Israel's ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, said India's support is significant for two reasons - India's global importance and its experience fighting terrorism. He thanked India for its moral and political backing after PM Modi tweeted solidarity with Israel following Hamas' unprecedented attack killing 600 Israelis. Many Indian ministers, officials and businessmen also reached out to the ambassador. Ambassador Gilon said Israel needs political support as it knows how to handle the situation on the ground, but requires the ability to execute a plan to stop Hamas from threatening others again. He appreciated that India's support comes from a place of understanding terrorism, not ignorance.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (in picture grab) said in a CNN interview, that the United States has received reports of several American deaths in Israel and is working to verify them. Blinken added the U.S. will likely announce new military assistance for Israel later today, stating "Our first focus is to make sure Israel has what it needs." The mother of a German tourist, Shani Louk, pleaded for information on her daughter's whereabouts, believing she was kidnapped by Palestinian militants at a festival near Gaza. Meanwhile, the father of a dual American-Israeli citizen, Hersh Golberg-Polin, confirmed his son texted goodbyes during Saturday's attack. Additionally, a 20-year-old British soldier, Nathanel Young (in picture grab), serving in the Israeli army was killed in Hamas’ offensive from Gaza, according to a statement from the soldier’s family. Another Briton, Jake Marlowe, who was working as a security guard at a desert rave that was targeted by Hamas, is currently missing the Israeli embassy has confirmed.

According to a Facebook post by the Israeli government, over 600 Israelis have been killed, 100 kidnapped, and 2,000 injured since Saturday. A Facebook post by Gaza's health ministry states Israeli airstrikes have killed 370 Palestinians and injured 2,200. In a BBC interview, Gershon Baskin, who negotiated the 2011 release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, said Hamas likely took current hostages underground, complicating Israeli efforts to locate them. Baskin expects Israel to send ground troops into Gaza in a massive operation aimed at killing Hamas leaders and rescuing the hostages, after initial airstrikes. [Image: Times of Israel]

Air India has evacuated its crew members and two other employees from Tel Aviv and has announced the suspension of flights to and from the economic hub of Israel until at least October 14. Several other international airlines such as Etihad and Flydubai, have suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv.  Etihad canceled its Abu Dhabi-Tel Aviv flight, monitoring the situation closely, while Flydubai scrapped two flights but resumed normal operations later. UAE Airlines, operating direct flights since the Abraham Accords in 2020, is assessing the situation. Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, Air France, Iberia, and ITA Airways also canceled Tel Aviv services due to the security situation, reflecting the widespread impact of the ongoing conflict on aviation operations.

A BBC video footage shows the moment an Israeli missile destroys a building close to the BBC's broadcast position in Gaza. The death toll continues to rise on both sides. Over 500 Israelis have lost their lives, with the number steadily increasing, while in the Gaza Strip, 313 people have been killed and almost 2,000 are wounded by Israeli airstrikes, as claimed by the Ministry of Health. Overnight, fierce gun battles erupted across at least 22 locations in Israel, where hundreds of Hamas fighters clashed with Israeli forces. Gunmen held hostages in two areas, leading to civilian casualties. Additionally, more than 1,000 individuals in Israel were injured by gunfire or the onslaught of over 3,000 rockets. The Israel Defense Forces are actively evacuating multiple southern regions, with further evacuations planned pending the evolving situation. 

"We have no idea how this could have happened" is the stunned admission from Israeli officials given to the BBC when asked how the Hamas infiltration could happened. The statement reflects the deep failures of Israel's vaunted intelligence services to foresee Hamas's audacious cross-border attack. Despite Israel's pervasive surveillance and informant networks in Gaza and beyond, Hamas militants stealthily amassed thousands of rockets and breached the border fence for a complex, multi-pronged assault. The lapse evokes memories of Israel's intelligence debacle preceding the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Painful questions are being asked about how Hamas outfoxed the system, achieving total strategic and tactical surprise. An intensive investigation has begun, but the damage is already done to Israel's image of intelligence omniscience.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi said she received several messages from Indians in Israel and the Indian Government is working to bring back stranded students under the PM office's direct supervision. She reminded that India has safely evacuated citizens abroad in the past, during the Ukraine war and COVID crisis. Lekhi expressed confidence the Indian government and PM's office are in direct touch with people in Israel and monitoring the situation closely. She conveyed PM Modi's condolences for lives lost in Hamas rocket strikes on Israel. Bollywood actor Nushrratt Bharuccha, who was stuck in Israel during the Hamas militant attack, arrived back safely in Mumbai on Sunday. 27 pilgrims from Meghalaya stranded in Israel amid clashes with Palestine are believed to be leaving Bethlehem for Cairo soon before returning to India.

A disturbing video emerged from Israel showing a couple along with two children held hostage, reportedly by Hamas gunmen. One of the girls in the family was reportedly executed in front of her siblings, Israel-based journalist India Naftali posted on X. Israel's US embassy stated 100 civilians are captive after Hamas' terror attack. The trauma-inducing visuals show the parents consoling their children, asking them to lie down as Hamas keeps firing. A man with an assault rifle is seen but his face isn't visible. Journalist India Naftali shared the video, appealing to world leaders to intervene and stop the cruelty. Various graphic visuals on social media show injured Israelis forced into Hamas vehicles. The harrowing footage exposes the horrific humanitarian impact as the crisis escalates.

Bollywood actor Nushrratt Bharuccha, who was stuck in Israel during the Hamas militant attack, arrived back safely at Mumbai airport. Earlier reports said her team lost contact amidst the crisis after Nushrratt traveled to Israel for her film's screening at the Haifa Film Festival. Her team later confirmed she was contacted and is returning via a connecting flight with details withheld for safety. Nushrratt was in Israel for the premiere of her movie 'Akelli' also featuring Tsahi Halevi and Amir Boutrous, Israel actors who starred in the popular web series Fauda. Earlier in the day, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma confirmed that the 27 pilgrims from Meghalaya stranded in Israel amid clashes with Palestine are believed to be leaving Bethlehem for Cairo before returning to India. Sources said the group may travel escorted by the Israeli army along the Suez Canal to Egypt, which is 10 hours away.

An Egyptian policeman opened fire on Israeli tourists at an Alexandria site, killing 2 Israelis and 1 Egyptian as per local media. Another was injured in the attack as per TV channel Extra News, which cited an unnamed security official stating the suspected gunman was detained. The incident occurred amid Israel's ongoing battle with Palestinian militants after Hamas' major deadly incursion from Gaza. Meanwhile, videos emerged of celebrations in London over Hamas' attacks on Israel, killing 300+ Israelis. London Police said they have appropriate policing in place to balance protests while minimizing disruption. The Alexandria shootings underscored regional tensions escalating over the severe Israel-Hamas escalation.[Image: Al Arabiya]