Israel-Palestine war: First week ends with over 2,500 Palestinians, 1,400 Israelis killed

The Israeli health ministry has reported that over 2,156 people have been admitted to hospitals. 

More than 20 of those are described as being in a critical condition.
 

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered the evacuation of communities near the Lebanon border, according to Haaretz. 

Video footage circling online shows the aftermath of an Israeli air strike on Gaza.

A mosque in Gaza's Khan Younis has been fully destroyed in the attack.

Meanwhile, Palestinians have flocked to UNRWA-run schools to seek refuge while bombardment continues. 

Israel has been put on a war footing after Palestinian fighters stunned the world with their land, air and sea assault on Saturday.

Multiple reports suggest scores of Hamas fighters entered southern Israel and continue to fight street battles with Israeli forces.

Fears of an Israeli ground assault are mounting as tanks and troops amass on the border with Gaza, while reports claim Palestinian fighters continue to enter Israel.

Jordan's King Abdullah said on Sunday there was a need to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent escalating Israel-Palestinian violence with "dangerous repercussions" for the region's security.

In comments made on state media, Abdullah said contacts with regional and international parties were underway to discuss "urgent international action to avoid an escalation and prevent the region from the consequences of a new round of violence".

The Palestinian death toll has jumped to 370, including at least 20 children, according to the Palestinian health ministry, with another 2,200 wounded.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been criticised by a member of the European parliament (MEP) after she said the body "stands with Israel."

Clare Daly, an independent Irish MEP, told von der Leyen to "shut up" after the EU chief said "Israel has the right to defend itself - today and in the days to come."

"Who do you think you are? You're unelected, and have no authority to determine EU foreign policy, which is set by the European Council," Daly wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Europe does NOT 'stand with Israel.' We stand for peace. You do not speak for us. If you've nothing constructive to say, and you clearly don't, shut up."

Palestinian fighters caught Israel off-guard early on Saturday, firing thousands of rockets in southern and central Israel, while dozens of heavily armed gunmen stormed Israel's south. 

Israel responded by launching devastating air strikes on the besieged Gaza Strip that have killed hundreds of people.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington is trying to verify reports that American citizens have been killed or captured in the Palestinian attack on Israel. 

"We have reports that several Americans were killed. We are working overtime to verify that," Blinken told CNN. "There are reports of missing Americans. There again, we are working to verify those reports." 

The number of Israelis captured by Palestinians could be close to 100, Israeli sources familiar with the matter have told Haaretz. 

These are only estimates based on information gathered in Israel, the newspaper reported.

The actual number remains unknown.

Israel said the country has officially entered a state of war, 30 hours after Palestinians launched a shock attack on Saturday morning. 

The military had previously announced a military operation in response to the Palestinian assault. 

However, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said the security cabinet voted on Saturday night to move the country into a state of war. 

The gives the military permission to carry out "significant military activities", according to Netanyahu's office.  

The prime minister will have to get the declaration approved by the parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee on Monday before announcing it to a parliament plenary, according to Haaretz. 

The Israeli military has announced that schools across the country will remain closed for the coming days, in a sign that fighting is expected to escalate. 

The army's home front command, which issues instructions to citizens at times of war, also said that gatherings should be restricted to 10 people outdoors and 50 people indoors south of Netanya city and north of the Naqab (Negev) desert.

Businesses can be open if there's easy access to bomb shelters, they added.

Instructions are to be in place until Tuesday evening but will likely be extended, Israel media reported. 

The Israeli military fired a defence missile in northern Israel, according to local media.

It was not immediately clear what it was trying to intercept.  

Israeli police forces fatally shot an Israeli civilian thinking he was a Palestinian fighter on Sunday, according to Haaretz. 

The man was driving a car that Israeli forces thought belonged to a suspicious vehicle fleeing towards Highway 4 near the city of Ashkelon.

He was shot dead after a police car chase. 

The Palestinian wide-scale attack against Israel is well into its second day, as we near the 30th hour of fighting. 

Here's a recap of what you need to know:

• Palestinians fired thousands of rockets into Israel and launched an air, sea and land incursion in a surprise assault on Saturday morning 

• Israel has bombed several locations in Gaza, including hospitals, a mosque and residential towers housing civilians

• Over 500 Israelis and 320 Palestinians were killed. Nearly 2,000 were wounded on each side 

• Several high-ranking Israeli military commanders, battalion leaders, and 30 police officers were among those killed 

• Unofficial estimates say 750 people are missing in Israel with many believed captured by Palestinians 

• Israeli army has evacuated several towns near Gaza

• Israeli authorities say they are still a long way from securing areas seized by Palestinians   

• Palestinians say they are sending reinforcements to active combat areas inside Israeli territory

• Fierce gun battles are ongoing in several Israeli towns near Gaza 

• In Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel exchanged artillery and rocket fire. Hezbollah said its attack was in "solidarity with Palestinians" 

• In Egypt, a policeman opened fire at Israeli tourists, killing two Israelis and their Egyptian guide 

For more updates, keep an eye on Middle East Eye "Live" throughout the day and follow our social media page on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. 

The Israeli army confirmed plans to evacuate residents living in towns near Gaza.

The settlements expected to be evacuated and named by the Israeli army include Nahal Oz, Erez, Mafalsim, Kfar Gaza, Gavim, Or Hanar, Ivym, Nativ Hathara, Yad Mordechai, Karmia, Zikim, Kerem Shalom, Kissufim, Holit, Sofa, Nirim, Nir Oz, Ein Haslosha, Nir Yitzhak, Bari, Magen, Reim, Saad and Alumim. 

"Further evacuations will be done according to the assessment of the situation," the Israeli army said on X.