Fight to recapture Israeli towns 'taking longer than expected'

Israel's troops were still fighting to recapture its own towns from Hamas gunmen on Monday, acknowledging the battle was taking longer than expected more than two days after the militants burst across the fence from Gaza on a deadly rampage, Report informs, citing Reuters.

Fighting was still raging at seven or eight locations inside Israel captured by the fighters, who killed 700 Israelis and seized dozens of hostages in an assault that shattered Israel's reputation of invincibility.

"It's taking more time than we expected to get things back into a defensive, security posture," Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told a briefing with journalists.