Israel-Gaza Conflict: Hamas' Surprise Attack Sparks War with Israel

Palestinian militants from Gaza launched a surprise assault on southern Israel, infiltrating 22 Israeli towns and army bases, kidnapping Israeli civilians and soldiers, and firing thousands of rockets towards cities as far away as Jerusalem. The Israeli military reported ongoing fighting in at least five places in southern Israel, with multiple Israelis abducted and taken to Gaza, and at least 250 Israelis reported dead and over 1,400 wounded. Israel retaliated with massive strikes on Gazan cities, resulting in at least 234 Palestinians killed. The Hamas attacks were unusually sophisticated and coordinated, involving rockets, missiles, infiltrations, and even a failed assault by water. The attacks have drawn condemnation from most Western countries but praise from Israel's enemies, including Hezbollah and Iran.