The Israel-Palestine conflict is taking tolls on the Middle East.
No fewer than 1,000 deaths have been recorded on both sides since the Hamas’ launched a surprise attack on Israel at the weekend.
Many world leaders condemned the attack, lamenting heavy casualties on both sides.
The Israeli government declared war yesterday, giving the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas for its attack from the Gaza Strip.
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have launched harsh airstrikes on Gaza, portending greater fighting ahead as the toll from the conflict increase on both sides.
But, 24 hours after Hamas launched its incursion, Israeli forces were still trying to crush the last groups of militant fighters holed up in many southern Israeli towns.
Israel had never witnessed a staggering toll in recent times on a scale the country experienced on Saturday.
Authorities were still trying to determine how many civilians and soldiers were seized by Hamas fighters during the mayhem and taken to Gaza. From videos and witnesses, the captives include women, children and the elderly.
An Egyptian official said Israel sought help from Cairo to ensure the safety of the hostages, and that Egypt’s intelligence chief contacted Hamas, but more radical, Islamic Jihad group, which also took part in the incursion, to seek information.
Egypt has often mediated between the two sides in the past.
The official said Palestinian leaders claimed they did not have a “full picture” of the number of hostages, adding that those who were brought into Gaza were taken to “secure locations” across the territory.
“It’s clear that they have a big number — several dozens,” said the official, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to brief media.
Egypt also spoke with both sides about a potential cease-fire, but the official said Israel was not open to a truce “at this stage.”