How the war unfolded - What has happened, why now?

EXPLAINER - How the war unfolded

- Harriet Sherwood

What happened on the border between Israel and Gaza last Saturday? 

Shocked Israelis woke on the last day of the Jewish high holidays to the wail of sirens as Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired thousands of rockets from Gaza and armed militants broke down the hi-tech barriers surrounding the strip to enter Israel, shooting and taking hostages. Militants in boats also tried to enter Israel by sea.

Hundreds of militants infiltrated Jewish communities near the Gaza border, killing and seizing civilians and soldiers.

How did Israel respond?

Israel called up army reservists and launched a wave of airstrikes on the strip, home to 2.3 million people. Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed to reduce Hamas hideouts to rubble. Warplanes targeted buildings in the centre of Gaza City. Israel has indicated it may launch a ground invasion, although this would carry huge risks both for Israel Defence Force (IDF) troops and for Israeli hostages in the territory. Israel has cut off electricity, water and fuel supplies to Gaza. On Tuesday, the IDF said it had retaken control of the Gaza border fence and there had been no new incursions.