Israel says its 'taking more time' to push back Hamas fighters

The Israeli military is engaging Palestinian fighters at six points outside Gaza, with Israel taking longer to push back against the surprise attack than previously anticipated.

"It's taking more time than we expected to get things back into a defensive, security posture," Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told a briefing with journalists on Monday.

The Israeli military’s top spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, said the Israeli military and Hamas were fighting at six sites in southern Israel.

Fighting was reported in Israeli towns of Beeri, Kfar Aza, Nirim and Alumim. Hagari said that an additional 70 Palestinian fighters had entered Beeri Sunday night.

A tunnel used by Palestinian fighters from Gaza was also found in Kfar Aza, he added.

The ground fighting accompanied massive Israeli bombardments on the besieged Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military deploying fighter jets, helicopters, aircraft and artillery.

Israeli air strikes and artillery shelling struck more than 500 targets, the Israeli military said Monday.