Israel vows to "destroy Hamas" as 650 reportedly killed in huge Palestinian attack and Israeli response

Tel Aviv — Israeli soldiers continued battling Hamas militants in the streets of southern Israel Sunday, while in the north of the country they exchanged fire with Hezbollah militants launching rockets from Lebanon. Some Israeli communities along the Lebanon border were urged to evacuate.

At least 350 Israelis have been killed and 1,800 wounded since Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza early Saturday morning, with many Israelis, both civilians and security forces, reportedly taken hostage.

It was the deadliest day in decades in the long-running Israel-Palestinian conflict. More than 300 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, Palestinian health officials said Sunday.