(JNS) Israel’s Security Cabinet early on Sunday morning made a series of decisions marking the start of the offensive phase of “Operation Swords of Iron,” ordering the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for the “destruction of the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and [Palestinian] Islamic Jihad.”

“We are embarking on a long and difficult war that was forced on us by a murderous Hamas attack,” said Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

“We will restore security to the citizens of Israel and we will win,” he vowed.

“The first stage is ending at this time with the destruction of the vast majority of the enemy forces that infiltrated our territory. At the same time, we have begun the offensive phase, which will continue with neither limitations nor respite until the objectives are achieved,” he added.

Among the Cabinet’s decisions was to halt the supply of electricity, fuel and goods to the Gaza Strip.

On Saturday night, the Cabinet officially approved a war situation and the taking of significant military steps, as per Article 40 of Basic Law: The Government.

“The war that was forced on the State of Israel in a murderous terrorist assault from the Gaza Strip began at 6 a.m. yesterday (Saturday, 7 Oct. 2023),” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

As Israel readied its response to Saturday’s attacks, four divisions of reservists were being deployed to the Gaza border, joining the 35 battalions already deployed to the area, the army said.

Hamas killed at least 600 Israelis and wounded more than 2,000 on Saturday in a massive offensive launched from the Gaza Strip, including firing thousands of rockets and sending dozens of terrorists to infiltrate the Jewish state.

Of the 1,864 wounded, 19 remain in critical condition, the Israeli Health Ministry announced on Sunday morning. In addition, 326 Israelis sustained severe wounds, while 359 were moderately wounded.

Overnight Saturday, Palestinian terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip continued to fire rockets at Israel’s southern region, with a direct hit reported on Ashkelon’s Barzilai Medical Center. The projectile struck a bridge between hospital buildings and no casualties were reported,  according to Channel 12.

Twenty-eight Israelis were hurt in rocket attacks overnight, The Magen David Adom emergency service announced, with two listed as being in serious condition.

Meanwhile, security forces, including 35 IDF battalions, continued their search for Hamas infiltrators throughout southern communities. Following a day-long standoff, hostages were freed in Kibbutz Be’eri and Ofakim.

Control was also regained over the area surrounding the police station in Sderot, where 10 Hamas terrorists were killed after the Israel Police ordered the building destroyed.

“We neutralized most of the significant battles in the [Gaza] Envelope and began to evacuate residents. We have long days ahead of us,” the IDF Spokesperson told local media on Sunday.

The IDF gained control over 29 infiltration points along the border fence and at sea, he said, noting that hundreds of terrorists had been killed and dozens captured.

“There were battles in which commanders and fighters fought heroic battles against terrorists, and some of them also fell,” added the spokesperson as he announced that at least 26 Israeli soldiers were among those killed during the fighting.

The Israel Police said 30 of its officers had been killed since Saturday morning. “We are far from announcing that we have succeeded in eliminating all the terrorists who entered Israeli territory,” Ynet quoted police spokesperson Eli Levy as saying.

On Israel’s northern front, the IDF hit targets in southern Lebanon with artillery on Sunday morning, after Hezbollah terrorists there fired mortars at the Jewish state. There were no reports of casualties or damage.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for Sunday’s fire, saying it targeted three Israeli military sites in solidarity with the “Palestinian resistance.”

In Judea and Samaria, Israeli troops arrested 19 Hamas operatives.