His comments came as Israel struck the Hamas-controlled territory, which is home to 2.3 million people. people, after the attack on Israel organized by Hamas, during which more than 1.2 thousand were killed. people. Officials reported that more than 1,200 people were killed in Gaza during Israeli retaliatory strikes. people.
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, invading its territory and launching rocket attacks. Israel carried out retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas is the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip and has been involved in several wars with Israel since taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The group has been recognized as a terrorist by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and some other countries.
Hamas is supported by Iran, financing the purchase of weapons, supplying them and providing military training. Hamas has a political office in Qatar, where some of its leaders are based.
2.3 million people live in the Gaza Strip. people, but Israel, with the help of Egypt, has imposed a blockade on the territory since 2007 – it restricted the import of goods to and from the territory by water, sea or air, as well as the ability of the Palestinians themselves to leave the territory, except for a few tens of thousands of workers.
#ICRC #humanitarian #situation #Gaza #Strip #spiral #control
What are the key factors contributing to the escalation of the Israeli-Hamas conflict?
## Interview Transcript: Gaza Conflict Escalates
**Host**: Welcome back to the program. We’re continuing our coverage of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Joining us now is [Guest Name], a [Guest Expertise] with extensive experience in the region. [Guest Name], thank you for being here.
**Guest**: Thank you for having me.
**Host**: We’re hearing reports of escalating violence, with Israel striking targets in Gaza following Hamas’s attack on Israel. Can you help us understand the situation on the ground?
**Guest**: Absolutely. As we’ve seen, the situation is dire. The Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, a densely populated territory home to 2.3 million people [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c2vdnvdg6xxt)], have resulted in over 1,200 reported casualties. This comes in the wake of a devastating Hamas attack on Israel that tragically claimed over 1,200 lives as well.
**Host**: This is a complex and deeply rooted conflict. Can you shed some light on the factors that led to this escalation?
**Guest**: This conflict has been simmering for decades, fuelled by issues of land, security, and recognition.
[Expand on the historical context and contributing factors here. Focus on providing a concise and informative overview for a general audience].
**Host**: Given the immense human cost on both sides, what can be done to de-escalate the situation and achieve a lasting peace?
**Guest**: That’s exactly the million-dollar question. A ceasefire is urgently needed to prevent further bloodshed, and there needs to be a commitment from both sides to engage in meaningful negotiations.
[Discuss possible pathways to peace, including the role of international actors and potential concessions].
**Host**: [Guest Name], thank you for your insights. This is undoubtedly a challenging and heartbreaking situation. We will continue to monitor the developments closely and provide updates as they become available.