TEL AVIV, Israel (NEWSnetAP) — Israel’s government formally declared war Sunday to retaliate against Hamas for its surprise attack.

The military tried to crush fighters and intensified bombardment of Gaza Strip.

Israel forces battled militants in several locations. At least 700 people have been killed in Israeland  400 have been killed in Gaza, according to latest estimates.

Hamas and an Islamic Jihad group claimed to have taken captive more than 130 people from Israel and taken them to Gaza, saying they would be traded for the release of thousands of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

As many as 1,000 Hamas fighters were involved in Saturday morning’s assault, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking on ABC’s “This Week.”

Gunmen targeted civilians along highways and at a techno music festival near Gaza that had thousands of attendees. Rescue service Zaka said it removed about 260 bodies from the festival.

Israel hit more than 800 targets in Gaza so far, its military said, including airstrikes that leveled much of Beit Hanoun in the enclave’s northeast corner.

Several Israeli media outlets, citing rescue service officials, said at least 700 people have been killed in Israel, including 44 soldiers. Gaza Health Ministry said 413 people were killed in the territory.

About 2,000 people have been wounded on each side. An Israeli official said security forces have killed 400 militants and captured dozens more.

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