Israeli tanks close to the southern city of Sderot were firing in a rhythmic onslaught when, suddenly, a colourful bus rattled in carrying ultra-Orthodox Jews who had come to boost troop morale.

The men, who follow a strict interpretation of Jewish law, also brought essentials for celebrating the Sabbath day of rest to the soldiers under orders to “destroy” Hamas Islamists who rule Gaza after their deadly attack on Israel.

The Hasidic ultra-Orthodox, dressed in their white shirts and black trousers, offer a jarring contrast to the soldiers in army fatigues and the six tanks positioned behind trenches which are unleashing their bombs with ground-shaking thumps.

As the booms echoing across the agricultural landscape were joined by those from other tanks hidden from sight behind a hill, the ultra-Orthodox men muttered “good, good” to each other.

It was during Sabbath a week back, October 7, when hundreds of Hamas fighters stormed across the border, shooting dead people in their homes, on the streets and at a rave party.

More than 1,300 people, most of them civilians, were killed in Israel, while taking another 150 across the border.

Israel has retaliated by declaring war with Hamas, hammering targets in the blockaded Gaza Strip with heavy bombardments that have killed 2,215 people, including 724 children.