Here’s what we know now after two days and nights of violence following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Saturday:
• The Israeli army last night attacked “more than 500 targets” of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip and of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
• The rocket alarm also sounded again in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv and in other cities in the country. Explosions were heard in the coastal city, most of them believed to be Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Previously, warning sirens also sounded in cities south of Tel Aviv.
• According to Daniel Hagari, the top spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), fighting also continues in seven to eight places in southern Israel near the Gaza border. Restoring safety takes “more time than expected”.
• The death toll in Israel has risen above 700. At the music festival attacked by Hamas on Saturday, 260 bodies alone were found. Hamas and the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, meanwhile, say they are still holding 130 Israelis
• At least 413 Palestinians have been killed and 2,300 injured in retaliatory attacks on the Gaza Strip.
• China has called for an “immediate ceasefire” and reiterated its support for an independent Palestinian state following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel.
• According to The Wall Street Journal Hamas has actively received support from Iran in the attack, which has been planned since August. This is what senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah say. Iran denies any involvement.
• Oil prices showed a strong increase on Monday morning. Fears of a further escalation of the conflict are fueling concerns about the supply of crude oil from the Middle East.
