On Saturday, the Palestinian Health Ministry denounced that Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 198 Palestinians and injured 1,610 people
RELATED:
Hamas to Request Elections in Gaza for First Time in 18 Years
The airstrikes were carried out in response to an earlier rocket attack by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which controls the Gaza Strip. This group claimed to have captured a number of Israeli soldiers and settlers.
"All captives held by resistance groups will be held until the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails," said Daoud Hishab, spokesman for the Islamic Jihad group in Gaza.
Israel Defense Forces spokesman confirmed that some Israeli civilians and soldiers have been taken as hostages by Hamas.
The Israeli military also said that it had targeted Hamas sites and headquarters, using dozens of warplanes across various regions of the coastal enclave.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a national address that Israel was "in a state of war and ordered a full mobilization of reserves."
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held an emergency meeting with key officials, emphasizing the right of the Palestinian people to defend themselves against Israeli forces and settlers.