Israeli military launches operation to expel Hamas militants and rescue captured hostages

Israeli security forces are currently engaged in operations to rescue hostages taken by Palestinian militants from Gaza and regain control of areas that were seized over the weekend. The military has already secured 22 locations in southern Israel, but there are still eight areas that need to be cleared. The surprise attack by hundreds of Hamas gunmen, supported by intense rocket fire, has resulted in around 300 deaths in Israel, while over 310 people in Gaza have been killed in retaliatory Israeli strikes. Thousands of people on both sides have been injured, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that a "long and difficult war" lies ahead. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, on the other hand, has claimed that they are on the "verge of a great victory." The violence began on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath and festival of Simchat Torah, when gunmen managed to breach the Gaza perimeter fence and enter southern Israel through various means such as motorbikes, paragliders, and the sea. The IDF estimates that the militants numbered in the high hundreds, while more than 3,000 rockets were fired towards Israeli cities and towns. Israeli civilians were reportedly executed in their homes, and hostages were taken to Gaza. Israeli security forces have managed to rescue many hostages, but concerns remain about the fate of others, including Israeli soldiers and civilians. The IDF has conducted numerous strikes on Hamas targets, including a compound belonging to the group's intelligence department and the Watan Tower, which housed major internet service providers in Gaza City. The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with explosions and smoke filling the air, and Israel has cut off electricity and fuel supplies as well as the entry of goods into the territory. In a separate incident, the IDF has responded to an attack by Hezbollah in the disputed Shebaa Farms/Mount Dov area by striking targets in southern Lebanon and carrying out a drone strike on "terrorist infrastructure." Hezbollah claims to have attacked Israeli positions in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance.