Jerusalem, Israel: Over 200 people have been killed in the Israel-Palestine conflict after a surprise attack by Hamas. The armed wing of Hamas declared it had begun “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” and said it had fired over 5,000 rockets in the “first strike of 20 minutes.”
Israel retaliated with airstrikes, and the conflict quickly escalated. The Palestinian Health Ministry says that at least 198 people have been killed in Gaza, including 58 children. Israel says that 40 people have been killed in Israel, including 12 children.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire, but both sides have refused. The conflict has raised fears of a wider war in the region.
Hamas Claims Responsibility for Attack
Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Hamas says that it launched the attack in response to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the killing of a senior Hamas commander.
Hamas has also said that the attack is intended to avenge the deaths of Palestinians in the West Bank. In recent weeks, there have been a number of clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters in the West Bank.
Israel Vows to Retaliate
Israel has vowed to retaliate for the Hamas attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will “do whatever it takes to defend our citizens.”
Israel has already launched a number of airstrikes on Gaza, and it is expected that the conflict will continue to escalate in the coming days.
UN Calls for Ceasefire
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict. The UN Security Council has issued a statement saying that it is “deeply concerned” by the violence and calling for both sides to “end all hostilities immediately.”
The UN has also warned that the conflict could lead to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Gaza Strip is a densely populated area with over 2 million people. The UN says that the Israeli airstrikes have damaged hospitals and other essential infrastructure in Gaza.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been ongoing for decades. The two sides have been unable to reach a lasting peace agreement, and the conflict has led to the deaths of thousands of people.
The recent escalation in violence is a major setback for peace efforts in the region. The international community is calling for both sides to show restraint and to return to the negotiating table.