PA president calls to 'strengthen Palestinian steadfastness' following Hamas assault; US, EU countries express unequivocal support for Israel in fight against terror

Unconfirmed reports say 52 Israelis taken into Gaza Strip; several vehicles, including an IDF tank and 2 Magen David Adom ambulances captured; EU says hostage-taking abhorrent

Speaking from safe rooms close to the infiltrated Gaza border, locals say there is little military presence in their communities as gunmen freely move house-to-house