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What is Hamas, what is happening in Israel and Gaza Strip, and other questions What’s happening in Israel and Gaza? What is Hamas? A really simple guide
(about 20 hours later)
Watch: A day of violence and fearWatch: A day of violence and fear
Watch: A day of violence and fearWatch: A day of violence and fear
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, with its fighters entering communities near the Gaza Strip, killing hundreds of residents and taking dozens of hostages. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on 7 October, with its fighters entering communities near the Gaza Strip, killing hundreds of people, and taking dozens of hostages.
Here's what you need to know about the people and places involved - and the essential context to understand this story. What is the background to the group and its latest attack?
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What is Hamas?What is Hamas?
Hamas is a Palestinian militant group which rules the Gaza Strip. It is sworn to Israel's destruction and wants to replace it with an Islamic state. Hamas has fought several wars with Israel since it took power in Gaza in 2007. Hamas is a Palestinian militant group which rules the Gaza Strip. The group is sworn to Israel's destruction and wants to replace it with an Islamic state. Hamas has fought several wars with Israel since it took power in Gaza in 2007.
In between those wars, it has fired or allowed other groups to fire thousands of rockets at Israel, and carried out other deadly attacks. Israel has also repeatedly attacked Hamas with air strikes, and, together with Egypt, has blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007, for what it says is its security. It has fired - or allowed other militant groups to fire - thousands of rockets at Israel, and carried out other deadly attacks.
Israel has repeatedly attacked Hamas with air strikes in response, and sent troops into Gaza during two of the wars. Together with Egypt, it has blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007 for what it describes as security reasons.
Hamas - or in some cases its military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades - has been designated a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union and the UK, as well as other powers.
Iran backs the group, providing it with funding, weapons and training.
Hamas explainedHamas explained
Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union and the UK, as well as other powers. Hamas is backed by Iran, which funds it and provides weapons and training. What is the Gaza Strip and why is it important?
What is the Gaza Strip? The Gaza Strip is a 41km (25-mile) long and 10km-wide territory located between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Gaza Strip is a 41km (25-mile) long and 10km-wide territory between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to about 2.3 million people and has one of the highest population densities in the world. Originally occupied by Egypt, Gaza was captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel withdrew its troops and around 7,000 settlers from the area in 2005.
What is life like in the Gaza Strip? It is currently home to about 2.3 million people, and has one of the densest populations in the world.
Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline and restricts who and what goods are allowed in and out through its border crossings. Similarly, Egypt controls who passes in and out through its border with Gaza. Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline, and strictly controls the movement of people and goods through its border crossings.
Similarly, Egypt controls who passes in and out through its border with Gaza.
About 80% of the population of Gaza depends on international aid, according to the UN, and about one million people rely on daily food aid.About 80% of the population of Gaza depends on international aid, according to the UN, and about one million people rely on daily food aid.
After Hamas's unprecedented attack, Israel announced a "siege" of Gaza - cutting its supplies of electricity, fuel, food, goods and water.
Gaza's only power station is expected to run out of fuel on Wednesday. Without electricity, Gaza's water and sewage systems will also shut down.
Watch: Hiding at home, blinded and choked by dust - a video diary from Gaza
Watch: Hiding at home, blinded and choked by dust - a video diary from Gaza
What is Palestine?What is Palestine?
The West Bank and Gaza, which are known as the Palestinian territories, as well as East Jerusalem and Israel all formed part of land known as Palestine since Roman times. The West Bank and Gaza, which are known as the Palestinian territories, as well as East Jerusalem and Israel all formed part of a land known as Palestine from Roman times until the mid-20th Century.
These were also the lands of Jewish kingdoms in the Bible, and are seen by Jews as their ancient homeland. These were also the lands of Jewish kingdoms in the Bible, and are seen by many Jews as their ancient homeland.
Israel was declared a state in 1948, though the land is still referred to as Palestine by those who do not recognise Israel's right to exist.
Palestinians also use the name Palestine as an umbrella term for the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
Israel's borders explained in mapsIsrael's borders explained in maps
Israel was declared a state in 1948, though the land is still referred to as Palestine by those who do not recognise Israel's right to exist. Palestinians also use the name Palestine as an umbrella term for the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Why did Hamas launch its latest attack?
