Israeli forces move farther into Gaza as the push against Hamas enters a 5th day

Oct 31, 2023 ·

Israel launched a major military operation in the Gaza Strip on October 31, 2023, targeting the militant group Hamas. After months of escalating violence between Israel and Palestinian militants, the Israeli government sanctioned a large-scale attack to stop missile fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The campaign saw a massive bombardment of the region with air strikes and artillery fire, as well as an Israeli ground incursion to target Hamas' weapons caches and rocket-launching sites.

Hamas has been considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., EU, and other Western governments, but it is also the de facto ruler of Gaza. In response to Israel's latest offensive, Hamas fired hundreds of rockets into Israel over the following days, forcing many Israelis to take shelter or evacuate their homes.

The conflict has resulted in numerous civilian casualties, both from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and from rocket fire into Israel. As of November 26th, more than 230 Palestinians have been killed, including 65 children, and more than 1,600 people injured. At least 10 Israelis have also died since the fighting began, and over 300 have been injured by rockets.

International leaders have called for a ceasefire, urging both sides to de-escalate the situation and find a diplomatic solution. However, so far no agreement has been reached and the conflict continues.

The current conflict comes on the heels of years of tension between Israel and Palestine, and the international community has long worked to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute. Despite multiple initiatives, peace has been elusive. Now, world leaders are again attempting to broker a ceasefire, hoping to bring an end to the bloodshed and suffering.