Israeli forces fight to drive out Hamas militants as death toll passes 600

Israeli security forces are carrying out operations to rescue hostages taken by Palestinian militants from Gaza and clear areas they seized on Saturday.

The military said troops had secured 22 locations by Sunday morning but were still sweeping through another eight.

The surprise attack by hundreds of gunmen from Hamas, under the cover of intense rocket fire, has reportedly killed at least 600 people in Israel.

More than 370 people in Gaza have been killed in retaliatory Israeli strikes. read more