Israel's intelligence and security agencies have come under fire for failing to forecast the huge strike launched on Saturday by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas.
More than 2,100 Israelis were injured, and at least 700 Israelis died in the attack. Israel's response was to conduct airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip. There have been over 2,300 injuries and almost 400 deaths of Palestinians.
Since 2005, when Israel withdrew its military positions and forcibly expelled 9,000 Israeli settlers from Gaza, the operation has followed a pattern of four wars and frequent outbreaks of violence between Israel and Hamas terrorists.
Israel has aggressively retaliated against Hamas by attacking the Gaza Strip each time it has been the target of missile attacks from Hamas or other provocations.
The State Department reported on Monday that the sudden Hamas strike on Israel killed at least nine American civilians. The confirmation of American casualties is likely to engulf the country even further.
American citizens were among those taken hostage and taken to Gaza to Hamas on Sunday, informed by Israeli Ambassador to the US Mike Herzog and Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. US agency is verifying the reports.
Following Saturday's attack by the Palestinian armed group, the United States, which contributes approximately $3 billion in annual military aid to Israel, has ordered the transfer of military ships and aircraft closer to Israel as a show of support.