The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reported that combat operations in the south are ongoing.
Israel is evacuating civilians from cities bordering Gaza while the IDF continues to sweep the area in search of remaining militants, as reported by Sarbaz.kz, citing the Times of Israel.
Authorities evacuated residents from severely affected cities near Gaza, which were devastated by Hamas militants on Sunday. Security forces continued to combat terrorist pockets within Israeli territory while simultaneously searching for suspects in more than a dozen Israeli communities.
Throughout the day, sporadic gunfire was heard near Sderot and other cities as forces attempted to eliminate Hamas militants. These militants had breached Israel's border fence the day before, killing at least 700 people and taking around 100 hostages back to Gaza during an unprecedented rampage.
In a statement released after 10 p.m., the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that combat operations in the south were ongoing but did not provide further details.
"The forces have been conducting ongoing operations in cities near the Gaza border, destroying hundreds of terrorists in cities along the border and on the coast over the past 40 hours," the IDF stated.
Merkava Mk4 tanks in Northern Israel
However, precise figures on the number of terrorists in the country and how many civilians remain at risk remain unknown.
Residents in approximately 13 settlements were instructed to stay in their homes, as the military had not yet declared them free of Hamas militants. By Sunday evening, active clashes had subsided.
Earlier, intense skirmishes were reported between Israeli forces and terrorists in Magen, near the Gaza border. The Israel Defense Forces employed tanks against the terrorists in this area.
Israeli aircraft conducted "intensive" airstrikes in Gaza on Sunday afternoon, shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet formally declared a state of war, granting him the authority to engage in "significant military action."
Damaged During the IDF Assault: Sderot Police Station, Where Hamas Fighters Barricaded Themselves with Hostages
As of the latest reports from the Israeli side, over 700 people have been killed, and more than 2,500 have been injured. A total of 3,284 rockets have been fired towards Israel.
In addition, the Israeli military has struck more than 653 targets. On the Palestinian side, 413 people have been killed, and 2,300 have been injured.
US Aircraft Carrier Off the Coast of Israel
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated on Sunday that he had ordered the Ford aircraft carrier strike group to head to the Eastern Mediterranean to be prepared to assist Israel, according to AP.
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, accompanied by cruisers and destroyers, is the newest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the US Navy. It is heading toward Israel as a show of strength to prevent additional weapons from reaching Hamas.
In addition to the aircraft carrier, the US is deploying the USS Normandy cruiser and the USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt destroyers. The US is also bolstering its squadrons of F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter jets in the region.
Furthermore, the Biden administration "will immediately provide the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with additional equipment and resources, including munitions. The process of providing initial emergency funding is underway and will be sent over in the coming days."
As part of US efforts to contain further escalation, Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
Emergency UN Security Council Meeting
During an emergency UN Security Council meeting convened to discuss the ongoing conflict, no decisions were made, according to participants. Diplomats reported that no proposal for any document was put forward, but all unanimously condemned Hamas aggression. The United Arab Emirates, the only Arab country to officially condemn the attack on Israel, served as the speaker at the meeting.
Reservists of the IDF Left Without Supplies
Reservists of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who were called up have been left without basic hygiene and bedding supplies, reports Vesty.il.
"The IDF was not prepared for this event; right now, we are eating combat rations," said one reservist. "We would be grateful for any assistance in terms of everyday items and essentials: we need headlamps, phone chargers, sealed cups for tea and coffee, water bottles, hats, folding tables, sleeping bags, and drinking water. Also, personal hygiene items and bedding should be considered, given that the war may drag on."
Across the country, citizens are collecting donations for food and equipment for soldiers and residents in the south, as reservists continually report shortages of various items.
Public activist Dana Gat explained that she began collecting donations after realising that the bases lacked food. According to Dana, on the first day of collections, boxes of donations were sent to five bases.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan has made a statement regarding the situation in Israel.
