Israel’s military continues to search in the country’s south for Hamas fighters and guarded breaches in its border fence with tanks, as it pounds the Gaza Strip from the air and mustered for a campaign its prime minister said would destroy “the military and governing capabilities” of the terrorist group.

More than two days after Hamas launched its unprecedented incursion from Gaza, the military said the fighting had largely died down for now. The surprise attack caught Israel’s military and intelligence apparatus totally off guard, bringing heavy battles to its streets for the first time in decades.

Israel officially declared war on Sunday as Palestinian terrorists continued firing barrages of rockets, setting off air raid sirens in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Civilians are already paying a high price. About 700 people have been killed in Israel — a staggering toll by the scale of its recent conflicts. Nearly 500 have been killed in Gaza, a tiny, impoverished enclave of 2.3 million Palestinians bordering Israel and Egypt. Palestinian militant groups claimed to be holding over 130 captives from the Israeli side.

Global Affairs Canada has confirmed one Canadian citizen to be among the casualties with two others listed as missing.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has spoken with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and condemned” Hamas’ attacks… while saying he is “gravely concerned” about the atrocities that have unfolded.

Trudeau reaffirmed that Canada stands with Israel and fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself and the leaders agreed to remain in close contact as the situation develops.

An emergency rally is being held in Toronto in support of Israel. It begins tonight at 7pm at Mel Lastman Square. People are being asked to bring Israeli and Canadian flags and wear blue and white.