Israel intensifies Gaza battles to repel Hamas, with more than 1,100 dead so far

More than two days after Hamas launched its unprecedented incursion out of Gaza, Israeli forces were still battling militants holed up in several locations.

Israel has intensified its bombardments of the Gaza Strip after declaring war and vowing to destroy the ‘military and governing capabilities’ of the enclave’s Hamas rulers (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Israel intensified its bombardments of the Gaza Strip on Monday after declaring war and vowing to destroy the “military and governing capabilities” of the enclave’s Hamas rulers, as Israeli soldiers fought to secure the border and dislodge Gaza gunmen from areas of southern Israel.

At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel – a toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades – and more than 400 have been killed in Gaza. Palestinian militant groups claimed to be holding more than 130 captives from the Israeli side.