Haggling over kidnapped Israelis could take years

SOME 40 hours after Hamas launched its onslaught on Israel in the early hours of Saturday, the country's forces were still trying to clear out pockets of Palestinian militants on Israeli soil.

- Robert Fox 

The Israeli Defence Force claimed to have taken back control in 22 settlements attacked by Hamas, but battles continued at eight more locations.

One of the fiercest exchanges was at Sderot, the settlement town nearest to the main crossing point at Beit Hanoun at the northern end of the Gaza Strip. A group of 40 civilians had been crowded into one room in the centre of the little town. They were liberated by IDF soldiers after a day in captivity, who shot dead the entire squad of Hamas gunmen.

The recovery of hostages, including women and children, is a top priority for Israel's government - but not the only one. "The events of these days are part of a wider-ranging and extensive war. Such a war does not end in the blink of an eye," said Israel's usually mild-spoken president, Isaac Herzog.