Israel-Hamas war updates: 4 Americans killed in attacks, US sending carrier strike group to region, videos show IDF's powerful counterattack on Gaza

At least 700 Israeli soldiers and citizens have died and over 2,000 have been injured in Israel after Hamas militants invaded the country on Saturday morning.

During the surprise attack by Hamas, gunmen murdered at least 260 people attending a dance music festival on the Gaza border, according to Israeli rescue service Zaka. To stay alive, some festival-goers hid in bushes and portable toilets for nearly six hours as Hamas militants hunted down young people attending the Supernova concert.

Shoam Gueta recalled, "We saw terrorists killing people, burning cars, shouting everywhere. If you just say something, if you make any noise, you’ll be murdered."

A senior Hamas official declared that the terrorist organization is holding more than 100 people captive.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 424 are dead and 2,300 others are injured in Gaza.

A new development in the Israel-Hamas war is that at least four Americans were killed in the attacks, anonymous U.S. officials revealed on Sunday night. The death toll of American casualties is expected to rise. There are also seven U.S. citizens missing in Israel, according to a source who was privy to a briefing to key House committees.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Sunday that he had ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean to "bolster regional deterrence efforts."

"The USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything, from possibly interdicting additional weapons from reaching Hamas and conducting surveillance," the Associated Press reported.

According to the U.S. Central Command:

This includes the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). We have also taken steps to augment U.S. Air Force F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region. The U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this posture if required.

Lloyd said, "In addition, the United States government will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions. The first security assistance will begin moving today and arriving in the coming days."

Israel has launched a powerful retaliation to the Hamas attack.

Israel deployed more than 500 fighter jets to strike 120 targets in Gaza's Beit Hanon neighborhood, according to Daniel Hagari – spokesperson for Israel Defense Forces.

Helicopters and unmanned aircraft launched a counterattack that obliterated 800 targets, Hagari said.

The Washington Post reported, "U.S. officials expect Israel to unleash a broad-based ground assault against the militant group within the next 24 to 48 hours, following the sophisticated Hamas attack on Saturday that killed more than 700 Israelis."

(WARNING: Graphic images)

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