The Armenian Embassy in Israel has called on Armenian citizens to refrain from visiting the southern regions of the country, while those who are already there should immediately move to safer areas.

"It is recommended to stay in hotels or apartments if possible so that in the event of an air raid you can reach a shelter within a minute. You should remain in shelter for at least 10 minutes after the end of the air raid signal,” the embassy said on Facebook.

The Embassy also published a hotline — 050 6670345 — for direct calls.

Fighting in Israel is raging into a third day after Hamas fighters breached the border from Gaza in an unprecedented surprise attack. Officials say the death toll in Israel has passed 700, CNN reports.

Videos show the horror on the ground, including an attack on a music festival where Israeli rescuers say they found 260 people dead. Other clips show Israeli civilians taken hostage. Hamas claims it is holding more than 100 hostages, including Israeli army officers.

Israel has been pounding Gaza with airstrikes and formally declared war on Hamas Sunday. More than 400 Palestinians have died, according to the health ministry in Gaza, and medical care has been complicated by Israel cutting power to the territory.