GAZA - Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 198 people and injured 1,610, the Health Ministry in Gaza said on Saturday.

"Today, at least 198 people lost their lives, and 1,610 sustained injuries due to Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip," the ministry said in a statement.

The Israeli airstrikes were carried out in response to earlier rocket attacks by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

JERUSALEM - Over 40 Israelis have been killed and more than 700 injured in the Islamic Resistance Movement's (Hamas) offensive that began earlier on Saturday, reported Israeli media citing Magen David Adom from emergency services.

Israeli officials have not confirmed reports on various media channels that tens of Israeli civilians and soldiers are being held captive by Hamas.

Over 2,500 rockets were fired into Israel by Hamas since the early hours of Saturday, said Israeli military. It added that in response, airstrikes against over 20 Hamas targets have been carried out in recent hours.

An Israeli cabinet meeting is underway in Tel Aviv to discuss the further response.

GAZA - Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), released on Saturday a short video showing some militants capturing a number of Israelis from the Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip.