Former Jerusalem mayor says death toll from Hamas attack has ‘probably crossed 1000’

The former mayor of Jerusalem says the Israel death toll from the Hamas attack has likely topped 1000.

Rachel Azaria told 3AW Breakfast the official death toll stands at 600, but the true number of victims is much higher.

“This is the most people in Israel that have ever been killed … in one day,” she said.

Israel has officially declared war on Hamas, green lighting steps to retaliate against Hamas, and Ms Azaria said Israel is bracing for a long conflict following the violent attack.

“This is not something we can accept,” she said.

Australian neurosurgeon living in Jerusalem, Andrew Kaye, said “the mood is one of enormous sorrow”.

“There’s a feeling now that something has to be done about Hamas. Virtually every year they do something,” he told Ross and Russel.

Listen to the clip on 3AW.