JERUSALEM : The Israeli military said on Monday morning that it had regained control of all Israeli towns near the Gaza border, in the third day of battles to repel Hamas militants from southern Israel.

"The control over the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip has been regained," IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters, adding but militants could still be in the area.

Hagari said that tanks and aircraft would secure breaches in the security fence between Israel and Gaza, which Hamas fighters tore down on Saturday as they stormed communities in southern Israel.

Israel has called for a large-scale mobilization of reserve forces, with more than 300,000 reserve soldiers reporting within hours, said Hagari.

On Saturday morning, Hamas militants broke through the fence from Gaza while militants in Gaza launched about 3,000 rockets at central and southern Israel. Israel responded with intensive airstrikes in Gaza.

Israeli officials reported that at least 700 people were killed in Israel and more than 2,300 others injured. Militant groups in Gaza claimed that about 130 individuals were taken hostage during the attack. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that at least 493 Palestinians were killed, including 78 minors.