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Palestinian attack has killed 600 Israelis, says Israeli media

Death toll jumps as fighting continues in several communities near the Gaza Strip
Police evacuate a woman and a child from a site hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon (AP)
Police evacuate a woman and a child from a site hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon (AP)

Israeli TV channels and the newspaper Haartez are reporting that the Israeli death toll from the ongoing Palestinian attack has now reached 600 people.

Fighting between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces is still raging in several Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip.

On Saturday morning, Hamas launched an assault on Israel, firing thousands of rockets and sending Palestinian fighters into Israeli territory by land, sea, and air.

The Palestinian fighters seized control of several Israeli communities near the boundary with the besieged Gaza Strip. Hamas said it had taken dozens of Israelis, soldiers, and civilians, captive. Many are believed to now be in Gaza, held across several locations.

Unofficial estimates say 750 people are missing in Israel, with many of those believed captured by Palestinians.

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In response, Israel has hit the Gaza Strip with air strikes, including residential buildings, hospitals, and schools. At least 320 Palestinians have been killed, according the Gaza health ministry.

The Israeli army has evacuated several southern Israeli towns, brought in reinforcements, and called up reservists.

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