Why did Hamas attack now? Although the attack by the militants on 7 October was unexpected, it came at a time of soaring Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
Although the attack by the militants on 7 October came without warning, it happened at a time of soaring Israeli-Palestinian tensions. This year has been the deadliest on record for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which could have motivated Hamas to strike Israel with a spectacular attack.
This year has been the deadliest year on record for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which could have motivated Hamas to strike Israel with a spectacular attack. Hamas might also have been seeking to score a major propaganda victory against Israel to boost its popularity among ordinary Palestinians. Hamas might also have been seeking to score a significant propaganda victory against Israel to boost its popularity among ordinary Palestinians.
The fact that it has taken so many Israelis captive is likely to be aimed at pressuring Israel to free some of the about 4,500 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons - a highly emotive issue for all Palestinians. The fact that it has taken so many Israeli hostages captive is thought to be designed to pressure Israel to free some of the estimated 4,500 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons - a highly emotive issue for all Palestinians.
There is also speculation that the attack was orchestrated by Iran - Israel's arch-foe - though Iran's ambassador the UN has denied his country's involvement. There is also speculation that the attack was orchestrated by Iran - Israel's arch-foe - though Iran's Supreme Leader has denied his country's involvement.
Iran and Hamas also staunchly oppose the growing prospect of a historic peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia - something which might be thwarted if Israel's military response to the attacks provokes widespread anger in the Arab world. Iran and Hamas also staunchly oppose the growing prospect of an historic peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
How unprecedented is this attack? This might be thwarted if Israel's military response to the Hamas attacks provokes widespread anger in the Arab world.
As our International Editor Jeremy Bowen writes, this is the most ambitious operation Hamas has ever launched from Gaza and the most serious cross-border attack Israel has faced in more than a generation. How Hamas' shock attack unfolded
Who are the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel?
How does this compare to previous Hamas attacks?
The BBC's international editor Jeremy Bowen says this is the most ambitious operation Hamas has ever launched from Gaza, and the most serious cross-border attack Israel has faced in more than a generation.
Militants breached the wire that separates Gaza from Israel in multiple places.Militants breached the wire that separates Gaza from Israel in multiple places.
The unprecedented attack came a day after the 50th anniversary of the surprise attack by Egypt and Syria in 1973 that started a major Middle East war. The significance of the date will not have been lost on the Hamas leadership. Details of a massacre in one Israeli community, Kibbutz Kfar Aza, have emerged - with an Israeli general speaking of babies killed. Israeli soldiers told Jeremy Bowen that some of the dead had been beheaded.
Is this a major Israeli intelligence failure? Since the latest attack began, the death toll in Israel has reached 1,200 - while more than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza.
Yes, says our security correspondent Frank Gardner. With the combined efforts of Shin Bet, Israeli domestic intelligence, Mossad, its external spy agency and all the assets of the Israel Defense Forces, he says it is frankly astounding that nobody saw this coming or failed to act on it if they did have a warning. Why wasn't the attack foreseen by Israeli intelligence?
Given the combined resources of the Shin Bet, Israeli domestic security services, its external spy agency Mossad, and all the assets of the Israel Defense Forces, the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner says it is astounding that nobody saw this coming or failed to act on it if they did have a warning.
Israel has arguably the most extensive and well-funded intelligence services in the Middle East, with informants and agents inside Palestinian militant groups, as well as in Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere.Israel has arguably the most extensive and well-funded intelligence services in the Middle East, with informants and agents inside Palestinian militant groups, as well as in Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere.
On the ground, along the tense border fence between Gaza and Israel there are cameras, ground-motion sensors and regular army patrols. The border fence between Gaza and Israel has cameras, ground-motion sensors and regular army patrols.
The barbed-wire topped fence is supposed to have been a "smart barrier" to prevent exactly the sort of infiltration that has taken place in this attack. Yet the militants of Hamas simply bulldozed their way through it, cut holes in the wire or entered Israel from the sea and by paraglider. The barbed-wire topped fence is supposed to have been a "smart barrier" to prevent exactly the sort of infiltration that has taken place in this attack.
