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What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and what is Hamas? What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and what is Hamas?
(about 20 hours later)
Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip on 7 October, killing more than 1,400 people and taking more than 200 hostages.Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip on 7 October, killing more than 1,400 people and taking more than 200 hostages.
Since then, Israel has been carrying out strikes on Gaza in response, killing more than 10,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.Since then, Israel has been carrying out strikes on Gaza in response, killing more than 10,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
What is Israel doing in Gaza?What is Israel doing in Gaza?
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has bombarded Gaza from the air and sent ground forces into the territory.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has bombarded Gaza from the air and sent ground forces into the territory.
Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said there is a "clear goal of destroying Hamas's military and governing capabilities", as well as freeing hostages. He has refused calls for a ceasefire. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said there was a "clear goal of destroying Hamas's military and governing capabilities", as well as freeing the hostages.
He later gave an indication of his plans for after the conflict - saying Israel would take "overall security responsibility" for the Gaza Strip for an "indefinite period".
He has refused calls for a ceasefire but has said "tactical little pauses" in military operations for humanitarian purposes "may be possible".
Much of the IDF's focus has been on northern Gaza, on the densely built-up area of Gaza City and the nearby refugee camps of Jabalia and Shati.Much of the IDF's focus has been on northern Gaza, on the densely built-up area of Gaza City and the nearby refugee camps of Jabalia and Shati.
However, Israel has also continued to hit targets in southern Gaza, despite telling residents from the north to head there for their safety. The IDF first warned people in the north of Gaza to leave the region and head south on 13 October, and has repeated those calls several times, but has continued to hit targets in the south.
What does new analysis tell us about Gaza hospital blast? The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams says there are more than 300,000 civilians still living in northern Gaza.
BBC verifies attacks in Gaza 'safe' areas Palestinians evacuate the site of Israeli strikes in central Gaza
There are upwards of 300,000 civilians still living in northern Gaza, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams says.
The situation in Gaza is changing rapidly. Recent developments include:The situation in Gaza is changing rapidly. Recent developments include:
The IDF said on Monday that it had surrounded Gaza City and cut the Gaza Strip in two On Tuesday, the IDF said it had taken control of "a Hamas stronghold" in northern Gaza, after saying the previous day it had surrounded Gaza City and cut the Gaza Strip in two
It said it was keeping open a "corridor" for civilians to move south It also said it had bombed Hamas fighters in a building near Al-Quds hospital in Gaza City
Israel's military carried out one of its heaviest bombardments of Gaza overnight on Sunday Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza were quoted by the Reuters news agency saying at least 23 people were killed in separate Israeli air strikes in the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis overnight into Tuesday. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said the toll was higher still. The IDF has not yet commented
The Red Crescent organisation said an Israeli air strike on Saturday killed 15 people outside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City Wafa also said one of its journalists, Mohammad Abu Hasira, was killed alongside 42 members of his family by an Israeli air strike in Gaza City in the north
The IDF says it continues to allow safe passage at fixed times to allow civilians still in the north to move south
The IDF has tens of thousands of soldiers, tanks and artillery along Gaza's borders. It has drafted a record 300,000 reservists alongside its standing force of 160,000.The IDF has tens of thousands of soldiers, tanks and artillery along Gaza's borders. It has drafted a record 300,000 reservists alongside its standing force of 160,000.
Hamas is thought to have about 25,000 members in its military wing. It operates from underground tunnels, which it has said stretch for 500km (310 miles).Hamas is thought to have about 25,000 members in its military wing. It operates from underground tunnels, which it has said stretch for 500km (310 miles).
More on Israel-Gaza warMore on Israel-Gaza war
Follow live: Latest updatesFollow live: Latest updates
Hostages: Children must be off limits, says father of abducted kids From Israel: Pain still raw a month after Hamas attacks
From Gaza: Stories of those killed in Gaza Watch: The devastating effects of war on Gaza's children
Watch: Breaking down videos from Gaza's secret tunnels Explained: Who are the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel?
Explained: What is Hezbollah and will it go to war with Israel?
History behind the story: The Israel-Palestinian conflictHistory behind the story: The Israel-Palestinian conflict
What is the humanitarian situation in Gaza?What is the humanitarian situation in Gaza?
The heads of all the major UN agencies called on Monday for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire", saying "enough is enough". They also called for the unconditional release of hostages. On Monday, the heads of all the major UN agencies called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire", as well as the unconditional release of hostages.
