More Than 1100 Killed in Israel and Gaza as Netanyahu Vows to Turn Gaza to Rubble, Warns of a ‘Long War’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that his country is “embarking on a long and difficult war” after the surprise Hamas attacks Saturday that left hundreds dead and thousands wounded on both sides of the conflict.

Fighters from the terrorist group attacked Israeli territory through air, land, and sea in one of the deadliest strikes Israel has seen in 50 years that raised questions about potential Israeli intelligence failures.

As of Sunday afternoon, Over 700 Israelis have been killed, and thousands more injured in Gaza, according to Israeli officials. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry said that 413 Palestinians were killed and 2,200 people wounded in Gaza since Saturday, according to the New York Times and CNN.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that political-security leaders met late Saturday to discuss potential plans to destroy Hamas’ capabilities and fighters, according to CNN.

“[The political-security cabinet made a] series of operational decisions aimed at bringing about the destruction of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, in a way that would negate their ability and desire to threaten and harm the citizens of Israel for many years to come,” his office said.

The Israeli cabinet also decided to stop supplying Gaza with electricity, fuel, and other goods.

The prime minister also vowed “mighty vengeance” on militant group.

Hamas launched thousands of rockets at Israeli cities as they entered as many as 22 locations outside the Gaza Strip Saturday morning and took Israeli hostages. In response, the Israeli military launched airstrikes in Gaza City that flattened several residential complexes, including Hamas officers.

The fighting continued Sunday morning as the Israeli military struck 426 targets in Gaza, according to CNN.

Netanyahu said that Israel had destroyed the "majority of the enemy forces that penetrated our territory."

He added that the Israeli military launched an “offensive formation” that aims to “continue without reservation and without respite until the objectives are achieved.”