GAZA CITY, Palestine

At least 413 Palestinians, including 78 children and 41 women, were killed and 2,300 others injured in Israeli attacks launched after a surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday, the Health Ministry in Gaza said in a statement on Sunday.

Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, saying it was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.

In retaliation, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas, launching airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, climbed to at least 700, as fighting continued for the second day on Sunday.

Israel's Security Cabinet declared a state of war and approved "taking of significant military steps."