Gaza Under Israeli Bombardment, At Least 198 Palestinians Killed
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that 198 people have been killed and at least 1,610 wounded in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip.
Israel is conducting air strikes on Palestinian territory after Palestinians earlier in the day launched their biggest operation against Israel in years in a surprise offensive that combined fighters crossing the fence into Israeli-occupied cities with a heavy barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip.
At least 100 Israelis have been killed and over 900 injured, Israeli media reported, citing the Israeli ambulance service.
A Hamas leader Salah Arouri said 'Operation al-Aqsa Storm' was a response “to the crimes of the occupation.” He said fighters were defending the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem al-Quds and the thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Senior Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif said, "This is the day of the greatest battle end the last occupation on earth."
He said Palestinian resistance fighters struck numerous Israeli targets, including airports and military facilities.
The operation came a day after Israel marked the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war, bringing the entity to the verge of catastrophic defeat following a surprise attack by Syria and Egypt.
Source: Agencies
