Hamas Surprise Attack on Israel: 300 Killed, International Attention Drawn

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip during the Jewish high holiday of Simchat Torah. Israeli media reported that at least 300 Israelis were killed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a mass army mobilization and retaliated with an offensive called 'Swords of Iron.' Israel targeted multiple sites and headquarters of Hamas, resulting in over 232 deaths and nearly 1,700 injuries. The attack by Hamas follows a period of heavy fighting in the West Bank. Conditions for Palestinians have worsened under the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. The assault also comes at a crucial moment as Israel and Saudi Arabia were moving closer to normalization of relations. Hamas aims to draw international attention to the Palestinian question.