Quote:JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented surprise early morning attack during a major Jewish holiday Saturday, killing dozens and stunning the country. Israel said it is now at war with Hamas and launched airstrikes in Gaza, vowing to inflict an “unprecedented price.”
Hamas militants were still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities hours after the incursion began. Israel’s national rescue service said at least 70 people were killed and hundreds wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years. An unknown number of Israeli soldiers and civilians were also seized and taken into Gaza, an enormously sensitive issue for Israel.
At least 198 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed in Israel’s retaliation and at least 1,610 wounded, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said.
[updated]
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli airstrike has flattened a high-rise building in central Gaza City.
The 14-story Palestine Tower is home to dozens of families. But it also held offices connected to the Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups.
Israel gave inhabitants a 10-minute warning before it destroyed the building, which was evacuated. There were no injuries.
Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas’ military wing, promised a harsh response.
“Tel Aviv must stand on one foot and wait for our earth-shattering response,” he said.
In past rounds of fighting, Israel has destroyed Gaza high-rises, claiming they were used by militants, but destroying offices and leaving scores of people homeless. That included the building that housed The Associated Press bureau in a 2021 war.
https://apnews.com/article/israel-palest...9284fc37d2
