Israel launches military response as war with Hamas escalates

Israel and Hamas are at war after the Palestinian militant group launched a large aerial and ground operation from the blockaded Gaza Strip, its biggest attack in years. The Israeli military said: 'The IDF will defend Israeli civilians, and the Hamas terrorist organisation will pay a heavy price for its actions.' Inside the strip, civilians reported significant movement of armed factions, as people braced for a major escalation. Saturday’s dramatic developments are the most serious flare-up in the volatile region since Israel and Hamas fought a 10-day battle in 2021, and so far appear to be on a more dangerous scale