Israel intensifies Gaza strikes as death toll approaches 1,200

Israel intensified its retaliatory strikes against Hamas militants in Gaza as the confirmed death toll on both sides approached 1,200 Sunday night. 

Israel on Sunday formally declared it was at war with Hamas after the militant group launched a surprise blitz against Israel on multiple fronts, attacking from the sea, air and ground. Hamas fighters infiltrated border towns in Israel, going door to door, killing civilians and taking Israeli hostages, officials said.

The confirmed death toll in Israel reached 700, and the number of dead in Gaza approached 500. 

Israel confirmed more than 100 Israelis were being held hostage in Gaza, an estimate consistent with Hamas’s claim to have more than 130 people captured from Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to destroy Hamas’s “military and governing capabilities” and called up about 300,000 reservists as soldiers scoured southern Israel for any remaining militants who had invaded the country. Israel estimates about 1,000 Hamas fighters entered Israel on Saturday. 

On Monday, air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as residents sought shelter as they faced a continued barrage of missiles coming from Gaza. Palestinian militants have launched about 4,400 rockets at Israel, according to its military.

Israel, meanwhile, hit more than 1,000 targets in Gaza, as tanks and drones lined the border to prevent any more infiltrations. 

Israel’s Defense Ministry also vowed to impose a “complete siege” on Gaza, cutting off food and fuel supplies as well as electricity.

The Associated Press contributed.