Israel declares official war against Hamas
Israel's security cabinet announced on Sunday that the country is officially at war with the Hamas terrorist group and can undertake "significant military activity."
The decision was made in accordance with Article 40 of Israel's Basic Law, which states that the country cannot go to war without a government decision, CNN reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had declared on October 8 that the country was at war after Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, killing hundreds.
Netanyahu said the war was "forced upon Israel by a criminal terrorist attack from Gaza."
Israel is fighting to push Palestinian militants out of its territory a day after Hamas launched a deadly attack from Gaza, with the Israeli prime minister warning that a "long and difficult war" lies ahead.
Israel responded to Saturday's "shock terrorist attack" by launching airstrikes in Gaza, while its forces clashed with Hamas fighters in villages, military bases, and border crossings.
Israeli warplanes continued to pound Gaza on Sunday morning, with the Israel Defense Forces saying they had struck 426 targets in Gaza, including 10 towers used by Hamas.
In Gaza, at least 313 Palestinians were killed and nearly 1,990 were wounded in the past 24 hours, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. The death toll included 20 children and 121 children were wounded, the agency added.
The Israeli leader said that the "first phase" of the operation had ended with the "destruction of most of the enemy forces that infiltrated our territory."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
