Israel: Fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian group Hamas raged on Sunday, with more than 500 killed on both sides after an attack on Israel prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn they were “embarking on a long and difficult war”.
The latest round of violence began on Friday, when Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at Israel in response to a deadly Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip. The airstrike killed three Hamas militants, and Hamas vowed to retaliate.
On Saturday, Hamas launched a coordinated attack on Israel, sending hundreds of rockets and mortar shells into Israeli territory. The rockets targeted major cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli forces retaliated with airstrikes on targets in the Gaza Strip.
The fighting continued on Sunday, with both sides exchanging fire. The death toll continued to rise, with more than 500 people killed, including civilians.
In a televised address on Sunday, Netanyahu warned that Israel was prepared for a long and difficult war. He said that Israel would not rest until Hamas had been defeated.
“We are embarking on a long and difficult war,” Netanyahu said. “We will not rest until we have restored quiet and security to the citizens of Israel.”
The fighting has caused a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The strip is already under blockade by Israel and Egypt, and the latest round of violence has made it even more difficult for people to access food, water, and medical supplies.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire, but both sides have so far refused to comply. The UN has warned that the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous and that the death toll is likely to rise.
The conflict has been marked by a series of wars and uprisings. In 1948, Israel was established as a state, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced from their homes. The West Bank and Gaza Strip, which are both claimed by Palestinians, were occupied by Israel in 1967.