More on Israel-Gaza attacks But Hamas militants simply bulldozed their way through it, cut holes in the wire or entered Israel from the sea and by paraglider.
Follow LIVE: Latest updates How is the US involved?
Hostages: What we know about Israelis taken by Hamas
Analysis: Israel blindsided, says Jeremy Bowen
Watch: How Hamas' shock attack unfolded
Is the US involved?
America is Israel's closest ally, and successive administrations have declared the US' "iron-clad" commitment to Israel's security.America is Israel's closest ally, and successive administrations have declared the US' "iron-clad" commitment to Israel's security.
In the wake of the Hamas attack, the US announced it was moving an aircraft carrier, ships and jets to the eastern Mediterranean and that it would also give Israel additional equipment and ammunition. In the wake of the Hamas attack, the US announced it was moving an aircraft carrier, ships and jets to the eastern Mediterranean, and that it would also give Israel additional equipment and ammunition.
It is unclear exactly why it is moving the fleet, but as well as a show of support towards Israel, it could be a warning to the powerful Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah - an enemy of Israel and supporter of Hamas - not to attack Israel. As well as a show of support towards Israel, the move could be a warning to the powerful Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah - an enemy of Israel and supporter of Hamas - not to attack Israel.
Nine US citizens - along with victims from about 16 countries, excluding Israel - were killed in the Hamas attack. At least 14 US citizens - along with victims from about 16 countries, excluding Israel - have been killed in the Hamas attack. A number of US citizens are also among the dozens of people being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
What happened in 1973 which people are comparing it to? What happened in 1973, and why are people comparing it to Hamas' latest attack?
An equivalence is being drawn between the Hamas attack and what Israelis refer to as the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Almost 50 years ago to the day, Israel was caught in a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Some are comparing the Hamas attack with what Israelis refer to as the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Almost exactly 50 years ago, Israel was caught in a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
The Arab forces made significant advances before Israel was able to repel them, but at a loss of the lives of 2,656 Israeli soldiers and thousands more wounded (up to around 18,000 were killed and tens of thousands wounded on the Arab side). The Arab forces made significant advances before Israel's were able to repel them.
The fact that Israel was caught off-guard and suffered so many casualties made a deep impact on the Israeli psyche, and military preparedness since then convinced Israelis that such a thing could never happen again. In the war, 2,656 Israeli soldiers were killed, and thousands more were wounded. On the Arab side, some 18,000 were killed and tens of thousands were wounded.
What could happen next? The fact that Israel was caught off-guard and suffered so many casualties made a deep impact on the Israeli psyche, and its subsequent focus on military preparedness convinced Israelis that such an event could never happen again.
Hamas militant commander Mohammed Deif has called on Palestinians and other Arabs to join the militants' operation to "sweep away the [Israeli] occupation". How might Israel and the Arab world respond?
A big question now is whether Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem or elsewhere in the region will heed his call, says our Jerusalem correspondent Yolande Knell. Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif has called on Palestinians and other Arabs to join the militants' operation to "sweep away the [Israeli] occupation".
Israel undoubtedly sees the potential for a war that could open up on multiple fronts. A worst-case scenario is that it could draw in the powerful Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah. On Sunday morning, Hezbollah launched a number of missiles and shells at northern Israel, without causing casualties. It is not clear whether Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem or elsewhere in the region will heed his call, according to the BBC's Jerusalem correspondent Yolande Knell.
The Israeli military has ordered a massive reinforcement of troops. As well as its intense air raids on Gaza, it has indicated that it is planning a ground operation there. Israel undoubtedly sees the potential for a war that could open up on multiple fronts.
One worst case scenario would see the involvement of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.
Since the attack, the Iran-backed militant group has launched a number of missiles and shells at northern Israel. Israeli forces have responded by attacking Hezbollah positions and other infrastructure.
The Israeli military has ordered a massive reinforcement of troops and is expected to launch a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip soon.
It says 300,000 personnel are near the Gaza border "ready to execute the mission we have been given".
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