Israel is a small country in the Middle East. Most people there are Jewish. On October 6, 1973, several nations attacked Israel. Fifty years later, Israel was attacked again. It’s the worst conflict in Israel since the war in 1973. The leader of Israel declared: “We are at war.”
On October 7, a group called Hamas shot rockets into Israel. Fighters from Hamas crossed into Israel. They came from an area called Gaza. People called Palestinians live in Gaza. Palestinians believe they should have some of the land in Israel.
About 700 Israeli people were killed over the weekend. That includes soldiers and . Thousands more were hurt. It was the deadliest day in Israel’s history.
Israel’s leader reacted quickly. Benjamin Netanyahu ordered attacks on Gaza. Israeli rockets destroyed buildings there. More than 400 Palestinian people were killed.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke about this. He said the United States “condemns” the attack “against Israel by Hamas terrorists.” President Biden promised to support Israel. He added: “Israel has a right to defend itself and its people.”
The fighting is still going on. Netanyahu warned Israelis to prepare for a “long and difficult war.” But he said Israel will not give up. “We are at war,” said Netanyahu. “And we will win it.”
Updated October 9, 2023, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Russell Kahn (Russ)
