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Israel attack: What is Hamas, and other questions Israel attack: What is Hamas, and other questions
(about 1 hour later)
A Palestinian boy reacts in front of a burning Israeli car grabbed by militants and taken to Gaza on Saturday A Palestinian boy reacts in front of a burning Israeli car seized by militants and taken to Gaza on Saturday
The attack on Israel on Saturday has raised some key questions on search engines and social media about what has happened and why. Here are some of those questions answered.The attack on Israel on Saturday has raised some key questions on search engines and social media about what has happened and why. Here are some of those questions answered.
What is Hamas?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.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 Israel, and carried out other deadly attacks. Israel has also repeatedly attacked Hamas with air strikes, and, together with Egypt, has blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007 in what it says is for its security.In between those wars, it has fired or allowed other groups to fire thousands of rockets at Israel, and carried out other deadly attacks. Israel has also repeatedly attacked Hamas with air strikes, and, together with Egypt, has blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007 in what it says is for its security.
Hamas explainedHamas explained
Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union and the UK, as well as other powers. Hamas is backed by Iran which funds it and provides weapons and training.Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union and the UK, as well as other powers. Hamas is backed by Iran which funds it and provides weapons and training.
What is Gaza?What is Gaza?
The Gaza Strip is a 41km- (25-mile) long and 10km-wide territory between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to about 1.6m people and has one of the highest population densities in the world.The Gaza Strip is a 41km- (25-mile) long and 10km-wide territory between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to about 1.6m people and has one of the highest population densities in the world.
What is life like in the Gaza Strip?What is life like in the Gaza Strip?
Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline and restricts who and what goods are allowed in and out through its border crossings. Similarly, Egypt controls who passes in and out through its border with Gaza.Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline and restricts who and what goods are allowed in and out through its border crossings. Similarly, Egypt controls who passes in and out through its border with Gaza.
About 80% of the population of Gaza depends on international aid, according to the UN, and about one million people rely on daily food aid.About 80% of the population of Gaza depends on international aid, according to the UN, and about one million people rely on daily food aid.
Why are Israel and Hamas fighting?Why are Israel and Hamas fighting?
There is constant tension between Israel and Hamas, but the attack by Hamas on Saturday came without warning. Hamas fired thousands of rockets at Israel while dozens of Hamas fighters breached the border and invaded Israeli communities, killing dozens of civilians and taking others captive.There is constant tension between Israel and Hamas, but the attack by Hamas on Saturday came without warning. Hamas fired thousands of rockets at Israel while dozens of Hamas fighters breached the border and invaded Israeli communities, killing dozens of civilians and taking others captive.
Israel immediately responded with air strikes on militant sites in Gaza, killing about 200 people.Israel immediately responded with air strikes on militant sites in Gaza, killing about 200 people.
It is unclear why Hamas attacked at this time, but such an operation would have taken months of planning.It is unclear why Hamas attacked at this time, but such an operation would have taken months of planning.
What is Palestine and what have these events got to do with it?What is Palestine and what have these events got to do with it?
The West Bank and Gaza, which are known as the Palestinian territories, as well as East Jerusalem and Israel all formed part of land known as Palestine since Roman times.The West Bank and Gaza, which are known as the Palestinian territories, as well as East Jerusalem and Israel all formed part of land known as Palestine since Roman times.
These were also the lands of Jewish kingdoms in the Bible, and are seen by Jews see as their ancient homeland.These were also the lands of Jewish kingdoms in the Bible, and are seen by Jews see as their ancient homeland.
Israel's borders explained in mapsIsrael's borders explained in maps
Israel was declared a state in 1948, though the land is still referred to as Palestine by those who do not recognise Israel's right to exist. Palestinians also use the name Palestine as an umbrella term for the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.Israel was declared a state in 1948, though the land is still referred to as Palestine by those who do not recognise Israel's right to exist. Palestinians also use the name Palestine as an umbrella term for the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
GazaGaza