Israel's military continued its intense bombardment of the Gaza Strip in the early hours of the morning, intensifying the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The death toll from the war against Palestinian militants surpassed 1,100 casualties.
The Israeli army reported striking more than 500 targets in the blockaded and impoverished Gaza Strip during overnight clashes. Simultaneously, fighting persisted in seven to eight locations inside Israel around the enclave.
This escalation follows a surprise attack by Hamas two days ago when they launched a barrage of rockets and sent a wave of fighters who attacked civilians and took over 100 hostages in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the nation to prepare for a "long and difficult" war in response to the situation.
Additionally, the United States confirmed the death of several Americans in the land-sea-air attack on Israel and deployed US warships and fighter jet squadrons to assist. Thailand also reported the loss of 12 of its citizens and the kidnapping of 11.
Several citizens from other countries, including Brazil, Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Nepal, and Ukraine, were either killed, kidnapped, or remain missing in the ongoing conflict.