Israel-Hamas War: Gaza under Non-Stop Attack

Israel has attacked the besieged Gaza Strip for a second night in a row after formally declaring war against the Palestinian Hamas group.

Its Military says some 100,000 reserve troops have amassed near Gaza.

Fierce fighting is continuing between Hamas gunmen and Israeli troops in at least three areas in Southern Israel, including a kibbutz in Karmia and in the cities of Ashkelon and Sderot.

Ahead of a possible Israeli ground invasion of Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Tarek Abu Azzoum, who is in the Southern Palestinian territory, is reporting that in the last hour, the area of Beit Hanoun has been under “intense” bombardment from the air.

“The level and speed of the air strikes inside the Gaza Strip has remarkably intensified during the last couple of hours,” adding that some of the buildings were struck without prior warning.

“The exact casualties are unknown due to the inability of the emergency services to reach the area.”

The latest death toll stands at 413 Palestinians, according to Health Officials.

Hamas’s surprise attack came after Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in recent days and a record number of Palestinians were killed by Israel in recent months.

ALJAZEERA