israel has reported over 800 casualties and more than 2,200 wounded.

The Israeli military has conducted strikes on over 1,000 targets in Gaza, including air raids that caused extensive damage to Beit Hanoun, also known as Erez to Israelis, located in the northeast corner of the enclave. The relentless bombardment has forced over 123,000 Palestinians in Gaza to seek shelter, according to the United Nations.

Inside Gaza, with its population of 2.3 million people living under a 16-year Israeli-Egyptian blockade, residents are gripped by fear of further escalation. There are reports of heavy bombardment targeting Gaza’s Shujayea neighborhood and the destruction of a fourth mosque in Yarmouk, compelling thousands more to evacuate their homes.

Israel’s chief military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, has stated that Israel has “control” over its communities following the massive incursion by Hamas fighters, although isolated incidents persisted. He noted that “there might still be terrorists in the region.”

Israel’s response to the situation has included calling up around 300,000 reservists, with the aim of ending Hamas’s rule in Gaza. The Israeli army is on the offensive, and additional Hamas fighters infiltrated Be’eri kibbutz overnight, posing challenges for the military.

The conflict has taken a grim toll on both sides, with dozens of Israelis killed, including reports of around 260 fatalities at an outdoor desert dance party. Survivors continue to emerge from hiding, and the scene is marked by wrecked and abandoned cars.

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have disclosed that they are holding more than 130 captives, whom they intend to exchange for the release of thousands of Palestinians detained by Israel. The captives are believed to include soldiers, civilians, women, children, and older adults, representing various nationalities and a deeply distressing dimension of the ongoing conflict.