The militant group began its offensive - which it named “Operation Al Aqsa Storm” - on Saturday with a barrage of missiles from Gaza followed by militants crossing the border.

Hamas has launched one of its largest attacks on Israel in years.

The militant group began its offensive - which it named “Operation Al Aqsa Storm” - on Saturday with a barrage of missiles from Gaza followed by militants crossing the border.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared “we are at war” and launched “Operation Swords of Iron”.

Here is what we know so far about how the attack unfolded.

Israeli officials said around 2,500 rockets were fired, though Hamas’s military commander Mohammad Deif claimed the figure was double that.

  • AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    This isn’t going to achieve anything beyond hurting numerous people on both (overwhelmly palestinan, though) sides.
    I don’t really see the point.

    • ???@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      This has always been one of my major issues with Hamas. The powers are disproportionate and “showoff resistence” won’t get them anywhere.

      • Dkarma@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Palestinians have no choice at this point it seems. Israel has been out to exterminate them for a while by bulldozing settlements and simply murdering Palestinians.

        Look at how much land they’ve already taken since 1948 and it starts to look like genocide.

        • Chocrates@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          How did Apartheid South Africa topple? I feel like that is the only path forward at this point

          • bamboo@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            International support evaporated as the Cold War ended. Supporting Apartheid under the banner of anti-communism was no longer viable, and the “terrorist” Mandela and the ANC were able to gain support.

            Until Israel loses its utility as an American military base in the Middle East, they’ll have virtually unlimited military resources. Then the people we’re currently calling terrorists will become freedom fighters and have a chance to make change.

            • Chocrates@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              That’s what I am afraid of. We put up with Israel because they are force projection for the west in the Middle East, and we get to sell tons of weapons to them. Still good ole imperialism fucking people over.

    • takeda@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It feels like a way to distract US from Ukraine. Hamas had recent visits in Moscow, also recording them war crimes is the stupidest thing they could do. It provides larger shock value, motivating western population to push their country to get involved (benefits Moscow), but also makes really hard to support them when Israel responds.