 <picture class="article__media"> <source srcset=" https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/5472/3648/556/0/75/0/1ffaa1c_2023-10-07t121055z-601011128-rc2ln3ac62fu-rtrmadp-3-israel-palestinians.JPG 556w, https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/5472/3648/600/0/75/0/1ffaa1c_2023-10-07t121055z-601011128-rc2ln3ac62fu-rtrmadp-3-israel-palestinians.JPG 600w, https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/5472/3648/664/0/75/0/1ffaa1c_2023-10-07t121055z-601011128-rc2ln3ac62fu-rtrmadp-3-israel-palestinians.JPG 664w, https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/5472/3648/700/0/75/0/1ffaa1c_2023-10-07t121055z-601011128-rc2ln3ac62fu-rtrmadp-3-israel-palestinians.JPG 700w, https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/5472/3648/800/0/75/0/1ffaa1c_2023-10-07t121055z-601011128-rc2ln3ac62fu-rtrmadp-3-israel-palestinians.JPG 800w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 556px, 100vw" alt="An aerial view shows vehicles on fire as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023." width="664" height="443"> <img src="https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/5472/3648/664/0/75/0/1ffaa1c_2023-10-07t121055z-601011128-rc2ln3ac62fu-rtrmadp-3-israel-palestinians.JPG" alt="An aerial view shows vehicles on fire as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023." sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 556px, 100vw" width="100%" height="auto"> </picture> <noscript> <img src="https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/5472/3648/664/0/75/0/1ffaa1c_2023-10-07t121055z-601011128-rc2ln3ac62fu-rtrmadp-3-israel-palestinians.JPG" alt="An aerial view shows vehicles on fire as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023."> </noscript> <figcaption class="article__legend" aria-hidden="true">An aerial view shows vehicles on fire as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023. <span class="article__credit" aria-hidden="true">ILAN ROSENBERG / REUTERS</span> </figcaption> 

The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip have carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel. On Saturday, October 7, they fired thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations and caught the country off-guard on a major holiday. Israel says at least 70 people have died. At least 198 people were killed in Gaza on Saturday, the Health Ministry in the Palestinian enclave said, with 1,610 wounded.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel was "at war" and called for a mass mobilization of army reserves. The invasion revived memories of the 1973 war practically 50 years to the day.

The latest death toll came from the Magen David Adom rescue service as fighting was still underway on Saturday. Hospitals in Israel are treating hundreds of wounded people, including dozens in critical condition. Netanyahu promises to exact ‘a huge price’ from Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will exact a "huge price" on Hamas in response to an unprecedented infiltration that killed at least 22 people. Netanyahu told his Security Cabinet on Saturday that Israel’s first goal is to "cleanse the area" of militants and regain control of the southern communities that were attacked.

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"The second goal, at the same time, is to exact a huge price from the enemy, also in the Gaza Strip," he said. He called on the nation to remain calm and unite "to achieve our highest goal – victory in the war."

The Israeli military confirmed Hamas claims that its fighters had kidnapped a number of Israelis. The army did not offer further details, declining to comment on how many Israelis had been seized.

Social media has been filled with videos claiming to show Hamas fighters dragging lifeless Israeli soldiers and parading captured civilians through the streets.

The United Nations human rights chief says he is "shocked and appalled" by the firing of large numbers of rockets at Israel. Volker Türk called for an immediate end to the violence, appealing to all sides and "key countries in the region" to de-escalate and avoid further bloodshed. Türk said in a statement released in Geneva he is also "deeply concerned at reports that Israeli civilians have been taken hostage."

 <picture class="article__media"> <source srcset=" https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/2800/1867/556/0/75/0/9dd2011_5500710-01-06.jpg 556w, https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/2800/1867/600/0/75/0/9dd2011_5500710-01-06.jpg 600w, https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/2800/1867/664/0/75/0/9dd2011_5500710-01-06.jpg 664w, https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/2800/1867/700/0/75/0/9dd2011_5500710-01-06.jpg 700w, https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/2800/1867/800/0/75/0/9dd2011_5500710-01-06.jpg 800w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 556px, 100vw" alt="Palestinians transport a reportedly captured Israeli person, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 7, 2023." width="664" height="443"> <img src="https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/2800/1867/664/0/75/0/9dd2011_5500710-01-06.jpg" alt="Palestinians transport a reportedly captured Israeli person, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 7, 2023." sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 556px, 100vw" width="100%" height="auto"> </picture> <noscript> <img src="https://img.lemde.fr/2023/10/07/0/0/2800/1867/664/0/75/0/9dd2011_5500710-01-06.jpg" alt="Palestinians transport a reportedly captured Israeli person, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 7, 2023."> </noscript> <figcaption class="article__legend" aria-hidden="true">Palestinians transport a reportedly captured Israeli person, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 7, 2023. <span class="article__credit" aria-hidden="true">- / AFP</span> </figcaption> 

The Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it was treating at least 280 casualties, with 60 in serious condition. The Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, near Gaza, said it was treating 182 wounded people, including 12 in critical condition.

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There was no official comment on casualties in Gaza, but Associated Press reporters witnessed the funerals of 15 people who were killed and saw another eight bodies arrive at a local hospital. It was not immediately clear if they were fighters or civilians.

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 <p class="author__detail"> <span class="author__name">Le Monde with AP</span> </p> 

Israel says at least 70 people have died, with reports of citizens being taken hostage. The Palestinian Health Ministry said over 190 have died in Gaza.{ai:summary}<p>#warinukraine The Gaza Strip is under attack as militant Hamas rulers carry out a multi-front assault on Israel. The death toll continues to rise on both sides, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to exact a "huge price" from Hamas. The situation is escalating, with reports of hostages and calls for de-escalation from the United Nations. Medical centers in Israel are overwhelmed with casualties, and the true extent of the damage and loss of life is still unknown in Gaza.</p>