What's happening in Israel and why now? - BBC News

Israel's defence minister has ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip, two days after Hamas launched shock attacks on Israel that left hundreds of civilians dead.

But why is this happening, what is Hamas, and who backs it?

The BBC’s Middle East analyst, Sebastian Usher answers your questions.

#Israel #Gaza #BBCNews

[somaiyahhayatminhas]

As a Muslim, I am praying for the innocent civilians in both Palestine and Israel. I can't believe that in the 21st century, people are still fighting like pagans instead of resolving their conflicts by talking and finding a middle ground. We haven't learned anything from history..At the end of the day, the only people suffering will be the innocent kids and widows who had nothing to do with the politics and the power games of the politicians...There are no winners in wars.. The UN should sit together and find a solution for the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

[jayhome]

Disagreeing with Israeli policy and the Israeli government does NOT make you anti-Semitic. Government and religion are not the same thing. Stop calling people racist for not agreeing with your point of view! There's a lot of built up rage in Gaza for the way Israeli's treat them. There are two sides to this story! At the same time Hamas' brutal tactics makes them equally at fault. But I understand where their anger is coming from.

[lifeseeksmore]

“If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” ~ Malcolm X

[herekitty]

This is extremely disturbing on both ends. I feel bad for the elderly, the men and the children in Palestine and Israel that have fallen victims to crimes committed against them. It’s extremely scary and concerning and I hope this comes to a swift end

[klausjambor]

My deepest condolences to the families who lost their lives in this conflict.

[ayshaelsibai]

It is not Israel, it is the occupied land of Palestine

[MichaelKing]

Brits saying it's complicated when they are the root cause of it LMAO

[justayoutuber]

Next time God promises the same land to two groups, I suggest a notarized written contract.

[fzowrij]

Dear American, How would you feel if your land was seized by Israel like this and you became a refugee without a homeland?

Palestinians has the right to defend themselves and end the on going occupation and apartheid.

[gilmoreskeen]

Palestinians HAVE THE RIGHT TO ATTACK/FIGHT AGAINST Israeli military occupation by whatever means available to them.

[JRich-yzhe]

Can you imagine living in an occupied territory your whole life? Watching as Israel settlements move you into smaller and smaller space. A pressurecooker that has finally blown up.

[rehanansari]

Provide best weapon to our Palestinian and Lebanese brothers to defend themselves against apartheid
They have every single right to make occupiers life little more deficult to breath in middle East

[olivergrumitt]

As I have commented before, the situation in Gaza, Palestine and Israel always manages to achieve the impossible - it gets even worse. And you can be sure that the situation will get even worse than it is now. In 10 years time - if people are still around by then -
I am certain I shall make exactly this same comment. People will never change their nature, even to save themselves.

[T_A_K_W_A]

Free Palestine 🇵🇸
You don't have to be Muslim and Arab to support Palestine, you just have to be human.❤

[dulynoted]

BBC, you're not helping the narrorative by trying to explain this conflict stating the Palastinian people crossed the line. The line has been constantly crossed, everytime Israel evicted Palastinian families from their homes, killing them if they resist and stealing their land. Gaza is an open air prison, that Israel has been oppressing. What do you think the Palastinian people should do? They tried peaceful protests and were met with bullets from Israeli military. A Palastinian nurse to help the wounded, was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper. An American Palastinian Journalist was gunned down by Israeli police and then they defiled her funeral processing. Isreal is being lead by tyrants who gloat over killing Palestinians and continue this theocratic oppression of the Palastinian people. Israel does not have a democracy. And anyone outside this conflict will only continue it, if they don't insist Isreal stop their Colonialism and tyranny.

[kaouthar]

There is nothing complicated about this at all. The oppressed people (Palestinians) want freedom and their land back that is rightfully theirs. Just like the Ukrainians fight Russia to get their land back! #FreePalestine🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[marvindon]

Gaza is a prison of hopelessness and generational despair . Thanks Britain 🇬🇧 👍

[eddieash]

Since 1947 Israel has been taking Palestinian territory a bit at a time. 70 years of this has resulted in Israel having nearly all the land that was once Palestinian. Its not complicated, its a land grab, plain and simple. They want you to think its complicated.

[Nobody-Nowhere]

How is occupation complicated? Israel occupies Palestine, its simple.
Is Russia / Ukraine complicated also?

[Lea_]

This conflict will only end when Israel leaves the occupied territories, puts an end to its colonization and allows the existence of an independent Palestinian state. As long as the Palestinians are denied the right to a sovereign state in accordance with UN resolutions, they will continue to fight for their independence.