The Israeli Defense Force said the first plane carrying U.S. armaments has arrived in southern Israel. "Our common enemies know that the cooperation between our militaries is stronger than ever, " the IDF said.
The al-Qassam armed wing of Palestinian militant group Hamas said it launched hundreds of missiles at the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, saying the attack was "in response to the displacement of civilians."
It came shortly after the 5 p.m. local time deadline Hamas had given Ashkelon residents to leave the premises had passed.
On Tuesday, Israel's military said it had regained control of the Gaza-Israel border after Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel unprecedented in scope and deadliness.
Israel continues its airstrikes all over the enclosed territory of Gaza, andĀ has ordered the complete cutting of water, electricity and foodĀ to the already impoverished and blockaded population of roughly 2.3 million people.
Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, said it has some 150 Israeli hostages in captivity. The U.S. and other governments are working to determine the number of foreign hostages in Hamas' captivity.
The death toll from the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas has passed 1,800, with more than 1,000 people killed and 2,700 injured in Israel and at least 900 people killed and 4,500 injured in Gaza, according to Palestinian and Israeli health services.
Editor's note:Ā There are discrepancies on the number of people killed and injured between various official outlets on both sides.