Recap: 200 Palestinians killed, fighting escalates

Hello Middle East Eye readers. 

It has been nearly 10 hours since Palestinians launched an unprecedented surprise assault from Gaza, leading to a huge number of casualties, chaos and confusion.

The assault began around 6:30am local time when Hamas fighters fired a barrage of rockets into Israel while launching an incursion from land, air and sea. 

In the first three to four hours of the assault, dozens of Palestinians managed to reach deep into Israeli territory. Various reports suggest they captured a large number of Israeli soldiers, including commanders, and took them back to Gaza. 

They have also taken over parts of Israeli towns near Gaza, as well as an important army base and other military facilities. 

At the moment, Israeli media are reporting that Palestinian fighters remain inside Israel in different locations. They are reportedly involved in heavy clashes with Israeli forces. 

Meanwhile, the Israeli army began a wave of air strikes targeting various parts of Gaza. 

At least 198 people have been killed, according to an initial estimate by the Palestinian health ministry. Another 1,610 have been wounded. 

On the Israeli side, at least 40 people were killed in the rocket attack and ground assault. Nearly 800 were wounded. 

The death tolls on both sides are expected to rise and there are fears violence will spill into other parts of Israel and Palestine.  

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