Overview
- The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry is citing a very high death toll in Gaza, but the numbers reported by the ministry have not been independently confirmed.
- On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel with more than 2,000 rockets, infiltrations, mass killings and the abduction of about 250 people, according to Israeli authorities.
- Israel responded by declaring war, imposing a full blockade of Gaza and initiating Operation “Eiserne Schwerter,” later committing ground forces.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the goals are to destroy Hamas and secure the release of hostages.
- A United Nations report has suggested Israel may have violated international humanitarian law given the scale of civilian casualties.