This is cnn breaking news. Hello, welcome to our viewers joining us here in the United States and all around the world, as we continue our breaking News Coverage of israel at war. Im rosemary church. It is nine a. M. In israel, for the military now reports the death toll from the hamas Terror Attacks has jumped to more than 1200. Israel is stepping up its response, with punishing airstrikes on gaza. You are taking a look now at the aftermath of an explosion just moments ago. The idf says it hit more than 70 targets tuesday in one area, where a large number of attacks against israel are directed. Israel is getting ready for the next phase of retaliation. It has called up more than 300,000 reservists and evacuated civilians from near the gaza border. The Defense Minister says the offensive against hamas may have started from the air, but it will also come on the ground. Meanwhile, Israel Channel 12 has released new video showing the devastation at the site of a Music Festival, where at least 260 people were killed. U. S. President joe biden condemning the attacks. This is an act of sheer evil. More than 1000 civilians slaughtered, slaughtered. Stomach turning reports of babies being killed. Entire families slain. Young people massacred. The brutality of hamas, bloodthirsty next, brings to mind the worst, the worst rampages of i. S. I. S. This is terrorism. The Aircraft Carrier uss gerald ford has arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean and the first plane carrying u. S. Ammunition has landed in israel. So i want to go live now to london, where journalist Elliott Gotkine is following developments for us. He joins us now. So, elliott, what is the latest on israeli airstrikes and hamas rockets fired, and of course, the fallout from that exchange . And any news on the Hostage Situation at all. Rosemary, israeli airstrikes are continuing. In the last few minutes, we heard in the idf, saying that it is striking in the gaza strip, and also saying it has destroyed one of hamas Aerial Detection systems which was enabling the militant group to see or to monitor israeli aircraft. So israel says its destroy that. As you say, you know, every day now we are seeing the death toll in israel rising, now more than 1200 killed inside of israel. Were also seeing the death toll rising in the gaza strip after israeli airstrikes, retaliatory airstrikes, began in the wake of that surprised and unprecedented attack by hamas, which began on saturday morning. So the death toll in the gaza strip now above 950. And of course, everyone now is expecting a ground invasion, ground from israel. Hamas is not only expecting, at presumably welcoming it as well, because it will give it the opportunity to kill more israelis, and also perhaps potentially take more captive. We know that there are between 100 to 150 hostages in side the gaza strip. We dont have a breakdown in terms of civilians and how many were soldiers. We do know that more than 20 u. S. Citizens are missing and that more than 14, or at least 14, have been killed as well. So not just israelis that are being held captive by hamas inside the gaza strip, but people of other nationalities as well. And what we heard from israels Defense Minister, yoav gallant, is that the gloves are essentially off now. And this is in particular in the wake of some of these atrocities that were discovered at just to the east of the northern part of the gaza strip. Yesterday, the idlest saying that women, children, toddlers, the elderly, were in their words brutally butchered in the i. S. I. S. Wave action. As we just heard, President Biden alluding to as well, and also confirmed by the Israeli Defense minister, that some of those victims in israel were be headed. Rosemary . Elliott, you touched on this. The big question is of course everyone asking what comes next. And with israeli troops massing at the border, that Ground Incursion does look likely. We dont know when that would happen. But were certainly getting every indication it is the next move. Talk to us about what youre learning about that, and of course, the risks involved in going into gaza. Rosemary, i think everyone would be surprised if a Ground Incursion by israel did not happen. As i said, there are of course risks that the best of times in terms of fatalities on the israeli side, and also the risk of Israeli Soldiers being taken captive as well. I no doubt, hamas will have laid booby traps, well have improvised explosive devices at the ready for the moment when israel does go in. And of course, this whole situation is complicated somewhat by the presence of these 100 250 hostages that hamas has taken and is holding inside of gaza. So are really complex situation. Of course, israel, at the same time monitoring whats going on in the north. We saw rockets fired from syria into israel over the Golan Heights yesterday. And of course, weve seen both rockets fired from Southern Lebanon and also infiltrations from Southern Lebanon into northern israel. So israel monitoring the, board of call of hundreds of thousands of reserves. We talk about the equivalent of Something Like 3 of the entire israeli population has now been called up. And also to put the death toll in the context, as it stands, more than 1200 in israel killed in the yom kippur war, which began almost 50 years ago to the day. In english canada, the death toll is only about double that amount. So no doubt, future historians will look back on whats been happening these past few days in the same kind of bracket as previous wars that israel has fought, such as the yom kippur war, rosemary. All right, our thanks to Elliott Gotkine, joining us live from london with a report. Palestinian