<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The Israeli government formally declared war Sunday and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas for its surprise attack, as the military tried to crush fighters still in southern towns and intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The toll passed 1,100 dead and thousands wounded on both sides.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">More than 24 hours after Hamas launched its unprecedented incursion out of Gaza, Israeli forces were still battling with militants holed up in several locations Monday morning. At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel — a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades — and more than 400 have been killed in Gaza. AP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>