Israel war

Israel has ordered a 'complete siege' on the Gaza Strip, cutting off food and electricity as it prepares for a massive ground offensive 'within 48 hours' after Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack this weekend in what has been described as the Jewish state's 'worst day in history'. More than 700 Israeli soldiers and civilians were shot dead or blown up in rocket attacks launched by the Palestinian gunmen on Saturday, who mowed down some 260 innocent people at a music festival in a brutal, unexpected offensive that drew comparisons with the 9/11 attacks or Pearl Harbour. In retaliation, Israel's Defence Forces (IDF) and air force…

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, with its fighters entering communities near the Gaza Strip, killing residents and taking hostages. Here's what you need to know about the people and places involved - and the essential context to understand this story. What is Hamas? Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist militant group which rules the Gaza Strip. Hamas is sworn to Israel's destruction and 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…