Their statement said: "The horrific killings of even more civilians in Gaza is an outrage, as is cutting off 2.2 million Palestinians from food, water, medicine, electricity and fuel". Their statement said that "cutting off 2.2 million Palestinians from food, water, medicine, electricity and fuel" was an "outrage".
More than 23,000 injured people "require immediate treatment within overstretched hospitals", it added. It also said that more than 23,000 injured people "require immediate treatment within overstretched hospitals".
An estimated 1.4 million people have moved south since Israel ordered them to leave the north of the Gaza Strip. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Gaza was "fast becoming a graveyard for children", and that situation there was "more than a humanitarian crisis; it is a crisis of humanity".
Many families are sharing homes, or sleeping in tents. Almost 750,000 are being hosted by Unrwa, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. His remarks were criticised by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.
Phone and internet services have been cut repeatedly, leaving people unable to call for ambulances. On Tuesday, Unrwa, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said that 1.5 million Gaza residents had been displaced, and that 717,000 people were sheltering at its "overflowing" sites.
Gaza normally receives 500 lorry loads of supplies a day, but only a fraction of that amount has been arriving. On Monday, Israel said Jordan's air force had dropped medical equipment into a field hospital in Gaza, in co-ordination with the IDF. Many other families are sharing homes, or sleeping in tents.
Also on Monday, the Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened, allowing more foreign nationals and badly injured Palestinians the chance to leave the enclave. Phone and internet services have been cut repeatedly in Gaza, leaving people cut off from the outside world and unable to call ambulances or access the limited help which is available inside Gaza.
Hundreds of foreign passport holders, including more than 100 British, and injured people have left. However, many more remain stuck in Gaza. Gaza normally receives 500 lorry loads of supplies a day, but only a fraction of that amount has been arriving during the latest conflict. The UN says some 1.2 million people living in the territory already relied on food aid before the latest hostilities.
On Monday, Israel said Jordan's air force had dropped medical equipment into a field hospital in Gaza, in co-ordination with the IDF.
Gaza Strip in maps: Life in Gaza under siege
What is happening at the Rafah crossing?
Around 600 foreign passport holders, including two UK passport holders, were on Tuesday's list of people eligible to leave Gaza via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Hundreds of injured people and foreign passport holders, including more than 100 UK citizens, have left through Rafah since it reopened on 1 November.
However, many more remain stuck in Gaza.
Earlier on Tuesday, 70 trucks carrying medical supplies, food, and water crossed into Gaza from Egypt, according to Cogat, a unit of the Israeli Ministry of Defence. It said the trucks were inspected before being allowed to enter.
What is the Rafah crossing and why is it Gaza's lifeline?What is the Rafah crossing and why is it Gaza's lifeline?
'I don’t want to die at 24' - trapped Gaza woman'I don’t want to die at 24' - trapped Gaza woman
Who are the hostages?Who are the hostages?
The Israeli military says Hamas is holding 242 hostages in Gaza.The Israeli military says Hamas is holding 242 hostages in Gaza.
The WHO says it is "gravely concerned" about their condition - especially those who are children, elderly or in poor health - and has called for their immediate release.The WHO says it is "gravely concerned" about their condition - especially those who are children, elderly or in poor health - and has called for their immediate release.
It is thought Hamas may have captured the hostages to pressure Israel into freeing some or all of the estimated 5,100 Palestinians who were held in Israeli prisons at the start of October. It is thought Hamas may have taken the hostages to pressurise Israel into freeing some or all of the estimated 5,100 Palestinians who were held in Israeli prisons at the start of October.
Hamas says it has hidden the hostages across Gaza, including in tunnels.Hamas says it has hidden the hostages across Gaza, including in tunnels.
It says at least 50 hostages have been killed by Israeli air strikes, and that seven hostages were killed in the attacks on the Jabalia refugee camp, although these figures cannot be verified. It says at least 50 of them have been killed by Israeli air strikes, and that seven more were killed in the attacks on the Jabalia refugee camp. These figures cannot be verified.
On 20 October, two American-Israeli hostages - mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Raanan - were freed. Four days later, two elderly Israeli women, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifschitz, were released.On 20 October, two American-Israeli hostages - mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Raanan - were freed. Four days later, two elderly Israeli women, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifschitz, were released.
Israel's military said its soldier Pte Ori Megidish was rescued during ground operations in Gaza. Separately, Israel's military said its soldier Pte Ori Megidish was rescued during ground operations in Gaza.
Who are the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel?Who are the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel?
What is Hamas and what does it want?What is Hamas and what does it want?
