The war between Israel and the Hamas militant group has entered its third day. Yesterday, the Israeli government formally declared war and gave the go-ahead for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas for its attack on Israel.

As the war continues, let’s look at the top updates coming from the war-torn zone.

  • The death toll on both sides has crossed 1,000, with at least 700 people reportedly dead in Israel and another 400 dead in Gaza. Some 2,000 people have been wounded on each side.
  • Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group have claimed that they have taken over 130 people in their custody from Israel and brought them into Gaza. They reportedly said that they would trade the abducted people in exchange for the release of thousands of Palestinians.
  • The captives, mostly Israelis, include soldiers and civilians. Women, children and older adults have also been abducted. As per the Israeli military, the number of captives is “significant”.
  • Israel’s military estimates that around 1,000 Hamas fighters took part in the initial attack on Israel on Saturday.
  • So far, Israel has hit over 800 targets in Gaza in retaliation. The Israeli military evacuated at least five towns close to Gaza. Israel struck back with airstrikes including one that destroyed a 14-story tower that held Hamas offices. 
  • The UN’s figures say that Israeli airstrikes had destroyed 159 housing units across Gaza and severely damaged 1,210 others, as of late Sunday. It added that the number of displaced civilians in Gaza has shot up by tens of thousands, to more than 123,000.
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  • Around 260 bodies were removed after an assault on a crowded music festival in Israel.
  • Earlier, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the Ford carrier strike group to go to the Eastern Mediterranean and be ready to assist Israel.
  • As per preliminary reports, at least four US citizens were killed in thee attacks and seven others were missing.
  • An emergency meeting was called by the UN Security Council about the escalating situation in the conflict zone but took no immediate action on a demand from the US that its 15 members condemn the Hamas attack.
  • Germany’s development minister has said that they will be reviewing their aid for Palestinian areas.
  • Iran, which has been a supporter of Hamas and other militant groups, saw its senior officials praise the Hamas attack. As per the state-run IRNA news agency President Ebrahim Raisi spoke by phone with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad leader Ziad al-Nakhalah.
  • Egypt spoke with both sides about a potential cease-fire, however, an Egyptian official said Israel was not open to a truce “at this stage”.

(With AP inputs)