Israel continues to bomb Gaza Strip as hostages remain with Hamas – 11 October 2023
The Palestinian group Hamas launched an extraordinary assault on Israel on Saturday, with hundreds of gunmen paragliding and charging their way into the country from the Gaza Strip.
Over 1,000 Israelis are reported to have been killed in the past few days, while more than 100 soldiers and civilians, including women and children, are being held in Gaza as hostages.
Hamas rules Gaza and is committed to the destruction of Israel. Countries including the UK and US have classed Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
Israel and the Palestinians disagree on many issues, such as what should happen to Palestinian refugees, whether the two sides should share the city of Jerusalem, and whether a Palestinian state should be created alongside Israel.
More than 750 Palestinians have been killed in the air strikes on Gaza carried out by Israel’s military.
Israel says it is continuing to bomb the Gaza Strip, while Hamas says it won’t negotiate on the hostages it has taken from Israel until the “end of the battle”.
The conflict has been ongoing for many years.
You can find out more about the complicated background of the conflict in issue 905 of First News.
Published Wednesday 11 October 2023
Picture credit: Getty
