GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes targeting Hamas in Gaza, hitting around 300 targets in an effort to disrupt the Palestinian militant group. Two Israeli soldiers were also killed in the fighting in northern Gaza. The airstrikes resulted in casualties, with hospital officials in Gaza reporting hundreds of casualties and apartment buildings being flattened. The Israeli military claimed it was targeting Hamas infrastructure and militants, and said it killed a commander involved in previous attacks.

In the midst of the conflict, there were reports of hostages being held on both sides. Israel announced the rescue of a soldier, Pvt. Ori Megidish, who was taken captive on October 7. A video released by Hamas showed three hostages being held in Gaza. Israel stated that the number of hostages in the enclave had risen to 240.

Meanwhile, Egypt offered to receive large numbers of wounded Palestinians from Gaza. Egypt’s prime minister reaffirmed his country’s commitment to defending its territory, amidst pressures to take in Palestinian refugees.

The FBI expressed concerns that the attacks on Israel would inspire terrorist attacks in the West. The potential ramifications of these attacks have raised worries about security in the international community.

The number of casualties in the conflict remains disputed. The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry reported over 8,000 people killed, while the US and Israel have expressed doubts about the accuracy of these numbers. However, some UN experts believe the actual toll could be higher. On the Israeli side, over 1,400 people died in the attacks that triggered the war, including more than 300 IDF soldiers.

The situation in Gaza continues to be a source of concern as hostilities between Israel and Hamas persist, with both sides experiencing casualties and significant damage.