600 killed in Israel, fear of larger conflict looms

Tel Aviv: Israeli soldiers battled Hamas fighters in the streets of southern Israel on Sunday and launched retaliation strikes that leveled buildings in Gaza, while in northern Israel a brief exchange of strikes with Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group raised fears of a broader conflict.

There was still some fighting underway more than 24 hours after an unprecedented surprise attack from Gaza, in which Hamas militants, backed by a volley of thousands of rockets, broke through Israel's security barrier and rampaged through nearby communities.

At least 600 people have reportedly been killed in Israel — a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades — and more than 300 have been killed in Gaza.

The militants also took captives back into the coastal Gaza enclave, including women, children and the elderly, whom they will likely try to trade for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN's "State of the Union" that the US is working to verify reports that “several” Americans were killed or are missing.

The high death toll, multiple captives and slow response to the onslaught pointed to a major intelligence failure and undermined the long-held perception that Israel has eyes and ears everywhere in the small territory it has controlled for decades.

A major question now was whether Israel will launch a ground assault into Gaza. Civilians paid a staggering cost for the violence on both sides.

Several Israeli media outlets, citing rescue service officials, said at least 600 people were killed in Israel, while officials in Gaza said 313 people had died in the territory.

In neighboring Egypt, a policeman shot dead two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian at a tourist site.

Indian exports may face more shipping cost

Indian exporters shipping goods to Israel may face higher insurance premiums and shipping costs due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to experts.

India's merchandise exports and imports from Israel during 2022- 23 were USD 8.4 billion and USD 2.3 billion, respectively, leading to a merchandise trade surplus of USD 6.1 billion.

US carrier group to help Israel

The US will send an aircraft carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, a US official says, reports AP. 

CM on safety of Kannadigas

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said his government is working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety of Kannadigas in Israel, where a war has broken out.

He also appealed to Kannadigas in Israel in need of assistance to contact the state emergency operation centre.

Indians in Israel and Gaza seek safe exit

There have been no untoward incidents involving Indians living and working in Israel so far amid escalating tensions in the region, even as the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv received requests from its citizens, including tourists, stranded in the country to facilitate their safe exit.

There are about 18,000 Indian nationals living and working in Israel. There are also some businessmen visiting Israel who have gotten caught up in the escalation and are looking to be evacuated.

A big chunk of Indians living in Israel work as caregivers but there are also about a thousand students, several IT professionals and diamond traders. (AP)