Hamas attacks Israel

Hundreds of people have been killed after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a large-scale surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, the deadliest day in Israel's history.

The attack began early on 7 October, a Saturday and a Jewish holiday. Thousands of rockets were fired into Israel, and armed fighters broke through the border fence.

The attack

Hamas fighters attacked towns, villages and military bases in southern Israel, as well as a music festival near the border, where hundreds of young people were killed. Many people were killed in their homes.

Israeli officials say more than 1,000 people have been killed, most of them civilians. Hamas also took around 150 people back to Gaza as hostages, including children and elderly people.

Israel responds

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel was at war. Israel has launched air strikes on Gaza, and has called up hundreds of thousands of reservists. It has announced a complete siege of Gaza, cutting off supplies of electricity, food and fuel.

Palestinian health officials in Gaza say hundreds of people have been killed in the strikes.

Gaza

Gaza, a narrow strip of land on the Mediterranean coast, is home to more than two million Palestinians. It has been controlled by Hamas since 2007, and has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since then.

Aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe.

World reaction

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, condemned the attacks and said Britain stood unequivocally with Israel and supported its right to defend itself. The United States has sent warships to the region.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has condemned the attacks and called for the release of the hostages, while urging all sides to protect civilians.

British victims

The Foreign Office says a number of British nationals are among those killed and missing.

Fears

There are fears the conflict could spread across the region, including to Lebanon, where the Iran-backed group Hezbollah is based.

Police in Britain, including in Birmingham, have increased patrols around synagogues, mosques and community buildings, and community leaders have called for calm.