The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip have carried out an unprecedented, multifront attack on Israel , firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel was at war and called for a mass mobilization of army reserves. The invasion revived memories of the 1973 war practically 50 years to the day.

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MEDIA REPORTS: EGYPTIAN POLICEMAN OPENS FIRE ON ISRAELI TOURISTS

An Egyptian policeman opened fire on Israeli tourists Sunday in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, killing at least two Israelis and one Egyptian, local media reported.

Extra News television channel, which has close ties to Egyptian security agencies, quoted an unidentified security official as saying that another person was injured in the attack which took place in the Pompeys Pillar tourist site in Alexandria. The suspected assailant was detained, it reported.

Israels Zaka rescue service reported two people killed in Alexandria.

CHINA CALLS FOR THE CREATION OF A PALESTINIAN STATE

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country is deeply concerned over the current escalation of tensions and violence between Palestine and Israel.

The recurrence of the conflict shows once again that the protracted standstill of the peace process cannot go on, the statement said. The fundamental way out of the conflict lies in implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent State of Palestine.

The Chinese foreign ministry said China would continue to work with the international community to find a way to bring about peace, and urged the community to act with greater urgency and help facilitate early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel.

EGYPT INTERVENES OVER ISRAELI HOSTAGES

An Egyptian official says Israel has sought help from Cairo to ensure the safety of abducted Israelis, and Egypts intelligence chief had contacted Hamas and the Islamic Jihad militant group to seek information.

According to the official, Palestinian leaders claimed that they dont yet have a full picture of hostages, but said those who were brought to Gaza were taken to secure locations across the territory.

Its clear that they have a big number several dozens, said the official, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to brief media.

Egyptian intelligence also spoke with both sides about a potential cease-fire, he added, but Israel was not open to a truce at this stage.

By Sam Magdy in Cairo.

ISRAELI OFFICIAL SAYS HUNDREDS OF HAMAS MILITANTS HAVE BEEN KILLED

An Israeli military official says hundreds of terrorists have been killed and dozens captured in fighting with Hamas militants in Gaza and southern Israel.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari spoke to reporters on Sunday, more than 24 hours after the Palestinian militant group launched an unprecedented assault into Israel, killing hundreds of people, firing thousands of rockets and taking captives back into blockaded Gaza.

Israel is battling militants in the south and launching airstrikes across Gaza that have leveled buildings.

UN PEACEKEEPERS CALL FOR RESTRAINT AFTER ROCKETS FIRED FROM LEBANON

A U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along Lebanons southern border called for everyone to exercise restraint and make use of the forces liaison and coordination mechanisms to de-escalate and prevent a fast deterioration of the security situation. It said it had detected several rockets fired from southeast Lebanon toward Israeli-occupied territory, followed by artillery fire from Israel toward Lebanon.

The statement came shortly after Hezbollah said it fired at Israeli positions in the disputed Chebaa Farms along the border with Syrias Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The force known as UNIFIL said it is in contact with authorities on both sides of the border at all levels to contain the situation and avoid a more serious escalation.

HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS ISRAELI POSITIONS IN GOLAN HEIGHTS

Lebanons Hezbollah militant group fired dozens of rockets and shells on Sunday at three Israeli positions in a disputed area along the countrys border with Syrias Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Hezbollah said in a statement that the attack using large numbers of rockets and shells was in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance. It said the Israeli positions were directly hit.

Israels military fired back at the Lebanese areas, but there was no immediate word on casualties.

AT LEAST 26 ISRAELI SOLDIERS DIE IN HAMAS ATTACK IN COUNTRYS SOUTH

At least 26 Israeli soldiers have been killed in an attack by the Hamas militant group on the countrys south, Israels military said Sunday.

The figure is part of a death toll of more than 250 people in the deadliest attack against Israelis in decades.

ISRAELI MILITARY SAYS 2 HOSTAGE SITUATIONS RESOLVED

An Israeli military spokesperson said Sunday morning that two hostage situations had been resolved, but did not say whether all the hostages had been rescued alive.

Hamas militants had taken hostages during their surprise attack on Saturday as Israels military scrambled to muster a response. Gun battles continued well after nightfall, and militants held hostages in standoffs in two towns. Militants occupied a police station in a third town, where Israeli forces struggled until Sunday morning to finally reclaim the building.

On Sunday, Israel was fighting Hamas incursions in eight places, the Israeli military said.

MILITANTS FIRE MORE ROCKETS FROM GAZA

Before daybreak on Sunday, militants fired more rockets from Gaza, hitting a hospital in the Israeli coastal town of Ashkelon. The hospital sustained damage, said senior hospital official Tal Bergman.

Video provided by Barzilai Medical Center showed a large hole punched into a wall and chunks of debris scattered on the ground of what appeared to be an empty room and a hallway. There was no report of casualties.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza had intensified after nightfall, flattening residential buildings in giant explosions, including a 14-story tower that held dozens of apartments as well as Hamas offices in central Gaza City. Israeli forces fired a warning just before.

Around 3 a.m., a loudspeaker atop a mosque in Gaza City blared a stark warning to residents of nearby apartment buildings: Evacuate immediately. Just minutes later, an Israeli airstrike reduced one nearby five-story building to ashes.

After one Israeli strike, a Hamas rocket barrage hit four cities, including Tel Aviv and a nearby suburb. Throughout the day, Hamas fired more than 3,500 rockets, the Israeli military said.

CAMBODIAN STUDENT DIES IN FIGHTING IN ISRAEL

A Cambodian student has died in the violence in Israel, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The Southeast Asian country has some 450 students in Israel, the statement added.

Two workers from Thailand were also believed to have been kidnapped in Israel, according to a statement from Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The information came from the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel has not been able to verify the claim.

The Royal Thai Government is taking this matter very seriously, the statement said. Prime Minister (Srettha Thavisin) has issued an order for the Royal Thai Air Force to be on standby for the immediate evacuation of Thai nationals from Israel by air, as needed.

NETANYAHU SAYS ISRAEL WILL CUT OFF SUPPLIES TO GAZA

Israel will stop supplying electricity, fuel and goods to Gaza, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office Saturday night. Much of Gaza was already thrown into darkness by nightfall after electrical supplies from Israel, which supplies almost all of the territories power, were cut off earlier in the day.

Netanyahu also said the first phase of the counter operation had ended, and that Israel had fought off the majority of Hamas militants.

He vowed to continue the offensive without reservation and without respite.

The announcement came after a surprise attack by Hamas militants into Israel on Saturday morning.

AIRLINES SUSPEND FLIGHTS TO ISRAEL