Israel Initiates Military Campaign and Intensifies Airstrikes on Gaza in Response to Hamas Attacks

The government of Israel officially declared a state of war on Sunday, authorizing what it described as “significant military steps” in retaliation against an unexpected attack by Hamas. Israeli armed forces continued their operations against militants in southern towns and escalated airstrikes over the Gaza Strip. The conflict has resulted in over 1,100 deaths and thousands of injuries on both sides.

A day after Hamas commenced its surprising incursion from Gaza, Israeli troops remained engaged with militants in various locations on Monday morning. The conflict has claimed the lives of at least 700 individuals in Israel — a death toll of a magnitude not seen in the country for many years — and over 400 in Gaza.

Israel has mobilized special forces with the aim of retaking four locations from Hamas militants, including two communal settlements that were infiltrated earlier during the offensive.

As the formal declaration of war suggests the likelihood of protracted hostilities, one pressing question is whether Israel will conduct a ground invasion of Gaza, a move that historically has led to elevated numbers of casualties.

Additional Developments

Hamas, along with the smaller Islamic Jihad group, announced the capture of over 130 people from Israel, proposing an exchange for thousands of incarcerated Palestinians. While this claim has not been verified, the Israeli military has acknowledged that a “significant” number of captives have been taken, including soldiers and civilians from various age groups and nationalities.

In a televised interview on ABC’s “This Week,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that approximately 1,000 Hamas fighters participated in the initial assault on Saturday. This substantial number indicates extensive planning by the militant group, which claims its actions are a response to the long-standing suffering of Palestinians due to Israel’s occupation and blockade of Gaza.

Civilian casualties are mounting on both sides. Israeli authorities have begun evacuating residents from at least five towns close to Gaza, and lines of people have been seen at police stations in central Israel, submitting DNA samples to assist in the identification of missing family members.

In Gaza, residents are bracing for a further escalation in violence. Airstrikes have destroyed multiple residential buildings, and tens of thousands have likely fled areas targeted for attacks. According to one resident of Rafah in southern Gaza, 19 members of his family, including his wife, were killed in an airstrike. The Israeli military has not yet commented on this specific incident.

International concerns are growing, as skirmishes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants at the northern border with Lebanon raise fears that the conflict could broaden into a more extensive regional confrontation.

Israel’s Security Cabinet, in its war declaration, did not elaborate on the “significant military steps” approved, but it grants both the military and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a broad mandate. The goal, as stated, is to dismantle Hamas’ “military and governing capabilities” to an extent that would prevent future threats to Israelis.

As the situation unfolds, the capacity and preparedness of Israeli intelligence are being scrutinized, given the scale, ferocity, and unexpected nature of the Hamas assault. The presence of hostages in Gaza further complicates Israel’s options, as it has a history of making asymmetric exchanges to secure the return of its citizens.

Efforts for mediation are also underway, with Egypt reportedly communicating with both sides about a potential cease-fire, although Israel has indicated that it is not prepared to consider a truce at this current juncture.

Contributors to this report include correspondents from various locations: Gaza City, Jerusalem, Rafah in the Gaza Strip, Beirut, Cairo, and Tehran.

Note: The article above is a paraphrased and complete version of the original text. Given the sensitive and evolving nature of the topic, it is crucial to consult multiple sources for the most current information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israel-Hamas Conflict

More about Israel-Hamas Conflict

• Israel-Hamas Conflict: Historical Background
• Understanding the Gaza Strip
• U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East
• Israeli Military Capabilities
• Hamas: Origin and Objectives
• International Humanitarian Law and Armed Conflict
• Egypt’s Role in Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks
• Hezbollah and its Role in Regional Conflicts
• Israel Democracy Institute
• United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)