Israel has declared a state of war following an unprecedented surprise attack by the Hamas militant group. 

The attacks began early Saturday morning, with what Hamas claims as 5000 rockets fired into Israel. Under the cover of the rockets, militants from Gaza entered Israel by land, air and sea.

The death toll continues to rise in what experts are calling the deadliest attack in decades between the two sides, with current reports of over 700 Israelis killed under the Hamas assault and 400 Palestinians dead as Israel retaliates with air strikes in Gaza.

The Wire’s Mary-Kate Hannagan spoke to Dr Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney, to find out more. 

Image: Smoke rises following Israeli attacks in Gaza. Image Courtesy: Mohammed Salem/Reuters

Produced By: Mary-Kate Hannagan

Featured In Story: Dr Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney

First aired on The Wire, Monday 9 October 2023