Israel has declared a “state of war” in response to the conflict with Hamas. The conflict has caused more than 200 deaths and at least 1,000 injuries in Israel.
Hamas launched an attack called ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’ by firing 3,000 rockets and infiltrating into southern towns of Israel. The conflict quickly escalated with gunfights and hostage situations in around 22 locations, even reaching 15 miles from the Gaza border.
In retaliation, Israel conducted intense airstrikes on Gaza’s coastal enclave as part of ‘Operation Iron Swords.’ This resulted in at least 232 Palestinian deaths. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his determination to destroy Hamas’s hideouts in Gaza.
The fate of the hostages held by Hamas will greatly impact the course of the war, according to the Israeli military.
This conflict is the latest development in the ongoing animosity between Israel and Hamas. Since 2007, when Hamas took control of Gaza, Israel has maintained a blockade over the region. This has led to four previous wars between the two sides, and the current situation represents another escalation in their volatile relationship.
