700 dead in Israel as it “declares war” on Hamas

Israeli has formally declared war on the Hamas militant group as the number of its citizens killed by gunmen reached 700.

The Palestinian militants are believed to have seized as many as 100 hostages during their surprise attacks in Israel. The gunmen infiltrated Jewish communities near the border with Gaza, killing and seizing civilians and soldiers.

Social media images show women and children are among those seized and taken to Gaza by the Hamas gunmen.

Israel has launched a wave of attacks in the Gaza strip in retaliation with reports that hundreds of Palestinian civilians have been killed.