The number of Israelis killed by Hamas has reached 600, according to reports in Israeli media, while there are 313 Palestinians dead, according to Palestinian health officials.

The uncertainty of the number of casualties in the conflict is underpinned by the fact that just before 14:00 local time the deaths of Israelis were estimated by Israeli networks at 350 (a number revised to 600) and the wounded exceeded 2,000, while the hostage-taking of around 100 Israeli soldiers and civilians, as reported by the Jerusalem Post, and more than 2,040 wounded.

Al Jazeera reported that more Palestinian militants have infiltrated the southern Israeli town of Magen, according to Israeli media. Heavy fighting is taking place in the area with the Israeli army using tanks against the militants, according to several Israeli media outlets.

Concern over Hezbollah involvement

Meanwhile, the involvement of Hezbollah in the war with an attack on a disputed area in the Golan Heights from Lebanese territory sparked concern over its possible generalized entry into the fighting. Israel responded to the attack by firing rockets and hitting strategic targets.

Israel has asked Egypt for help in mediating the release of Israelis held captive by Hamas, according to the US Wall Street Journal. According to the report, a senior Hamas official as well as Egyptian officials said the group had lost contact with some of its people holding captives and abductees.

According to reports in the Guardian, the Israeli army appears this morning to be preparing for a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, while continuing its operations to free hostages and neutralize Hamas militants still in Israeli territory.