Rockets, fear, and a desperate plea for peace: The Israel-Gaza conflict has intensified after Hamas launched a surprise attack Saturday, triggering retaliatory airstrikes and civilian casualties on both sides. Here’s what you need to know.
⚡ Breaking Down the Crisis
Hamas militants fired rockets and infiltrated southern Israel early October 7, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a state of war. Israeli airstrikes later hit Gaza, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting over 900 deaths. Israel’s military says 1,200 Israelis have been killed.
📢 Voices From the Ground
‘My life turned upside down in minutes,’ said Igal, an Israeli resident sheltering near Gaza. ‘We’re terrified… but we just want this to end.’ Many civilians shared similar hopes for lasting peace, even as sirens blare and tensions rise.
💬 Leaders’ Stark Words
Netanyahu vowed Israel would ‘win this war,’ while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas defended Palestinians’ ‘right to self-defense.’ With electricity cuts in Gaza and families displaced, the human toll continues to climb.
