Several days after Palestinian militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, causing significant casualties, the conflict continues to escalate. Israel has responded with extensive shelling of Gaza and has also faced artillery fire and shelling from Lebanon and Syria in the north.
Here’s what we know about the conflict:
How the Assault Unfolded:
On the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, hundreds of Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel. They fired thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel, breached the security fence around Gaza, and used various means of entry, such as motorbikes, pickup trucks, motorized gliders, and speed boats.
The attack targeted cities like Ashkelon, Ofakim, and Sderot. A music festival near Kibbutz Reim was attacked, resulting in a massacre with hostages taken.
Israel declared war on Hamas and launched thousands of air strikes on Gaza. They imposed a “complete siege” on Gaza, affecting essential supplies, which raised concerns about possible violations of international law.
Israel’s Response:
Israel mobilized tens of thousands of troops and heavy armor near Gaza and called up 300,000 reservists for a campaign termed “Swords of Iron.”
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, warned that the military campaign was just the beginning of a sustained war and vowed to reduce Hamas’s hideouts in Gaza to rubble.
As a result of Israeli air strikes, over 260,000 people were displaced in Gaza, an impoverished territory that has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade for over 15 years.
Current Situation:
Israel has largely reclaimed the southern areas and border around Gaza and dislodged Hamas fighters from several towns and kibbutzim.
However, there have been ongoing clashes with Hezbollah on the northern border with Lebanon, raising concerns of a multi-front war.
An exchange of fire occurred between Israel and forces in Syria, and Israel’s military reported munitions fired towards the Golan Heights.
The Rafah crossing with Egypt was hit by Israeli strikes.
Death Toll:
The conflict has resulted in over 3,600 casualties among both Israeli and Palestinian civilians, soldiers, and combatants.
More than 1,200 people have been killed and over 2,700 wounded in Israeli cities, towns, and kibbutz communities.
Foreigners from various countries, including Thailand, the US, and Nepal, have been among the casualties.
In Gaza, health officials reported 900 people killed and more than 4,000 wounded.
Hamas claimed that Israeli air strikes killed “four of the enemy’s prisoners.”
World’s Reaction:
The United States has expressed unwavering support for Israel and is increasing assistance, including missiles for the Iron Dome interceptor system.
A joint statement by the US, UK, France, Germany, and Italy condemned the attack and affirmed their full support for Israel.
Iran celebrated the Hamas assault but denied involvement.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, launched projectiles into northern Israel, leading to reciprocal shelling.
The conflict continues to escalate, with significant humanitarian and geopolitical implications.