TEL AVIV, Israel (NEWSnet/AP) — Israel soldiers battled Hamas fighters Sunday and launched retaliation strikes that leveled buildings in Gaza.

In northern Israel, a brief exchange of strikes with Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group raised fear of a broader conflict.

Fighting continued more than 24 hours after a surprise attack from Gaza. In the attack, Hamas militants, backed by a volley of thousands of rockets, broke through Israel's security barrier and went on a rampage through nearby communities. They took captives into the coastal Gaza enclave, likely hoping to trade for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. 

Israel’s media, citing rescue service reports, said at least 300 people were killed in Israel, including 44 soldiers. Officials in Gaza said 313 people had died in the territory. An Israeli official said the military had killed 400 militants and captured dozens more.

Israeli TV news aired a stream of accounts from the relatives of captive or missing Israelis, who wailed and begged for assistance. In Gaza, residents fled homes near the border to escape Israel’s strikes.

The battle drew response from Hezbollah, an enemy of Israel's that is backed by Iran. Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets and shells on Sunday at three Israeli positions in a disputed area near the border and Israel’s military returned fire using armed drones.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israel military official, said fighting continues in the south and involves hostage situations. He said troops had moved into every community near the Gaza frontier, where they plan evacuation and scouring the area for militants.

“We will go through every community until we kill every terrorist that is in Israeli territory," he said. In Gaza, “every terrorist located in a house, all the commanders in houses, will be hit by Israeli fire. That will continue escalating in the coming hours.”

In a televised address late Saturday, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military will use all of its strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities.

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