Officials Say dozens of buildings, including homes, schools, and medical institutions have been flattened as a result of israeli strikes on gaza. The death toll is rising by the hour, and hospitals are overwhelmed by the number of wounded. Cnns ben wedeman has more on the devastation in the region. The gaza city neighborhood once known as the sands, reduced to ashes. Its residents retrieve what they can, which isnt much. [sound of artillery] israel continues to pound the strip, targeting, it says, hamas infrastructure. Residents in shock are asking why. But [speaking in a nonenglish language] i got married this year, says this woman. What did i do . What have we done . Theyve destroyed an entire neighborhood. He says he never fired a rocket. It is one of the most densely populated patches of land on earth. Bombs crashing in a crowded neighborhoods, really differentiate between fighter and civilian. The death toll rises by the hour. Causes hospitals are overwhelmed with the wounded, including infants. Around 40 of the population of gaza is under the age of 15, according to the cia. The Information Ministry in gaza reports that nearly 170 buildings have been destroyed in more than 12,000 residents have been damaged. Tens of thousands have fled their homes, seeking refuge in u. N. Schools convert into shelters. An oven in this bakery in gaza city is shut down, many of the shelves empty. Life here was already difficult, and now the future looks bleaker than ever. [speaking in a nonenglish language] gaza will take five years to raise its head after this, says this woman. And after five years, there will be two or three more wars. Its a catastrophe. And amidst all this, somewhere in gaza, only hamas knows where, are more than 100 israeli captives, feet unknown. [sound of artillery] tuesday afternoon, israel struck causes only port, use principally by fishermen. Well at the same time, hamas unleashed a massive volley of rockets towards ashkelon. The abyss approaches. Ben wedeman, cnn, jerusalem. Meantime, the United Nations is calling for an immediate deescalation of the situation between israel and hamas. The agencys Human Rights Commissioner issued an urgent plea to all states with influence to defuse the situation. He stressed that International Humanitarian law and Human Rights Law must be respected in all circumstances. The agency also urge all parties to immediately cease attacks targeting civilians. Translator we are faced with an explosive powder keg situation, and we know how this plays out time and again. The loss of israeli and palestinian life an incalculable suffering inflicted on both communities. All parties must respect International Humanitarian law. Joining me now is a spokesperson for the office of the High Commissioner for human rights. She joins us from geneva, switzerland. Thank you so much for being with us. So like most wars, its civilians who pay the highest price. And were seeing that on both sides of this conflict. And now, in response to hamass brutal and deadly attacks, israels Defense Minister is ordering a complete siege of the gaza strip, which includes cutting off food, water, and power to more than 2 million residents, have them children. What will be the likely humanitarian consequences of such a move, in the midst of ongoing israeli airstrikes in the territory but . And is it legal . Well, i think the consequences are already going to be dramatic and it will make the humanitarian situation in gaza, which was precarious. Were really concerned about this by the israeli authorities, which means that the essential supplies, food, fuel, water are likely to be cut off, Making Life Intolerable for the civilian population there. But its important to really stress that imposition of a siege is down from the International Humanitarian law, which is why were really concerned of my colleagues saying that, that all parties should endless violence, now should stop it, and we should really deescalate, not escalate, because the civilians, both israeli and palestinian are the ones who always end up paying the price. And i think in that report by your correspondent, there was a moment there saying what comes after this . Another war and another war and another war. And that is really the cycle of vengeance that is so concerning. And thats why our High Commissioner for human rights made this appeal yesterday, and hes calling for an end to this total warfare. Because really, that is not the solution. And has there been any reaction or any response to that call for a deescalation in this conflict. Are you seeing any effort in, that and what steps need to be taken . What would that mean . I think there are two things. I think that the politics involved are clearly caught up in that. We can see from the reports that you talked about, the impact on israeli civilians, what happened, people being killed in their homes. We are very concerned about. That clearly what happened there is likely a war crime, and Summary Executions of hamas militants by israeli but also seeing the barrage of rockets come from hamas that also likely being indiscriminate, will be affecting civilians, and maybe a possible war crimes. Were also seeing concern about the airstrikes being conducted on gaza, and the destruction of civilian buildings. So really, we understand that were in the midst of this. But this is why there are calls that really needs to be a stepping back. I would expect that there are multiple efforts being made on diplomatic and political channels to try to do this. But as the High Commissioner said, this total warfare has to stop now. We have to really focus on respect for International Humanitarian law, basically the rules