The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza following Israel’s attacks has risen to 198, according to health officials, Al Jazeera reports.
More than 1,600 people have also been wounded.
The Israeli government has said at least 40 Israelis have been killed in the attack, but local media is reporting that the number has now risen to at least 100.
‘We decided to put an end to all the crimes of the occupation (Israel). Their time for rampaging without being held accountable is over,’ said the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas armed wing, AFP reports.
‘We announce Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and we fired, in the first strike of 20 minutes, more than 5,000 rockets.’
Israel’s army said its forces were fighting Palestinians on the ground in several locations near the Strip. It dubbed its operation Swords of Iron.
Army spokesman Richard Hecht said that Hamas conducted a combined raid ‘which happened through paragliders, through the sea and through the ground.’
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves against the terror of settlers and occupation troops.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said ‘we are at war’ and vowed severe retaliation after ordering an extensive mobilisation of army reserves. ‘The enemy will pay an unprecedented price’ for the surprise attack, he warned.
