We explain the background to the militant group, the scale of their attack on Israel and what could happen next.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, with its fighters entering communities near the Gaza Strip, killing hundreds of residents and taking dozens of hostages.
About 80% of the population of Gaza depends on international aid, according to the UN, and about one million people rely on daily food aid.The West Bank and Gaza, which are known as the Palestinian territories, as well as East Jerusalem and Israel all formed part of land known as Palestine since Roman times.
The fact that it has taken so many Israelis captive is likely to be aimed at pressuring Israel to free some of the about 4,500 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons - a highly emotive issue for all Palestinians. Israel has arguably the most extensive and well-funded intelligence services in the Middle East, with informants and agents inside Palestinian militant groups, as well as in Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere.
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Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds deaditemprop=description content=In an assault of startling breadth, Hamas gunmen rolled into as many as 22 locations outside the Gaza Strip.
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Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds deaditemprop=description content=In an assault of startling breadth, Hamas gunmen rolled into as many as 22 locations outside the Gaza Strip.
Read more »
Hamas attack out of Gaza Strip stuns Israel and leaves at least 200 deaditemprop=description content=Bodies of dead Israeli civilians and Hamas militants were seen on the streets of Israeli towns.
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Hamas attack out of Gaza Strip stuns Israel and leaves at least 200 deaditemprop=description content=Bodies of dead Israeli civilians and Hamas militants were seen on the streets of Israeli towns.
Read more »
Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza Strip stuns Israel and leaves dozens deaditemprop=description content=Bodies of dead Israeli civilians and Hamas militants were seen on the streets of Israeli towns.
Read more »
Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza Strip stuns Israel and leaves dozens deaditemprop=description content=Bodies of dead Israeli civilians and Hamas militants were seen on the streets of Israeli towns.
Read more »