0521 GMT — The number of people killed in Israeli bombardment in besieged Gaza has risen close to 1,000, with at least 50 more fatalities reported overnight, the Hamas government said on Wednesday.
Hundreds of others were also wounded as Israel pounded Gaza with hundreds of air strikes overnight.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said over 950 people have been killed so far in Israeli attacks, while injuries have topped 5,000.
Dozens of residential buildings, factories, mosques and shops were hit, the head of the government’s media office, Salama Marouf, told the AFP news agency.
The Israeli military confirmed it had hit several Hamas targets during the night.
On Tuesday, the Gaza-based Health Ministry had put the Palestinians death toll at over 900 with 4,500 injuries, including at least 260 children and 200 women.
0020 GMT — Death toll keeps rising in Israel after Hamas blitzkrieg
At least 1,200 Israelis have been killed since a surprise attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last week that involved dozens of fighters who infiltrated illegal Israeli settlements and towns, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation KAN said early on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, citing Israel’s Health Ministry, the Times of Israel reported that more than 2,900 Israelis have been wounded in the unprecedented assault, with over 500 still hospitalised.
The Palestinian death toll rose to 900, while 4,500 have been wounded, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza.
The Gaza-based Palestinian Hamas group launched Operation Al Aqsa Flood against Israel early on Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence against Palestinians.
2200 GMT — Israel gets ‘advanced’ US ammo ahead of ‘full’ Gaza offensive
In a statement, the Israeli military has said “a first plane carrying American ammunition had landed in Israel after the US said it would send new supplies of air defences, munitions and other security assistance to its ally to battle Palestinian Hamas militants.”
The army said “the ammunition is designed to inflict significant blows,” adding it is in “preparation for additional scenarios.”
It comes as Israel’s defence minister announced that Israeli forces have taken control of the border area of besieged Gaza. “I have lifted all restrictions,” said Yoav Gallant, adding, “We have taken the region under control. Now we are launching a full attack.”
2000 GMT — US carrier strike group arrives in Eastern Mediterranean
The Ford carrier strike group has arrived in the far Eastern Mediterranean, within range to provide a host of air support or long-range strike options for Israel if requested, but also to surge US military presence to prevent the now four-day old war with Hamas from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict, a US official told the Associated Press.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the arrival ahead of an official announcement.
The Pentagon has said that the US warplanes, destroyers and cruisers that sailed with the Ford will conduct maritime and air operations which could range from intelligence collection and interdictions to long-range strike.
Along with the Ford, the US is sending the cruiser USS Normandy and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt, and augmenting regional Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
1930 GMT — Israel shells Syria after rockets hit occupied Golan Heights
The Israeli military said it shelled Syria after rockets hit open land in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
The military did not accuse any group of the rocket attack.
The Syrian regime did not comment. However, Britain-based opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a Palestinian faction conducted the rocket attack from Syrian territory.
