Israel's Battle Against Hamas: A Long and Challenging War

Israel is facing a "long and difficult war" after Hamas militants infiltrated southern communities, killing soldiers and civilians and taking hostages. Israel has responded with air strikes, targeting operational infrastructure in Gaza. The Israeli military also carried out artillery strikes in southern Lebanon after mortars were fired from there. Over 300 people have been killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza, and Israel has warned of cutting off electricity, fuel, and goods supplies to the region. Tens of thousands of reservists have been mobilized, and a ground operation in Gaza is expected. There has been international condemnation of the Hamas attacks, while Saudi Arabia called for an immediate halt to the escalation.