Isarel retakes control over besieged southern towns, warns ‘all our capabilities are on the table’

After two days of being held by Hamas, villages in Israeli control but search for terrorists and victims continues, with the IDF “in the offensive.” More than 700 Israeli residents dead in worst terrorist attack

As Operation Swords of Iron to counter Hamas’ weekend attack entered its third day , IDF announced that Israel has managed to retake the besieged kibbutzim and other communities along the Gaza border after Hamas terrorists have managed to kill hundreds and take as many as 100, according to estimates, back to Gaza. The prolonged fighting included many instances of hostage-taking. At least 73 soldiers have died in the battles.

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A total of 700 have been confirmed dead as of Monday morning, with more than 2400 injured, including roughly 300 who sustained serious injuries.

Video: Drone footage show destruction, abandoned cars after rave party attack in Israel / Credit: Reuters

“The events at night are isolated incidents. We are searching the area –we have control. There is no fighting in the settlements at this stage,” Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesperson, said. He warned that the IDF is now conducting its offensive and that “all our capabilities are on the table.”

“There may be terrorists in the area, those are terrorists who are hiding. Our units fight with courage. At this time, there are no clashes,” said the officer, adding that “we are going to attack any place that there are terrorists,” referring to the Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

“The breaches in the Gaza border will be secured by tanks and each breach will be manned. The villages near the border are on the verge of evacuation, and Sderot will not be evacuated,” he added.

Regarding the northern front, he said, “Yesterday there were a few isolated incidents on the border, there were no casualties on our side, and we hold the north very strongly, there is no fighting in the north.”

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