‘Hundreds of terrorists’ killed in Gaza conflict, Israeli military says

Hamas fighters took captives back into the coastal enclave, including women, children and the elderly, while Israel’s retaliation strikes levelled buildings in Gaza

Smoke rises from an explosion caused by an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip (Picture: Hatem Moussa/AP/PA)

“Hundreds of terrorists” have been killed and dozens captured amid ongoing fighting with Hamas militants in Gaza and southern Israel, an Israeli military official has said.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari spoke to reporters on Sunday, more than 24 hours after the Palestinian militant group launched an unprecedented assault into Israel, killing hundreds of people and taking captives back into blockaded Gaza as the group launched thousands of rockets.