Israeli forces have been carrying out airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, as well as ground clashes with Hamas, with more than 436 people killed in Israeli airstrikes.
Most of the deaths occurred in Gaza’s densely populated southern sector, as the conflict escalated beyond Gaza, with Israeli aircraft carrying out strikes in southern Lebanon.
Additionally, Israeli troops clashed with Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation, as civilians in Gaza continue to lack food, water and shelter. Although some aid reaches Gaza, it is far less than the amount needed to deal with the crisis.
The death toll on the Palestinian side continues to rise, with two weeks of Israeli air strikes killing more than 5,087 Palestinians, including 2,055 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The current Israeli bombardment was triggered by cross-border attacks by Hamas militants on Israeli communities on October 7, resulting in casualties and hostage-taking.
Both Israel and Hamas have reported clashes in Gaza. Israel has indicated that its ground forces carried out limited raids to deal with Palestinian gunmen, while air strikes were focused on areas where Hamas was believed to be preparing possible attacks.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the raids targeted groups of militants and collected information about people held hostage by Hamas.
Gaza’s Hamas-run Interior Ministry reported an Israeli airstrike in the al-Saudi and Jenina neighborhoods of Rafah, near the southern border with Egypt.
Hamas’ military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed to have engaged an Israeli force that infiltrated into Gaza and destroyed Israeli military equipment.
The conflict shows no signs of abating and remains highly volatile. Israel has amassed troops and tanks along its border with Gaza, but the timing of a possible ground offensive is uncertain.
The Israeli military faces a challenging task in confronting Hamas, which has built up a substantial arsenal with support from Iran. The conflict is being fought in densely populated urban areas with extensive networks of tunnels.
The international community, including the United States, has expressed concern over the increasing violence. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide aid to those affected by the conflict.
As the situation in the region remains volatile, there are growing fears that an Israel–Hamas war could lead to a broader regional conflict, especially given Hezbollah’s involvement on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
