Israelis' death toll reaches 1,200, over 35,000 injured as Hamas continues vigorous attacks
JERUSALEM (AFP) - The death toll in Israel has reached 1,200 and more than 3,500 people have been wounded in the vigorous attacks carried out by the Hamas, said the Israel's military.
"We have sustained extremely heavy casualties," military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said in a video briefing on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The victims were overwhelmingly civilians, gunned down in homes, on streets or at an outdoor dance party. Scores of Israelis and others from abroad were captured and taken to Gaza as hostages, some shown on social media being paraded through the streets.
At the White House, Biden called the Hamas attacks 'an act of sheer evil' and said Washington was rushing additional military assistance to Israel, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome aerial defense system. He called for Israel to follow the "law of war" in its response.
He told reporters the United States had "enhanced our military force posture in the region to strengthen our deterrence," including by moving an aircraft carrier strike group and fighter aircraft.
"Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: don't," said Biden, in an apparent reference to Iran and its proxies in the region.
US officials say they do not have evidence Iran orchestrated the attacks, but point to Iran's long-term support for Hamas.
Biden despatched his top diplomat Antony Blinken to Israel, who will deliver "a message of solidarity and support," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington was talking also with Israel and Egypt about the idea of creating a safe passage for civilians out of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right wing coalition and opposition leaders were close to forming an emergency unity government.
Countries including Fiji, South Korea, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Canada scrambled to evacuate citizens, many stranded after major airlines cancelled flights.
