ISRAEL-GAZA CONFLICT: DIVISIONS RUN DEEPER

Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes in recent days to inflict as much damage as possible on Hamas militants in Gaza, with the latest conflict threatening to evolve into a full-blown war

LATEST FLASHPOINT

The latest outbreak of violence began in east Jerusalem last month, when Palestinian protests broke out in response to Israeli police tactics during Ramzan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers. A focal point of clashes was the Al-aqsa Mosque, which is revered by both Muslims and Jews. Hamas fired rockets toward Jerusalem last week, triggering the Israeli assault on Gaza.

RELENTLESS VIOLENCE

As fighting entered its 7th day, Hamas and other outfits in Palestine have fired some 2,900 rockets into Israel, with 450 falling shot or misfiring, and at least 1,150 intercepted by Israel’s superior military powers.

Israel, on the other side, unleashed hundreds of air strikes across impoverished Gaza, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians and has been under a blockade since 2007.

Israel also leveled a number of Gaza City’s tallest office and residential buildings, Including a 12-storey structure that housed media offices.

CEASEFIRE EFFORTS

A US diplomat is in the region to try to de-escalate tensions, but experts say targeting of Hamas leaders could hinder negotiations. The UN Security Council also met on Sunday to discuss the issue.

THE PROMISED LAND

At the core of the conflict is Jerusalem, which contains sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Israel sees all of Jerusalem as its eternal and indivisible capital, while the Palestinians want East Jerusalem —captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-israeli war—as the capital of a future state.

"It is still not over and this operation will continue as long as necessary."

—BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Israel PM