Gaza: Casualties mount as Palestinian groups, Israel fight for a second day

Fighting between Palestinian groups from Gaza and Israel entered a second day on Sunday, with clashes occurring in at least six locations on the Israeli side of the border.

The latest death toll, according to the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, stands at 313, including 20 at least children. Additionally, there are at least 1,788 reported injuries in the Gaza Strip.

As many as 300 Israelis have been killed since Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters launched a surprise attack on Israeli settlements surrounding the besieged Gaza Strip. Nearly 1800 Israelis have been injured. 

Palestinian fighters captured dozens of Israeli soldiers and civilians and transported them to locations in Gaza. Israeli sources estimate the number of Israelis taken by Palestinian fighters may be as high as 100.

In a televised statement on Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attack as "unprecedented".  

"The IDF will immediately use all its strength to destroy Hamas's capabilities. We will destroy them and we will forcefully avenge this dark day that they have forced on the State of Israel and its citizens," Netanyahu said.

"I say to the residents of Gaza: Leave now because we will operate forcefully everywhere," he added.

In occupied East Jerusalem, Palestinians observed a general strike in solidarity with Gaza, as Israeli police blocked employees of the religious endowments department from accessing the Al-Aqsa mosque, while permitting Israeli settlers to enter the compound.