Thousands dead amid Hamas-Israel war

Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. They launched rockets and sent gunmen into Israel from Gaza. The gunmen shot civilians and security forces and took hostages.

Israel quickly fought back with airstrikes aimed at Hamas sites in Gaza. More than 1,600 Palestinians were hurt, and at least 234 were killed in these initial counterattacks.

The number of deaths on both sides has been going up steadily. Thousands of people have lost their lives so far.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that this conflict might last awhile. He addressed the Jewish nation and said, “What happened today has never been seen before in Israel. I will make sure it doesn't happen again. This war will take time, and it will be hard. We will win, but the cost is very high.”