Hamas is a Palestinian group which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. The group is sworn to Israel's destruction and wants to replace it with an Islamic state.Hamas is a Palestinian group which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. 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. It has fired - or allowed other groups to fire - thousands of rockets into Israel, and has carried out other deadly attacks.Hamas has fought several wars with Israel since it took power. It has fired - or allowed other groups to fire - thousands of rockets into Israel, and has carried out other deadly attacks.
In response, Israel has repeatedly attacked Hamas with air strikes. In 2008 and 2014, it also sent troops into Gaza.In response, Israel has repeatedly attacked Hamas with air strikes. In 2008 and 2014, it also sent troops into Gaza.
Together with Egypt, Israel has blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007 for what it describes as security reasons.Together with Egypt, Israel 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.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.Iran backs the group, providing it with funding, weapons and training.
Why is there a war in Gaza now?Why is there a war in Gaza now?
Hamas killed families in their homes in the kibbutz of Kfar AzaHamas killed families in their homes in the kibbutz of Kfar Aza
On 7 October, hundreds of Hamas gunmen crossed from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel by breaking through the heavily fortified perimeter fence, landing by sea, and using paragliders.On 7 October, hundreds of Hamas gunmen crossed from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel by breaking through the heavily fortified perimeter fence, landing by sea, and using paragliders.
It was the most serious cross-border attack Israel has faced in more than a generation.It was the most serious cross-border attack Israel has faced in more than a generation.
The gunmen killed 1,400 people, most of them civilians, in a series of raids on military posts, kibbutzim and a music festival, and took hostages back into Gaza.The gunmen killed 1,400 people, most of them civilians, in a series of raids on military posts, kibbutzim and a music festival, and took hostages back into Gaza.
Mr Netanyahu said after the attack that Israel was at war, and vowed that Hamas would "pay an unprecedented price".Mr Netanyahu said after the attack that Israel was at war, and vowed that Hamas would "pay an unprecedented price".
Given the significant resources of Israel's security services, it was astounding that the attack by Hamas was not anticipated, the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner says.Given the significant resources of Israel's security services, it was astounding that the attack by Hamas was not anticipated, the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner says.
The attack came at a time of soaring Israeli-Palestinian tensions.The attack came at a time of soaring Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
This year has been the deadliest on record for Palestinians who live in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which could have motivated Hamas to strike Israel.This year has been the deadliest on record for Palestinians who live in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which could have motivated Hamas to strike Israel.
Hamas might also have been seeking to score a significant propaganda victory to boost its popularity among ordinary Palestinians.Hamas might also have been seeking to score a significant propaganda victory to boost its popularity among ordinary Palestinians.
What is the Gaza Strip and how big is it?What is the Gaza Strip and how big is it?
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 located between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea.
Originally occupied by Egypt, Gaza was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six Day war. Originally occupied by Egypt, Gaza was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Israel withdrew its troops and around 7,000 settlers from the territory in 2005.Israel withdrew its troops and around 7,000 settlers from the territory in 2005.
It is home to 2.23 million people and has one of the highest population densities in the world. The enclave is home to 2.23 million people and has one of the highest population densities in the world.
Just over 75% of Gaza's population - some 1.7 million people - are registered refugees or descendants of refugees, according to the UN. More than 500,000 of them live in eight crowded camps located across the Strip.Just over 75% of Gaza's population - some 1.7 million people - are registered refugees or descendants of refugees, according to the UN. More than 500,000 of them live in eight crowded camps located across the Strip.
Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline, and has strictly controlled the movement of people and goods.Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline, and has strictly controlled the movement of people and goods.
Gaza Strip in maps: Life in Gaza under siege
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 a land known as Palestine from Roman times until the mid-20th Century.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 many 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. Israel was declared a state in 1948, although 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.Palestinians also use the name Palestine as an umbrella term for the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
The Palestinian president is Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen. He is based in the West Bank, which is under Israeli occupation.The Palestinian president is Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen. He is based in the West Bank, which is under Israeli occupation.
He has been the leader of the Palestinian Authority (PA) since 2005, and represents the Fatah political party, a bitter rival of Hamas. paul ada He has been the leader of the Palestinian Authority (PA) since 2005, and represents the Fatah political party, a bitter rival of Hamas.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Israel & the PalestiniansIsrael & the Palestinians
Israel-Gaza warIsrael-Gaza war
IsraelIsrael
GazaGaza
FatahFatah
Mahmoud AbbasMahmoud Abbas
HamasHamas