Israel continued its bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, firing barrages on the coastal part as it struggled to regain control after the deadliest attack on its own soil in 50 years. .The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday more than 1,000 people have died, the Israel government has declared war, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of an extended conflict. Concerns grew of the possibility of a wider regional fight after Hezbollah said it had launched artillery and guided rockets on three posts on the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms in southern Lebanon in solidarity with Palestinians. .Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent scores of soldiers into Israeli towns near Gaza in an unprecedented attack during a major Jewish holiday on Saturday, killing hundreds and stunning the country. .READ MORE: Netanyahu declares war on Hamas after Israeli attack kills hundreds.The Israeli government said it was now at war with Hamas and launched airstrikes in Gaza, vowing to set a new precedent. .Hamas soldiers are fighting gun battles inside various Israeli communities near Gaza several hours after the attack began. .Israeli forces said in a statement on Telegram the retaliatory bombing campaign had hit 10 Hamas targets in mulitstory buildings in Gaza, including its intelligence headquarters, a military compound, and a weapons production site and arms storage area belonging to the Islamic Jihad. .The Israeli government admitted its naval forces had repelled an attack from Hamas fighters hidden in a beach area about three kilometres northeast of Gaza’s border. .United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said as many as 1,000 Hamas fighters were involved in the attack. .Authorities confirmed at least 1,000 people have been killed on the two sides so far. .While Israel suffered many casualties, local health officials in Gaza said 320 people in its area had died, with 1,990 others wounded. Israeli media cited the country’s rescue services as saying at least 700 Israelis had been killed, including 44 soldiers, and 2,000 wounded. .Despite an exact figure being unavailable, the Israeli Government Press Office said more than 100 Israelis have been abducted and are being held captive in Gaza. The situation will complicate Israel’s strategy during and after the fighting. .Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Ubaida taunted Netanyahu, saying Israeli forces “fell like grasshoppers by the hundreds.”.“Threatening Gaza and its resistance and its people is a losing game and a broken record,” said Ubaida. .United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said it remained in position and was in contact with the Israeli government and Hamas “to contain the situation and avoid a more serious escalation.”.“We urge everyone to exercise restraint and make use of UNIFIL’s liaison and co-ordination mechanisms to deescalate to prevent a fast deterioration of the security situation,” said UNIFIL.
