US President Joe Biden said at least 14 Americans were among those killed in the Hamas assault, and he was sending extra military assistance to Israel, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome system.

He said he would make sure the Israelis have what they need to defend themselves, insisting the US “has Israel’s back”.

Meanwhile, 30 people including 16 Israelis and 14 Thais, who were missing for three days since the Hamas incursion have been found alive and well in the southern kibbutz of Ein Hashlosha, reported The Times of Israel.

Harrowing tales have emerged of families being taken away, with relatives left with no clue about their fate.

Hamas has warned it will kill a hostage every time Israel launches a retaliatory airstrike without a pre-warning to enable civilians to reach safety.

Gaza under siege

Israel is carrying out a siege of Gaza, cutting off food, power and water as it hits back at Hamas targets in the thin coastal strip, which is home to 2.3 million people.

More than 180,000 Gazans have been made homeless, with many huddling on streets or in schools, the United Nations said, while the bombardment shut roads to emergency crews.

Ahead of an expected ground assault, Israeli tanks have been gathering at the border to guard against further incursions – with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promising devastating revenge.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has now increased the number of reservists it has mobilised to 360,000, with at least 35 battalions being organised into four divisions.

The thousand people killed in Israel include about 250 festivalgoers slaughtered by gunmen who prowled the site shooting them dead. Some of the hostages were paraded through the streets in Gaza.

One couple has told Sky News how they managed to escape the massacre by driving across a field.