Satellite Images Show Israeli Kibbutz on Fire in Hamas Siege

Satellite images from Saturday show the extent of the devastation from Hamas' surprise attack on Israel could be seen from space, with giant plumes of smoke coming from the small Israeli communities that bore the brunt of the early morning siege.

The photos, published by the European Space Agency, were taken late Saturday morning as the war was breaking out, according to Haaretz. They illustrate the damage wrought by Hamas’ rocket attacks and ground raids on kibbutzim during its initial incursion.

Hamas fighters killed dozens of Israelis, some of whom burnt alive inside their homes, during the attacks on the Southern Israel villages near the border of Gaza, according to multiple reports from Israeli and Western media. 

One Kibbutz, Kfar Aza, home to about 700 people, was besieged by about 70 Hamas fighters that morning. IDF soldiers said they found countless bodies in the aftermath of the attack, including children. Since Saturday, more than 2,000 people have died in the escalating conflict.

Following the attacks, Israel said it was “at war,” with one high-ranking official saying the country was fighting “human animals.”

Israel has since besieged Gaza, cutting off flows of food, water, electricity, and medicines to the Palestinian territory. On Wednesday, Gaza’s sole power plant ran out of fuel.

Hamas rockets continued to rain down on Israel on Wednesday, including a direct strike on a hospital in the city of Ashkelon. Hamas still has some 150 Israeli hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to an agreement with longtime opposition leaders on a unity government as the country readies for a ground invasion of Gaza.