of warfare, and International Human rights law. And aid organizations pleading for the creation of humanitarian corridors to get aid into gaza. Whats being done about that. Any progress made it all . Well, i mean, u. N. Humanitarian organizations, as well as others, they do have preposition supplies. But they are concerned that these will run out. So it is essential that there is a means to get aid into the civilian population of gaza. Dont forget this is a territory that has been under a sea and land blockade for 16 years. So it really is Going Forward in the coming days that all efforts are made to get essential Relief Supplies in. Liz fossil in geneva, many thanks, appreciate it. And time for a short break now. When we come back, scenes of brutality in southern israel. Why one general wanted to make sure the media was there to document it. Each passing day brings another horrific example the brutality of loss attacks. Israel reports more than 100 bodies have been found in a kibbutz near gaza. And cnns Nic Robertson saw the carnage in another nearby village. A warning, his report contains graphic content. The drive into casa is chilling. Evidence of hamas is butchery everywhere. This Israel Defense force general shock at what he found. But i thought about General Eisenhower who came to the death camp in europe, says bring the press. He did the same, inviting about 50 journalists. You will see. Its a big massacre, big disaster. Have you ever seen anything like this in your career . No, never before. Less than a mile from gaza, 70 hamas fighters stormed in here early saturday. Some even flying. Theyre telling us this is when the paragliders that flew in. Here you can see the engine here, the propellers here, made of carbon fiber. The fuel tank up here and the frame of it and the seat at the front. The idf in control now, after a twoday battle. Hamas lying where they fell. Only, now the extremes of their barbarity becoming apparent. 700 plus civilians lived here. How many were killed still unclear. How they died, brutally apparent. Some decapitated, they say. Killed babies in front of their parents. They killed parents, and we found babies in between the dogs in the family that killed before them. They cut the head of the people. Each body bag a silent sentinels the Intelligence Failure that allowed kfar aza and other communities near gaza to be overrun. And motivation for troops too. We wait to switch, to switch ourselves from the defense to the attack. Because you know, we defend our people. And now, we collect their body. And when you say you are going to, tactfully be going into gaza itself . I look to the next hundred years. You take care of the next 100 yards . Next 100 yards, and then i look forward. Forward to a possible showdown with hamas. How and when, still to be determined. Nic robertson, cnn, kfar aza, his real. We continue to hear more about the atrocities from people who survived the assault by hamas. Cnn spoke with one woman who lives in a kibbutz near the israel gaza border. She survived by barricading herself and her daughter in a safe room in her house for nearly 12 hours. She says she first heard about the attack from a neighbor who texted about armed hamas militants entering the u. S. Kibbutz, and then she heard Automatic Weapons Being fired. After she ran into her safe room, she realized she didnt know how to lock the door. Her brother sent a picture showing how his door was locked with broomsticks. So shaking with fear, she used a stick and her Vacuum Cleaner to secure the door and waited for the worst. You know that youre just going to die if they break in. And i was just tying these things to the door. And they mans large voices, screaming in arabic, banging everything, theyre large bangs and shouting and the whole and just fear. And after they broke everything, they reach the door and i was still hoping that they would past that door, and not going to but they did. They come to the door . They came to the door and they start trying to open, trying to open. And then theyre banning it, and shouting, and banging it. And theres nothing we can do except we were hugging, my daughter and i, under the table hiding in the dark. And youre just sitting there trying to be silent, thinking yeah, thinking at this moment, youre thinking seconds in till your dead. So were dead. So we start saying to each other, i love you, my daughter says mom i love, you i really appreciate everything you did to me. And i told her how much i love her. We told or how we are going to die. Kickback the door, trying to open, and im sure that whatever i did, that the Vacuum Cleaner and wouldnt hold, but they did. And after eight or ten minutes, they were trying and screaming and shooting everything. And they finally moved on, breaking more things in the house, and move to the next neighbors, and shooting there, and trying probably to break their doors. Terrible, terrible. The move from door to door, house to house, bringing to each and every house in the kibbutz. And i heard my neighbors daughters, the ones who live right in front of me, they have three years old and a fiveyearold. They were screaming well this Automatic Weapon was shooting. Did they survive . They did, they did. But the other side neighbors, they killed the whole family. Grandmother, son, his wife, three little children. I mean, so many people died. 30 , one out of three people, either died or kidnap. And we are a small community. Less than 400 people, including children. I hope everybody is getting will be released and will be alive. I dont know, i dont know if they will come out alive from this. I hope so but. I hope they will. She says the militants came into he