Israel says it has taken “control”. More than 500 targets hit in the Gaza Strip

The Israeli army claims it has retaken control of all communities and there is currently no fighting inside Israel. Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said this morning that Israel is in “control” of all communities and that there is currently no fighting inside Israel, but that there may still be Hamas militants on Israeli soil, according to The Guardian.

Israel’s death toll rose to at least 700 dead and 2,000 wounded. In Gaza, Israeli retaliation killed nearly 400 Palestinian militants, according to the Israeli military. On the other hand, Palestinian officials say that at least 400 people have been killed in the airstrikes in the Gaza Strip and another 2,290 are injured. The Israeli army says it has retaken control of most areas in the country’s south, but fighting continues in areas close to the Gaza border.

The Israeli military said on Monday it had struck “more than 500 targets” overnight in the Gaza Strip to try to retake control from Hamas fighters, in the third day of clashes that have left more than 1,100 dead in the two camps

The army has gathered more than 100,000 reservists in the south of the country, near the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military believes that large numbers of Hamas militants continue to enter Israel, and some of the Israeli towns along the Gaza border continue to be an active battleground. The IDF is conducting searches along the border fence and other points through which Hamas militants could enter Israel.

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters that there were still six active outbreaks of fighting in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip. “Fighting is ongoing in Be’eri, Kfar Aza, Nirim and Alumim,” he says. Some of the terrorists have been in Israel since the preliminary attack on Saturday, while others have crossed the border in the past two days. Hagari says that overnight, about 70 terrorists infiltrated Be’eri. Most of them were killed in the battle with the IDF troops, but others are still hiding in the houses in the kibbutz.

Images from last night showing dozens of rockets intercepted over Israel.

Nonstop rocket intercepts above the skies of central #Israel tonight. Hamas is now targeting the airport. pic.twitter.com/XpftCzdYKp

— The Intel Crab (@IntelCrab) October 8, 2023

The Embassy of Israel in Romania: We are devastated, over 600 Israeli citizens have died

The Embassy of Israel in Romania states that over 600 Israeli citizens have died as a result of Hamas attacks. “We are devastated to announce that the death toll among Israeli citizens is over 600 at this time. Israel is making every effort to treat the injured and prevent further loss of life. The Hamas terrorists responsible for this atrocity will pay a commensurate price. May the memory of the victims be blessed!”, the representatives of the embassy sent on Facebook on Sunday.

Call for National Union Cabinet

Several ministers, including the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Economy, are appealing to the Israeli Prime Minister for the formation of a Government of National Union. “Israel is at war. The time has come for the formation of a government of national unity. In such a complex moment we must put our differences aside and unite against the enemy who wants to destroy us,” the Minister of Economy and Industry said on Monday, Nir Barkat. “The fighters of the IDF will fight for the state of Israel and we must support them with a union government that represents the entire people. We must establish a union government today itself and win the war together,” he added.

Iran suspected of granting help to Hamas, yet it denies

Iranian security officials helped plan Saturday’s surprise attack by Hamas on Israel and gave the go-ahead for the assault at a meeting in Beirut last Monday, according to senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, another group. militant group supported by Iran, reports The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Monday. This alliance was apparently formed in August to plan air, land and sea incursions from Israel. Several meetings were held in Beirut to plan the offensive and officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the elite body of the Islamic regime in Tehran, would have participated in them.

Yet, Iran on Monday denied its involvement in the Hamas attacks and the invasion of Israel. The Iranian delegation to the United Nations issued a statement saying: “The decisive steps taken by the Palestinians constitute a completely legitimate defense against seven decades of occupation and terrible crimes. We support Palestine without reservation. However, we are not involved in the Palestinian response“, according to the Jerusalem Post daily.

Egypt says it warned

An Egyptian intelligence official says Egypt, which often serves as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, has repeatedly spoken to the Israelis about “something big,” without giving many details. He says Israeli officials have focused on the West Bank and played down the threat from Gaza