Israel and Palestinian war: What you need to know right now

Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza following a surprise attack by Hamas militants, resulting in hundreds of casualties on both sides. The conflict involved airstrikes on Hamas officials’ homes, housing blocks, tunnels, and a mosque, complicating retaliation due to Israeli hostages. The U.S. pledged support to Israel.

Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon in southern Israel October 7, 2023. | Photo Credit: REUTERS/Amir Cohen Acquire Licensing Rights

Israel's military pounded the Palestinian enclave of Gaza on Sunday and killed hundreds of people a day after a surprise attack by Hamas militants left some 700 Israelis dead, the worst attack on Israeli soil in decades.

ISRAEL TARGETS GAZA

*Israeli bombing on Sunday targeted the homes of Hamas officials, but also hit housing blocks, tunnels and a mosque, killing at least 400 people. The retaliation was complicated by an unknown number of Israeli hostages held in the area.

*Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the Israeli campaign in Gaza would "change reality for generations."

*The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced Israel's attacks on Gaza as a "barbarous campaign of death and destruction."

HAMAS PLANNING

*Hamas carried out a careful campaign of deception to pull of its stunning attack, accounts from Hamas and Israeli sources show.

UNITED STATES AID

*President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday that the U.S. was sending additional assistance for Israel's military.

*U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the U.S. will send multiple military ships and aircraft closer to Israel. (Compiled by Brad Brooks; Editing by Andrea Ricci)

COMMENT NOW

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.