Bodies of Civilians, Including Women and Children, Discovered in Southern Israel

In the kibbutz of Kfar Aza in southern Israel, the bodies of civilians have been found, including women and children, who are reportedly believed to have been killed by members of the radical group Hamas. This information was confirmed to CNN by a representative of the Israel Defense Forces.

The soldier declined to answer CNN's question regarding the number of victims.

Previously, i24News reported, citing volunteers from the Zaka search and rescue organization, that the bodies of 200 civilians had been discovered in the kibbutz, including nearly 40 children, according to the broadcaster's information. Furthermore, the broadcaster indicated that the total number of victims would likely continue to rise, as the military is still conducting house-to-house searches for more bodies.

Following the surprise attack launched by Hamas on Saturday, Israeli human casualties have exceeded 1,200, most of whom are civilians, as announced by the spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Force, Jonathan Conricus. It is noted that the number of injured exceeds 2,700.

In contrast, the death toll in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations has surpassed 950, with more than 5,000 people injured, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Notably, more than 200 of the victims are children.

In Gaza, over 270,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.